Code of Shadows

Chapter 75 - A New Beginning

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the secluded, peaceful location Ethan and I had chosen for our wedding. The air was soft, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustle of leaves. It felt like the world had finally paused, just for us. For the first time in a long while, there was no pressing danger, no shadow of the IMF hanging over us. It was just Ethan and me, surrounded by the people we loved.

Standing here, beneath the fading light, I looked into Ethan's eyes, and the whirlwind of everything we'd been through over the years hit me all at once. This wasn't just about the mission anymore. It wasn't about saving the world or the sacrifices we'd made. This was about us—about the life we'd fought so hard to protect, about the trust we'd built despite everything trying to tear us apart.

As Ethan took my hands in his, I could feel the weight of our journey together. His hands were strong, steady, just as they had been through every fight, every near-death experience, every moment when I wasn't sure we'd make it through. But somehow, we always did.

He smiled at me, that familiar crooked grin that made my heart skip a beat. His eyes softened, and in that moment, it felt like the entire world faded away, leaving just the two of us.

"Alex," Ethan began, his voice low but filled with emotion, "there's no one else I would ever want to face the impossible with. Through every mission, every challenge, and every threat, you've been my partner, my anchor. I vow to stand by your side no matter what the world throws at us. I trust you with everything I am, and I promise that nothing—not even the missions, the chaos, or the danger—will ever come between us."

His words hit deep, not because of their beauty, but because of their honesty. Ethan had always been a man of action, not words, and yet here he was, opening up in a way that made my heart swell with love and gratitude. He was giving me more than just promises; he was giving me himself, wholly and without hesitation.

It was my turn now. I swallowed the lump in my throat, the words I'd rehearsed swirling in my mind, but nothing felt quite right. How do you put into words the weight of everything we'd been through, the way he'd saved me—not just physically, but emotionally?

"Ethan," I began, my voice shaky but determined, "you've been the constant in my life when everything else was falling apart. I've spent so much of my life putting up walls, afraid to trust, afraid to let anyone in. But with you... I don't need those walls. You see me for who I am, and you love me anyway. I vow to trust you, even when it's hard. I vow to fight for us, for our future, just like we've fought for the world. I'm yours, in every way that matters."

As the words left my lips, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. For so long, I'd been afraid of this—of letting my guard down, of trusting someone with my heart. But standing here, looking into Ethan's eyes, I realized that trust wasn't a weakness. It was our strength.

The officiant cleared his throat, a small smile playing on his lips as he spoke the final words that would make us husband and wife. "You may now kiss the bride."

Ethan's grin widened, and before I could even process the words, he pulled me close, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was filled with every promise we'd just made to each other. It wasn't a kiss of desperation, like so many we'd shared in the past, but one of peace, of finally knowing we had made it. We were married.

The world seemed to fade in that moment, leaving just the two of us in the warmth of the sunset, our hearts beating in sync. The applause from our friends and loved ones echoed around us, but all I could focus on was Ethan—the man I had chosen to spend the rest of my life with.

As we pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, closing my eyes and letting the moment settle in. We'd done it. We'd survived the impossible, and now we had a future to look forward to—a future where maybe, just maybe, we could have some peace.

The reception that followed was simple but perfect. Laughter filled the air, the sound of glasses clinking and music playing in the background. I danced with Ethan under the fading light, the world around us feeling like it had finally given us a moment to breathe. For the first time, I allowed myself to imagine a life where we weren't constantly on the run, where danger wasn't lurking around every corner.

I was lost in the moment, smiling and laughing with the people who had become our family, when I felt it—a faint vibration in my pocket. My phone.

I froze, my hand hovering over it, my heart sinking as I pulled it out and saw the message flash across the screen. It was from the IMF.

Ethan noticed the change in my expression immediately. "Alex?" he asked, his voice low, cautious.

I held up the phone, the screen glowing ominously in the dim light. The message was short, but it said everything: *Urgent mission. Details incoming.*

For a moment, I just stared at it, the weight of the world crashing back down around me. I'd known, deep down, that this day would come. That the life we'd fought so hard for would always be interrupted by the needs of the world.

Ethan's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "We'll figure it out," he said softly, his eyes filled with understanding. "We always do."

I nodded, though my heart ached. The cycle never truly ended. Even on our wedding day, the world still needed saving.

I looked out at the horizon, the golden light of the sunset fading into the night. I had hoped for peace, but deep down, I knew that for people like us, there would always be another mission, another battle. And as Ethan and I stood together, hand in hand, I couldn't help but wonder—what would the next mission bring?