𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄
— 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝑔𝑜 —

     𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 the dress cascades behind her soft footsteps, creating a cape of snow that tugs against the effervescent grass beneath her bare feet. A bouquet rests within her grasp, a gentle thumb smoothing over a leaf that is nearly too far to touch, but close enough to cherish. The band on her finger is still foreign, though Oakley Torine feels as though she was created to bear the token of such faith in another. If she thought too carefully, perhaps the diamond barrette gathering her raven curls was tight — or the delicate veil wasn't placed in the same position her mother had worn so many years ago, on her own wedding day.

"They are here with us," her father's words are light as his lips form a proper smile. "Even though we can't see them, they will always be here. Your mother would be so proud of you, sweetheart. And Graham . . .  he would be the one walking you down the aisle."

As the classical music begins to play, she finds his endearing eyes. "I can feel them. Mother is waiting for you to join her in the first row."

Quil Ateara adjusts the cuff links on his suit, maintaining brief eye contact with his parents before looking to those who were seated politely in front of him, patiently awaiting the bride's ascension. A woman in particular stands out among the crowd, seated in the front row with a dainty necklace placed between her fingers, expectantly glancing to the reserved seat at her side. Although the groom cannot place her familiarity or the way in which her embellished dress reminds him of a photograph he had seen before, he offers her a kind smile. And, as if she was a free spirit that was needed elsewhere, her silhouette faded after Quil's attention was averted by the standing of the guests.

"And Graham?" Spencer Torine asks, raising an eyebrow at his daughter just before the curtain is draped to reveal the two.

As her twin brother takes her other arm in his own, Oakley relaxes at the familiar touch. "He could never let me go without doing this first."

And as she finds her home in the eyes of Quil Ateara once again, she holds her brother just a little bit tighter.

❝ i have SUCH an attachment to this book
so it was really hard for me to finish it up and
say goodbye to it. i hope you guys cherish the
experience as much as i did while writing it.
much love to all of you, you have my heart! ❞