Part 41 ( Ellie )

I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my suit for what must be the hundredth time.

It's perfect. Jet black, tailored, with the faintest satin lapel. Underneath, my shirt is snow white, the top button fastened neatly beneath a black tie. Everything about it screams elegance, sophistication, Juliet's standards, obviously. And I should feel confident, standing here in something so perfectly fitted, so undeniably me, but my hands are shaking.

I exhale slowly, flexing my fingers.

"You're nervous." Edd observes from where he leans against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with quiet amusement.

"No shit." I mutter.

He chuckles, stepping forward. "You've played in championship games in front of thousands of people, and yet this is what gets you?"

I glance at him through the mirror. "Yeah, because if I screw this up, there's no second half to redeem myself."

Edd hums, walking up behind me, his gaze meeting mine in the reflection. "You won't screw it up."

I swallow. "God i hope not."

His expression softens, his voice quieter when he says, "You love her, don't you?"

I don't even have to think about it. "More than anything."

"Then you have nothing to worry about." He clasps a firm hand on my shoulder, grounding me in a way only an older brother can. "She's yours, Ellie. And today? Everyone gets to see what she already knows—that there's no one else in this world who could love her like you do."

My throat tightens.

I turn, blinking a few times as I let out a breathy chuckle. "I hate when you get sentimental."

Edd grins, slapping my back. "Yeah, well. Today's a special occasion."

A knock at the door.

"Five minutes," someone calls.

I nod, rolling my shoulders, trying to shake off the nerves. Edd watches me for a moment before smirking. "Alright, let's go get you married."

I exhale one last time, run a hand through my hair, and step out of the room.

-

I step into the grand hall.

It's massive.

The ceilings stretch high, draped with soft white fabric that cascades elegantly down the walls, chandeliers glowing like stars. Rows of guests are seated in perfect symmetry, the aisle lined with towering arrangements of white roses and orchids, the scent delicate and sweet. Everything is pristine, beautiful, Juliet's dream made real.

I make my way down, every step feeling heavier, my heart pounding so hard I swear it echoes in my ears.

The guests are watching, but I barely register them. I catch a glimpse of Edd taking his seat beside his wife, his kids fidgeting beside him. Mia is in the front row, practically vibrating with anticipation. Luke, Olivia, Aiden, Simon- they're all here.

But none of them matter.

Because the first note plays, a melody that seems to hold the weight of forever.

And then I see her.

Everything else falls away.

Juliet Baldwin.

She steps into view, and my lungs forget how to function.

My heart stops. My world narrows.

She is....

Breathtaking isn't even the right word. Nothing I've ever seen, nothing I've ever known, nothing in this world could have prepared me for the way she looks right now.

Her dress is stunning, delicate lace clinging to her body, hugging every inch of her in a way that makes it look made for her. The fabric flows effortlessly as she moves, pooling behind her like a river of white, soft and weightless. The intricate beading catches the light, sparkling as she walks, each step slow, graceful. Her veil drapes over her hair, sheer enough that I can still see the sharp angles of her face, the curve of her lips, the warmth in her gaze.

That gaze.

That damn gaze that's always had the power to ruin me.

Her eyes are locked onto mine, deep and shining, filled with love that reaches inside me, wraps around my soul, holds me in a way nothing else ever has.

And I can't breathe.

Because she—Juliet Baldwin, the love of my life, the only person who has ever truly seen me—is walking toward me.

I feel it everywhere. The weight of this moment. The certainty in her steps. The certainty in her love.

My chest tightens, emotion rising, pressing against my ribs. My hands shake, my vision blurs, and for a second, I have to remind myself to breathe.

I feel like I'm dreaming, like this can't possibly be happening, like something so good, so impossibly perfect, shouldn't be mine.

But there she is.

Walking toward me.

Choosing me.

Loving me.

I blink rapidly, my hands shake as she moves closer, each step making my pulse pound.

God, I love her.

I love her so much I don't know how I'm supposed to hold it in.

She's standing in front me, close enough that I can see the way her breath shivers in her chest, the way her fingers tighten slightly around her bouquet. Close enough that I can see everything, the warmth in her eyes, the way the rest of the world ceases to exist the second she's in front of me.

For a moment, we just look at each other.

Her lips curve, the softest, smallest smile, and she exhales, slow, shaky, like she's holding back just as much as I am.

I don't even realize I'm reaching for her until my fingers brush against hers.

"Wow," I whisper, breathless, completely wrecked.

Juliet lets out the softest laugh, barely audible, like she wasn't expecting that.

"You're..." I start, but my voice falters. I shake my head, breathless, my hands itching to reach for her. "You look absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking. Words can't even describe you."

A quiet, almost embarrassed laugh escapes her, her eyes glistening. "Don't make me cry yet, Crawford."

I grin, barely suppressing the wrecked laugh that fights its way up my throat.

The officiant clears his throat, his voice steady. "Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Juliet Baldwin and Ellie Crawford in marriage. This is a day of joy, of commitment, of two souls choosing each other above all else."

I hear the words, but they barely register. All I can do is look at her.

She's glowing. Not just from the golden light filtering through the towering windows, but from within. Juliet Baldwin, my Juliet, standing here, in front of me, about to be mine in every way that matters.

The officiant continues, his voice weaving through the air. "Marriage is more than a promise; it is a choice made every single day. It is built on love, trust, and unwavering devotion. Today, Juliet and Ellie stand before us, ready to embark on this journey together, bound not just by vows, but by the undeniable force of their love."

I tighten my grip on her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers.

The officiant smiles as he looks between us. "Before we move forward, I must ask, if anyone has any reason why these two should not be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Silence.

The silence stretches, uninterrupted, just as it should be.

The officiant nods, his smile deepening as he turns his attention back to us. "Then, let us continue." He glances at me first. "Ellie, would you like to begin with your vows?"

I take a steadying breath, my hands tightening around Juliet's as I look at her, the only thing in my world that has ever made sense.

"I—" I pause, swallowing against the emotion rising in my throat. A quiet chuckle escapes me, and Juliet's fingers squeeze mine in silent encouragement. I shake my head, exhaling before speaking again.

"I used to think love had to be complicated. That it had to hurt to be real. That it was something you had to fight for, even when it didn't want to be fought for." I take a breath, my thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "But then I met you. And everything, everything, I thought I knew about love changed."

Juliet's lips part slightly, her eyes shining as she watches me.

"With you, love has never been complicated. It's never been something I had to fight against. You taught me that love could be simple, even when life isn't. That it could be easy, even when things get hard. That it could be safe, even when the world feels impossible."

A tear slips down her cheek, but she doesn't look away.

I swallow again, my own vision blurring. "You are my best friend, my home, my heart. Every part of me belongs to you, and it always has. And standing here, I promise—no matter where life takes us, no matter what comes next—I will always choose you. In every lifetime, in every world, in every moment. You are it for me, Juliet. You always have been. I've loved you since high school, and I will keep loving you till the day I die—" I squeeze her hands. "And if there's anything after that, I'll find you there too."

Juliet lets out a shaky breath.

The officiant gives her a moment before turning to her gently. "Juliet, your vows?"

She takes a slow, deep breath, and when she speaks, her voice is steady, but thick with emotion.

"I've spent my whole life knowing exactly who I was supposed to be." She exhales, a small, wry smile tugging at her lips. "I've spent years making choices that weren't mine, following paths that were already decided for me. But you—" she stops, shaking her head slightly. "You were the first choice that was truly mine. And you are the best choice I have ever made."

I clench my jaw, trying not to break completely as she continues.

"You are stubborn, infuriating, reckless—" she laughs softly, then sniffles, blinking up at me. "And you are also the kindest, most loyal, most loving person I have ever known. You love so fiercely, so wholly, and every single day, you make me feel like the luckiest person in the world."

Tears spill down my cheeks, and Juliet's hands lift, brushing them away.

"I promise to stand by you, to believe in you, to fight for you the way you have always fought for me. I promise to love you the way you deserve to be loved, for as long as I live." Her voice trembles slightly, but her eyes stay locked onto mine. "Ellie, you are my heart, my home, my forever. And I will always, always choose you."

I'm a crying mess.

The officiant gives us both a soft smile before nodding toward Edd, who steps forward, holding the rings.

"These rings are a symbol of the love and commitment you share," the officiant says. "A circle, unbroken, never-ending—just as your love for each other will be." He turns to me. "Ellie, please take Juliet's ring and place it on her finger."

With slightly trembling fingers, I pick up the ring i got her, sliding it onto her finger as I whisper, "With this ring, I give you my heart, my soul, my everything. For today, for tomorrow, for forever."

The officiant turns to her. "Juliet, please take Ellie's ring and place it on her finger."

She picks up the band, the one she chose for me, simple, solid, a perfect contrast to her own. Her fingers are steadier than mine as she slides it into place. "With this ring, I give you my love, my loyalty, my forever."

I inhale sharply, my chest so full I think I might burst.

"Ellie and Juliet, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you—"

Juliet doesn't wait.

She surges forward, her hands gripping the lapels of my suit as she pulls me in, her lips crashing into mine.

Applause. Cheers.

But all I hear is the sound of her breath, the quiet, overwhelmed laugh she lets out against my mouth.

When we pull back, our hands still tangled in each other's clothes.

Her fingers curl into my suit, her breath warm against my lips as she whispers, "You and me, forever."

My throat tightens, my grip on her waist instinctive. "Forever." I murmur back, the word tasting like a promise I've always meant to keep.

Her lips twitch, eyes shining. "You're mine now."

I smirk, brushing my nose against hers. "I'm yours."

She exhales a soft laugh, full of something I can't name but feel deep inside me, something bigger than words, bigger than anything I've ever known.

And I know, without a single doubt,

This is the best moment of my life.

-

The ballroom is alive with laughter, the conversations blending with the soft melody of the live orchestra. Gold light spills from the chandeliers, casting a warm glow over everything. It's beautiful. But all I can focus on is her.

My wife.

God, that's never going to get old.

She's by my side, her fingers laced through mine, the weight of her wedding band against my skin still foreign but already irreplaceable. She's glowing, cheeks flushed, lips curled into the kind of smile that could make the entire world stop spinning. I can't stop looking at her, can't stop thinking this is real, this is mine, she is mine.

We barely make it a few steps into the ballroom before we're flooded with guests, friends, colleagues, extended family, all wanting a moment to congratulate us. Juliet handles it with her usual effortless charm, poised and graceful, while I try not to let the overwhelming attention make me lose my damn mind.

"There's our girl!"

Juliet's mother is the first to reach us, sweeping Juliet into her arms without hesitation. I watch as Juliet leans into the hug, as effortless and natural as breathing, and it hits me again—just how deeply loved she is. Her father is right behind, already reaching for me before I can so much as blink.

"Ellie." His voice is warm, full of Affection and something I've always recognized but still sometimes struggle to believe. Family. He pulls me into a firm hug, clapping my back like I belong, like I always have. "You did it, kid."

I huff a soft laugh as I step back. "Didn't have much of a choice, sir. She was always gonna be mine."

Juliet's mother exhales a laugh, dabbing delicately at the corner of her eye. "You two," she murmurs, shaking her head as she looks between us, like she still can't believe what she's seeing. "Juliet, darling, you look..." Her voice catches slightly, her hand lifting to touch Juliet's cheek, full of something unspoken. Love, pride. "You are the most beautiful bride."

Juliet's smile softens, and she squeezes her mother's hand. "Mommm"

"And you," her mother cuts in, turning to me with an approving look. "You, Ellie Crawford, are absolutely breathtaking."

I blink. Then blink again. "Oh. Uh." I scratch the back of my neck, heat crawling up my skin. "Thank you?"

Juliet chuckles beside me, nudging me playfully. "Take the compliment, baby."

Her mother sighs, exasperated but affectionate. "Honestly, I knew you'd look wonderful, but this? The suit, the way you carry yourself—Juliet," she turns to her daughter, eyes twinkling, "you really did win."

Juliet hums, stepping closer, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "I did, Didn't I?"

Her father shakes his head, though he's grinning. "Now, now, let's not inflate Ellie's ego more than it already is."

"Too late," I say easily, smirking at Juliet, who just laughs.

Juliet's mother sighs dramatically, taking both our hands in hers. "We are so proud of you both. And I hope you know, no matter what, you always have us."

I swallow thickly, because I do know. They made me understand what having parents is like.

Juliet, like she senses it, squeezes my hand.

I clear my throat, exhaling a breathy chuckle and glance at Juliet's father. "Thank you, for everything. For—" I lift a shoulder, unsure how to phrase it. "For taking me in like this."

He tilts his head, brow lifting. "Ellie, you've been part of this family for a long time. Today just made it official."

Juliet hums, shifting closer into my side. "See, babe? I told you my parents liked you."

Her father scoffs. "Liked her? Juliet, we adore her."

Juliet's mother hums in agreement, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "And we always will."

My chest tightens, good and full and warm.

This is family. This is home.

This is ours.

Juliet watches me, searching, and whatever she sees in my expression must be enough because her smile widens. I lean down, just enough for my lips to brush against her temple. "I love you," I murmur, quiet, just for her.

She turns toward me, her voice just as soft. "I love you more."

A throat clears beside us.

"Alright, alright, before this gets too sentimental," Juliet's father teases, stepping back, "go enjoy your night, you two."

Juliet grins. "That's the plan."

And with that, her parents let us go, disappearing into the crowd as we turn back toward the ballroom, the music swelling around us once more.

-

A hush falls over the ballroom as the music shifts, the melody soft and rich, wrapping around us like something tangible. Then, a voice cuts through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if we could have your attention, please."

Silence.

"It is now time for the first dance of the evening. Please join me in celebrating the newlyweds, Juliet and Ellie."

A wave of quiet anticipation sweeps through the room as guests turn toward us. My pulse kicks up.

Juliet looks up at me, eyes shining. I squeeze her hand, and together, we step toward the center of the dance floor.

The lights dim just slightly, casting everything in a golden glow. The music begins, a slow, soulful swell of strings and piano, each note curling into the air like a promise.

Juliet moves first, lifting her hand to my shoulder, the other resting in my palm. My free hand finds the small of her back, fingertips grazing the delicate lace of her dress, feeling the warmth of her beneath it. She leans into me without hesitation, like we were made to fit together this way, like she's never belonged anywhere else.

And then, we begin to move.

It's slow. Not rehearsed, not choreographed—just us. Every step, every shift of our bodies, every glance exchanged feels effortless, like breathing. The world blurs at the edges, fading into something distant, irrelevant. There's only Juliet. Her touch, her scent, the way her gaze never wavers from mine.

She is stunning, luminous, and God, she's my wife.

"Do you feel that?" she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, my fingers flexing against her waist. "Yeah."

She tilts her head, studying me like she's memorizing every detail. "I could stay like this forever."

I swallow, my throat tight. "Me too."

She smiles, wide, and tilts her head up, pressing her forehead against my chin as we keep moving.

The music swells around us, wrapping us in something private, sacred. I close my eyes for half a second, just to let it sink in, to feel her against me, to feel the weight of this love between us.

I open them again just as she shifts, pulling back slightly to meet my gaze.

Her fingers tighten in mine. "I love you."

I exhale sharply, a quiet laugh slipping from my lips, because it's too much, because it's everything. "I love you so much."

I dip her suddenly, just enough to make her laugh, the sound bright and full. The guests let out a collective murmur of awes.

I pull her back up, holding her flush against me. Her fingers dig slightly against my shoulder as she shakes her head, a soft, teasing lilt in her voice. "Had to make a scene, didn't you?"

I smirk, tightening my hold on her waist. "Wouldn't be us if I didn't."

She hums, pressing a soft, lingering kiss just below my ear. "Can't argue with that."

The song slows, the final notes stretching through the air, and neither of us lets go. We stay there, close, wrapped up in each other, until the music fades completely.

Applause breaks out, whistles filling the space, but all I can hear is the sound of her breath, the quiet, steady rhythm of her heart against mine.

Juliet tilts her head, lips ghosting over my cheek. "Stuck with me now."

I huff a quiet laugh, tilting her chin up until our eyes meet. "Think you can handle me?"

She smirks, fingers curling against my suit. "I know I can."

I don't give her the chance to say anything else. I close the distance, capturing her lips in a kiss that's slow, deep, filled with every ounce of love I have for her. She melts into me instantly, like she was made to fit here, like she belongs nowhere else.

We pull back. Our breaths heavy.

"Good," I murmur, pressing another kiss to her lips. "Because I'm never letting you go."