Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Declaration of War
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"...Phew, I'm nervous."
Before heading to the church, I had gotten up in the pitch-black early morning to prepare.
I had arranged with Pastor Liam to hold the wedding ceremony at 5:30 a.m.
It was now 4 a.m.
It was a quiet, peaceful night when everyone was still asleep.
I had asked my mother in advance to bring my tuxedo from Korea, along with a simple silk dress tailored to Lily's frame.
Lily had woken up before me and was busy getting ready in the next room with my mother.
My father still had sleepy eyes, but he was forcing himself awake with a hot cup of coffee.
"...In all my life, I never thought I'd see my son get married twice."
My father muttered casually, steam rising from his coffee cup.
It was a bit embarrassing, but I figured this would probably be the last wedding of my life.
Todays ceremony would be very simple.
No grand processions or anything like that.
Just Lily and I walking in hand in hand, making vows before Pastor Liam, God, and our parents.
That would make us officially husband and wife.
The thought made my heart race again.
My first marriage had been a whirlwind...
This time, it felt calm and solemn.
Time passed, and the door to the master bedroom opened.
Lily stepped out carefully, one foot at a time.
She had the fresh makeup my mother had done for her yesterday.
Light brown eyebrows, subtle pink blush and lips.
Her small face glowed with a radiance I had never seen before.
A pure white silk dress.
It gently hugged her slender shoulders and arms, accentuating her snow-white skin.
The simple, elegant fall of the dress fit her petite, delicate frame perfectly.
Her white hair shimmered with a glossy sheen in the light.
A translucent veil draped over her shoulders like mist.
Her ruby-red eyes flickered with excitement and a hint of tension.
She exuded loveliness from every inch of her being.
I stood frozen, staring at her in awe.
She looked like a goddess stepped out of a dream.
No, more like a living doll.
'Hah... She's so beautiful.'
My heart pounded wildly.
She seemed like a gift made just for me, filled with the blessings of the world.
"It's uncomfortable..."
Lily grumbled softly.
The dress was tight enough to show her figure, making it hard to walk.
She was used to loose, comfortable clothes, so it must have felt even more restrictive.
And since she'd never worn heels before, she had opted for flat shoes instead.
The long dress would hide them anyway, so it was fine.
She had missed out on so many experiences other girls her age had, so it couldn't be helped.
Glancing at the time, it was nearing 5 a.m.
"Time to head out."
My mother was hovering beside Lily, helping her with every detail.
My father in his suit and my mother in her elegant attire were all ready.
Even so, it was their son's wedding, so they had put in quite a bit of effort.
The church at dawn was utterly serene.
The world outside the windows was still cloaked in darkness, but inside, a soft glow lingered.
Pastor Liam personally lit the candles in the silver candelabras one by one.
The small flames flickered, bathing the church in a warm, reverent light.
The high wooden ceiling and stained-glass windows were shrouded in shadow, but the candles brightly illuminated the altar.
The air carried the scent of aged wood mingled with lingering candle wax.
My parents sat in the pews, watching the ceremony,
and the space felt filled with love and hope.
Pastor Liam stood before the altar.
He had white hair and a gentle face, his deep wrinkles speaking of years of wisdom.
He wore a neatly pressed black clerical robe with a white stole draped over it.
His eyes held warmth and profound insight.
Before him stood Ji-hoon in his tuxedo and Lily in her pure white dress, side by side.
They clasped hands tightly, facing the pastor with solemn expressions.
Ji-hoon looked steadfast, while Lily seemed a bit tense, but their eyes brimmed with deep affection for each other.
Pastor Liam opened his mouth quietly.
His voice was calm like the dawn air, yet carried strength.
"Dear brother Ji-hoon and sister Lily. Before this sacred temple in the holy dawn, I declare to the Lord that you two become one."
He gazed at them for a moment.
"Marriage is when two different souls meet and embark on a new journey in God's will. There will be times of joy and happiness, and times of trials and hardship. But remember, you are not alone. The Lord is always with you, and your spouse stands beside you as your strength."
Pastor Liam continued.
"Brother Ji-hoon, do you swear to love and cherish sister Lily forever, to protect and respect her in all circumstances?"
His question echoed through the quiet church.
Ji-hoon gripped Lily's hand tighter and answered in a steady voice.
"Yes, I swear."
The pastor's gaze turned to Lily.
"Sister Lily, do you swear to love and follow brother Ji-hoon forever, to always be his strength by his side?"
Lily looked up at Ji-hoon with sparkling eyes and answered in a small but clear voice.
"Yes, I swear."
As their vows concluded, a warm smile spread across Pastor Liam's face.
He took their hands in his own.
"Now, I pronounce you husband and wife under this sacred vow and in God's name. May this bond, forged by God, be eternally blessed. In the Lord's name, I bless you to love each other and be happy forever."
As Pastor Liam's final words ended, the church fell back into profound silence.
Under the soft candlelight, Ji-hoon and Lily gazed at each other and smiled quietly.
Now, they were officially husband and wife.
In this dawn, when the whole world slept,
their new life began in this church.
Ji-hoon guided his parents to Pastor Liam.
"Pastor, these are my father and mother."
Kim Sung-tae and Choi Mi-hee bowed politely to the pastor.
Pastor Liam welcomed them with a gentle smile.
"You've come a long way. Thank you for being witnesses at this blessed occasion."
He looked at Ji-hoon warmly and continued.
"You have a truly wonderful son. He's a young man who has been a great help to the needy here in Berkeley."
Ji-hoon's parents felt proud at the praise but responded humbly.
"No, Pastor. Our son is the one indebted to you. We're truly grateful for you taking the time this early in the morning to officiate."
Choi Mi-hee asked cautiously.
"Pastor, if it's alright... could we make a small donation to the church?"
Pastor Liam gently shook his head.
"Your hearts are more than enough. Brother Ji-hoon already gives generously of his time and talents to help those in need regularly. Blessing his marriage is a great joy for me as well. It's fine."
But Ji-hoon's parents wouldn't back down.
"Still, Pastor, on a day like today before God, we want to offer a small token of our sincerity."
Kim Sung-tae said earnestly.
Seeing their resolve, Pastor Liam nodded with a warm smile.
"I understand your kind hearts. May the Lord's blessings always be with your family. I gratefully accept."
The short, quiet wedding came to an end.
Of course, Pastor Liam took some commemorative photos for us.
They were just phone pics, but smartphone cameras these days are so good.
Taken in the dawn church with soft orange candlelight, they had a nice sentimental vibe.
I wonder if a photo studio could turn these into wedding portraits as is?
If not, I'll ask my parents to get them made and send them over.
"Hehe..."
Lily had been giggling nonstop, her arm tightly linked with mine.
"Happy, Lily?"
"Yeah~! We're really husband and wife now! A wedding blessed by God up in heaven! Hehe... I never dreamed I'd get married!"
Aaah, I never thought I'd do it twice either, Lily.
Maybe God brought me all the way to America just to meet Lily.
Is it fate?
"Hehe, it feels good. Thank you, God!"
Lily looked up at the still-dim dawn sky and bowed her head.
Aww, so cute.
Like Lily, I looked to the sky and thought to myself.
'Lord, I'm grateful you let us meet, but don't take her early. Meeting might be your fate, but forging that fate is our human struggle, so watch.'
Albinos have an average lifespan around 30.
Of course, that's for those without proper care, dying early from skin cancer or complications.
With good management, they can live as long as anyone else... but studies suggest even then, passing 40 is tough.
Lily was 21 now.
At minimum, that left about 10 years.
In that time, I'd do everything to save her.
Seeing her smiling radiantly at the sky strengthened that resolve.
A short lifespan, a predetermined fate.
And my desperate struggle against it.
'Let's see how this plays out.'
On our wedding day, I quietly declared war on God.
Oakland International Airport departure hall.
Amid the bustling crowd, four people prepared a reluctant farewell.
"Oh, poor thing..."
Choi Mi-hee held Lily's hand tightly, finally shedding tears.
"Now that you're going... when will we see you again..."
One week.
In that short time, Choi had fallen completely for Lily.
Initial worries melted away before her pure, kind daughter-in-law.
With the distance between them, there was no telling when they'd meet again.
And knowing her frail health made it even harder.
It was like the saying about the ailing finger.
After the wedding, Ji-hoon was swamped with store work, so no honeymoon.
They'd go once things settled, so Lily naturally spent more time with her in-laws, deepening their bond.
"Dear."
Kim Sung-tae patted Lily's shoulder.
"If that rascal Ji-hoon ever mistreats you, call this dad right away, got it?"
While Ji-hoon was away for three days and nights, he had shared childhood stories with her, enjoying the time.
Seeing her laugh and listen reminded him of his youngest daughter Ji-min as a child.
So Lily felt even dearer.
Lily was quietly crying behind her sunglasses too.
Though just a week, it was the warmth of parents she hadn't felt in ages.
Partings are always sad.
"You must... must come visit Korea, okay?"
Choi gripped Lily's hand once more.
"Yes... Mom..."
"Ji-hoon!"
Choi turned to her son.
"You have to treat Lily right. Understand?"
"Yes, Mother. Don't worry."
Kim Sung-tae clapped his son's shoulder.
"Right. You're the head of the house now. Live responsibly."
"Yes, Father."
No more time to delay.
Ji-hoon's parents turned toward the gate, reluctance in their steps.
They turned back repeatedly, waving.
Ji-hoon and Lily stood waving until they were out of sight.