the fire between us

Chapter 53

The next morning, Martinus and I get up and head into the living room, where Nora is sitting with a cup of tea in her hands. She glances up as we enter, her expression curious and warm.

"Do you still not remember anything?" Nora asks, her voice gentle but probing, as if she's hoping for some miraculous breakthrough.

Martinus shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, not yet, but... you know, I'm hoping that being with Y/N and spending more time together is going to wake something up," he replies, his tone optimistic but tinged with uncertainty.

Nora smiles, nodding in understanding. "I get it. These things take time. I'm just glad you're both on the same page."

Martinus looks over at me, and I can feel the warmth radiating between us. There's no rush, just a shared determination to see where this journey will take us.

The rest of the day is spent focused on a different task—sending out wedding invitations. We spread out in the living room, surrounded by stacks of envelopes, personalized cards, and a list of addresses that seems to go on forever. Marcus joins us, helping out with a mix of playful banter and genuine enthusiasm.

"Who knew planning a wedding was so much work?" Marcus jokes, grinning as he seals yet another envelope.

"You're telling me," I reply with a chuckle, addressing another card. "But it'll be worth it in the end."

As we work, the room fills with laughter and light conversation. There's a sense of comfort in the air, a reminder of the love and support we all share, not just between Martinus and me but as a group. It feels like we're building something new, piece by piece, invitation by invitation.

By the time we finish, the pile of envelopes is stacked neatly on the table, ready to be sent out. I glance at Martinus, who is sitting beside me, his face relaxed and content.

- 

The next two weeks pass in a whirlwind of planning, organizing, and anticipation as the wedding draws closer. Nora's excitement is contagious, and we're all pitching in to make sure everything comes together perfectly. Today is one of the most important days yet—Nora and I are going out to find her wedding dress, while Marcus and Martinus are headed to get fitted for their suits. The thought of seeing Nora in her dream dress makes my heart swell with happiness for her.

As we step into the boutique, I can feel Nora's nervous energy buzzing beside me. The shop is elegant, with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, soft lighting, and rows upon rows of gorgeous gowns hanging on delicate hangers, just waiting to be tried on. The air smells faintly of lavender, and there's a quiet hum of excitement in the background as other brides flutter about, their voices filled with the same joy Nora is feeling.

"I can't believe this is real," Nora whispers, her eyes wide with awe as she takes in the sight of all the dresses. "It feels like a dream."

I smile at her, squeezing her hand. "You're about to make it even more real. Today's the day you find the dress."

The shop attendant greets us warmly, and after a quick consultation about Nora's preferences—flowing skirts, lace details, and something that will make her feel like the queen she is—we're shown to a section full of dresses that seem to glow with possibility.

Nora's fingers trail lightly over the gowns, her expression a mix of excitement and nerves. "What if I don't find the right one?" she asks, her voice soft, like she's voicing her deepest fear.

"You will," I assure her. "You're going to put on that perfect dress, and you'll just know. It'll feel like it was made for you."

She smiles at me, her eyes glistening with a mix of hope and happiness. "You're right. Let's do this."