More Than Friends

Chapter 31: Plannin' for Forever

The weeks after their getaway felt like a whirlwind for Nicole and Devin. Wedding plans were in full swing, and every day brought somethin' new to think about. From the guest list to the venue, to the music—everything was startin' to come together. But even with the rush of plannin', Nicole made sure to remind herself that the most important thing was her and Devin, not the details.

One afternoon, Nicole sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by notes, magazines, and her laptop. She had been lookin' at venues all day, tryin' to find somethin' that matched the vibe they both wanted—intimate, natural, and beautiful. Devin had just gotten back from work, and he walked in, eyein' the mess she had made with a grin.

"You lookin' like you runnin' a whole business here," Devin teased, comin' over to kiss her on the forehead.

Nicole laughed, pushin' some papers aside to make room for him to sit. "It feels like it. Who knew plannin' a wedding could be so much work?"

Devin sat down next to her, pickin' up one of the brochures she had been lookin' at. "You find anything you like?"

Nicole nodded, handin' him her top pick. "I think this might be it. It's a small garden outside the city. Real private, just like what we talked about."

Devin looked over the photos, his eyes lightin' up. "Yeah, this looks perfect, Nic. Just enough space for family and friends, and it's got that natural feel. You think we should book it?"

Nicole smiled, feelin' a wave of relief. "Yeah, I do. It feels like us, you know?"

Devin nodded, leanin' back in his chair. "I love it. Let's do it."

Nicole felt her excitement grow. With the venue locked in, everything else was startin' to fall into place. They still had a long way to go, but for the first time, she felt like they were really gettin' close to their big day.

Later That Night

As they settled in for the night, Nicole found herself reflectin' on everything that had led them here. Lying in bed next to Devin, she thought about the struggles they had overcome—the fear, the uncertainty, and how they had come out stronger on the other side. Now, they were about to take the biggest step of their lives together.

"Dev," she said softly, turnin' to face him.

He looked over at her, his eyes full of that same warmth she had fallen in love with. "What's on your mind?"

Nicole smiled, her hand restin' on his chest. "I was just thinkin' about how far we've come. I mean, a year ago, I couldn't have imagined any of this. And now, we're here...plannin' a whole future together."

Devin nodded, pullin' her closer. "I think about that a lot too, Nic. We went through a lot, but look at us now. We stronger than ever."

Nicole rested her head against him, feelin' the steady beat of his heart. "I'm just glad I got you by my side. I don't know what I would've done without you."

Devin smiled, kissin' the top of her head. "You don't ever gotta worry 'bout that. I ain't goin' nowhere."

Nicole closed her eyes, feelin' the peace of the moment wash over her. With Devin, she had found a love that was unshakable, and she knew they could face whatever came their way.

A Few Weeks Later

The big day was gettin' closer, and Nicole was finally startin' to feel the excitement build. The invitations had been sent, the venue was booked, and her dress was ready. All that was left was for the day to finally arrive.

One afternoon, Nicole met up with her bridesmaids—Tasha, her cousin Bri, and Devin's sister Keisha—for a final fitting of their dresses. The energy was light and fun, with everyone laughin' and jokin' around as they tried on their gowns.

"Girl, you 'bout to be a whole wife!" Tasha teased, grinnin' as she checked herself out in the mirror.

Nicole laughed, shakin' her head. "I know, it still don't feel real sometimes."

Keisha smiled, zippin' up her dress. "It's gon' feel real when you walkin' down that aisle. Trust me."

Nicole looked at herself in the mirror, her heart swellin' with emotion. She had dreamed about this day for so long, but now that it was actually happenin', it felt like somethin' out of a movie. The dress she had picked was perfect—simple, elegant, and exactly what she had always imagined.

Bri came up behind her, smilin' in the reflection. "You look beautiful, Nic. Devin's gon' lose his mind when he sees you."

Nicole smiled, feelin' a warmth spread through her. "I hope so."

The rest of the afternoon was spent laughin', takin' pictures, and talkin' about the big day. As the sun began to set, Nicole felt a deep sense of gratitude for the women in her life who had been there through it all. They had supported her, lifted her up, and now, they were standin' by her side as she prepared to marry the love of her life.

The Night Before the Wedding

The night before the wedding, Nicole found herself alone in her room, reflectin' on everything that had led her to this moment. She was nervous, but it wasn't the kind of fear she had felt before. It was more like excitement, like the anticipation of somethin' beautiful that was just around the corner.

Devin had stayed at his boy's place for the night, followin' the tradition of not seein' each other before the wedding. Nicole smiled at the thought. She knew he was probably just as anxious as she was, but tomorrow, all the nerves would disappear when she saw him at the end of that aisle.

As she lay down to sleep, Nicole felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was it. Tomorrow, she would be walkin' into a new chapter of her life—with Devin, her partner, her best friend, her everything.