Mag-log inThe penthouse was quiet as Henry and Andrea packed for Italy. Their suitcases lay open on the bed, clothes being carefully folded and placed inside. Andrea moved slower than usual, her exhaustion from the wedding day catching up with her.Henry was in the closet, pulling out clothes for the trip, when they heard the intercom buzzer."Mr. Moore, your driver is here," the doorman said. "He says there's a package that arrived for you before you leave."Henry and Andrea exchanged a glance."A package? We've already received all the wedding gifts," Andrea said, confused."I don't know, sir," the doorman said. "But he says it's a package you’d like.""Send him up," Henry said.A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Henry opened it to find their driver holding a large, beautifully wrapped box."This arrived about an hour ago," the driver said, handing it over. "The concierge said it was important you have it before you left for the airport."Henry took the box, frowning. "Do you
By 10 PM, the reception was in full swing but the energy had shifted into something more intimate and relaxed. The dancing had slowed, people were mingling more, conversations were deeper. That's when the photographer called everyone together for family photos. Richard gathered the family—Eleanor, Sofia, Grandma Grace, Slyvia, Rowan, Mindy, Marcus, Henry, and Andrea. They arranged themselves carefully, Henry with his arm around Andrea, Sofia beside him, Eleanor next to Richard. Slyvia, Mindy, Rowan and Marcus, positioned themselves on each sides too. Grandma Grace stood in the center, the matriarch of it all. "One more," the photographer said. "All together. Big smiles." They smiled, and the camera clicked. It was a beautiful moment captured this family–fractured and healing, coming together for love. After the photos, Father Michael stood and tapped his glass to get everyone’s attention. The room quieted. "So, I've known Henry since he was a boy," Father Michael began, his voic
Henry and Andrea were still dancing under the soft lights when Marcus spotted Mindy across the room. She had her clipboard in hand, eyes scanning the ballroom as she spoke quietly with one of the servers, making sure every detail was perfect.He excused himself from his conversation and walked over to her.“Hey, girlfriend,” he said warmly, gently touching her elbow.Mindy turned, and her whole face brightened the moment she saw him. “Marcus, hi. I was just…”“You look absolutely beautiful tonight,” he said, his voice low and sincere as his eyes swept over her.Mindy blushed immediately, that familiar giddy smile spreading across her face. Even though they had been together for a while now, his compliments still made her heart flutter like it was the first time.“Thank you, baby,” she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I really need to check on the…”“I’ve missed you,” Marcus interrupted gently. “I’ve barely seen you or had any real time with you all day. You’v
Andrea nodded, smiling brightly as she opened her mouth. He fed her the bite gently, watching with adoration as she tasted it. The crowd cooed and clapped. Not one to be outdone, Andrea took the fork, scooped a generous piece, and held it up to Henry’s lips. At the last second, she “accidentally” smeared a bit of frosting on the tip of his nose. Henry blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. “You did that on purpose!” The crowd erupted in delighted laughter and applause, phones flashing everywhere. Andrea giggled. “Maybe. You look cute with frosting on your nose.” “You little troublemaker,” he murmured, wiping the frosting off with his finger before stealing a quick, sugary kiss from her lips. Andrea laughed against his mouth as the guests cheered louder. They shared the rest of the slice with each other, feeding one another more carefully this time, lost in their own little world while flashes continued and happy tears were wiped away by family members. A short wh
The reception was held in the hotel ballroom, transformed into something magical. Soft lighting, flowers everywhere, tables draped in ivory and gold. The bar was open, the DJ was setting up, and the energy was pure celebration. Henry and Andrea made their entrance as a married couple for the first time. The crowd stood and applauded as they walked hand-in-hand to their table at the front. Andrea was glowing, Henry couldn't stop looking at her like he still couldn't believe she was his wife. Grandma Grace and Aunt Slyvia were seated at the family table, dabbing their eyes with a tissue and beaming with pride. Eleanor and Richard were beside them, and Sofia was already laughing at something Marcus had said. The appetizers came first—passed around on trays by servers who looked sharp and elegant in their custom uniforms. Henry kept his hand on Andrea's back, introducing her to family members who came by to congratulate them. She smiled and hugged people, but her eyes kept finding hi
Henry smiled, remembering."But even after that you still showed up, you helped me with my apartment issue even though you could have just gotten me a new apartment or even given me the money to find myself a new apartment.” She chuckled and Henry laughed too. “Then Paris happened, and I saw the man behind the CEO. I saw someone who was lonely. Someone who had built these walls so high that no one could reach him and I wanted to reach you so badly."She squeezed his hand."I wanted to be there for you, I wanted to show up just like you always did for me. Everyday I spent with you, helped me find myself, helped me believe that loving someone meant putting yourself bare out there even when you’re not ready to. I promised myself not to fall in love with anyone again but I couldn’t help it with you. The more I pushed you away the more you showed me, l was making the wrong decision. The more I tried to resist you, the harder you kept pushing.” She continued, her voice sounding slightly ste
Henry sat across from Marcus in the dim, messy apartment, the silence stretching between them like a heavy blanket. He watched his best friend–the man who was usually so steady, so put-together look completely lost.“Marcus,” Henry said quietly but firmly, “you have to tell her.”Marcus looked up s
Henry sat across from Marcus in the dim, messy apartment, the silence stretching between them like a heavy blanket. He watched his best friend–the man who was usually so steady, so put-together look completely lost.“Marcus,” Henry said quietly but firmly, “you have to tell her.”Marcus looked up s
Andrea stared down at Henry on one knee, the city lights sparkling behind him like a dream. Her hands flew to her mouth as tears blurred her vision.“Please make me the happiest man in the world and accept to be mine.” Henry’s voice softened even more. “Andrea Collins… Will you marry me?”For a hea
Henry barely had time to pull the car fully onto the quiet side street before Andrea unbuckled her seatbelt.“Baby, what are you…”But Andrea was already moving. She reached over and found the lever on the side of his seat, yanking it back. The driver’s seat slid backward with a smooth mechanical w







