The wedding was held at the end of White Wax Island's commercial street.
The battered floral arch was propped upright again through the combined efforts of both sides. White suits and black suits mingled as they wrapped fresh white wax branches and dried flowers around the arch.
The Capone Family guards were still stiff from being frightened by the Fire Release earlier. Their movements were awkward and restrained. One man in a black suit tied a bouquet too tightly, and an Uchiha Patrol member patted his shoulder. "Easy, brother. It's a flower, not a person."
The man in black's mouth twitched, but he did not dare reply. Another companion beside him could not help laughing, only to quickly choke it back halfway through.
Marcus carried a wooden box out of the carpenter's shop.
Inside were the white waxwood ornaments he had carved in advance, originally meant to be brought out on the wedding day.
Now, that "day" had come early. He arranged the ornaments one by one on a long makeshift table.
There were over forty little white waxwood boats. Their sails bore carved Uchiha Gunbai, red on top and white below, while the sterns were engraved with tiny wildflowers—the same nameless flowers Gwen had once picked in the White Wax Island courtyard.
"Dad." Gwen walked over to the table and picked up one of the little boats.
"I told you in the shop that I just picked that flower randomly from the yard. You remembered."
"I remembered." Marcus held an unlit pipe between his teeth and handed another little wooden boat to Mila, who stood nearby.
"Put it on the sign-in table. Everyone who comes gets one."
Gwen held the little boat and looked from her father to Marcus.
Marcus patted her shoulder. His palm was rough with calluses