Athena
“Congratulations, Derek said, his voice warm. “Both of you.”
Tristan came over then, and Derek held out his hand. They shook, and then Tristan pulled him into a hug too.
“Thank you, brother, Tristan said. “For being there, for helping, for being part of our family.”
“Always, Derek responded simply, and the word seemed to mean everything.
“Come inside, Orion gestured toward the house. “I’ve got champagne chilling, and we need to celebrate properly.”
We all headed into the house, and I felt this overwhelming sense of rightness. This, these people, this moment, this love, this was
everything I’d ever wanted.
The living room felt warm and cozy, and Orion immediately went to the kitchen to retrieve the champagne he’d apparently been
keeping ready.
He came back with the bottle and a tray of glasses, and I noticed with a smile that one of the glasses was already filled with what
looked like sparkling cider.
“For you,” he said, handing me the cider with a wink. “Can’t leave out the mother–to–be.”
“You think of everything,‘ I said, touched by his thoughtfulness.
He popped the champagne cork with a celebratory flourish, and everyone cheered. He poured champagne for himself, Sarah, Derek,
and Tristan, and then held up his glass.
80
“To Tristan and Athena,” Orion said, his voice full of emotion. “To new beginnings, to love that conquers everything, to family that we choose, and to the life you’re building together. May it be filled with joy, laughter, and all the happiness you both deserve.”
“To family, we all echoed, clinking glasses.
The champagne was perfect, Orion had clearly splurged on a good bottle, and the company was even better.
We settled into the living room, Tristan pulling me down onto the couch beside him and immediately wrapping his arm around me
like he couldn’t stand not touching me.
“So tell us everything,” Sarah said, perching on the edge of her seat like an eager child waiting for a story. “Every single detail. When did you give it to him? What did you say? What did he say? I need to know everything.”
174
18:23 Fri, Jan 30 M
Chapter 361
B
80
I laughed and launched into the story, describing how nervous I’d been all through dinner, how I’d kept fidgeting with my napkin and
checking my purse to make sure the certificate was still there.
“I must have rehearsed what I was going to say a hundred times,” I admitted. “But when the moment came, I just… went for it. Pulled
out the envelope and told him to open it.”
“And what was his face like when he realized what it was?” Sarah asked eagerly.
“Complete shock,” I said, smiling at the memory. “He looked at it, then at me, then back at it, like his brain couldn’t process what he
was seeing. He kept saying ‘I don’t understand‘ over and over.”
Tristan groaned beside me. “I sounded like an idiot.”
“You sounded like a man in shock, I corrected, squeezing his hand. “It was perfect.”
“And then what?” Sarah pressed.
“Then I explained everything, that I’d pulled strings to get the license, that I’d already signed it, that all it needed was his signature
to make it official.”
“And his hands were shaking so bad when he picked up the pen,” I continued, my voice softening at the memory. “I told him to make
me his wife, and he just… he signed it. And then he kissed me.”
“Right there in the restaurant?” Sarah asked with eyes wide and a grin.
“Right there in the restaurant,” I confirmed. “Didn’t care who was watching, who saw us. Just kissed me like his life depended on it.”
She was crying again, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “That’s so romantic. God, you two are going to make me dehydrated from all
this crying.”
Derek was quieter, but I could see the smile on his face, the genuine happiness in his eyes.
He’d been through so much with Tristan, had been there through the darkest times, and I knew he understood better than anyone
how much this meant to his friend.
They all did.
“I’m happy for you both, Derek said quietly. “Really happy. You’re good for each other.”
“The best, Tristan agreed, pulling me closer.
We spent the next few hours talking and laughing, reliving the moment over and over, with Sarah asking for more details each time
like she couldn’t get enough of the story.
18:23 Fri, Jan 30 M…
Chapter 361
Orion kept our glasses filled, and the celebration felt perfect, intimate and joyful and exactly what I’d wanted,
22
At some point, the conversation shifted to tomorrow, to the actual filing of the paperwork that would make it legally official
“What time are you going to the courthouse?” Orion asked.
“I was thinking first thing in the morning,” I said. “Get there right when they open, get it done.”
“We’re coming with you,” Orion said immediately, and it wasn’t a question. “All of us. This is a big moment, you need witnesses,
people to celebrate with.”
I looked at Tristan, and he nodded, his eyes warm. “I’d like that. Having everyone there.”
“Then it’s settled,” Derek said. “We’ll all go.”
The celebration continued late into the night, all of us too wired and happy to think about sleep.
We talked about the wedding we’d still have, the big ceremony with all our family and friends where we’d exchange vows in front of
everyone.
“This doesn’t replace that,” I explained when Sarah asked if we’re ditching everything we’ve planned.
“This was just for us, to make it legal now, to give Tristan that security and commitment. But we’re still having the big wedding, still doing the whole thing, the dress, the flowers, the dancing, everything.”
“Good,” Sarah said. “Because I’ve already been planning it in my head to drag you both. Or better still, use it as a renewal for I and my baby’s vow.” Her voice was low and seductive, her eyes locking with Orion.
I had to shift my gaze, because with their look, you already know what was going on in their heads.
‘I’m sure you do,” I let out and awkward laugh.
Eventually, though, the exhaustion started to catch up with everyone. Derek was the first to call it a night, hugging us both and promising to be ready and early for the courthouse trip.
“I’m really happy for you both,” he said again as he headed toward the door. “Truly.”
After he left, Orion and Sarah started cleaning up the glasses and champagne bottle, but Tristan and I stayed on the couch, not quite
ready to move yet.
“This was perfect,” Tristan murmured, his lips against my hair. “All of it. Thank you.”
Finally, we headed upstairs to our room. I changed into my pajamas while Tristan got ready for bed, and when we finally crawled under the covers, he immediately pulled me into his arms.
3/4
18:23 Fri, Jan 30 M.
Chapter 361
…
‘Mrs. Hayes, he whispered into the darkness.
‘Not yet, I reminded him softly, though I loved hearing him say it. “Not until tomorrow, after we file it.”
Comments
5 3
Write Comments
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
