The lounge of the airport buzzed with predawn activity—travelers ripping open luggage, the scent of espresso filling the air, flight staff speaking through the speakers like a flash of electricity. Amidst the commotion were Damian Wolfe and Eliana Thompson-Wolfe—honeymoon paradise, suitcases in tow, passports in tow, grinning as just stepped from the pages of a cologne ad.Mainly because both of them had that "just married" glow. and secondly because Eliana was also wearing white linen wide-leg trousers and a silk camisole that left Damian's brain numb every time she turned his face."First honeymoon flight wife and husband," announced Eliana, her voice over the moon, as she waved her boarding pass. "To Paris. City of art and fashion, bread and great tragic heartbreak."Damian side-glared at her. He would like to take off, please, of the subject of heartbreak from our itinerary.She laughed, threading her arm through his. "Only if you vow not to check emails on the plane."He arched a
The five-level wedding cake was exquisite. Snow-white with gold detailing, lacy sugar flowers, and a tiny bride-and-groom on top that, coincidentally, featured Damian's smirk and Eliana's dramatic hand-on-hip pose. (Saben had undoubtedly contributed to that.) The emcee introduced, "Cake cutting time! Shall the bride and groom be sweet—or savage!"Damian gripped the knife with over-the-top care. "Do we have any idea if this cake's insured?" Eliana cocked an eyebrow. "Are you anxious?""I just know how competitive you are. I'm expecting frosting warfare." They each took a bite of the cake in tandem, smiling for the cameras. Damian then took the fork to feed her. The guests were holding their breath.Eliana smiled innocently… then slapped on a small dollop of icing on the end of his nose.The crowd gasped. Laughed. Cheered.Damian blinked. "That was… bold.""Had to mark my territory," Eliana shrugged."Noted."Then he tenderly fed her the slice—being the gentleman, until he leaned fo
The sun was golden when it fell just below the horizon, and there was golden amber across the garden, now a magical reception space. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, long wooden tables had white roses and crystal candelabras draped over them, and the air was filled with lavender and vanilla fragrance.The bride and groom walked hand-in-hand to applause. The emcee's voice thundered out, "Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time—Mr. and Mrs. Damian and Eliana Wolfe!"Cheers. Applause. Some shrieking screams from the wedding party.Eliana curtsied modestly and Damian nodded modestly and flashed a brief, lopsided grin.Then the moment everyone had been waiting for.The tune switched to a slow instrumental rendition of "You Are the Reason." A golden glow emanating in the middle of the dance floor highlighted it.Damian led Eliana out softly, his palm dug deep into the small of her back as they moved in quiet synchrony. He'd never been much on dancing—but tonight, the world just melted a
The wedding party stood in stunned silence, most of them already wiping away tears. Ezra loomed behind Damian, while Sabrina, Wendy, Leila, and Saben hung on Eliana's every word.The officiant spoke to Damian."Damian Wolfe… do you have your vows?"Damian nodded, and then fished out of his jacket a small, folded piece of paper. But his gaze did not leave hers.He didn't need to read the words—he had them all memorized.Damian's Oaths"Eliana…He paused, voice trembling slightly as emotion flared in his chest."I used to believe that I was born for silence. That love was one thing you looked at from afar, not something you grasp with your hands and have the temerity to hope for.""But then. you showed up in my life. And all the silence within me came into sound. You did not love me. You saw me. Even when I didn't deserve it. Even when I was all armor and edges."He took a shuddering breath."You are my peace and my chaos, my sunrise and my sanctuary to come crashing down. I promise to
The sun came through the lace coverlet over the aisle, throwing golden soft shadows onto tidily placed petals on the lawn. There were rows of chairs, draped in white-clad guests, all standing, turning as one to the music—soft, romantic, eternal.It was happening.Silence was heavy. Even the wind held its breath.She stood at the rear of the billowing silk curtains in the garden's distance, Eliana Thompson shining in her hand-fitted dress. Her veil glimmered faintly in the light, and behind her, the train swirled upon each soft step she made.Her parents took her arms on either side.Benedict, tall and calm, clenched his jaw to keep his face impassive. But his eyes. his eyes were glassy, glinting with pride and the soft pain only a parent could suffer on the day that his child released his hand.Sabrina, lovely in her demure lavender dress, had already lost the war against tears. They flowed freely now, as she gently squeezed her daughter's hand."You ready, baby?" she whispered.Elian
The sun rose over the Thompson compound as if specially painted for this day—rosy pink clouds, golden rays skimming each leaf, each petal. The scent of fresh-cut flowers filled the air like perfume, and a tense hush vibrated beneath the beauty.It was wedding day. And the world had changed."Where's the veil? Has anyone seen the veil?""Eliana, drink your green juice—no, not the champagne!""Mom, I'm going to be sick."Sabrina spun, eyes wide open, away from the dressing table where she had been at the last-minute adjustment of her pearl earrings. "Not on the dress! Breathe, baby, breathe through your nose."Eliana sat on a pale blue velvet chair draped with a satin robe, embroidered with "Bride" in tiny diamonds on the back. Her hair was coiled, her makeup partially done, and a vase of untouched white roses on the side table beside her.She looked like a half-evolved goddess and felt like a tornado contained in Spanx."I can't feel my fingers," she whispered."Just nerves," her bride