The reception hall glowed like a fairy tale. Strings of golden lights crisscrossed the ceiling, and every table was adorned with roses and crystal vases.

    A soft melody floated through the air as guests dined andughed, the room brimming with warmth.

    The event nningpany Ruby had poured her heart into — Ever After Events — had nned the entire wedding. And as she looked around, Ruby realized her dream hade full circle. She wasn''t just living her dream. She was living her love.

    Rayna clinked her ss, her voice yful. "To Ruby and Stefan — proof that true love can survive fire, storms, and even their own stubbornness."

    The crowdughed, raising their sses in cheer.

    Ethan added with a grin, "And here''s to Stefan finally admitting he''s human, because Ruby''s the only one who makes him that way."

    Even Stefanughed, though his gaze never left Ruby, who blushed as she shook her head at the teasing.

    Later, when they had their first dance, Stefan held Ruby close, their foreheads touching as they swayed to the music. The world around them blurred — all that remained was their heartbeat, their breath, their love.

    "I love you, Mrs. Winters," Stefan whispered, his voice low and reverent.

    Ruby smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "And I love you, Mr. Winters. Always."

    The music swelled, and in that moment, surrounded byughter, love, and light, Stefan and Ruby knew that though life had tested them, it had also blessed them with something few ever found — a love that wouldst forever.

    The night was winding down, the reception hall glowing with soft golden light. Guests were stillughing, sses clinking as music yed gently in the background. But Stefan had only one thought in his mind.

    Leaning close to Ruby''s ear, his hand resting possessively at the small of her back, he whispered, "We should leave. I can''t wait to enjoy my wedding night with you."

    Ruby''s cheeks flushed as sheughed softly, giving him a yful look. "Stefan Winters, shouldn''t you wait till the guests have left? Are you that eager?"

    "Eager doesn''t even begin to describe it," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear. "Come on, let''s sneak away. They''ll survive without us."

    Ruby raised a brow, amused. "The guests are still here. We can''t just disappear."

    "Yes, we can" Stefan countered smoothly. "Mom already knows we''ll leave early. She''ll handle everything."

    Ruby shook her head,ughter spilling from her lips. "I''m sure she only agreed to that because you kept pestering her. Fine. I''ll go with you… but only after I speak to Rayna."

    Stefan groaned dramatically. "You''re really going to make me wait longer?"

    Ruby smirked. "Yes, I am." She pecked his lips quickly. "Go find Ethan. I''m sure you''d need to talk to him before we leave."

    "Fine," Stefan said with a reluctant grin. "But don''t take too long, Mrs. Winters."

    Ruby giggled softly at the sound of her new name as she slipped out the back doors.

    She found Rayna in the garden, standing quietly beneath the string lights, the cool night air ruffling her hair.

    "Ray?" Ruby called softly, walking closer. "What are you doing out here alone when the party is still going on?"

    Rayna turned, her lips curved in a small smile. "Just needed some air. And what about you? Shouldn''t the bride be inside, entertaining her guests?" she teased.

    Rubyughed, shaking her head. "Well, the bride is about to run off with her husband. I came to say goodbye to my maid of honor and best friend first."

    Rayna''s smile widened, and sheughed. "Then you should go. Don''t keep him waiting. I''m sure he can''t wait to fly you out of the country for your honeymoon."

    Ruby giggled, her heart fluttering. "I can''t wait to fly out with him tomorrow. But tonight is different. I can''t wait to finally be with him — as his wife for real. His real wife."

    Rayna''s eyes softened with warmth. "I''m so happy for you, Ruby. I''m even more happier knowing Ivy is never going to hurt you again. I know I shouldn''t be happy she''s dead but girl, I can''t help it. Not after that much trouble she brought."

    Ruby nodded, her mind slightly drifting off to four months ago when officer Langford hade to announce Ivy''s death while trying to escape the prison. Though she had been sad about it all, she couldn''t deny the relief she''d felt, too.

    At least, now they could live their life knowing they were at peace with everyone and she had no one to fight since Eliana hade to apologize to Stefan after she had recovered fully.

    When Rayna saw the distant look in Ruby''s eyes, she sighed. "Let''s not dwell on those sad things. Today is still your day," Rayna said, winking at her.

    Ruby smiled gratefully, then tilted her head. "You''re right. Let''s not talk about those things. But there''s something I''d like to ask though. Are you sure you''ll never change your mind about marriage? You don''t want to know how it feels being a bride?"

    Rayna chuckled. "Nah! I don''t want to. Marriage just isn''t for me. Don''t get me wrong, you know I love love and I feel really happy you''re finally married but I can''t see myself wearing a wedding dress."

    Ruby gave a resigned sigh. "I still don''t think that''s being fair to Ethan, though."

    Rayna smirked, folding her arms. "You really should be feeling bad for him. Ethan doesn''t mind. We already agreed. He doesn''t mind being my boyfriend forever....."

    Ruby cut in before Rayna could finish. "I know. It''s just that I still think...."

    "Not getting married doesn''t mean we don''t love ourselves as much as you and Stefan love each other, you know that, right?" Rayna cut back in.

    Rubyughed, though her gaze softened. "I know that it''s just that I thought you''d changed your mind. You know that as much as I''d love to see you walk down the aisle too, I''ll support whatever decision you make."

    Rayna gave a small nod, and for a few seconds, silence fell between them — not heavy, but thoughtful. Then, Rayna''s eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.

    "Have you told him yet?" she asked quietly, her voiceced with unspoken meaning.

    Ruby''s lips curved into a secretive smile, her eyes sparkling. "Not yet but I''ll tell him tonight."

    Rayna''s face lit up, her grin wide. "Congrattions again, best friend." She reached forward, squeezing Ruby''s hands before pulling her into an embrace. She pulled away quickly,ughed and waved her away. "Now go. Your husband''s waiting. Go before I change my mind and decide to keep you with me."

    Ruby giggled. "That''s if I agree," she said and they bothughed before she made her way back inside.

    ***********

    What do you think about a sequel of Rayna and Ethan? Want to see the challenges Ethan would have to face getting Rayna to change her mind about marriage? Why does she think marriage isn''t for her?