Alice woke with a jolt. They had all arrived last night from Dallas, she barely slept. The dawn light filtered through her old bedroom curtains, casting soft, golden streaks across the ceiling—too delicate to match the storm brewing inside her. It was her wedding day. The thought sent a wave of nerves surging through her chest, pooling in her stomach like heavy gemstones. 

Celia was already on the move, orchestrating the morning with military precision. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway, a rhythmic reminder that time was slipping away. A true sight of hair curlers and bunny slippers. Alice sat at the breakfast table, motionless, staring down at her freshly painted nails—pearly white, smooth, perfect. She ran her thumb across them, as if testing whether the color would chip, whether anything would crack before she even said, "I do." 

The sharp scent of sizzling butter and melted cheese interrupted her spiraling thoughts. Kevin slid a plate in front of her, the steam curling in lazy tendrils between them. "Eat," he said with a knowing smile, his voice cutting through the whirlwind of preparations. 

Alice forced a breath. The omelet looked harmless enough. Familiar, warm, comforting—far less daunting than the vows waiting just beyond the horizon. She had to admit that she thought of her mom a lot these last few weeks, how she wasn't here for the biggest day of her life.

Her phone buzzed, dragging her back into the moment. She glanced down.

Clayton. His name pulsed softly against the screen, tethering her to something deeper, something that felt dangerously close to certainty.

"I love you. I can't wait to see you at the altar."

She hesitated for a second, quickly typing.

"I love you too."

Three simple words, yet they held the entirety of her heart—of every unspoken fear, every quiet certainty, every dream folded into this day.

The message sent.

And just like that, the weight in her chest softened. Not completely—there would always be nerves, always questions—but the certainty of him, of his love, was stronger than anything else.

*****

The music swelled, each note a delicate thread woven into the air. Alice's heart raced, each beat a thunderous drumroll in her ears. She felt Kevin's grip steady on her arm, grounding her trembling hands against the weight of her doubts. 

"Promise me," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the melody. Suddenly her dress was feeling very tight.

Kevin leaned in closer, his eyes fierce with determination. "I won't let you fall," he said firmly. 

Alice nodded and shifted her gaze forward, catching Clayton's eyes across the aisle. His expression was unreadable—a storm cloud of emotions hidden behind the practiced calm of his facade. The room seemed to blur around her, leaving only the sharp focus of the candlelit path ahead and the echoes of her own breathing. 

Chandeliers above sparkled like constellations frozen in time, casting an ethereal glow over the grand hall. Yet none of it mattered to Alice. The world could have been bathed in shadows for all she cared, as long as she could hold onto Kevin's steady presence. 

As they stepped forward together, she forced a deep breath, steadying the chaos within. Her dress whispered across the polished floor, each step carrying her closer to a moment she was completely ready for.

When she reached Clayton, Kevin gently placed her hand into his. The contact was electric, a spark that passed between them and lit up their faces. Clayton's hands enveloped hers, warm and sure, and for the first time that day, Alice's nerves melted away.

Father Bennigan's voice carried through the air, solemn and full of meaning, but it was Clayton's whispered words that caught her attention. "You're breathtaking," he murmured, his eyes never leaving hers.

The vows came next—soft, heartfelt promises exchanged under the arch of cascading flowers. Clayton's voice was steady as he spoke of love that would weather every storm, of a partnership rooted in trust and understanding. Alice's voice trembled as she spoke her own vows, her words raw and full of emotion, a pledge to love him not just in moments of joy but in the inevitable trials they would face.

The rings had once belonged to her parents, now transformed by Clayton's craftsmanship. Hers shimmered with diamonds, while both bore intricate designs—woven together in a way that made them feel inseparable, as if their history and future were permanently entwined.

When the priest announced them as husband and wife, a cheer erupted from the guests, the sound carrying across the ballroom like a wave. Clayton leaned in, his hands framing Alice's face as he kissed her, gentle but full of the promise they'd just made. The moment felt infinite, suspended in the soft glow of the setting sun and the warmth of a future they'd chosen together.

*****

After the formalities, the hugs and kisses from congratulating guests, Clayton barely had time to shut the door before his lips crashed against Alice's, the force of it driving her back against the wall. His fingers tangled in the fabric separating them, fighting past silk in a frantic attempt to reach her. The rustle of cloth, the metallic click of a buckle—everything moved too fast, not fast enough. She was so ready as he thrusted deeper and deeper inside her, his hot breath on her neck until they both found release, his hand covering her muffled moans as his forehead rested against hers.

"Oh my wife." He murmured, kissing her neck as they panted.

Alice let out a breathless laugh, her fingers instinctively combing through his hair. "We need to get back," she murmured, though the warmth in her voice betrayed her reluctance to step away as they rejoined bridal party with shy smiles. 

Nathanial smirked, his eyes flicking between her and Clayton with knowing amusement. Alice flushed, heat creeping up her neck, but she refused to acknowledge him. 

Sam, on the other hand, didn't bother with subtlety—his laugh rang out, unrestrained and unapologetic. 

"You really thought no one would notice?" he teased. 

Alice lifted her chin, affecting an air of nonchalance with a smile. "I have no idea what you're talking about."  But without missing a beat, she sheepishly reached into her corset, pulling out a crisp ten-dollar bill and handing it to Celia, whose smirk was a knowing one—sharp with victory.

"Never bet against me," Celia teased, tucking the money away with a satisfied flick of her wrist.

Alice rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her grin. "Fine. But you stacked the odds."

"You really doubted he'd fuck you the second he had an excuse to touch you? Please." Celia's voice was smug, a teasing smile forming.

Clayton tilted his head, eyes narrowing playfully. "Wait—what did I just lose to?"

Alice only winked as she adjusted her veil, the faintest flush rising to her cheeks as they continued on.

****

Once photos were done, the air was warm with laughter, the kind that lingered in the corners of the room like the glow of candlelight. Beneath the soft canopy of string lights, Alice and Clayton moved through the crowd hand in hand, their fingers interlaced like the roots of two entwined trees. The sound of clinking glasses and the gentle hum of conversation wove together, a symphony of joy that filled the reception hall.

Clayton had already lost his jacket, his shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his grin was nothing short of radiant as he whispered something into Alice's ear. She laughed, tipping her head back, the lace of her dress catching the light in a delicate shimmer.

The tables, draped in simple white linens, were dotted with centerpieces Alice and her Celia had assembled—Sunflowers matched with wildflowers in mismatched vases, their vivid colors a cheerful rebellion against formality. Nearby, Clayton's uncle held court with a group of cousins, gesturing wildly with a glass of wine in hand, recounting tales that grew taller with every retelling. Even Claudia, arm draped over her husband, cracked a smile as Sam recalled Clayton's earlier army days and how grateful he was for their friendship, his best friend until the end.

When the music shifted to something slow and wistful, Clayton pulled Alice onto the dance floor. Their movements weren't polished—Clayton stepped on her hem once, and they both dissolved into laughter—but it didn't matter to her. The world narrowed to just the two of them, their faces close, their whispered words stolen away by the music.

****

At quarter to midnight, sparklers were passed out to every guest, their fizzing glow illuminating the faces of loved ones. A hush fell as the countdown began, each number snapping like the crackle of the sparklers. Alice glanced at Clayton, her heart racing with something she couldn't name—not nerves, not excitement, but a charged stillness that made her hold his gaze even tighter.

"Three, two, one!" The room exploded in cheers, glasses clinking together and sparklers painting the air with golden trails. Clayton kissed Alice, her dress brushing the floor as they leaned into each other, surrounded by a chorus of laughter and applause.

Ruth caught the bouquet with a meek smile, Daniel kissing her as Alice beamed.

Soon after midnight and a few more dances, the crowd gathered to see them off, Alice glanced over her shoulder at the sea of familiar faces. For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze lingering on June and Kevin's. Then, with Clayton tugging her forward, they disappeared into the waiting Rolls-Royce heading to the airport., their laughter trailing behind them like the ribbons tied to the bumper.