He kissed me again, longer this time.
I knew, in that moment, that I would follow him anywhere. I would stand with him through anything. And he would do the same for me.
“Forever,” he whispered, his forehead resting against mine.
“Forever,” I echoed, feeling it in my bones, in my heart, in every trembling part of me.
54
OCEAN
Three months later
The banquet roomsmelled like fresh flowers and excitement. Skye had gone all out, I could tell. Pink and blue streamers twisted from the ceiling, catching the soft glow of the chandeliers, and balloons hovered at every corner, reflecting the golden light back at us. The tables were covered in crisp white linen, with small vases of pastel roses, baby’s breath, and hydrangeas scattered across the surfaces. Little onesies hung on tiny clotheslines above the dessert table, alternating pink and blue, with tiny bows clipped to each one. The cake at the center was massive, covered in fondant with a little pacifier and rattle design carved into the sides, pastel pink on one side, pastel blue on the other. Skye didn’t miss a single detail, and I couldn’t help but admire her from across the room.
She was glowing. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, the sunlight catching her light brown highlights. Her laugh was infectious, echoing through the room as she talked to my parents and Jassi. She was animated, completely herself,and the way she interacted with everyone, effortlessly warm and radiant, made my chest tighten. I couldn’t stop staring.
Shade nudged me with his elbow, breaking me from my trance. “Yo, stop staring, man. You’re going to give her a complex…or you’re going to be doing a gender reveal of your own real soon.”
I smirked, not breaking my gaze. “If it comes to that, I ain’t complaining.”
Shade laughed, shaking his head. “Man, I get it, though. She’s glowing, happy...she’s got you wrapped around her finger, bro. You better not screw this up.”
“Never,” I said without hesitation. “That woman is all mine.”
Shade smiled, clapping me on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you. I know what it’s like to love the hell out of a woman.” He looked at Nyx. “You know, I was planning this big proposal for her, but somehow she sensed that shit and told me not to even think about it. She said I had to wait until after the baby was born. She doesn’t want to be pregnant in all the pics. Can you believe that?”
I chuckled. “Smart woman.”
“She’s brilliant,” Shade said, grinning from ear to ear.
Nyx appeared at Shade’s side, grabbing him by the arm. “It’s time!” she said, her excitement spilling over. Shade smiled at her, and they made their way to the center of the room. All eyes followed them, and the conversation quieted down.
I watched from the sidelines as they stood together, holding hands. Shade grinned at the crowd, and Nyx raised her other hand, signaling someone to bring out the box. When it was opened, pink and blue confetti shot into the air, falling like a soft rain of color. But as the final puff settled, the crowd erupted. Blue. Blue everywhere. They were having a boy.
Cheers and clapping filled the room. Hugs, congratulations, tears, and laughter mixed together, creating this overwhelmingsense of family and love. Shade lifted Nyx off the ground in a tight embrace, spinning her around while she laughed uncontrollably. I couldn’t help but grin.
And then my eyes found Skye. She was glowing in a way that made my chest ache. Her smile was brighter than the confetti in the air. Her eyes sparkled as she looked around, interacting with my family and our friends. The way she carried herself, so confident, so bright…I wanted to have a life with her, right here, right now.
I moved toward her, weaving through the crowd without her noticing, until I was close enough to pull her aside. “Hey,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger on her cheek.
She looked up at me, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Hey.”
“I want to ask you something.”
She smirked, and before I could stop myself, I kissed her. Soft at first, testing the waters, then deeper, hungrier. The world around us blurred. The laughter, the clapping, the chaos of the celebration all disappeared. It was just her and me, in that perfect moment.
Smiling, she placed a finger against my lips as if she knew exactly what I was about to say. “Hold off for just a moment,” she said, softly. “Today is about the people we love and care about. We’ll have our moment.”
Nodding, I whispered, “Okay. But know, once this day is over, I’m letting the world know I want you to be my wife.”
She stepped closer, her hand finding mine. “And I’ll be happy to let the world know…yes, I’ll be your wife.”
My heart felt full. Full of love, full of resolve, full of everything I had ever wanted. I cupped her face. “Hell yeah,” I whispered back.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she leaned into me, resting her forehead against mine.
The room was still buzzing from Shade and Nyx’s reveal, but around us, it felt like time had slowed. The chaos, the noise, the confetti, the laughter…none of it mattered except the way Skye felt in my arms, the way her eyes sparkled with trust and love.
