Silver Buttons

Happily Ever After

The raw, real silver buttons that Jessi spent the time carving into small, smooth spheres were perfect against the stark contrast of Terry's black suit. He smiled as he brushed the pads of his fingers over his suit, of course Jessi made sure every stitch and every fold of the fabric fit his body perfectly.

'She is a work of art... just like the art she creates,' Terry thought to himself as he carefully styled his hair. Terry loves it when Jessi tugs at his locks, wearing it down would be a nice change from the slicked back style he usually had it in, for Jessi, he'd do anything for her.

Jessi giggled to herself as she twirled in her dress in her private room. 'I get to marry my best friend,' her thoughts were warm, loving, the very idea of marrying Terry had her over the moon. The ceremony was set to begin soon, Kim knocked lightly on the door, "Jessi, are you ready?"

"Yes, I am," she smiled at her dear friend.

Jessi could hardly believe that the day had finally come that she would get to marry Terry, little Jessi deep inside of her was jumping and laughing, giddy that the day had arrived. Terry had become her everything, the stark contrast between the pair was nearly laughable, Terry could be a domineering and commanding man; Jessi on the other hand, was reserved, artistic, quiet. Not to mention the size differences between the pair was also a sight to see, a tower with such a small woman. Alas, they were meant to be, Jessi softened something deep within Terry that not even years of therapy could have ever repaired, and Terry, sweet Terry, brought to the surface the strength that Jessi didn't even know she had.

The music had begun, Jessi gathered her bouquet, Franco offered his arm as he walked her down the aisle, whispering to her, "You are molto bello, my Jessi. I am happy for you, my dear child." Jessi nearly choked up with emotion at his words, Franco was one of the most important people to her, she was ecstatic to have her surrogate Italian family in attendance. Gio and his little family looked on, proud of the woman Jessi had become, they also surprised her with large portraits of her brothers, Jessi almost began to weep, her brothers had been her everything when she was growing up. Bless Gio and his family for doing something so sweet, Jessi knew she had found her people.

As the doors creaked open Jessi and Terry's eyes were magnetized on each other. Franco was full of emotion as he sat in the front row, wiping his eyes as vows were being said.

"Terry, you are the light in my life, you give me life and laughter. I promise to love you for as many days I have left, and I promise to speak nothing but kind and loving words to you as long as I have breath in my lungs. I didn't know you are what I needed in my life until you came into my shop that day, I am beyond happy to spend my days with you, I will paint us with all the colors I have, and I will paint us a life worth living. I love you, until the end of my life," Jessi breathed, trying not to let the tears breach her eyes and fall on her cheeks, "You turn my gray, clouded skies into silver linings, I am blessed that you came into my life, Terry, for all my days, all the beats of my heart and all the breath in my lungs, I will love you. Until the world stops turning I will be your rock, your support and try my best not to chat your ear off or annoy you... even though I think you secretly love it. I'm yours, Terry. Always."

Terry gripped Jessi's small hands in his much larger ones, "Jessi, you are the best thing I could ever have in my life. You opened my eyes to so many things that were right in front of me, not a day goes by that I don't think about you, not a moment passes that I don't ache to hear your little laughter or feel your hand in mine. My heart beats differently when I'm with you, I am home when I'm standing next to you... You met me in my mess and in my darkness, you, my sweet thing, you are the sun that will burn in my sky, you will always bring me home. You welcomed my darkness and everything I am. You are my peace, you tamed my demons and reminded me that I am yours, just as you are mine. I love you, Jessi, for all the time I have left. Take my tomorrows and be with me always."

It was safe to say that there wasn't a dry eye in attendance. The students of Cobra Kai, the international Sensei's, Jessi's little Italian family, plus a handful of friends. Everyone was so happy to see these two find their peace, their light, their everything. Jessi reminisced on the day Terry walked into her shop, how her heart stopped, her breathing stopped, her world stopped for a moment when they began to talk. Who would have guessed that day would have led them down the aisle together. That nerve racking moment she had while measuring Terry, she always chuckled to herself, Terry still made her nervous, but in a different way.

Jessi knew Terry was head over heels for her, likewise, Jessi loved Terry with everything she had in her. Jessi Silver, it was beautiful and perfect, just like them.

The 'first kiss,' followed by the 'first dance,' was all a blur; it would have been fine had no else but the pair of them been there. The pair were in a trance within each other's eyes, the feeling of their hands within each other's, it was bliss.

To say that age old ending of, 'they lived happily ever after,' could not be said enough for Terry and Jessi Silver was an understatement. Jessi's business expanded, the upper apartment was renovated into more work space, orders poured in each day as well as the numerous alterations that were to be had on pieces that came in. Terry was elated that Cobra Kai lived on and expanded, Sensei Kim stuck around for a time before returning to South Korea, satisfied that her grandfather's legacy lives on. Life was in a perfect balance for Terry and Jessi.

"I love you, Mrs. Silver," Terry whispered to Jessi as they lie together wrapped within each other on their wedding night. Encircled with soft blankets, the warmth of each other's skin, absolute perfection.

"I love you, Mr. Silver," murmured against his firm chest. Terry rubbed soft comforting figures on her bare back, whispering sweet nothings to her, just as Jessi named off every quality she loved in Terry. Perfection. Balance. Peace. The Silvers were the total package. Love was abound within the walls for the rest of their lives. 

***Epilogue coming soon***