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I don’t hear the music.
I know it’s playing—something soft, something elegant—but all I can hear is the pounding in my chest and the sound of my dress brushing the floor.
Aaron is standing at the end of the aisle, and I swear I’ve never seen him look like this before.
Not even when I kissed him for the first time.
Not even when I told him I loved him.
His eyes are locked on mine like the world stopped turning. He looks like he's breathing for the first time.
And his smile.
His smile is so huge I think I’m dreaming.
I never thought I’d have a moment like this.
Never thought I’d live long enough, love deep enough, or feel safe enough to wear a white dress in front of people who cared if I smiled.
But here I am.
Ella.
Juliette.
Me.
And he’s still waiting. He has been waiting.
The steps feel like they take forever and no time at all. I can feel everyone smiling around me, but I can’t take my eyes of him.
Kenji’s already crying.
I don't know if it’s because he’s a softie for weddings or because he’s been there for every bit of this journey. Maybe both. I see he’s standing up there by Aaron and Castle. Aaron acts like he can’t stand Kenjis existence-and I guess that’s not entirely false-but I know that Aaron secretly likes him.
And now it’s just us.
Aaron.
Me.
He steps forward and takes my hands in his. I smile up at him, heart beating in my ears.
“You look—” he starts, then cuts himself off. Swallows hard. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
My throat tightens. “You’re going to make me cry.”
His smile is soft, rare, like light after rain. “That’s not allowed. I’m already struggling to breathe.”
“If you make me cry and ruin this makeup Nazeera is going to be so mad at me.”
We turn to face Castle, but I only have eyes for Aaron.
He doesn’t let go of my hand, not even for a second.
Castle speaks—something about love, growth, the power of choice. I catch words like “healing,” “commitment,” and “future,” but I’m not really listening.
I’m watching the way Warner keeps brushing his thumb over my knuckles.
I’m listening to the silence, this man who never lets anyone in, who’s been carrying a huge weight on his shoulders for years.
Who loves me.
“Do you, Ella Sommers take Aaron Warner Anderson to be your husband?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Do you, Aaron Warner Anderson, take Juliette to be your wife, your equal, your forever?”
He doesn’t hesitate.
“I do.”
And then, finally—
“You may kiss—”
But he’s already pulling me close, his hand cupping my face. He kisses me like nothing in this world has ever mattered more.
And when we finally break apart, everyone is cheering. It feels like I’m in a movie.
Kenji whistles. Nazeera wipes her eyes. Castle looks like he’s holding back tears.
But all I see is him.
My husband.
My forever.
………………….
Kenji bounded onto the makeshift stage, holding a glass of something fizzy.
“Listen,” he began serious, “when I first met Warner, I thought he was a robot. A terrifying, fashion-obsessed robot with no sense of humor.”
The crowd lightly chuckled.
“I mean seriously,” he went on, eyes wide, “I didn’t think the guy knew how to smile. I kept waiting for him to short-circuit and just explode into designer fabric and judgmental stares.”
More laughter.
“But then,” he said, his voice softening, “something happened. Or rather—someone happened. Juliette came into all our lives, and suddenly the robot had feelings. And I’ve had the fortune of watching those feelings unfold in real time.
Now, I’m not saying it was all sunshine and rainbows. There was, you know—” he waved his hand a bit —“a whole thing with memories being wiped, some near-death experiences, multiple dramatic reunions, and at least one occasion where I thought for sure they were going to kill each other. But you know what?”
He looked straight at us, and for a second, the jokes fell away.
“They always found their way back. Even when they didn’t remember who they were to each other. Even when it hurt like hell. They chose each other. Again and again.”
The crowd had quieted now.
“And look, I know I make fun of Warner—because it’s easy and hilarious—but the truth is, I’ve never seen anyone fight harder for someone. Not for power. Not for image. But for her. And Juliette? She saw who he really was when most of us couldn’t. And now, here we are.”
Kenji raised his glass, the grin returning.
“To memory wipes, miracle comebacks, and the people who make us whole. To love that survives everything. And to my best friends—who made the impossible look effortless.”
Cheers broke through the air like thunder.
…………
It’s dark outside. Quiet. The stars are shining bright above us.
He holds my hand as we walk.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get this,” he says.
“This?”
“You. Peace.”
I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder.
Then he says, “I want to build a world where you never have to be afraid again.”
I look up at him. “We already are.”
Warner smiles softly. He presses a kiss to my forehead, and we stand there under the stars.
It feels wonderful.
Peaceful.
And for the first time in my life, I stop wondering if it’ll last.
Because this love?
This life?
It’s real.
It’s ours.