The night before the wedding, a quiet sense of anticipation hung in the air as Natalia and Jey shared their last moments together before the big day. They had decided to spend the night apart, a tradition they had both agreed on, and the reality of it was starting to settle in.

Jey had insisted on helping her pack for the hotel, even though he knew he wouldn't be seeing her again until their wedding ceremony. It felt strange, and yet, he could sense the excitement growing in both of them as the hours ticked down.

Malachi had already gone to bed, worn out from all the excitement, and now it was just the two of them. Jey stood in the doorway of the bedroom as Natalia zipped up her suitcase, her movements calm but purposeful.

"You sure you're okay with all of this?" Jey asked, leaning against the frame. "Leaving tonight and spending the night away from me, I mean."

Natalia paused, turning to him with a soft smile. "I'm more than okay, Jey. It's just tradition. Plus, Naomi, Galina, Almia, and Joelle are with me. It'll be fun. A night full of laughter, pampering, and a little pre-wedding chaos."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I guess that's what it's all about, huh? Chaos before the calm."

She stepped toward him, and his heart skipped a beat. "I'll be thinking about you all night. But right now, I just want to make sure you're ready. That we're both ready."

Jey stepped forward, closing the gap between them, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Natalia rested her head on his chest, sighing softly.

"I've been ready for this moment for a long time," she whispered. "We've come so far, Jey. We're here now. Together."

Jey kissed the top of her head, holding her close. "I can't wait for tomorrow. To make you mine. Forever."

The words hung between them like a promise, one that they both knew would be fulfilled the moment they stood together in front of their family and friends.

"Tomorrow is going to be perfect," she said, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "I can feel it."

Jey smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "It will be. I know it will."

The quiet intimacy of the moment was everything they needed before they would be surrounded by the whirlwind of the wedding the next day. Jey reached down and cupped her face, his thumb brushing along her cheek. "I love you so much, Nati. You've made my life... complete."

Her eyes softened as she gazed up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love you, too, Jey. More than I could ever put into words."

There was a long pause between them, and then Jey leaned in to kiss her softly, as if sealing their shared promise. He pulled away slowly, his eyes lingering on hers.

"Go get some rest," he said, his voice filled with affection. "I'll be thinking about you all night."

She smiled and stepped back, picking up her suitcase. "I'll be thinking about you, too. And I'll see you tomorrow. Our big day."

With one last lingering look, Natalia turned to grab her things, but before she left, Jey caught her hand.

"Just remember," he said, his voice low and meaningful. "Tomorrow, you'll be the most beautiful woman in the world to me."

Natalia smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. "And you'll be the most handsome man to me."

With a final kiss, she left the house, headed for the hotel where her friends awaited her. Jey watched her drive away, the anticipation building in his chest as he realized that tomorrow, they would become husband and wife, and nothing else in the world mattered.