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Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

E llie stood before the full-length mirror, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. The woman staring back at her wore a stunning white gown that hugged her curves before flowing out in a cascade of delicate lace. Her dark red hair was styled in perfect waves, adorned with tiny crystal flowers that caught the light with every movement.

"I can't believe it's really happening," she murmured, smoothing down the front of her dress.

"Believe it, chica ," Noa's voice came from behind her, filled with warmth and amusement. "You're about to become Mrs. Zyan Ashford, gaming mogul extraordinaire."

Ellie turned to face her best friend and maid of honor, who looked radiant in a deep purple bridesmaid dress. "It's not just the wedding," Ellie explained, her eyes sparkling, "it's everything. The game launch, the merger of our companies... it's like a dream come true, both personally and professionally."

Noa stepped forward, adjusting Ellie's veil with a gentle touch. "And you deserve every bit of it. After everything you've been through, it's about time the universe cut you a break."

A knock at the door interrupted their moment, and Frankie poked her head in. "Ladies, it's showtime. You ready to knock some socks off?"

Ellie took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Let's do this."

The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel had been transformed into a magical wonderland that seamlessly blended the aesthetics of a fairy tale wedding with the cutting-edge world of gaming. Holographic displays showcased scenes from Ellie and Zy's new game, "Infinite Union," while delicate floral arrangements and twinkling lights created a romantic atmosphere.

As Ellie made her entrance on her father's arm, she caught sight of Zy waiting for her at the end of the aisle. His tailored tuxedo accentuated his tall, muscular frame, and the look of awe and adoration on his face made her heart skip a beat. This was it – the moment she'd walk toward her future, both in love and in business.

The ceremony itself passed in a blur of emotion and tender moments. Before Ellie knew it, she and Zy were sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, the cheers and applause of their guests washing over them like a wave of joy and support.

As they made their way back down the aisle, hand in hand, Ellie caught sight of familiar faces in the crowd. Her parents, beaming with pride; her grandmother Elena, dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief; Zy's family, looking regal and approving; and of course, Adonis, standing tall and proud as Zy's best man.

The reception that followed was a whirlwind of congratulations, laughter, and celebration. As the newlyweds made their grand entrance into the ballroom, now reconfigured for the party, the DJ's voice boomed through the speakers:

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the new power couple of the gaming world – Mr. and Mrs. Zyan and Elliot Ashford!"

Cheers erupted as Ellie and Zy swept onto the dance floor for their first dance. As they swayed to the music, Zy leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear.

"Happy, Mrs. Ashford?" he murmured, his voice low and full of love.

Ellie tilted her head back to meet his gaze, her smile radiant. "Ecstatic, Mr. Ashford. Though I might keep Madden for professional purposes – can't have people thinking I slept my way to the top, now can we?"

Zy's laugh rumbled through his chest. "As if anyone who's met you could think that. You're a force of nature, Ellie. I'm just along for the ride."

As the dance floor opened up to their guests, Ellie found herself swept from one group to another, accepting congratulations and well-wishes. She couldn't help but notice Frankie engaged in what appeared to be a very animated conversation with Adonis, her sister's eyes sparkling with interest.

"Looks like Frankie's got her sights set on your best man," Ellie commented to Zy as they paused for a moment at the edge of the dance floor.

Zy followed her gaze, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Adonis could use someone to keep him on his toes. Your sister might be just the ticket."

Before Ellie could respond, the DJ's voice cut through the chatter once more. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage our bride and groom for a very special announcement."

Zy took Ellie's hand, leading her up to the small stage that had been set up at one end of the ballroom. As they stepped up to the microphone, a hush fell over the crowd.

"First of all," Ellie began, her voice clear and strong, "Zy and I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate with us. This day means more to us than we can possibly express."

Zy nodded, his arm wrapping around Ellie's waist. "But as many of you know, today isn't just about our wedding. It's also about the launch of our first collaborative project as husband and wife – Infinite Union ."

A cheer went up from the crowd, particularly loud from the tables where their respective development teams sat.

" Infinite Union is more than just a game," Ellie continued. "It's a symbol of what can be achieved when two competing forces come together in harmony. It's about breaking down barriers, finding common ground, and creating something beautiful out of adversity."

"Much like our relationship," Zy added with a grin, earning a laugh from the audience.

Ellie elbowed him playfully before growing serious once more. "But before we unveil the game, there's someone we need to acknowledge. Someone without whom neither this game nor this wedding would be possible."

She turned to where Adonis stood near the stage. "Adonis, would you join us up here?"

Looking surprised, Adonis made his way onto the stage amidst applause.

"Adonis," Zy began, his voice thick with emotion, "you've been my right-hand man, my voice of reason, and my brother in all but blood for longer than I care to admit. But a few months ago, you became something even more – a hero."

Ellie took over, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "When my life was in danger, you didn't hesitate to put yourself in harm's way to protect me. You took a bullet that was meant for me, and in doing so, you not only saved my life but preserved the future that Zy and I now share."

The room had grown pin-drop silent, all eyes on the trio on stage.

"There's no way we can ever repay you for what you've done," Zy continued, "but we hope this small gesture will show you how much you mean to us."

With that, he handed Adonis an envelope. As Adonis opened it, his eyes widened in shock at the legal documents inside.

"This... this is..." he stammered, looking between Zy and Ellie in disbelief.

Ellie smiled warmly. "It's a partnership agreement. We want you to be an equal partner in our new venture. Infinite Union is as much yours as it is ours."

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Adonis, usually so composed, found himself at a loss for words. He pulled both Zy and Ellie into a tight embrace, the three of them sharing a moment of profound gratitude and friendship.

As the celebration continued into the night, Ellie found herself taking a moment to observe the room from a quiet corner. She watched as Zy charmed a group of investors, his natural charisma on full display. Her eyes drifted to where Noa was regaling some of Zy's shifter relatives with animated stories, no doubt angling for an introduction to an eligible bachelor. Frankie and Adonis were still deep in conversation, their heads bent close together as they laughed over some shared joke.

"Quite a party, isn't it?" a familiar voice said beside her.

Ellie turned to see her grandmother, Elena, joining her in her quiet observation. "It really is, Abuela. I still can't quite believe it's all real."

Elena patted her hand affectionately. "Oh, it's real, mi ni?a . And it's only the beginning." She cast an appreciative glance in Zy's direction. "You've chosen well, Elliot. A man who sees your worth, matches your passion, and isn't afraid to stand beside you as an equal – that's a rare find indeed."

"He really is amazing, isn't he? I never thought I'd find someone who could keep up with me, let alone challenge me to be better."

"And those shoulders," Elena added with a mischievous wink. "As I said before, your babies are going to be stunning – and probably tech geniuses to boot."

"Abuela!" Ellie gasped, feeling her cheeks flush. But she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at the thought of a future family with Zy.

As if summoned by their conversation, Zy appeared at Ellie's side, bowing slightly to Elena. "May I steal my bride for a dance?" he asked.

Laughing, Ellie allowed Zy to lead her onto the dance floor. As they swayed to the music, she rested her head on his chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

"What are you thinking about?" Zy murmured, his hand tracing soothing patterns on her back.

Ellie tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "The future," she replied honestly. "Our future. The game, the company, our life together... all of it."

Zy's eyes softened with affection. "And how does that future look to you?"

"Bright," Ellie said without hesitation. "Challenging, exciting, probably a little scary at times... but so, so bright."

In response, Zy dipped her low, capturing her lips in a kiss that left her breathless and sent the guests into a round of cheers and wolf-whistles.

As the night wound down and the last of the guests began to depart, Ellie and Zy found themselves back on the stage, this time to make their final announcement of the evening.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Zy began, his voice carrying easily over the crowd, "we can't thank you enough for sharing this incredible day with us. But before you go, we have one last surprise."

Ellie picked up where he left off, her excitement palpable. "As you leave tonight, you'll each be receiving a special limited edition copy of Infinite Union . We hope you'll enjoy playing it as much as we enjoyed creating it."

The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause and excited chatter.

"But that's not all," Zy continued, a hint of pride in his voice. "We're also proud to announce that a portion of all proceeds from the game will be going to a new foundation we've established – the Ashford-Madden Fund for Tech Education. Our goal is to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to explore and excel in the fields of technology and game development."

The room erupted in cheers once more, and Ellie felt her heart swell with pride and love. This was everything she'd ever dreamed of and more – a partner who shared her values, a career she was passionate about, and the ability to make a real difference in the world.

As the reception came to a close and they prepared to leave for their honeymoon, Ellie took one last look around the room. Her eyes met Zy's, and in that moment, she knew with absolute certainty that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey.

"Ready to start our next great adventure?" Zy asked, offering her his arm.

Ellie slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, her smile radiant. "With you? Always."

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