Page 114 of The Edge Of Us

"I've never felt like this before," I said softly.

"That's because you've never been truly seen. And now you are."

"I still can't believe you planned half this wedding while I was panicking."

She laughed. "You panicked adorably. I just made sure you had your fairytale."

Ace passed by with two glasses of champagne. "You both deserve every bit of this. Especially you, Corine."

I clinked my glass to his. "You know, I think I do."

-

Later, in the Garden

As the sun dipped and golden light streamed through the windows, Jasper and I snuck out to the garden, hand in hand.

"I kept my promise," he said softly.

"Which one?"

"All of them."

We stood in silence for a moment, soaking in everything. The laughter echoing behind us. The kids. The rings. The forever.

"Do you ever think about how we got here?" I asked.

"All the time."

He turned to me, brushing his thumb along my cheekbone. "It wasn't easy. But I'd walk through every storm again if it meant ending up right here."

Tears welled in my eyes. "I didn't think I'd get a second chance."

"You didn't get one. You gave it."

He pulled me into him, resting his forehead against mine. "You gave me a reason to believe in love again."

"I think I loved you before I knew I did."

"You made me want to be better," he whispered. "You made me believe I could be more."

We kissed under the garden lights, the world quiet around us.

And for the first time in my life, I wasn't scared of the future.

I was ready for it.