Chapter 8 - Harlan Married Me in the Same Garage Where We First Met—And Belle Carried the Ring Like She Had Been Planning It All AlongThe garage was rebuilt.
Not completely.
We kept the original concrete pillar.
The place where I had found Belle.
We turned it into a small community center.
Emergency food.
Free meals.
Medical transportation.
A place where no child was ignored.
Harlan proposed there.
Again.
This time, properly.
Flowers.
Lights.
Belle in a white dress.
I cried.
He knelt.
“I don't have a speech.”
“You never do.”
He smiled.
“I have a promise.”
I waited.
“I will never let power matter more than people.”
He opened the ring box.
“I will never make you feel like you owe me.”
He looked at Belle.
“I will never let her wonder whether she belongs.”
Then he looked at me.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
Belle screamed.
“I knew it!”
We laughed.
The wedding was small.
Family.
Friends.
A few trusted employees.
No cameras.
No media.
Just love.
Belle carried the rings.
Isabella cried.
Harlan looked terrified.
I laughed.
“You're nervous.”
“I've never been married before.”
“You have.”
He froze.
I smiled.
“I mean to me.”
He laughed.
The ceremony ended with Belle hugging both of us.
“Family?”
Harlan nodded.
“Family.”
May you like
I whispered,
“Always.”
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