Surrounded by love.
Warmed by laughter.
And cherished beyond reason.
*
Sebastian watched asthe laughter of four women turned into something brighter—a radiant joy that filled the entire room.
He had seen many things in his life. He had seen greed. He had seen malice. He had seen Maddie’s eyes when she feared he might not come for her.
But this?
This was the kind of sight a man carried in his soul until his final breath.
Maddie’s eyes found his across the room.
They shimmered, still dancing with joy, still catching light like snowflakes kissed by sun.
He winked.
Because he couldn’t help it.
Because she looked like a secret only he knew. Like a life he’d almost lost and now could finally hold.
And her smile bloomed in answer.
Private. Bright. Meant only for him.
He took a step forward. Then another. Their ring—his ring, their future—shone on her finger like a vow already made. He reached for her hand. She gave it without hesitation. “You all right?” he murmured. He didn’t know why he asked—but he needed to.
She nodded, even as her lashes shimmered. “I think I’m floating.”
A pointed cough came from behind them—probably Thomas. Sebastian ignored it. Maddie tugged himgently toward the window, just far enough to steal a moment for themselves.
“It feels like my soul might leave my body.”
Sebastian inhaled slowly, letting it settle.
“Me too.” His voice softened. “I’ve never felt anything like this. Not even close.”
Maddie tilted her head, watching him with a gaze that saw everything.
“This feeling that something is finally… right. Like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
Her fingers tightened around his.
“I used to think love had to be wild,” he said. “Tragic. That it came with pain, or sacrifice, or fire.”
“And it didn’t?” she teased, gently.
He smiled. “Well… there was no fire. Not much pain. And no sacrifice at all.”
She stepped in close, rising on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. It was soft. Not urgent. Justtrue.
And something inside him unraveled—again.
He caught her hand. “Come.”
