Audrey closed her eyes, completely safe, completely whole, and entirely happy.
"I love you, too, Simon."
∞∞∞
Four years later
Audrey
The sweeping glass conservatory of the botanical garden was illuminated by thousands of twinkling fairy lights, casting a warm, golden glow over the lush greenery and the elegantly set tables. Soft acoustic music drifted through the air, blending with the low hum of laughter and conversation from their closest friends and family.
Audrey stood near the arched entrance, taking a moment just to watch the beautiful, chaotic masterpiece her life had become.
Tonight was their fifteenth wedding anniversary.
Five years ago, they had been sitting in separate houses, staring down the barrel of a divorce. Tonight, Simon had rented out the entire conservatory, pulling out every single stop to celebrate the incredible, fiercely fought-for rebirth of their marriage. He had told her that since they had spent their tenth anniversary in a state of quiet, suffocating misery, their fifteenth was going to be a declaration of absolute victory.
Audrey smoothed her hands down the skirt of her stunning, deep emerald gown. She smiled, her heart swelling so massively it physically ached as she located her husband in the center of the room.
Simon looked devastatingly handsome in a classic black tuxedo, his dark hair brushed back, laughing as he simultaneously managed the beautiful chaos of their three children.
Lily, now an elegant, perceptive twelve-year-old in a blush-pink dress, was holding a plate of hors d'oeuvres and rolling her eyes affectionately as her younger brother did a wobbly spin on the dance floor.
Max, who was just weeks away from his fourth birthday, was a miniature, high-energy replica of his father. He was wearing a tiny suit with a crooked bowtie, currently attempting to breakdance to a slow jazz song, earning a rich, booming laugh from Simon.
And then there was Lacey. At sixteen months old, their youngest daughter was an absolute terror with a head of wild, dark curls. She was currently perched safely on Simon’s hip, wearing a poofy white dress and happily chewing on the edge of her father’s expensive silk lapel. Simon didn't care in the slightest; he was just kissing her chubby cheek and bouncing her to the rhythm of the music.
Audrey took a deep breath, fighting the immediate prick of tears in her eyes, and stepped fully into the room.
∞∞∞
Simon
It didn't take long for Simon to feel the shift in the atmosphere. He turned his head, his dark eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto her.
The breathless, entirely awestruck look that crossed his face was exactly the same as the one he had given her when she had walked down the aisle fifteen years ago.
Simon whispered something to Lily, handing her his drink, and walked across the dance floor with Lacey still balanced on his hip. When he reached Audrey, he didn't say a word. He just leaned in and kissed her—a deep, grounding, wildly romantic kiss that made the rest of the crowded room entirely fade away.
"Hi," Audrey whispered against his mouth, resting her hand on his chest.
"You are the most breathtaking woman I have ever seen," Simon murmured, his eyes shining with absolute devotion. He shifted Lacey slightly, who babbled happily and reached a sticky hand out to grab Audrey’s sparkly earring. "Happy anniversary, Rey."
"Happy anniversary, Simon." Audrey leaned in to kiss Lacey’s nose, making the toddler giggle. "The venue is incredible. You went completely overboard."
"I promised you a grand gesture," Simon smiled, his free hand settling firmly on the small of her back. "We survived the fire, Audrey. We rebuilt the house. I wanted everyone we love to see exactly how beautiful our second act is."
Audrey’s smile softened into something incredibly raw and deeply emotional. They had done the agonizing work. There were no more ghosts hiding in the corners of their marriage. The man standing in front of her was entirely, completely hers—a fiercely protective father and a husband who spent every single day proving his loyalty.
"Dad!" Max’s voice cut through the romantic moment as the small boy came skidding across the polished floor, crashing directly into Simon’s legs. "Mom! Look at my shoes! They're so fast!"
"I see them, buddy," Simon laughed, reaching down to ruffle Max's dark hair.
Lily walked over a moment later, elegantly sipping from a glass of sparkling cider. "Dad, the band is setting up for the first dance. You're supposed to be over there."
"Right," Simon nodded. He looked at Lily, his eyes softening. "Lil, can you take the gremlins for three minutes? I need to dance with my wife."
"Come here, Lacey," Lily smiled, easily taking her baby sister from Simon's arms while balancing Max with her free hand. "Don't step on Mom's dress, Dad."
