(Lydia)The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house, and I hurried to answer it. I knew exactly who it was before I even opened the door, Ruby, of course. She was always the first to show up when something big was happening, and today was no exception. The joy I felt seeing her was overwhelming, and as soon as the door swung open, she pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel her warmth, the familiarity of her embrace, and the relief that came with knowing we were finally on the other side of this long, difficult journey.“I’m so happy, Lydia,” Ruby whispered into my ear, her voice thick with emotion. “I knew it. I knew Mama would be okay.”I pulled back slightly, just enough to look her in the eye, and I smiled, my own eyes brimming with tears. “I can’t believe it, Ruby. She’s cancer-free. It feels like a dream.”Ruby’s eyes softened, and she nodded, her face glowing with pride and happiness. “It’s not a dream, Lydia. It’s real. She’s going to be okay.”We stood there for a mo
(Lydia)Ruby and I had spent hours choosing the perfect restaurant, one that would offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere and, of course, delicious food. We both wanted this celebration to be as special as Mama herself. It had been a long and difficult journey, and now that we were on the other side of it, we wanted to make sure this day would be one to remember.I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at the table settings in the restaurant. The soft lighting, the elegant centerpieces, and the gentle hum of conversation from the other guests all made the space feel warm and inviting. Mama had insisted on a smaller, more intimate gathering, but I could see the joy in her eyes as she looked around at everyone who had come to celebrate her. Family, friends, and even a few of our closest neighbors had gathered, all of them sharing in the happiness of this moment.Ruby was at the bar, chatting with the bartender and making sure everything was set up for the evening. She was always the one to ta
(Ruby)I stood outside the restaurant, my arms folded across my chest, feeling the cool evening air brush against my skin. The lights from the streetlamps flickered gently, casting long shadows on the pavement. It was late, and the city seemed quieter than usual, the bustle of the evening winding down. Everyone had already left, the party winding to an end with laughter and promises to keep in touch. Lydia, Mama, and the kids had all gone, and I’d stayed behind to make sure everything was wrapped up.The car I’d booked to take me home was taking longer than expected. I checked my watch again, tapping my foot impatiently. It wasn’t like me to be so impatient, but tonight had been one of those evenings that felt like it had stretched on forever. A mixture of joy, relief, and a sense of finality had hung in the air all night, and now, with the party over, I just wanted to get home and unwind.I was about to pull out my phone to check the time again when I heard footsteps approaching. I
(Jack)As soon as the door closed behind us, the world outside seemed to fade away. The quiet of the apartment wrapped around us, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. There was a softness in the air, an unspoken understanding that this was a moment we had both been waiting for, though neither of us had ever dared to voice it.I looked at Ruby, her eyes still sparkling from the laughter we’d shared during the evening. There was something about her presence that made everything feel right, like I could finally exhale after holding my breath for so long. She stood there, not quite sure what to say next, but her gaze never left mine.I took a step closer, my heart beating louder with each passing second. The space between us seemed so small, yet it felt like a lifetime of hesitation had passed in the silence. I reached out, gently cupping her face in my hands, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my palms.“Ruby,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, “You have no idea how I have long
(Jack)The soft light filtering through the curtains was the first thing I noticed when I woke up. I could feel the warmth of Ruby beside me, her body pressed against mine in a way that felt so right. Her hair was tangled around her face, and I couldn't help but reach out to gently tuck a strand behind her ear. She stirred a little, her lips parting as she let out a small sigh, still lost in the peacefulness of sleep.I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this content, this at ease. It had been a long road for both of us, full of mistakes, misunderstandings, and the kind of tension that gnawed at the soul. But now, here we were. Together. In a way that felt new, but also familiar. Like we were finally back where we belonged.She woke up slowly, blinking against the light as her eyes met mine. For a moment, we just looked at each other, neither of us saying a word. It was like we were both waiting for the other to speak first, to acknowledge what had happened, to make sense of e
(Lydia)I sat in the cozy corner of the living room, a cup of tea cradled between my hands as I stared at the message in my inbox. It was from a director, offering me a role in a new film. It had been sitting in my inbox for a while now and it was a big opportunity, one that could potentially jumpstart my career again, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. I had been staring at the email for days now, each time thinking I should reply, but something always stopped me.Mama, who had been sitting across from me knitting, glanced up from her work, her eyes soft and knowing. She could tell when something was bothering me, even if I didn’t say a word.“Lydia, what’s troubling you, my dear?” she asked, her voice gentle but insistent.I sighed, setting the cup of tea down on the table in front of me. I felt like I had been carrying the weight of this decision for so long, and it was finally starting to feel too heavy to hold on my own.“It’s the email from that director,” I said, my voice
(Lydia)I sat on the edge of our bed, staring at the reflection in the mirror. The soft glow of the lamp in the corner made the room feel calm, but I couldn’t shake the thoughts swirling in my head. I needed to talk to Thomas. I knew he would understand, but there was a part of me that still felt hesitant, unsure of how to explain it all.I heard the soft creak of the door as Thomas walked in, his presence filling the room with warmth. He smiled when he saw me sitting there, looking thoughtful, and I felt a small pang of guilt. He always made everything seem so easy, so effortless, while I seemed to be struggling with something that should have been simple.“Hey,” he said softly, crossing the room and sitting beside me on the bed. “You okay?”I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I really was. “Yeah, I just...I’ve been thinking a lot about everything. About the opportunity, about what I want, and what feels right for me.”Thomas’s eyes softened, and he reached out, brushing a strand of ha
(Thomas)Sitting in the cozy warmth of the living room, I glanced around at the familiar faces gathered for what I thought would be a simple conversation. Lydia sat beside me, her hand resting lightly on mine. Across from us, Adeline and Mother occupied the loveseat, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Ruby leaned casually against the armrest of a chair, while Jack sprawled on the couch, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. And, of course, Mabel and Miles sat cross-legged on the floor, their wide eyes darting between everyone like they were soaking in every word."Alright," Lydia began, her tone both warm and decisive. "We need to set a wedding date. Thomas and I talked about it but since everyone is involved, I’d like to have your input as well."As soon as the words left her mouth, the room erupted into a cacophony of voices.“You’ll need at least six months to plan properly,” Mother declared, her voice cutting through the noise with the authority of someo
(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.