Six monthster…

    The church bells rang sweet and clear, their melody drifting into the crisp afternoon air. Inside the grand cathedral, sunlight streamed through tall stained-ss windows, casting a rainbow of colors across rows of family, friends, business associates and loved ones.

    The air was heavy with the fragrance of roses and lilies, a delicate blend that seemed to whisper of love, and of hope reborn.

    At the front, Stefan stood tall in a perfectly tailored suit, though his hands trembled slightly at his sides. It was his wedding day and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t help being nervous. He swallowed hard, his heart thundering in his chest.

    Beside him, Ethan ced a hand on his shoulder, steadying him with the kind of quiet strength only a best friend could offer.

    "She won''t run away," Ethan whispered, and Stefan chuckled slightly.

    "I know she won''t but I just can''t help it," he whispered back.

    "You''ll be fine," Ethan murmured with a smirk. "Just don''t faint."

    Stefan chuckled nervously, his lips twitching. "If I do, make sure you catch me."

    The guests who had heardughed softly, easing some of the tension, but Stefan''s eyes were already on the back of the church. Waiting and hoping.

    Though he had been blind during his first marriage, he had imagined a beautiful Ivy. Now that he could see clearly, he didn''t even want to imagine what sued look like. He wanted to be stunned by her looks and the anticipation was killing him.

    He didn''t know how long he stood there waiting until the doors opened and he felt every breath in the room pause.

    Ruby stepped into view, radiant in a gown that seemed woven from dreams — Stefan''s dreams. A dress he''d worked with a designer abroad to make.

    The dress was simple yet elegant — a flowing silk that hugged her gently before cascading into soft folds with soft embroidery lining the silk. A delicatece veil framed her face, and in her hands, she carried a bouquet of white roses and baby''s breath, tied with a satin ribbon.

    But it wasn''t the gown that silenced the room. It was Ruby herself.

    Her smile trembled with tears, but it was there — soft, genuine, full of the love she carried in her heart. Six months of grief had left its mark, but today, she shone brighter than ever. Her eyes found Stefan''s instantly, and in that moment, nothing else existed.

    Elizabeth dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief from the front pew, pride and joy radiating from her. Rayna, standing as maid of honor, could barely contain her tears, her smile so wide it threatened to split her face.

    The music swelled, and Ruby''s steps, steady though slow, carried her down the aisle toward Stefan. Each step felt like a promise — a journey not just to him, but to the life they were about to build together as one.

    When she finally reached him, Stefan took her hand, his own trembling. "You''re beautiful," he whispered, his voice breaking.

    Ruby''s lips curved into a trembling smile. "And you''re nervous. It''s not as though this is your first," she teased softly, squeezing his hand.

    "At least, it''s my first seeing you in a wedding dress and making you mine. I can''t help it," he said, his smile wide, the tension slowly leaving him.

    The congregation chuckled, warmth filling the room.

    The officiant began, speaking words of unity and love, but Stefan barely heard him. His gaze was locked on Ruby, memorizing every line of her face, every glimmer in her eyes.

    Then, atst, it was time for their vows. Stefan went first. His voice shook at first, but grew steadier with every word. "Ruby… I never knew what love truly was until you. You came into my life when I was blind — not just physically, but blind to what it meant to be lovedpletely and selflessly. You opened my eyes, you broke down walls I didn''t even know I had, and you showed me what it means to be alive, to be whole, to be loved."

    Tears blurred his vision, but he pressed on. "We''ve walked through fire together. We''ve faced loss I never thought we could bear. But through it all, one thing has never changed — you. Your love. Your strength. Your heart. Your resilience. Ruby, I don''t just want to spend my life with you. I want to grow old with you. I want tough with you, fight with you, cry with you, celebrate with you. I want every single sunrise and sunset to be with you. You are my heart, my home, and my forever. And today, I vow to love you until my veryst breath. And if there''s an afterlife, I''d like to find you first and still be your man."

    By the time he finished, there wasn''t a dry eye in the room. Ruby''s shoulders shook as she tried to hold back her tears, but when she began her vows, her voice was steady — full of love and truth.

    "Stefan," she whispered, her voice carrying through the silence of the cathedral, "I never thought I would find this kind of love in my lifetime, considering the way I came into your life. I grew up with shadows, with loss, with the weight of always proving myself to my mother on my shoulders. I thought love was something fleeting, something not meant for me after all the heart breaks. But then I met you."

    Her lips trembled as her hand brushed his cheek. "You didn''t know who I was but you loved me. And when you realized it was me, you came for me and showered me with love. You didn''t just love me more than I deserve. You fought for me. You stepped into fire for me. You held me when I was broken, when I thought I had nothing left to give. You''ve been my protector, my strength, my anchor, my best friend and more. Stefan, you are the family I never had, the love I never thought I deserved or could ever be mine. And today, I promise to love you with all that I am, to stand by you through every storm, to celebrate every joy, and to never let go. You are my forever. You are my heart. And I vow to walk every step of this life by your side as your wife."

    Her voice broke on thest words, and Stefan''s tears spilled freely as he drew her hand to his lips, kissing it with trembling reverence.

    The officiant smiled, his voice warm as he said, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Stefan, you may kiss your bride."

    Stefan didn''t wait a heartbeat. He cupped Ruby''s face in both hands and kissed her deeply, tenderly, pouring every ounce of love he''d felt from the moment he realized who she was a year ago, into that moment.

    The church erupted into apuse and cheers, Rayna pping so hard her bouquet nearly slipped from her grasp, Ethan whistling loudly despite the tears running down his face. The scene he''d witnessed was nothing short of magical and he hoped to one day experience it first hand.

    Elizabeth pressed her hands together, her eyes heavenward in gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered through her sobs to Ruby who simply gave her a nod.