I Definitely Don't

Chapter 15: Epilogue

Shayla

The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of our bedroom, casting a soft glow over everything. I stirred awake, the familiar warmth of Gabriel beside me anchoring my heart to the moment. It had been a year since we faced our demons, a year filled with love, laughter, and growth. I turned to him, the sight of his relaxed expression making my heart swell with happiness.

We had built a life together—a beautiful life that felt like a dream I never wanted to end. It was hard to believe how far we had come since that chaotic night when we confronted Jason. We were no longer the scared individuals trying to escape the shadows of our past; we were partners, resilient and deeply in love.

As I stretched and took in the sight of the man I loved, I thought back to the journey that had led us here. The struggles, the fears, the moments of doubt—they had all shaped us, molded our relationship into something extraordinary. I couldn't help but smile at how each challenge had brought us closer, deepening the bond we shared.

"Morning, Blossom," Gabriel murmured, his voice still thick with sleep but filled with warmth as he turned to face me.

"Good morning," I replied, my heart fluttering at the affectionate nickname he had given me. It felt so fitting; I had truly blossomed since we had come together.

"Are you ready for today?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his eyes.

I felt a rush of nerves and joy at his words. Today was the day we had chosen to reaffirm our love, to promise each other all over again that we would face the future together, hand in hand. Our first wedding had been filled with the pressure of family obligations and hidden agendas. This time, we wanted it to be just about us—about our love and commitment.

"More than ready," I said, smiling brightly. "I can't believe we're actually doing this."

Gabriel sat up, the sheets falling away to reveal his toned physique. "We've come a long way, Shayla. This is just another step in our journey."

I nodded, feeling a rush of emotion at his words. We had been through so much together, but it had all led us to this moment. The wedding would be small and intimate, just a gathering of our closest friends and family. We wanted it to reflect our love, to celebrate the joy we had found in each other.

After getting ready, we headed to the small park where we had decided to hold the ceremony. It was the same park where we had first come to celebrate our victory over Jason. The air was crisp, and the trees were bursting with autumn colors, the leaves a mosaic of gold, red, and orange. It felt like nature was celebrating with us.

As we approached the gathering, I took a deep breath, soaking in the love that surrounded us. Our friends and family stood scattered about, their smiles warm and welcoming. I could see my sister Shiloh, beaming with pride, and Gabriel's old business partner, who had become a close friend, clapping Gabriel on the back as he arrived.

"I can't believe this day has finally come," Shiloh said, wrapping me in a tight hug. "You two deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you," I said, my voice slightly shaky with emotion. "It feels surreal."

When the ceremony began, I felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. As I stood there, hand in hand with Gabriel, surrounded by the people we loved, it felt as if everything had come full circle.

The officiant spoke about love, resilience, and the importance of commitment, his words wrapping around us like a warm embrace. When it was time to exchange vows, I looked into Gabriel's steel-gray eyes, feeling the intensity of his gaze.

"I promise to love you through every storm and every sunny day," I said, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. "You are my partner, my confidant, and my home. I will choose you, every day, for the rest of my life."

Gabriel smiled, a soft and genuine smile that lit up his entire face. "And I promise to cherish you, to protect you, and to always stand by your side. You've shown me what it means to love unconditionally, and I will never take that for granted."

The moment was perfect, and as we exchanged rings, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. The ring felt heavier than it had during our first ceremony, symbolizing not just our commitment, but the struggles we had overcome together. It was a reminder of our journey, of how we had fought for our love and won.

When we finally shared our first kiss as a married couple, I felt the world fade away. The cheers and applause from our friends faded into the background as I lost myself in the kiss, feeling the promise of forever in that single moment.

As we walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, I couldn't help but glance at Gabriel. His expression was filled with joy, his eyes shining with love. "This time, it's just us," he said softly, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

"Yes, just us," I replied, feeling giddy with excitement for what was to come.

The reception was filled with laughter, music, and dancing. Our friends celebrated with us, their joy infectious. I watched as Gabriel moved through the crowd, his commanding presence drawing people in. He was in his element, surrounded by love and laughter, and I felt proud to be by his side.

"May I have this dance?" Gabriel asked, his voice smooth as he extended his hand toward me.

"Always," I replied, taking his hand as he led me to the center of the dance floor.

As we swayed to the music, I felt the world around us fade into nothingness. It was just us, lost in each other. "You know," I said softly, resting my head against his shoulder, "I didn't think we could get back to this place after everything."

"We proved that love can conquer anything," Gabriel replied, his voice firm and reassuring. "No matter the challenges, I will always fight for you."

"I'll fight for us too," I vowed, looking up into his eyes. "Together, we can handle anything."

The night continued with more laughter and joy, and as the stars twinkled above us, I realized just how lucky I was. This was a second chance—one I had never anticipated but had learned to cherish deeply.

As the night began to wind down, we found ourselves standing on the balcony, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city below. The air was crisp, and I leaned into Gabriel, feeling safe and loved.

"Can you believe we're finally here?" I asked, marveling at how far we had come.

Gabriel turned to me, his expression softening. "I can. I've always believed in us, Shayla. You were worth fighting for."

I smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for everything we had overcome together. "I love you, Gabriel Meyer."

"I love you too, Shayla Caine," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "Always."

As we stood there, embraced in each other's arms, I knew that this was only the beginning of our forever. Whatever lay ahead, we would face it together, stronger than ever. And for the first time in a long while, I felt a true sense of peace, knowing that love would guide us through every challenge, every joy, and every new adventure.