Gabe doesn't hesitate. He cups my face and kisses me like he's done pretending he can live without me. It's not polite. It's not for the crowd. It's for us. I kiss him right back, and people clap, and someone whistles, and I hear my dad laugh under his breath like he can't believe his life ended up here.
When we pull back, Gabe rests his forehead against mine for a second.
"You okay?" he whispers.
I laugh through tears. "I'm married."
He grins, wide and real. "You are."
The reception is simple. Food that people actually want to eat. Music that doesn't make me feel trapped. A corner for kids where Jace and his friends can destroy a craft table without anyone panicking. My friends show up. Mia shows up in a dress that looks expensive and a smile that says she's proud of me. Nora hugs me hard. People I didn't expect show up too, and I accept the congratulations I want and ignore the energy I don't.
Sarah tries to float near the dessert table. She's watching, waiting for a moment.
I don't give her one.
Jace runs up to me with frosting on his nose and says, "Mom, I danced."
"I saw," I tell him.
He looks serious. "Gabe dances bad."
I laugh. "He does."
Gabe appears behind him, looking offended. "I dance fine."
Jace squints. "No."
Gabe points at me. "Your mom dances bad too."
I gasp. "That's a lie."
Jace puts his hands on his hips. "You both dance bad."
Gabe nods like this is fair. "Okay. But we love you."
Jace smiles, satisfied, and runs off again.
Later, Dad comes up to me while Gabe is talking to someone about work, and I can tell Dad is trying to choose his words.
He clears his throat. "You happy?"
I look at him. Really look. Not the version of him I feared. The real man, older now, softer around the edges, still stubborn, still learning.
"Yes," I say. "I'm happy."
He nods. "Good. You deserve that."
My eyes sting again. I don't let myself spiral. I just say, "Thanks."
He shifts, uncomfortable, then adds, "I'm trying, Lena."
"I know," I say. "I see it."
He swallows hard and looks away like that's all he can handle. "Okay."
"Okay," I repeat with a small nod.
When the night winds down, Gabe and I walk out holding hands, and Jace walks ahead, dragging his little feet because he's tired but refusing to admit it. He looks back at us and yawns hard.
