We'll always be here

CHAPTER 23

A/N Something short. Wedding planning?

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The sun dips low over the rolling hills as the three of them sit around the kitchen table with all their family members on a video call, a mix of old friends and new ones gathered in person to help plan the wedding. This is what they want their entire celebration to feel like: a room full of laughter, the warmth of people they love, all there to celebrate their love. It's Maya who first says it aloud, her voice steady but with a certain shimmer in her eyes.

"I just want everyone to feel like they're a part of this story with us," she says, fingers absently tracing Arizona's as she speaks. "To walk away feeling like they really understood what we mean to each other."

Arizona smiles, giving Maya's hand a light squeeze. She's been dreaming about this day, about making Maya and Carina her wives, for as long as she's loved them. Carina leans into both of them, her hand warm and steady on Maya's knee, nodding in agreement as her eyes sparkle.

"Exactly," Carina says, her Italian accent colouring every word, giving it a lilt that makes the entire group lean in a little closer, as though not to miss a syllable. "And I think we start with...where? I was thinking... Italy." She hesitates, watching their faces. "There's this beautiful vineyard estate my cousin mentioned. Big oak trees, miles of vineyards, and the kind of place that feels untouched by time. It's not too far from the coast, and at night, you can see the stars so clearly."

Maya's eyes go wide, practically brimming with excitement. "Under the stars...," she murmurs, her voice almost a whisper, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would break the fragile beauty of the idea.

Their family, huddled around their own screen, nods enthusiastically, Carina's family filling in details about how the estate looks, about the grapevines that turn golden in the summer and the wildflowers that spring up between the rows. Maya's eyes light up with each description, and Arizona finds herself smiling as she watches Maya soak it all in.

"It's perfect," Arizona says, imagining the ceremony in that lush setting, the three of them standing under a towering oak tree with wildflowers at their feet and the soft hum of the Italian countryside in the background. She lets out a small laugh. "It already feels like us."

From there, the ideas pour out, each one adding another layer to the vision of their wedding. They talk about colours first, leaning toward a palette that feels like the vineyard estate itself—subtle ivory, touches of sage and soft gold, and earthy terracotta. Carina suggests blush pink for a pop of warmth, inspired by the sunset at the vineyard.

"We could use roses and peonies for the blush and ivory," Arizona says, already picturing bouquets that mirror the colours of the landscape around them. "With olive branches for a nod to Italy."

"Classic and romantic," Carina adds, resting her head on Arizona's shoulder with a soft smile. "And with touches of home."

Maya tilts her head thoughtfully. "What if we line the aisle with wildflowers? So it feels like we're walking right through nature, right to each other. And maybe lanterns along the path to light the way." She pictures it: the path winding between the guests, leading them all toward the tree that will hold their vows. She glances over at Carina and Arizona, catching the warmth in their eyes.

"Yes," Arizona says softly, imagining the glow of lanterns casting a golden light as the sun begins to set, the wildflowers creating a sense of soft, untamed beauty.

They each start to envision what they'll wear, all three of them sharing ideas with playful grins, imagining something timeless but uniquely theirs. Carina can already see herself in a lace gown with delicate floral embroidery, something that feels soft and ethereal, with a veil that moves like water when she walks. Arizona pictures herself in an ivory tuxedo, fitted and tailored, with a simple wildflower boutonniere—a nod to the wildflowers lining their aisle. And Maya, ever one to add a touch of edge, imagines a pantsuit that's elegant but not too traditional, with lace accents that mirror Carina's dress and Arizona's suit.