Chapter 8 - The Wedding at Rosie’s
We did not have a huge wedding.
No celebrities.
No politicians.
No armed men lining the doors.
Just family, friends, Rosie, Mr. Chen, and a few people who had watched our lives change.
The ceremony was held behind the diner.
White flowers.
String lights.
Lily carried the rings.
She walked down the aisle in a yellow dress.
Dominic cried before she reached him.
I laughed.
“You're crying.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Dust.”
“There is no dust.”
He smiled.
When I reached him, he took my hands.
“I spent my life believing strength meant never needing anyone.”
I looked at him.
“Then you met me.”
“Yes.”
“I'm sorry.”
He laughed.
“I’m not.”
Our vows were simple.
No promises about perfection.
Only presence.
I promise to tell you the truth.
I promise to choose you when life gets difficult.
I promise to make coffee badly.
He laughed.
“I promise to eat your cooking even when you burn it.”
“Hey.”
Everyone laughed.
Then Lily stepped forward.
“I have something.”
She handed Dominic the purple crayon.
He stared.
“The one from the first day we met.”
He smiled.
“You kept it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you said it was important.”
He looked at me.
Then back at her.
“It is.”
He kissed her forehead.
We married at sunset.
Afterward, music played.
People danced.
Dominic pulled me close.
“Remember when you first saw me?”
“Yes.”
“I looked terrifying.”
“You did.”
“And now?”
I smiled.
“Still a little.”
He laughed.
“Good.”
Then he kissed me.
The diner lights came on behind us.
Rosie cried.
Mr. Chen pretended not to.
Lily danced between us.
For once, nobody was running.
Nobody was hiding.
Nobody was waiting for the next attack.
May you like
It was just a wedding.
Our wedding.
