Chapter 27 — Bridge Yard Beats

The big day has finally arrived. From early morning, the small beach house where Vy grew up was bustling with laughter and the sound of the makeup and hairdressing team busy preparing the bride for the most special day of her life. Tram, the woman who has accompanied Vy throughout her meaningful career journey, took on the role of main bridesmaid, busy running back and forth checking every small detail.

"Are you shaking?" Tram asked as she sat next to Vy while the makeup artist was meticulously completing the final touches.

"Yes," Vy smiled, her hands shaking slightly as she looked in the mirror, the reflection of a radiant bride in the light blue wedding dress that she had carefully chosen over the past many months. "But this is a happy thrill, not a worry."

Vy's mother entered the room, her eyes filled with tears when she saw her daughter in a gorgeous wedding dress. "You are so beautiful, my daughter," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I wish your father could be here, seeing his daughter so beautiful."

"I believe, dad is still watching me from somewhere, mom," Vy replied, holding her mother's hand tightly, the two shared a rare emotional moment before entering the big day.

The wedding ceremony was held right on the shore of Vy's hometown, a place that holds many important memories in the couple's love journey. A small stand was built right next to the water's edge, delicately decorated with bunches of white and light blue orchids, reflecting the ocean tones that Vy always loved.

Guests arrived one after another, including coaches Kiet, Phong and many teammates in the national team, Tram and a team of young coaches, and many fans who had followed the couple's journey throughout the year, creating a rare warm, meaningful scene.

At the Trinh family's house, where the groom's welcoming ceremony was held before the whole group moved to the beach, Long was also busy preparing. Although he tried to maintain a calm appearance on the outside, his eyes could not hide the nervousness mixed with excitement. Phong, as the best man, constantly teased his best friend to dispel the tense atmosphere.

"You should adjust your tie, it's all out of place," Phong smiled, helping Long adjust his elegant groom's suit. "Are you so nervous? I see your hands shaking."

"I don't deny it," Long smiled, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "But this is the best thrill I've ever had in my life."

Mr. Trinh Bao Son walked in, adjusted his son's collar, his eyes filled with pride. "I'm very happy to see that you have found a worthy partner to spend the rest of your life together. I believe that you two will have a happy, fulfilling married life."

"Thank you, dad, for everything you've done for me and for Vy too," Long replied, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise to always cherish and build a small family that you can be proud of."

When the prelude music sounded on the beach, the large door of the temporary ceremony hall opened, Vy stepped into her mother's arms, each step slowly walked towards the platform where Long was waiting, his eyes did not leave her gorgeous figure for even a second, the whispering ocean waves mixed with the music created an unforgettable romantic scene.

"You're so beautiful," Long whispered as Vy approached, holding her hand from her mother's, his eyes filled with deep admiration and love.

"Thank you," Vy replied, smiling happily, feeling her heart pounding in her chest as they both stepped onto the stage, preparing for the sacred moment that was about to take place in the presence of family, friends and close colleagues.

The officiant invited both of them to exchange vows. Long held Vy's hand, his eyes firmly looked straight at her, his voice rang out clearly before all the guests and the sound of the ocean waves in the distance.

"Vy, from that first controversial training session, you taught me so many things — about courage, about uncompromising passion, and about the true meaning of fighting for something bigger than yourself. Today, in the presence of family and friends, right on the very shore that has witnessed so many of our important moments, I swear to always love, cherish, and stand by you through all the ups and downs of life."

The whole ceremony was silent before those sincere vows, many guests could not hide their emotions, including Vy's mother who was quietly wiping tears of happiness in the front row.

When it was her turn, Vy took a deep breath, her eyes full of love looking straight at Long. "Long, you have been by my side in the most difficult moments, when I had to face doubts about myself, when I was afraid of challenges that seemed beyond my strength. You taught me that caution and determination are not in conflict, but can complement each other perfectly. I swear to always be a strong fulcrum for you, to build a home full of love with you, and together continue to write the story of the common beat that you both shared together. found on the field."

When the two exchanged wedding rings, the whole ceremony hall rang with warm applause, mixed with the sound of murmuring ocean waves congratulating the sacred moment that had just been established. Vy's mother and Mr. Trinh Bao Son hugged each other in mutual happiness, officially becoming each other's in-laws through the strong bond of their two children.

"I now declare," the officiant said, his voice filled with solemnity, "that you two have officially become husband and wife in the presence of everyone present here today."

Long bent down and gave Vy a gentle but meaningful kiss, marking the official start of their married life. The whole ceremony exploded in applause and enthusiastic cheers of congratulations from friends and colleagues who had accompanied the couple throughout their long and meaningful journey.

The after party took place right on the beach under the sunset, the atmosphere was warm, filled with laughter. Phong, as MC and best man, hosted the humorous yet emotional program, recounting memorable memories throughout the process of knowing the couple, making many guests laugh and shed emotional tears.

"I still vividly remember the day these two had a heated argument in the first practice session, everyone thought they hated each other so much that they couldn't stand each other," Phong said, making the whole beach laugh. "Who would have thought that just a few months later, they would become the most beautiful Olympic champion couple I have ever known."

Coach Kiet, when invited to give a congratulatory speech, could not hide his emotions when recalling the bold decision that changed both lives. "The day I decided to pair you two, I wasn't sure what would happen," he said, his voice choking. "But I believe, it is the differences and contrasts between the two that became the foundation for one of the most beautiful stories I have ever witnessed throughout my coaching career."

The party continued with cutting the wedding cake, pouring champagne to celebrate, and fun dancing performances from friends and colleagues. Vy and Long reserved a slow song to dance together right on the smooth sandy beach, their eyes never leaving each other throughout the dance, as if there was no one else around but the two of them, only the murmuring ocean waves as the background for that private moment.

"Thank you, for agreeing to be my wife," Long whispered in her ear as the two slowly rotated to the melodious melody. "I never thought I could be this happy."

"Thank you, for being patient, for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself," Vy replied, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the fullness of happiness in this sacred moment.

As the party gradually came to an end, the two stood on the sandy shore, bowed their heads to thank all the guests for coming to celebrate, marking the complete end of the most important day of their lives, and at the same time opening a completely new and promising chapter in both of their lives - the chapter of a small family built on the foundation of love, understanding and a common journey that they both vow to stick with for the rest of their lives.

Under the late moonlight illuminating the sparkling sea surface, when most of the guests had left one by one, Vy and Long lingered a while longer, sitting side by side on the smooth sandy beach, watching the waves lapping in the quiet night.

"Thank you, for giving me a complete family like this," Long said, squeezing his wife's hand, his voice filled with sincere emotion.

"Thank you, for making my seemingly far-fetched dream come true," Vy replied, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, her heart filled with a complete peace that she had never dared to dream of during the days of self-doubt, when starting this unexpected journey.