Chapter 89: The Groom’s Grand Entrance

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: The Groom’s Grand Entrance

Henry chuckled. "Mom, you know Elisha. He’s always been like that."

His mother reached for his hand. "I’m not saying any of this because I doubt his love for you. I know how much he loves you, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. But now that you’re getting married, I want you to remember that even the strongest love needs patience. There will be times when you disagree, when his stubbornness gets the better of him, or when you both want different things. You can’t expect every day to be easy just because you’ve loved each other for so long."

Her voice softened as she held his gaze.

"Be patient with him, Henry. Try to understand where he’s coming from, but don’t be afraid to speak up when something bothers you. Marriage means learning to listen to each other, making compromises, and knowing when to stand your ground. You love him, and I know he loves you just as much. I only want you both to keep choosing each other, even on the difficult days."

Henry’s smile faded into something more tender. He listened without interrupting, touched by the concern behind her words.

When she finished, he squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Mom. But you don’t have to worry about me. I know Elisha, probably better than anyone else. I know how stubborn he can be, and I know how protective he is of me. I’ve loved him for years, remember?" He gave her a reassuring smile. "I can handle him. And if he ever becomes too much for me, I know I can always come running to you."

His mother laughed softly and shook her head. "You’d better not come running to me every time you two have a disagreement. You’ll have to learn to sort some things out between yourselves."

"I will, Mom. I promise."

His mother smiled at his reassurance, but her eyes soon filled with tears. She had watched Henry grow from a little boy into the man sitting beside her, and now, in just a few hours, he would be walking down the aisle to marry the man he had loved for years. She was happy for him, but the thought of her son starting this new Chapter of his life stirred emotions she could hardly hold back.

Henry’s smile faded when he saw tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Mom," he said quickly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "This is a happy day. Don’t even think about crying, okay?"

"My baby," she whispered, her voice trembling as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I just can’t believe my baby boy is getting married today."

"Please, don’t cry, Mom," he murmured. "You’re going to ruin your makeup before the ceremony even starts."

She let out a tearful laugh against his shoulder, and Henry hugged her a little tighter.

They remained in each other’s arms for a few more moments, neither in a hurry to pull away. Then, a polite knock sounded at the suite door.

Henry gently released his mother and rose from the couch. He straightened his jacket as he went to answer the door. The lead stylist stood outside with the wardrobe team, their hands full of garment bags containing the outfit Henry would change into for the ceremony.

"Mr. Griffin, it’s time to get you ready for the ceremony," the lead stylist said as he stepped into the suite with the wardrobe team.

"Come right in," Henry said, stepping aside to let them enter.

His mother rose from the couch and dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue. By the time she looked at Henry again, she was smiling proudly.

"Alright, son. I’ll leave you to get ready. I’ll come back to check on you before it’s time to head to the ballroom."

"Okay, Mom. See you soon." Henry leaned down and kissed her cheek.

She gave Henry’s arm a gentle squeeze before heading out. Once the door closed behind her, the styling team turned their attention to his outfit. They carefully unpacked the garment bags and laid everything out before helping him out of his cream suit.

Henry stood patiently as they began dressing him for the ceremony. Every detail had been planned in advance, from the cut of his suit to the accessories that would complete his look. With the ceremony drawing closer, there was little time to waste.

The morning slipped away, and before long, it was early afternoon.

In Henry’s holding suite, the stylists carefully dressed him in his new ivory wedding suit, adjusting his jacket and straightening his pale pink cravat. They pinned the finishing touches into place, making sure every detail sat perfectly before stepping back to admire their work.

Across the venue, in the west wing, Elisha was undergoing his own outfit change. Neither groom knew exactly what the other would look like when they finally met at the altar.

Outside, guests started arriving in a steady stream of luxury cars. Family members, close friends, and distinguished guests stepped out in their finest formal wear, greeted by the wedding staff and guided into the venue. Floral arrangements framed the entrance, while plush carpets and carefully placed decorations gave the grounds a grand, elegant appearance. Security personnel remained discreetly stationed around the property, ensuring everything ran smoothly as the guests made their way inside.

By the time the clock struck one, Henry was dressed and ready. His styling team had finished their work, leaving him alone in the quiet suite while they attended to the remaining preparations.

For a moment, he simply sat on the plush sofa, staring at his reflection in the mirror across the room. In less than an hour, he would be standing before Elisha, promising to spend the rest of his life with the man who had been his best friend for as long as he could remember.

The thought sent a nervous flutter through his stomach.

He wondered how many people had already gathered in the ballroom. Had everyone arrived? Were his parents seated yet?

He was so caught up in his thoughts that the buzz of his phone made him jump slightly.

A message from Elisha appeared on the screen.

Elisha: Baby, in 30 minutes, I’ll be standing at the altar waiting for you.

Henry’s lips curved into a smile. Just seeing Elisha’s name was enough to ease some of his nerves.

Henry:Okay, baby.

Elisha:I can’t wait to see you, pretty.

Henry:Me too, darling.

Henry read the messages once more before setting his phone down, his smile lingering. He could almost picture Elisha on the other side of the venue, probably just as impatient as he was.

Barely a minute later, another notification appeared.

Prince Raphael:We’re here! Sitting near the front.

Henry smiled. He was glad Raphael had made it. Before he could reply, another message came through, this time from Eloise.

Eloise:Henry! I just got here and asked for you, but they said we can only see you after you walk down the aisle! Congratulations, man! I can’t wait to see you walk in. And damn, this ballroom looks like absolute heaven!

A breathless chuckle escaped Henry as he read her message. He locked his phone and glanced at the clock, his smile lingering as he realized how close he was to seeing Elisha.

Downstairs, the grand ballroom was packed with guests, the atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, illuminating the elegant floral arrangements and soft candlelight that adorned the venue.

The low, romantic melody of ??Christina Perri’s "A Thousand Years" ?? began to swell from the live orchestra, filling the ballroom.

The heavy double doors opened, and Elisha stepped inside. A round of applause erupted from the guests as he walked down the white-carpeted aisle. Tall, handsome, and impeccably dressed, he kept his eyes fixed ahead until he reached the altar.

The music continued as Elisha took his place. In the front rows, his sisters dabbed their eyes with lace handkerchiefs, while Henry’s family and friends watched with tears in their eyes.

A few moments later, the ballroom doors closed.

Every head turned toward the entrance, and the room fell into an expectant silence.

Elisha’s heart beat wildly as he waited. The music gradually changed, the romantic melody giving way to the deep, celestial strings of

??"Saturn" by Sleeping at Last. Music ??

The moment the new melody filled the ballroom, Elisha struggled to hold back his tears. His eyes brimmed over, and his jaw trembled as he waited for the doors to open again.

Then the towering double doors swung open.

Henry stood in the doorway, holding his father’s arm.

Everyone rose to their feet as a collective gasp swept through the ballroom. Elisha’s breath caught in his throat.

Henry looked breathtaking. His golden-blonde hair was swept back into a neat, low bun, with a few loose strands framing his face. He wore a luxurious ivory suit adorned with delicate floral embroidery along the lapels, paired with a pale pink shirt and matching cravat-style tie. His ivory trousers completed the look, giving him an elegant, almost ethereal appearance that left Elisha unable to look away.

Elisha covered his mouth as tears streamed down his cheeks. He had tried to hold himself together, but seeing Henry standing there, looking so beautiful, was more than he could manage. Quiet sobs escaped him as Henry began walking down the aisle.

Beside his father, Henry kept his gaze fixed on Elisha. Seeing the tears running down his fiancé’s face stirred his own emotions. He bit his lip and briefly lowered his eyes, blinking rapidly as he fought to hold back his tears.

With hundreds of guests watching, Henry continued down the aisle, his eyes returning to Elisha with every step...