Zander and Sophie practically spent the entire rest of their week doing homework assignment after assignment. They were relieved to find out they received top marks on all of it. That means they'd get the next week off.
Despite doing their best to not make it public, word eventually got out that they were being married Sunday and Sophie was glad everyone found out on Friday.
She jokingly asked Zander if she could change her number to which he said, "go ahead, not like I need to call you but I do enjoy the pictures you take." through the bind.
She laughed and responded, "true, but Megan and Stacey just had to say something and then it spread like wildfire. I'm surprised it got to our school as well." Sophie said.
"I blame Cyrus," Zander jokingly said and the wedding rehearsal Saturday went well.
That was, until a local news anchor had asked if they could do a documentary series on Zander Elrod and his wife to be and film the entire wedding. This is when Zander was grateful for Attorney Frankfurt.
Apparently, after Zander called and had him speak to the anchorwoman her face looked shocked and kept explaining how sorry she was.
"It's ok, I just would rather keep my life private, especially with my parents being deceased. You did a great job covering them and covering their death, so for that, I can at least give you an interview when I'm 18." Zander said, with a light smile.
"Is that ok with your attorney? He made it clear that myself and/or any news agency, blogger or cell phone video would be immediately taken down and the Elrods' main lawyers will come after us hard," the anchorwoman stated.
"Yes it will be fine and what is your name?" Zander asked as he politely pulled out his business card. He knew he'd be buying a new personal phone tomorrow so his Harmonia Shark 34 would be his business phone.
"The name's Jennifer Way," she said very proudly, "it's nice to meet you. Your parents were very kind. I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sorry for bothering you today," she said.
"It's no worries, just contact me anytime after March 28th next year," Zander said, and with that, the anchorwoman was off in her van.
"Bro you were like America's top bachelor for 0 minutes. That woman was so gorgeous!" Cyrus said with a laugh as they walked out together.
"Was she, I don't even remember?" Zander stated as he had phoenix eyes activated and was pleased to see Jennifer had a green aura.
"Daft as always man, I'm gonna stay the night tonight if that's ok with you, I am your best man after all!" Cyrus said.
"Yup, it's going to be weird not seeing Sophie until 3 PM tomorrow," Zander said.
Sophie and her parents had just walked up and told Zander, "we took care of her for 17 years, we can handle one more night," they said with big smiles.
They were honestly glad to have one last, normal family night with their daughter. The past month had flipped everything they thought they knew about life upside down.
Sophie gave Zander a big kiss, to which he responded by lifting her up and they both showed off their forever hands.
"Woah, that's cool magic, what is that?" Cyrus asked.
"Oh, speaking of which Mr. knows how to use magic but never told me, it's a bind spell we can cast. It alerts us if the other is in danger and we can teleport to one another if one's in danger," Zander explained.
Cyrus looked around nervously, "I'm still sorry about that."
Sophie responded, "He knows, it makes sense if he has a protection spell. Him not knowing was to make sure his life was as normal as it could be."
Sophie said her goodbyes and Zander and Cyrus thanked Father Glen for everything. Sophie and Zander agreed to donate 10 million dollars each to the Church, Orphanage, apartments, and hospital.
They also agreed to give Ella a million dollar thank you gift.
Sophie had a nice evening with her family, going through photo albums and reminiscing about her younger days.
"You really did become a head turner when you turned 16 sweetheart," her Dad said with a tear in his eye. "You were always beautiful to your Mother and I, but around 15-16 that's when we noticed all the boys checking you out."
"He's right, and what about this last growth spurt, is that a phoenix thing or a you thing?" her mom asked.
"Everything is a me thing, or a Scarlett and me thing," Sophie said with a smile.
"You know we never got a chance to apologize for the night you showed us your other form. We were just shocked. It's one thing to know your daughter is dating the Elrod's only son, who happens to be part Phoenix, but to see your daughter change," her father struggled to continue as tears were flowing.
"We've never seen you look more beautiful than that day, until tomorrow, when that will be the next time we can say that."
Overjoyed, Sophie gave both her parents a huge hug. She told her both she loved them and that what her dad just said meant more to her then she'd ever know.
Due to their promise, Sophie prayed and went to sleep without contacting Zander.
Meanwhile Cyrus and Zander had been sparring in "Will of the Warrior," on their linked, private in-home network, as Zander had two pods.
Zander was quite impressed with Cyrus, now that he could use magic. Cyrus was able to beat him a few times combining chi and magic, and before he knew it they had fought so many times his system had given him another reward.
"Level 10. Rank: Young Phoenix. Strength 11, Mana, 11, Agility 10, Endurance, 10 Stamina 10. Health, 200/200, Energy, 300/300. Experience 1000/2000. Your training session has earned you an additional stat point in strength. You have 3 stat points."
Zander was pleased with the reward and showered, getting ready to sleep.
"You never did tell me bro, why did you lay CyberPunk out then just stop playing Will of the Warrior? I'm ranked 57 now and you've degraded out of the top 100," Cyrus said.
"I was just angry and needed to burn off steam, but my parents always warned me don't get too high on those rankings as Theo could catch on," Zander explained.
"Ah, ya, that video was all over social media, especially after you were verified as 'not a hacker.' After you never came back people eventually moved on," Cyrus said.
"Thanks for being like a brother to me Cyrus, I wasn't and would never be upset about you hiding magic from me. There's no one else, other than my mom and dad, I'd rather see tomorrow with me, other than Sophie of course," Zander said as he walked up to the second floor.
"Zander, I love you like a brother but let me ask you something. What are your plans after high school?" Cyrus asked.
"To spend a few months as a happy new couple, then, well, I think you know that answer. We're going to explore the world. I found something interesting I'll show you sometime, why do you ask?" Zander responded.
"I'll be right there with you two, if you'll have me." Cyrus said, showing the bind of the white Phoenix.
"Thanks bro, goodnight." Zander said, as he continued to the third floor and his room.
Zander and Sophie both slept more soundly than they had in awhile, as Leo snuck out, undetected by Theo, casted a sleeping spell on both of them before teleporting to Theo.
"Hello brother, I just came on behalf of Father. He wants to know if you are satisfied with his end of the agreement and wishes me to tell you he appreciates your honesty and keeping up your end," Leo said with a kind smile.
As he finished, Theo cast a dark spell, "almighty truth," that Leo was unaware existed and had Leo not told the exact truth for being on Earth and in front of Theo, his soul would have shattered.
With a smile, Theo said, "have you considered staying with me, Leo?"
Leo thought about it for a moment before he spoke, "I have an I'm undecided. You will see me on March 27th next year."
"Excellent," Theo muttered and Leo was off.
"Well you're alive, I take it as the sleeping spell for the two went well then?" the Father of Solace stated.
"Yes, he's happy you haven't interfered and wishes me to join him. I'll meet him on March 27th next year but it won't be as easy as we thought. He has a new spell, almighty truth, which if you've told any lie to him, your soul shatters," Leo explained.
"When the time is right, we will know. Now tomorrow, Luna, it's your turn for Theo, as he will be distracted so we can get Sophie and Zander here to bless Sophie and to bless their marriage," the Father stated.
Sophie looked at the clock and screamed, "why didn't anyone wake me up?" as she saw it was 11 am.
"We tried sweetheart, but it's as if you were experiencing the best sleep of your life. Don't worry. Ella and everyone is at the church waiting for you, it's only 30 minutes from us so shower and we'll be there by noon." her mom said with a smile.
Zander too had just woken up, noticed it was 11 am and remembered Cyrus had stayed the night.
Cyrus left him a text, "tried waking you up sleeping beauty, see you at the Church."
Zander took a nice long shower, put on his suit, messed around with his freshly cut, yet still a little messy, spikey golden hair until Zintan switched with him and did his hair for him, after Zander couldn't make up his mind.
Ella had gotten to work on the make up for the bridesmaids and they were already ready to go, so when Sophie got there, she took her into a room of the Church alone to which she shoved a very lacy, sexy bra and a pair of matching lacy, yet classy underwear. The bra was light pink, which matched her eyes, and the underwear was black and pink.
Sophie went beat red but Ella demanded she hurry up, she was late. After she tried on the bra and underwear, she noticed Sophie smiling at herself in the mirror, she had never felt more "sexy," in her life.
Ella carefully helped her get her wedding dress and veil on, and did her makeup and finally turned her around to see herself sitting in the mirror.
Scarlett had popped out, with her red eyes showing and asked to take a picture of her to which Ella agreed, which made Sophie happy inside.
Sophie, looking at herself from the white space, couldn't recognize the shy, brunette girl that met Zander just over a month ago.
"Don't you dare cry," Ella demanded, in a playful tone as she saw Sophie start to get emotional.
"Alright everyone we're coming out," Ella said and all the ladies and even Mr. Grace were taken aback by her beauty.
After showering her with praise, her Mother said, "are you sure sweetie?"
Sophie just smiled and said, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
The church had finally started to have some people arrive, with Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and about 20 of the orphans showed up. Cyrus, who walked in back with Zander, who was sitting with Jackson, came in back and he asked Zander if Zintan wanted a picture.
After taking a picture with the Golden eyes, they were back to his silver eyes and he couldn't stop tapping his foot.
Everyone was here and that's when Mrs. Grace came to get Zander.
He walked up with Cyrus, Jackson, Simon and Timothy, who stood in black and gold suits, matching Zander's all black suit with a pink dress shirt, black tie and pink pocket square to match Sophie's eyes, and Claire, Ella, Stacey and Megan stood opposite in beautiful pink dresses.
Father Glen introduced himself and gave a very long and beautiful speech about why they had gathered here today.
"It is not often I marry two teenagers, who have just legally turned of age, but something tells me that Solace predicted this marriage between these two long ago, when the way we managed time changed and all living souls were brought to the Kingdom of Solace on that fateful day," Father Glen finished his speech.
Music started playing and Sophie walked out, arm in arm with her father and Zander's heart kept beating faster and faster. He was awestruck as his silver tears welled up in his eyes, and as she walked up, both Zintan and Scarlett switched, to keep them both composed, and to a tribute to mates for life.
He noticed how great Emily, the ring bearer Jackson picked out, did as she brought the rings up and gave Zander Sophie's and vice versa.
Zander had no idea what type of ring she got him.
As her Father let her go, she walked up with her flowers, which she handed to Claire, and Father Glen asked them for their vows.
Zander went first, "Sophie Grace, I met you while staring at a news drone and not even paying attention to you. Had Cyrus not convinced me to look over, I would have never laid eyes on the most beautiful woman I have ever met. When my parents passed, it was almost as if Solace itself called out to me, and to no surprise to me, it was Tej and Soraya all along, and they blessed you as I've been blessed. You are the only human whose aura shined golden from the moment I saw you. That's when I knew I couldn't spend another moment without you in my life. I promise to be with you, forever, to take care of you, protect you and most importantly, to 'bind' never stop loving you," to which a rose shined for all to see, then flashed away from her hand.
"Luna, get ready," the father stated as Tej, Soraya, Zephyr, Nixie, their children, Leo and the father were watching the wedding from Eden. "When they say kiss, I send Aislinn, she will have time in Harmonia for us."
Trying not to cry, Sophie said "thank you that was beautiful." in her bind and then she started.
"Zander, I remember watching Cyrus flag Claire and me down and Claire saying, 'they're both really, really hot," to which Claire laughed and smiled and said, "it's true!"
"When I first saw you, I saw the most beautiful hair and eyes I had ever seen and the eyes looked so kind, so pure, and so full of worry. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would meet your family. They treated me like I was already your wife and I hope you don't mind this, with a little help from Father Glen,"
It was a clip from the USB Sophie and Zander had watched together. The small crowd in the church gasped as they saw Savannah happily sitting on Sebastian's lap. Sophie had cut it to.
"There's a reason you and Zintan coexist so well as he is the only Golden Phoenix to ever exist, and it is true that he is the son of Tej and Soraya, which you already know," his mother explained.
"We made one of these videos every year, but this one we made after meeting your new girlfriend, Sophie. Zander, something the Father promised to never tell you, unless we passed on from this world, is there was a time where two phoenix humans may exist. When that happens, do everything in your power to find that person. The Father stated that phoenixes mate for life. It's why Soraya and Tej fell in love at first sight, and why Zephyr and Nixie fell in love at first sight."
After the clip ended, "I never needed to become the second Phoenix to know I would be spending the rest of my life with you, and even if I wasn't chosen to be the Phoenix, I would have fought hard for you, Zander Elrod, I promise to forever 'bind' love you with every ounce of my soul." Sophie finished and Zander had a huge smile.
"Zander, do you take Sophie Grace to be your wife, to love and cherish her, through sickness and through health until you two are rejoined in solace?"
"I do," Zander said while sliding the wedding ring left for him, next to where the engagement ring was, onto her ring finger.
Sophie showed everyone and they all gasped at the beauty of it. It was golden with two phoenixes on it, one red gemstone and one gold gemstone, and looked to be made not from this world.
"Sophie, do you take Zander to be your husband, to love and cherish him, through sickness and through health until you two are rejoined in Solace?" Father Glen asked.
"I do," she couldn't respond fast enough, as she pushed on a silver ring, with two silver phoenixes, one with a beautiful pink gemstone and one with a beautiful gold gemstone, also appearing to not be of materials of this world.
"Help from Soraya," Sophie said via Bind to Zander, who smiled.
"By the power granted to me by the Kingdom of Solace, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, "Father Glen said to the roars from the small crowd in the church.
As their lips touched, they both didn't want to let go, but they finally did as it was completely silent.