(Thomas)The drive from the airport to the hotel was one of those rare moments that seemed to slow down time. As we wound through the picturesque streets of Santorini, I found myself glancing at Lydia every so often. Her expression was serene, her eyes scanning the endless expanse of blue sea meeting the sky. Mabel and Miles were pressed up against the car windows, pointing out every whitewashed building, every splash of vibrant bougainvillea, their enthusiasm contagious.This was exactly what I had envisioned when I planned this trip, a world so beautiful and different from the chaos we left behind that it could soothe even the most troubled soul.When we arrived at the hotel, the kids let out gasps of amazement. The structure itself seemed to cling to the cliffside, a blend of modern luxury and traditional architecture. The staff greeted us warmly, whisking our luggage away as they led us to our suite. Lydia held my hand as we followed, her fingers tightening around mine when the m
(Lydia)The air smelled of salt and citrus as we stepped into the heart of the nearby town, its cobblestone streets winding like a labyrinth through whitewashed buildings. The sun cast a warm glow over everything, and the cheerful chatter of locals and tourists mingled with the distant hum of waves. It was picturesque, like stepping into a postcard, but what struck me most was how relaxed Thomas looked. For the first time in months, he seemed free of the weight that usually sat heavily on his shoulders.Miles and Mabel ran ahead, their laughter echoing as they paused to peer into shop windows. Thomas stayed close behind them, keeping a watchful eye but letting them lead the way. I followed a few steps behind, letting myself take in the moment.“This way, Mommy!” Mabel called, her face lit with excitement as she pointed to a small bakery.The window was filled with golden-brown pastries dusted with powdered sugar, their flaky edges promising sweetness. I couldn’t resist her enthusiasm
(Thomas)The next day, it was time to go to the mansion I had stumbled upon during my research. I woke up everyone early and we were on our way before the clock hit 9.As the car pulled up to the sprawling gates of the beachside mansion, I glanced over at Lydia and the kids. Mabel and Miles had their faces pressed against the windows, their eyes wide with awe. Lydia, too, seemed captivated, her lips parting in a small gasp as the gates swung open to reveal the stunning property beyond.“Where are we?” Lydia asked, turning to me with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.I grinned, savoring the moment. “You’ll see.”The driveway was lined with swaying palm trees, their fronds dancing in the warm breeze. Beyond them, the mansion stood proud and elegant, its white façade gleaming against the backdrop of the brilliant blue sea. I could hear the gentle roar of the waves, a promise of tranquility and escape.When the car stopped, Miles and Mabel didn’t wait for instructions, they scrambled
(Lydia)The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, painting the room in hues of gold and warmth. I stretched lazily, savoring the rare sensation of waking up with no urgent matters tugging at my mind. The muffled sound of waves crashing against the shore drew me toward the balcony, where the promise of a tranquil morning awaited.Sliding open the glass door, I stepped out onto the balcony of the mansion. The view was breathtaking. The Aegean Sea stretched endlessly before me, its vibrant blue waters glimmering under the sunlight. The air was crisp and carried a faint salty tang, mingling with the fragrance of the blooming bougainvillea that trailed along the railings.For a moment, I simply stood there, letting the peacefulness of it all seep into me. This place was worlds away from the chaos we had left behind. Here, in this little corner of paradise, it felt like we had stepped into an entirely different reality.I wrapped my arms around myself, not from t
(Lydia)The boat rocked gently as it cut through the sparkling turquoise water, the sun warm on my face, and the cool breeze tousling my hair. I leaned back against the cushioned seat, my eyes scanning the vast expanse of the Aegean Sea. It was hard to believe how far we had come from the chaotic, sometimes suffocating life back home to this serene, beautiful moment. I could hardly remember the last time I felt this at peace.Mabel and Miles were laughing and running up and down the deck, their excitement infectious. They had been waiting for this boat trip for days, eager to explore the nearby islands. It wasn’t like any of the other trips we’d taken before. This one felt different, more like an escape, a chance to breathe and be together as a family without the weight of everything that had happened looming over us."Mommy! Look! There’s a dolphin!" Miles shouted, his voice full of awe as he pointed excitedly toward the horizon.I followed his finger and, sure enough, a sleek, sil
(Thomas)The sun was starting to dip beneath the horizon as I gathered Mabel and Miles for a quiet chat. The excitement in my chest was bubbling over; everything had been leading up to this moment, and now it was time to finalize the details. I had a plan, a very specific plan, and I needed their help to make it perfect. This was going to be a surprise, a big one, and it had to go smoothly.I led the kids away from Lydia, who was still chatting with some locals by the dock, and into a small, secluded corner of the villa's patio. The evening was cooling off, and the soft glow of the lights around us made the atmosphere feel almost magical. My heart raced as I knelt down to their level, both of them looking up at me with their wide, curious eyes."Okay, guys, we need to talk about something very important," I said, trying to sound serious, though I could see the excitement creeping into their expressions. They knew something was coming, but I hadn’t told them everything yet.Mabel lean
(Lydia)The sun was bright, casting a warm golden hue over the beach as the sound of the waves gently rolled against the shore. The kids were already running toward the water, their laughter ringing through the air, and Thomas was right there beside them, as always, with a grin that seemed to stretch from ear to ear. I watched them all for a moment, a feeling of contentment settling over me like a soft blanket.This was the life I had dreamed of, a peaceful day with the family, free of the usual worries, surrounded only by the vastness of the ocean and the simple joys of being together. We had arrived early in the morning, and the beach was still relatively empty, the only signs of life being the occasional seagull overhead and the distant hum of a boat passing by. It was the perfect setting to leave everything behind and simply enjoy the present.Mabel and Miles were already knee-deep in the water, giggling as they splashed each other, while Thomas, ever the doting father, was showi
(Thomas)The day had flown by in a haze of sand, sea, and laughter, but now, as the evening began to settle in, I found myself slipping away from the family for a brief moment. It was time to make sure everything was set for tomorrow. I had been planning this for days, working through details in the background while keeping my focus on Lydia and the kids, trying to enjoy this vacation with them. But tomorrow, everything would culminate in a moment I had been waiting for, a moment that was going to change everything for Lydia and me.I told myself I wouldn’t let anything get in the way. Not the complications we’d left behind in the States, not the lingering chaos of the world that always seemed to pull us in. I wanted this moment to be purely about her, about us. It wasn’t just about the proposal; it was about proving to Lydia how deeply I loved her, how much I’d missed her, and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life making up for all the lost time. I wanted to show her that the p
(Lydia)The reception was everything I had dreamed of and more. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The venue, bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights, felt magical, as though we were all living in a dream. Thomas and I had just shared our vows, but now the celebration was in full swing, and the joy in the air was palpable.Mabel and Miles were the stars of the evening, as expected. They had barely left the dance floor since the music started, their little feet moving in uncoordinated yet adorable ways. Miles was trying to spin in circles, his arms flailing around as Mabel, ever the perfectionist, tried to keep him in check. They were a sight to behold, so carefree and full of life. Their giggles and shouts of “Look at me!” filled the room, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with them.Thomas was by my side, his hand gently resting on my back as we watched our children steal the show. The evening felt like it was slipping by in the most
(Thomas)The day had finally arrived. Our wedding day.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for the fifth time, trying to focus on the simple task instead of the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn’t stop the memories from creeping in, images of Lydia in a wedding dress years ago, her radiant smile lighting up the room, and the way my heart had soared knowing she was about to become my wife.And then, the accident. The chaos, the pain, the years we spent finding our way back to each other.Today wasn’t just about vows or rings. It was about us. About the journey we had taken, the battles we had fought, and the love that had carried us through it all.A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Jack stepped in, looking sharp in his suit, his usual easygoing expression replaced by something softer.“You doing okay?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.I nodded, though my reflection betrayed me. “Just...a lot to process.”Jack walked over, clapping
(Lydia)With only a week left until the wedding, the house felt like a beehive, everyone buzzing with purpose, energy, and, occasionally, a touch of chaos. I stood in the middle of it all, both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed.Ruby was in the corner of Mama’s room, hunched over her sewing machine, her brow furrowed in concentration. My wedding dress hung on a nearby mannequin, almost complete but still needing those final, intricate touches that only Ruby could master. She was doing this here because if she needed to know any adjustments, I would just be a few rooms away.She was holed up in Mama’s room because she didn’t want Thomas to get a glimpse of the wedding dress, not until the day of the wedding as I walked down the aisle.“Are you sure you don’t need a break?” I asked, holding out a cup of tea for her.Ruby looked up, her eyes tired but determined. “Not until this hem is perfect. You’re going to look stunning, Lydia. Just trust me.”“I do,” I said softly, setting the te
(Thomas)The moment we pulled up to the venue, I felt a mix of anticipation and pride. The sprawling garden, framed by blooming flowers and soft sunlight, looked like something out of a dream. This was it, the place where Lydia and I would officially start the next chapter of our lives.Mabel and Miles were already buzzing with excitement, craning their necks to get a better look as the car slowed to a stop.“Is that where we’re going to walk with the flowers?” Mabel asked, pointing to the long stone pathway that led to the main garden.“It is,” I said, glancing at Lydia, who was smiling softly.“It’s so pretty!” Miles added, practically bouncing in his seat.Once we were out of the car, the kids ran ahead, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. Lydia and I followed at a slower pace, her hand tucked into mine.“Can you believe it’s almost here?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.I shook my head. “It feels surreal. But seeing this place again...it makes it all feel real.”T
(Lydia)Sitting at the dining table with Thomas, a notebook in front of me and a pen in hand, I felt an odd mix of excitement and dread. Finalizing the guest list for our wedding should have been a straightforward task, but when Margaret got involved, nothing ever stayed simple for long.I glanced at Thomas, who was scrolling through his phone, cross-checking names. He looked calm, but I knew better. We were both bracing ourselves for the inevitable drama.“Are we really going to put up with Margaret’s list of distant cousins and relatives we’ve never met?” I asked, my voice low but pointed.Thomas sighed and set his phone down. “You know how mother is. She thinks a wedding is a chance to show off family connections.”“Well, it’s not her wedding,” I said firmly. “It’s ours, and I want it to feel personal, not like some society gala.”Thomas reached over and squeezed my hand. “I agree with you. But let’s try to handle this delicately. You know how she can get.”Before I could respond,
(Thomas)The house was alive with energy, and it all revolved around two very determined little people: Mabel and Miles. Ever since we’d told them they were going to be the flower girl and flower boy at the wedding, their excitement had reached a whole new level. They were taking their roles very seriously, perhaps even more seriously than Lydia and I were taking the rest of the wedding planning.This morning, the focus was on their outfits. Lydia and I had arranged for a tailor to come to the house to ensure everything fit perfectly. Mabel was already dressed in a soft pink dress with layers of tulle that made her look like a little princess. She twirled in front of the mirror, her curls bouncing with every spin.“Do you think I need a tiara, Daddy?” she asked, her big brown eyes wide with sincerity.I crouched down to her level, brushing a stray curl from her face. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are, sweetheart. But if you really want a tiara, we can look for one.”Mabel c
(Lydia)The morning sun streamed through the windows as I parked outside Ruby’s boutique. My heart fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement. In just two weeks, I would be walking down the aisle to marry Thomas, the man who had stood by me through everything. But today, all I could think about was my first fitting for the wedding dress Ruby had been tirelessly designing.As I stepped into the boutique, the soft chime of the bell announced my arrival. Ruby appeared from the back room, her face lighting up with a smile that instantly put me at ease.“You’re here!” she said, walking over to hug me. “I’ve been waiting for this all week.”“I’ve been counting down the days,” I admitted, hugging her back. “I’m nervous, though. What if the dress doesn’t feel right? What if-”Ruby placed her hands on my shoulders, her expression firm but kind. “Stop right there. This dress is going to be perfect because it’s made for you, by me. Trust me, Lydia.”I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I t
(Lydia)The sunlight poured down as I stepped out of the car, grocery list in hand. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder or scanning the parking lot for anything suspicious. Ben, my personal bodyguard, walked a few paces behind me, his presence a quiet reassurance. But today, I didn’t feel like I needed him as much as I had in the past.The air felt lighter, and so did I. It was as if the dark cloud that had loomed over my life for so long had finally dissipated. Nathan was gone, Lucien was behind bars, and the world was moving on. So was I.Inside the grocery store, I grabbed a cart and started down the aisles. It felt good to do something as ordinary as picking out apples and comparing cereal brands. For so long, I’d avoided public places, afraid of the whispers and stares. But today, there were none. People walked past me, absorbed in their own lives, and it was blissfully normal.I paused by the bakery section, tempted by the scent of fre
(Lydia)The sleek glass doors of the event management company slid open, and Thomas and I stepped inside. The lobby was stunning, a perfect balance of elegance and modernity. Polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandelier lights, and a gentle floral scent wafted through the air. A cheerful receptionist greeted us, offering sparkling water while we waited for our meeting.Thomas leaned toward me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. “This place screams ‘perfect wedding,’ doesn’t it?”I smiled, squeezing his arm. “Let’s see if they can live up to the hype.”It was Margaret who had given us the name of this event management company after making her calls and asking around for suggestions. And as far as I could tell, the place looked like the sort of company I would have chosen for myself.Moments later, a tall, impeccably dressed man approached us with a wide smile. His tailored navy suit and silk pocket square spoke volumes about his attention to detail.