𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐰𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟔

ELENA

It's been a week since Zade and I decided the wedding date, and my heart still does little flips every time I think about it. May 25th. A date I've secretly cherished for years, one that I never thought would mean so much to both of us. And now, as I sit here on the Alton private jet, with Zade next to me, I can't help but feel this bubbling excitement.

We're on our way to Italy to break the news to everyone. I haven't told Claire, Olivia, or Atlas yet, and I'm dying to see their reactions. I asked Claire and Olivia to come tomorrow in Claire's Sanchez private jet, so they can join us for the celebration. Atlas and Chris will be coming tomorrow too, taking whichever jet is available—it doesn't really matter which one. We've got enough planes between the families that there's never a shortage. The thought of gathering everyone together, all of us in Italy, feels surreal.

I also reached out to Uncle Joshua and Jeremiah, asking them to come from Greece. They're thrilled, of course. Uncle Joshua always had this soft spot for Zade even though Zade never speaks, and I think he's been waiting for this moment almost as much as I have. Alex is coming with them too, though he tried to act all nonchalant about it. I know him, though—he's excited for us, in his own gruff way.

Andrew's already en route, and Cassandra and Leonard are already there as well. It's going to be an intimate family affair, just the way Zade and I wanted it before the real whirlwind of wedding preparations kicks off. We wanted this moment to be special, personal—just us and the people we love most.

As I glance out the window at the clouds drifting by, I steal a quick look at Zade. He's leaning back, relaxed, looking out the window with a small smile playing on his lips. I know him well enough to know he's excited too, even if he hides it behind his usual calm demeanor. It's funny—sometimes I still can't believe this is real. That we're here, about to start this next chapter together.

I lean my head against his shoulder, and he glances down at me, brushing his lips against the top of my head. "You ready for this?" he asks quietly, his voice soft but filled with that familiar warmth.

I nod, smiling. "More than ready."

Tomorrow, everything changes. Tomorrow, we tell everyone that our forever has a date.

Zade's voice pulls me from my thoughts, low and commanding but laced with a softness that always gets to me. "Sit on my lap, love. I want to give you kisses."

I glance up at him, my heart doing that familiar flutter as his eyes meet mine. There's something about the way he looks at me, like he already knows what I'm thinking, what I need before I even say a word. Without hesitation, I move over, straddling his lap, my knees sinking into the plush seat. His hands immediately find my waist, fingers pressing gently as if to keep me close, like he's afraid I might slip away.

His lips brush against my neck, trailing soft kisses along my jawline before reaching my lips. "You look so beautiful," he murmurs between each kiss, his voice sending warmth through my chest. I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips as he deepens the kiss, slow and deliberate, making me forget for a moment that we're on a jet, with people in the cabin.

I pull back just slightly, feeling breathless but in the best way possible. "You always know how to get what you want," I tease, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. His scruff feels rough under my fingertips, a contrast to the tenderness in his eyes.

"And what I want," he says, his lips curving into that familiar smirk, "is you. Always." His words are soft, but they carry weight, sinking deep into my chest.

I press my forehead against his, taking a deep breath as I savor the moment. This is the man I'm marrying. The man I've loved for so long. The man who makes every moment feel like a little piece of forever.