Chapter Six

The wedding couldn't come soon enough, yet somehow, the following two weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Before I knew it, I was waking in Talia's bed. For a moment, I forgot where I was, and then I remembered that I'd slept in her room the previous night. She said it was bad luck to sleep with the groom the night before the wedding, and I wasn't about to ignore superstition.

Talia jumped onto the bed and squealed, "You're up! Do you know what day it is!?"

For fun, I answered, "Halloween?"

Talia swatted me. "Yes, but it's also your wedding day!"

A huge smile spread across my face. "Is that today?"

"Today's the day!" She hopped off the bed and went over to the window to pull back the curtains. "The birds are chirping; the sun is shining… Well, the sun isn't really shining, but that's all right."

I sat up to see that it was drizzly outside. The bright oranges and reds of autumn seemed dull under the overcast sky.

My face fell. "That's not good. We're supposed to have the ceremony outside."

"No, this is perfect," Talia said. "Rain on your wedding day symbolizes cleansing and fertility. It's like nature is washing everything clean for you. This is a good omen."

I brightened up. "Oh! In that case, bring on the rain."

"It should let up before sundown," Talia promised. "In the meantime, we have an entire day of pampering planned to get you ready for the ceremony."

"That sounds like fun. Where do we start?" I asked.

"Right in here." Talia gestured to her attached bath.

I got out of bed—careful not to disturb Isa, who was sleeping at my feet—and went into the bathroom. The scent of lavender filled my nose, and I noticed that Talia had already filled the bath. Beside the tub sat a neat pile of pampering supplies from the gift basket she'd given me at my bridal shower. There was a face mask, moisturizer, a loofah, and more. The lights were off, and candles had been lit all around the room. Soft music played through a speaker on the counter.

"I already put in the Epsom salts, and there's a robe for you on the back of the door," Talia said. "The girls will be here at ten to start on hair and makeup, which should give us plenty of time until the ceremony at sunset. Enjoy!"

Talia left me in the bathroom, and I stripped down and sank into the water. It was so warm, and the bath salts made my skin feel silky and smooth. I put the face mask on and rested my head back, enjoying the calmness surrounding me.

I didn't know how long I sat there, but I nearly fell asleep again. I washed my hair and shaved, but I didn't get out until the water had turned cold. I dried off and wrapped the robe around myself, then returned to the bedroom. Talia had made the bed, and I noticed a new collection of oils and lotions on the nightstand.

"Next up on our day of pampering is a massage!" Talia exclaimed.

"I was not expecting the five-star treatment," I said with a smile.

"Girl, it's your wedding day. I'm not giving you a free moment to worry. Today's all about you."

"And Lucas," I added.

"Well, this morning, it's about you," she said. "Lay face-down on the bed and relax. You leave the rest up to me."

Talia left the room for a minute while I stripped off my robe and lay down, pulling the blanket up around my waist. She returned and dimmed the lights, before turning on calming music. Talia rubbed lotions and oils over my back, and I found myself relaxing deep into the mattress.

Talia finished an hour later and announced breakfast was on its way. I dressed back into my robe, and the rest of my bridesmaids arrived several minutes later. Talia, Chloe, and Onyx wore robes that matched mine, but Verla and Grammy were dressed casually.

"I hope you're hungry!" Chloe exclaimed. She stepped aside, and plates of food floated into the room behind her.

"Starving," I said.

The girls all gathered around to nibble on pastries and fancy cheeses, and Chloe called Talia over to the mirror to start working on her hair. We listened to music and joked around while I helped steam the bridesmaid dresses. Hours passed, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

"All right, Nadine. It's your turn," Chloe announced.

I sat in the chair in front of the mirror. Chloe curled my hair, then twisted the strands into an intricate bun at the base of my neck. It took her over half an hour to pin my hair back, taking extra care with each strand. She finished the look by curling several loose pieces in front to frame my face.

"What do you think?" she asked when she finished.

I turned my head to view it from all angles. "I really love it. Thank you."

Chloe picked up a brush. "Now, for your makeup."

"I've got that covered." I waved a hand in front of my face, and the color in my cheeks brightened. My eyebrows darkened, along with my lashes, and my lips turned mauve.

She stepped back to take a look at me. "Mm… let's go a little wider with the eyeliner."

I waved my hand again, and the line above my eye thickened.

"Add some contour here…" Chloe ran her finger below my cheekbone.

I followed her instructions, and she gasped. "I think that's perfect!"

I stared at myself in the mirror, loving the way my eyes seemed brighter than normal. "Wow, I look really good."

"Everyone gather around," Grammy instructed. "I want to take some pictures!"

We spent another few hours snacking, laughing, and getting ourselves perfect for the ceremony. Grammy and Verla moved in and out of the room as they helped set up for the ceremony and reception elsewhere.

Soon, it was time to get our dresses on. All of the girls wore long purple gowns. Each was a different shape, as I'd let them pick out the dresses that they liked best when we went shopping in Hok'evale.

Grammy and I went into the bathroom so that I could change into my wedding dress in private. Grammy and I had picked it out over the summer, when everyone else was off researching the Wands. We'd called the bridal shop in Hok'evale to order it and picked it up with the bridesmaid dresses, but no one else had seen it yet.

Grammy helped me into it, and she buttoned up back. "How are we feeling?"

"I don't have cold feet, if that's what you mean," I said.

"You're confident this is the right thing to do?" she asked.

I noticed she didn't ask if I was nervous, like so many other people would. It helped shift the focus to the good I was feeling, and I could honestly say I had no second thoughts about marrying Lucas.

"I know Lucas and I are meant to be together," I told her. "I can't wait to marry him. I'm also really excited to be attending my first witch wedding!"

"I guarantee it won't disappoint," Grammy said with a chuckle. "We're going to show you how fun a witch wedding can be."

Grammy finished with the buttons, and I spun to look at myself in the mirror. My gown was a sleeveless A-line dress with a plunging neckline and beads all over the bodice. The beading was both subtle and intricate, and I felt like I sparkled with every motion. The skirt was made of tulle, and the dress had a simple sweep train that flowed behind me. I hadn't liked any of the white dresses we looked at, so I'd opted for silver, and I couldn't be happier.

Grammy gazed at me in the mirror. "You look beautiful, Nadine. Lucas is going to faint when he sees you."

"I hope not! He needs to say his vows."

Grammy chuckled. "Let's show the girls."

She opened the door a crack and announced, "We're coming out!"

The chatter died, and I stepped into the bedroom to see four beautiful faces smiling back at me.

"Oh, my Goddess!" Talia cried. "You look gorgeous."

Chloe's jaw dropped, and Onyx threw her hands over her mouth. Verla's eyes watered as she placed her hands over her heart.

"The dress is beautiful," Verla said. "It's just missing one thing."

Verla took the blue hair pin from the vanity, and I watched in the mirror as she placed it in my hair. It looked perfect.

"It's almost time to head down for the ceremony," Verla said. "But before we go, we must prepare your Blessing Brew."

Grammy had told me this was a tradition for all women in the Miriamic Coven. It was a ceremony that the bridesmaids performed to bless the union before the ceremony. I was really excited to see what it was like.

The girls stepped aside to reveal an altar they'd set up while I was in the bathroom. Atop a small table was a bubbling cauldron surrounded by candles and crystals. Five vials of herbs stood in a neat line in front of the potion.

Grammy gestured everyone forward. "Gather around!"

We stood in a circle around the altar. Our cats came running, too, and they hopped onto the tabletop and began circling the potion.

"As the maid of honor, Talia will act as Mother Miriam's proxy, in which she stands in place of our goddess to bless the bride," Grammy explained.

Talia stood opposite me and raised her hands above the cauldron. "Mother Miriam, we call upon you to bless this union so that we may celebrate the love between Nadine and Lucas, and bring the coven closer together."

Talia wasn't an Alchemist, but the brew began to bubble more rapidly.

"Speak the incantation with me," Talia instructed.

The five women surrounding me spoke in unison.

On this night,

this bride becomes a wife.

Through this potion,

take our blessings into a new life.

So shall it be.

Talia nodded to Chloe, and she picked up one of the herb vials. "Nadine, I gift you red clover, to symbolize fertility. May you be fertile in mind and spirit, to conceive new ideas and produce solutions in your marriage."

I smiled at Chloe as she dumped the vial of clover into the potion. "I will be fertile."

Onyx went next. "I gift you lavender, to symbolize devotion, that you may be devoted to your spouse and seek strength in one another."

I nodded as she tossed the herbs into the potion. "I will be devoted."

"I gift you thyme, to symbolize courage," Verla said. "Find courage through your spouse, and you two will be able to face anything together."

"I will be courageous."

"Nadine," Grammy said, tearing up. "I gift you sage, to symbolize wisdom. May you be wise to know which battles to fight, and which solutions to seek out."

"I will be wise," I promised. My voice cracked as I accepted my grandmother's blessing.

Talia took the last herb vial and held it over the cauldron, but she never took her eyes off me. "Nadine, I gift you mint, to symbolize virtue. May you always do what is right for your spouse, your community, and yourself."

"I will have virtue," I told her.

Talia sprinkled the mint into the potion, then lifted her hands again. "Join me."

The woman all grabbed the handle of a long wooden spoon and stirred the potion together. Magic of various colors swirled down their hands and into the potion. The cats stopped circling the potion, and all five of them placed their paws on the edge of the cauldron to peer inside. The cats' eyes shimmered blue, and the potion began to glow a bright white.

"The Goddess has accepted our blessings, and now Nadine must accept them as well," Talia announced. She dipped a cup into the potion and scooped a small amount into it, then handed it to me.

"So shall it be," I said, before tipping my head back and drinking the potion. It was sweet like honey and went down easily.

I set the cup on the altar and thought that was the end of it, until I felt a strange buzzing all throughout my body. It felt really good, like I was floating several inches off the ground.

"Finally, we will don the veil," Talia announced. "This long-standing tradition will ward off evil spirits so that they can't see the bride and curse her before the wedding."

The girls went to a box on the bed, and they pulled out a long silver veil that matched my dress. Together, they fitted it into my hair and over my face. The veil was so long that it nearly touched my toes. I could just barely see through it.

Something tickled my arm, and I thought it was the veil, but when I looked down, I saw a spider crawling over me.

"You can't walk down the aisle with me, little guy," I said as I pulled the spider off of me.

"A spider!" Verla exclaimed in excitement. "This is a good omen."

"A spider and rain on my wedding day?" I asked. "I guess that makes for extra good luck."

"Very good luck, indeed," Grammy said. "Just in time, too. The sun has set, and it's time to make our way to the ceremony. As is tradition, your bridesmaids will go first. We will meet you down there. We love you, Nadine."

The girls each gave me a hug, then left the room. Verla was the only one to stay behind. All the weddings I'd been to had the bridesmaids walk in with the bride, but witch weddings were different.

"I'm sorry your mother couldn't be here to see this," Verla said softly while we waited.

I gazed down at Isa. "She is, sort of."

"Her soul is here in a way," Verla agreed. "But it's not the same. She should've been here to walk you down the aisle. I'm honored that you asked me to take her place, but this was your mother's right."

"If my mother can't be here, I'm glad it's you. You've done so much to help me with my powers, and you've supported me every step of the way the same way my mother would have if she was still alive. You advocated for me against the school board, and you saved mine and Lucas's lives in our trial. I owe you so much, Clarice. I'm happy you're guiding me down the aisle."

Verla furrowed her brow. "You called me by my first name."

I shrugged. "You're not Headmistress Verla. You're family."

"I'm not family, Nadine," she said gently. "I'm honored you would say that, but I can't take your mother's place."

"You aren't taking her place, and you never could, but you're honoring her by stepping in when she can't be here. You've been here for me since I arrived at Miriam College, teaching me everything you know and guiding me every step of the way. I can't have my mom here, because she's gone now, but I can have you. You're my mother, Clarice, and you have been ever since I came to Octavia Falls. Even before that, you were looking out for me, when I didn't even know it. I want you to be my mom, and I hope you'll believe me when I say I love you. I just wish it didn't take so long to say it."

Tears beaded in the corners of Verla's eyes. "If this is the way you feel, then I will accept you as my own. I've always seen you as my daughter, Nadine, though I was terrified to say such a thing out loud. I hope you can forgive me for holding back."

I fell into Verla's arms and began to sob. Tears streaked my cheeks, and one of her tears fell onto my shoulder.

Verla held me close. "Family is the most important thing, Nadine. I'm honored to be considered part of your family, and I'm happy to witness you starting a new family with Lucas. You must protect this union, because your family will always be there for you."

I sniffled. "I don't mean to get emotional."

"Do it!" she cried. "Get emotional. It's your wedding day!"

I laughed, but the laughter came with tears of joy. Verla hugged me tighter, and the strong emotions overcoming me eased.

I gently wiped my eyes and drew away. "How's my makeup?"

"It's perfect." Verla took my hand. "Come. It's time to tell that boy you love him."

I looped my hand through Verla's elbow, and she guided me downstairs and through the front door. The rain had let up, just as Talia had promised. Although the sun had set, I could still make out the beautiful oranges and yellows of the leaves on the ground and in the trees.

Verla led me into the forest beside the house, and Isa and Odin followed at our feet. She guided me down a narrow trail that twisted through the trees. In the distance, I heard an owl hoot, then caught the sound of a stream trickling nearby. As we neared the ceremony site, I heard voices singing a traditional Miriamic wedding song in a minor key.

Verla and I stepped into a clearing beside the stream, and my jaw dropped in wonder. Glowing orbs danced above our heads, and red autumn leaves swirled beneath a large oak tree. In the center of the clearing, Grant, Talia, Chloe, Miles, Onyx, and Professor Warren were cloaked in black, dancing in a circle to the rhythm of their song. There were no drum beats or instruments to accompany their voices—just a beautiful a capella tune sung in perfect harmony.

Hush, now

The time for vows

Is coming all so soon

Tonight we seek

Our mother's blessing

Underneath the moon

Protect this space

And hear our prayers

To bless this sacred union

A large white orb hovered between each of their hands, creating a beautiful lights display as they danced. Their cats made a circle around them, and Isa and Odin rushed forward to join the cats in the dance. I spotted movement across the clearing, and I saw Oliver and Cornelius rushing to join them as well.

That's when I noticed Grammy leading Lucas into the clearing opposite me. Lucas was dressed in a black tux with a purple tie, and his hair had been slicked back in a really sexy way. He looked as starstruck as I did at the beautiful setting.

Then his gaze focused past the dancers, and a smile spread across his face when he saw me. Everything around us seemed to fade as our eyes locked. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and my knees locked up as I took him in. I couldn't believe our time was finally here. Grammy nudged Lucas, and he started forward.

Verla leaned over to whisper, "It's time."

My heart pitter-pattered in my chest as I walked forward. The circle of dancers expanded, until Lucas and I met in the middle. I wanted to reach out for him—I couldn't wait—but my veil was in the way.

I noticed something about Lucas I hadn't seen before. His form almost glowed, but the magical glow was dark, barely discernible in the fading light.

As the song began to fade into the last chord, my bridesmaids approached and gently pulled back my veil. Bright white light shimmered off my form and lit up the clearing. Grammy had told me this would happen, but I was still surprised to see it. It was a product of the potion they'd given me, and Lucas's glow came from the potion his groomsmen had brewed for him. I represented light, and Lucas represented darkness. Together, we represented the union of the entire spectrum. The darkness and the light, finally united as one.

Our friends dropped the hoods of their cloaks as the forest became quiet. I heard Verla and Grammy approach and join us, but I couldn't take my eyes off Lucas. He wore a huge grin, like he couldn't wait to take me in his arms.

Talia stepped forward, and everyone else joined hands to lock us into the circle. They began swaying from side to side in unison. Witch weddings were seen as a community event, to bless the couple and bring them into the coven as a singular unit. Traditionally, the bride and grooms' closest friends formed an inner circle to help officiate the ceremony, while the rest of the guests sat in chairs in a secondary circle outlining the ceremony space. Tonight, however, only our closest friends and family were in attendance, so everyone participated in the inner circle.

"Nadine, Lucas," Talia said. "You have chosen me to act as Mother Miriam's proxy, to facilitate this ceremony so that you may be wed in the eyes of the Goddess. Join hands."

I beamed as I reached out for Lucas. His hands were warm when they met mine, and the tingles throughout my body grew in intensity as our glows merged together. I had to physically hold myself back from throwing my arms around him. Tendrils of magic swirled around our hands, locking them together. The light emanating from my skin dimmed, while his glow grew brighter.

Grammy had called this part of the ceremony handfasting, in which our hands were magically tied together to represent the binding of our lives.

I love you, Lucas mouthed to me.

I love you, too, I mouthed back.

"Nadine, Lucas," Talia continued. "We are gathered here tonight because you have asked your family and friends to bless your union, so that you may be bound together in this life and become one amongst the coven. We will begin by inviting the community to give their blessings."

Talia turned to Grammy. "Do you accept this union?"

Grammy stepped forward. "I accept this union and bless the couple with the sign of the owl, to offer you wisdom when all seems hopeless. So shall it be."

"So shall it be," everyone repeated.

The women had already offered blessings in the bridal ceremony, but when they had brewed the potion, they had blessed me. Here, they were proclaiming their approval of our union and blessing our marriage. Grammy had chosen the same blessing of wisdom at both ceremonies, though the guests could choose anything they wanted.

Chloe went next with the sign of the cat, a blessing for us to remain independent beings while still thriving as a couple. Onyx followed with the mark of the potion, to brew a new beginning between the two of us. Verla blessed us with the power of the oak tree, symbolizing strength, stability, and courage. Miles chose the mark of the wand, to cast our dreams into reality, and Grant chose the sign of the toad, to bring abundance.

Professor Warren stepped forward. "I accept this union and bless this couple with the power of the oak tree, to give them strength, a stable marriage, and courage for the path ahead. So shall it be."

I found it interesting that Professor Warren and Verla had chosen the same blessing, but they were both our mentors, and I was certain they believed we needed courage for the path ahead of us. Goddess knew we did.

Talia went last. "I accept this union and bless this couple with the sign of the raven, to transform from two people into one. So shall it be."

My hands shook in anticipation as I spoke, "So shall it be."

"Goddess, gods, ancestors, and guides," Talia called out into the forest. "Descend upon us to bless this union between this witch and warlock through sacred matrimony."

Silvery lights appeared in the trees above us. They were unlike the orbs floating there—shinier and more ethereal than any magic I'd seen before. It took me a second to realize they were spirits!

The spirits dimmed into wispy features of those that had left us far too soon. I didn't recognize any of them at first. They must've been our ancestors, because they wore all different kinds of dress that dated back hundreds of years. There had to be dozens of spirits, circling us in and bringing us close.

Then I saw the most beautiful faces in the crowd, and I had to squeeze Lucas's hands to keep from falling to my knees. My parents stood before me in spirit. They didn't look a day older than I remembered them. Dad's cheeks still dimpled when he smiled, and Mom's eyes twinkled in that way they always did when she told me she was proud of me.

Grammy had told me our ancestors could appear during the wedding ceremony, but I didn't actually believe it was possible. I knew my religion taught there was a life after death, and I'd seen ghosts before, so I knew it was real, but actually seeing my loved ones waiting for us on the other side was profound. It was one thing to know it in my soul, and something else entirely to experience it first-hand. I didn't think I'd ever see my parents again, not until I joined them in Alora, but the magic here tonight was strong. A piece of me had been broken when they'd died, but seeing them here tonight made that hole inside me disappear for just a brief moment.

"Mom? Dad?" I whispered.

Isa broke away from the circle, and she ran over to my mother. Cornelius followed and bowed his head to a young man who stood beside her.

"Grampy?" I recognized him from photos. Mom and Dad smiled at me, and Grampy gave a kind nod.

Oliver approached a man who looked so much like Lucas. It was his brother, Eric.

Lucas's hands shook in mine, and tears fell from his eyes. He squeezed my hands tighter, like it took everything within him to hold himself together. I squeezed him back to let him know that if he needed to break down, I'd be here to help him pick up the pieces.

But that didn't happen, because a smile stretched across his face then, and he whispered to his brother, "I love you."

Eric placed his hand over his heart to show Lucas he knew exactly how his brother felt.

Beside the others, I noticed a girl with the kindest eyes. Amy smiled brightly, opening her arms wide to me, and tears began streaming from my eyes. All these people had moved on. I never thought I'd see them again.

I wanted to run over to them, to say goodbye one last time, but they were there one moment and gone the next. The faces I so desperately missed faded into the forest. The cats looked upward, meowing as pieces of their souls faded away.

Lucas reached out a hand into the empty forest, as if begging his brother to come back. I shared his sentiment; we hadn't had enough time with them.

"Your ancestors have appeared, and given their blessing," Talia said. "And with it, they will bless you with a message."

Talia pulled a deck of tarot cards from her cloak. They were unlike any deck I'd seen before, with beautiful silver foil on the backs that shimmered under the orbs.

"You will select a card for your union, to guide you into your marriage," Talia announced.

She spread the cards out, and Lucas and I reached for the same one. Together, we pulled the card from the deck and flipped it over.

The card depicted a warrior on a chariot being led by a white sphynx and a black sphynx. The warrior appeared to be driving the chariot, but there were no reigns. In his hand, he simply held a wand.

"You have chosen The Chariot," Talia announced. "Together, you are strong and courageous. Though you may be pulled in two directions, you two hold the power to lead your relationship in any direction you choose, and you will find strength in navigating those opposing forces together. Rely not on what others expect from you, but know that you are in control of your relationship, and through determination, you two can achieve anything together."

I knew relationships required work, and that effort didn't end when we got married, but I knew whatever we faced, Lucas and I could do it together.

"Finally, you will receive a blessing from the Earth," Talia said.

Lucas kept hold of my hand as he led me to the base of the oak tree at the edge of the clearing. Grammy had told me about this part of the ceremony, and I'd memorized the incantation by heart.

Lucas shot me a glance, and I nodded. We spoke in unison.

Heart of oak and love's pure light

We seek your blessing on this wedding night.

Together, we pressed our palms to the base of the tree. Something shifted beneath our hands. My fingers curled around a long stick, and we pulled it from the trunk together. A wand appeared in our hands, and we held it up for our friends to see. The wand was eleven inches long with a twisted blade and engravings of roses on the handle.

It was a Wedding Wand—a special wand that could only be forged during a Miriamic wedding ceremony. Lucas and I could use it together in relationship rituals, in order to strengthen our marriage.

"Now for the rings," Talia said.

Grant pulled the rings from the breast pocket of his suit, and he handed them to us.

"Do you, Lucas Taylor, choose Nadine Evers to be your one and only, for as long as this incarnation lasts?" Talia asked.

Lucas beamed and spoke with firm conviction. "I do."

He slipped the ring on my finger, and my heart filled with so much joy I thought it might explode. The light glowing around our forms began to twist together, glowing brighter as they merged as one.

"Do you, Nadine Evers, choose Lucas Taylor to be your one and only, for as long as this incarnation lasts?"

"I do!" I could hardly get the words out fast enough. We'd been waiting for this moment for so long, and now, it was finally here. I beamed as I placed a white gold ring on his finger. I'd never been happier.

"Your word is your intention," Talia said. "I now pronounce you warlock and wife. You may now seal this union with the show of your love."

Lucas let go of my hands to take my whole body in his arms. I threw my arms around his neck, and we fell into a deep, passionate kiss.

Our friends cheered so loud it echoed through the trees. A white light shone so bright I could see it through my lids. I opened my eyes to see our forms glowing brighter, then all at once, the light exploded upwards. I watched in awe as the magic burst like fireworks, then turned into a million tiny bits of starlight that rained down upon us like confetti.

Warm magic tickled my skin, and I laughed happily. "Grammy didn't tell me about this part!"

Lucas grinned as he drew me closer. "It's the best part—it means our marriage is complete."

Words couldn't do it justice just how passionately in love I was with him. I took his face in my hands and kissed him again.

"Witches and warlocks, I present to you Mister and Mrs. Taylor!" Talia announced.

Their cheers faded into the background as I kissed Lucas over and over again. I could hardly believe we'd made it. After everything we'd been through, I wasn't sure we'd ever get this far. Lucas and I had defied death, survived the Burning, fought a demon, and won our trial. I wasn't sure we'd live long enough to make it to the altar.

Furthermore, we defeated the Reaper's Shadow curse. When Lucas and I first started dating, we'd agreed we wouldn't marry because of the curse that had been placed on all reapers. If a reaper like Lucas fell in love, his lover—known as the Reaper's Shadow—was destined to suffer. According to the curse, if the couple had sex, the woman would experience a great illness. If they married, she would suffer a tragedy. Once they had children, the child would be destined to kill their mother.

But that was all over now. Lucas and I had tracked down the graves of the women who had been affected by the Reaper's Shadow curse, and I'd broken the curse in the cemetery. We didn't know back then if we'd ever be able to get married, but goddess damn it, we did it.

I was surrounded by my family and friends, and I felt healthier than ever. More than that, Lucas and I were together, and it was everything I ever wanted.

Nothing could ruin this day. It was an absolute dream come true… and no force in hell or otherwise could shatter this beautiful dream. Lucas and I were forever tied. Whatever the future held, we could handle it side by side.

Come what may, this fantasy of ours would last forever.