! BAD GIRLS ! BAD GIRLS !

( a sex and the city fic )

LUSH GARDEN
new york, new york
5pm

the golden sunset filled the sky as the aisle was lined up with elegant yet simple floral arrangements. everything was freshly beautiful. the crowd let out murmurs as the music started up.

i stood just outside, hidden from view, clutching my bouquet. i took a shaky deep breath. charlotte, ever poised, stood beside me, adjusting my veil with delicate precision.

"you okay?" charlotte asked me softly.

"i'm about to walk down the aisle and make a lifelong commitment. i don't think 'okay' covers it." i told her.

charlotte offered a gentle smile, "you love him. you know that. you wouldn't be here if you didn't."

"i do. i really do. but i spent so many years thinking i wasn't built for this...for marriage, forever, all of it." i admitted as i thought back to my parents messy divorce.

"jamie, you've been in love with duncan since before you even admitted it to yourself. you're not scared of marriage, you're scared of how much you love him." charlotte explained.

i let out an exhale as i thought my friend's words over. "how do you always know the right thing to say?" i asked.

she shook her head. "i don't. but i do know you deserve to be happy. and this? this is your happiness."

i nodded as i squeezed her hand, and then the music shifted. it was time.

the bridesmaids, carrie, miranda, samantha, and charlotte walked down the aisle one by one, each in elegant but distinct dresses that match their personalities.

miranda smirked at me just before she went, while samantha tossed a playful wink at a handsome guest in the crowd. charlotte walked gracefully, and carrie clutched her bouquet with a dreamy smile.

the came jemma she stood proudly as my 'maid of honor.' she was confident, poised, and fully in her element as she smiled at her boyfriend, kai who sat in the crowd.

on duncan's side, aidan stood tall as the best man, followed by a couple of his close friends. they exchange quiet, knowing smiles, fully aware of the love between duncan and i.

then, all eyes turn to the most anticipated moment, mia and jude making their way down. mia, in the sweetest flower girl dress, carefully dropped petals with a determined focus, while jude, dressed in an adorable little suit, gripped the ring box like it was the most important mission of his life.

i watched quietly as my son froze halfway down the aisle. duncan crouched slightly, giving jude a reassuring nod. jude took a deep breath and kept walking, earning soft laughter from the crowd and even from myself behind the door.

finally, the music swells. i stepped into view.

duncan who stood at the altar, watched me like i the only thing in the world. his usual easygoing charm was replaced by something deeper. pure, unwavering love. i met his gaze, and suddenly, all of my nerves dissolved.

duncan and i stood before the officiant, our hands clasped. the guests were quiet as they watched the ceremony. rufus, duncan's golden retriever, sat obediently near stanford's feet while winnie sat next to anthony as the two lovers held hands. the two dogs' tails thumbed in the grass.

the officiant cleared his throat, "jamie and duncan have chosen to write their own vows. duncan, would you like to begin?"

duncan nodded and looked directly at me with a small, knowing smile, the one that always makes my heart stutter. he cleared his throat and squeezed my hands gently before speaking.

he started. "jamie, from the moment i met you, i knew you were different. you made me want to be a better man. you are the most brilliant, passionate, and frustratingly stubborn person i've ever known. and i love you for all of it."

i let out a laugh, blinking away tears as i listened to his vows.

"you taught me what it means to build something real. to trust, to grow, to love without fear. and i know that love isn't always easy. life gets messy. we'll argue about dumb things, and i'll probably keep leaving my socks on the floor. but i promise you, every single day, that i will choose you. i will stand beside you, through every high and every low. you, jude, and mia. you're my home. and there's nowhere else i'd rather be." he finished, looking up at me for approval.

a tear slipped down my cheek, but i was smiling. the guests who were clearly charmed by duncan's sincere words murmured softly.

the officiant turns to me. "jamie?"

i inhaled deeply, steadying herself as i looked up at the man i love. "duncan... you and i both know i never saw myself here. marriage wasn't something i was ever sure of. love? love always felt complicated to me. but then you happened. and suddenly, love wasn't a question. it was the answer."

duncan's eyes softened as he listened closely.

"you walked into my life with that easy charm and that ridiculous texas drawl, and somehow, you convinced me that love could be simple. that it could be safe. that it could be forever. you love me in a way i never thought i could be loved. and because of you, i'm not scared anymore. you're my best friend. my partner. the father of our little chaos crew. and i promise, no matter what comes next to love you, choose you, and build this life with you, every single day."

i noticed as a tear slipped down his cheek, but he let out a small chuckle, shaking his head in awe. the guests laugh softly at the rare sight of him getting emotional.

"jamie and duncan, with these vows, you have made a lifelong commitment to one another. by the power vested in me, i now pronounce you husband and wife." the officiant exclaimed.

duncan didn't wait for permission, he pulled me in, cupping my face as he kisses me deeply. the guests erupted into applause. mia and jude cheered, and even rufus let out an excited bark.

samantha let out a whistle, charlotte dabbed her eyes, carrie and miranda exchange knowing smiles.

the officiant smiled, "ladies and gentlemen, ipresent to you... dr. and mrs. wright!"

i laughed into the kiss, and as duncan pulled me in for another one, i thought maybe, just maybe, forever doesn't seem so scary after all.

RECEPTION VENUE
7:30pm

the reception was in full swing. strong lights twinkled above the dance floor as guests mingled, drank, and celebrated my marriage. duncan was caught up in conversation with aidan and his groomsmen, laughing about something, when i slipped away, making my way toward the girls.

charlotte, carrie, miranda, and samantha were gathered near the bar, sipping champagne and watching the party unfold.

carrie twirled her glass, her eyes drifted toward aidan, "i hate to admit it, but i can't stop looking at him."

i raised an eyebrow, "aidan?"

"yeah. it's just... i did him so wrong. and now, seeing him here, happy, i feel like i should apologize. again."

"oh, honey, you probably should. but also, what's done is done. men never remember heartbreak the way we do. he's probably just thinking about how good you still look in that dress." samantha shrugged off.

"he is married with a child." i reminded them.

charlotte who was quiet watched the kids. lily and mia giggled together, brady and jude ran around in their little suits, making up some kind of game. she leaned into dakota, who stood beside her, beer in hand.

"look at them. the best of friends." charlotte pointed out.

"give it a few years, and we'll be dealing with teenage drama between them." dakota commented.

i laughed and shook my head, "god help us all."

miranda raised her glass. "to surviving our children's teenage years."

samantha raised her glass, "and to making it through another wedding without losing our minds."

dakota raised his glass, "to my sister and my new brother in law. may he never forget what he signed up for."

we all laughed as we clinked our glasses together as the music swells. in the distance, duncan finally caught my eye, sending me a smile so warm it made my stomach flip.

housekeeping notes !

jamie and duncan are officially hitched! no runaway brides, no last-minute cold feet! just a whole lotta love ❤️❤️

mia is around five while jude is four....so it's a small time skip.