the fire between us

chapter 55

The days leading up to the wedding flew by in a blur of last-minute details and anticipation. Marcus and Nora had been diving deep into the final touches, like planning seating arrangements, picking the perfect flowers, and doing dress fittings. Between the bustle, Marcus, Martinus, and I found pockets of time to bond, and I could feel the excitement building as the big day approached.

As Nora and I packed up our things, the house was buzzing with the quiet anticipation of what tomorrow would bring. Every corner seemed to hum with the memories we'd made here: the late nights filled with laughter, the tearful conversations, the endless planning for this big day. Tomorrow, Nora and Marcus would stand together, not just as a couple but as a team, ready to take on whatever life would bring.

Nora and I made our way downstairs, where Martinus and Marcus waited for us by the door. Martinus caught my eye, his usual playful smirk softened by something deeper. I felt a familiar warmth fill my chest as he pulled me into his arms, holding me in a way that seemed to say everything we didn't need to put into words.

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "This is just the beginning, you know," he murmured, his voice low. "After tomorrow, things will be different. We're all growing up, starting new chapters."

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion as I looked up at him. "I'll see you tomorrow," I whispered, squeezing his hand before reluctantly letting go. I didn't want to leave, but the night before a wedding was a special kind of tradition. It was like drawing a deep breath before plunging into something life-changing, something new.

Across the room, Nora and Marcus were caught in their own moment. She looked up at him with a mix of excitement and awe, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, and he pulled her close, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. They just stood there, swaying slightly, lost in each other.

"I can't believe it's really happening," she whispered, her voice a little choked.

He brushed a thumb over her cheek, smiling in that way he saved just for her. "It's happening," he replied softly. "And tomorrow, you'll be my wife."

The words seemed to unlock something in her, and she buried her face in his shoulder, her shoulders shaking with happy, overwhelmed tears. He held her tighter, resting his cheek against her hair, and for a moment, the whole world seemed to fall away. It was just them, holding each other in a way that felt timeless.

After a long moment, Nora pulled back, wiping her eyes and laughing through her tears. "Okay, okay," she said, half to herself. "I'll save the rest of the tears for tomorrow." She looked back at Marcus, her face lighting up with pure joy. "I love you."

He smiled, cupping her face with gentle hands. "I love you, too," he whispered. "More than you'll ever know."

With one last lingering glance, Nora and I turned toward the door. Marcus and Martinus waved, their smiles soft and a little wistful, and we waved back. It felt like a goodbye and a promise all at once, knowing that when we returned, everything would change. And yet, it was also comforting, this feeling of being woven together by love, laughter, and loyalty.

As we stepped out into the night, the air was crisp, tinged with the scent of autumn leaves and the faint glow of the stars above. We walked quietly to the car, both of us lost in our thoughts, the weight of tomorrow hanging in the silence.

Once we were on our way, Nora reached over, taking my hand and squeezing it tightly. "Thank you," she said softly. "For being here. For everything."

I looked over at her, and my heart swelled with affection for this girl who had been through so much, who had fought so hard to get here. "You don't need to thank me," I replied, my voice thick. "It's an honor, Nora. And tomorrow, you're going to be the most beautiful bride in the world."