August 6 2020
WEDDING CEREMONY, LATE AFTERNOON
The chaos from moments ago melted away like it never happened. The music played again, soft and reverent. Sunlight poured through the trees as **AJ walked down the aisle**, each step slow, certain, and powerful.
Tony walked beside her with quiet pride, his arm linked with hers. She could feel her mother's necklace against her collarbone, warm from her skin. Her bouquet trembled slightly in her hands — but not from fear. From awe.
Every step toward Dave felt like a stitch in a long, painful wound finally healing.
Dave stood waiting, barely breathing. His jaw clenched as he tried to keep it together. She looked like *everything* — strength, softness, home. Mateo let out a small coo from the front row, nestled between Maria and Carla.
When AJ reached the altar, Tony placed a kiss on her cheek and whispered,
Tony - She'd be proud of you, mija.
She squeezed his hand.
Daniel - carino you so beautiful
AJ - thank you abuelo
---
VOWS
The officiant smiled gently.
Officiant - We are gathered today to witness the union of Dr. Alejandra Liliana Sánchez and David Lawrence Brewster jr— two souls who have weathered storms most wouldn't survive.
AJ and Dave faced each other, hands clasped. They hadn't prepared written vows.
They were going to speak from the heart.
Dave went first.
His voice shook, but his eyes didn't leave hers.
Dave - I didn't believe I deserved peace until you gave it to me. You took a man with scars and made him feel seen, and whole, and wanted. You gave me a son. A life. A future. I'll never know how to repay you for what you pulled me out of... but I'll spend every day trying."
AJ's turn.
AJ - I spent most of my life saving people — in the OR, in trauma bays, in hallways full of fear. And then you came into my life and reminded me that *I* was worth saving too. You gave me a reason to believe in softness again. In family. In forever
They were both crying by the time the rings came out.
Dave - With this ring, I promise to stand beside you — in every storm, every joy, every impossible morning
Dave said.
AJ - With this ring
AJ whispered, slipping his on
AJ - I promise to choose you — not just today, but in every lifetime.
---
THE KISS
The officiant smiled, blinking back his own emotion.
Officiant - By the power vested in me, and surrounded by this community of love and healing... I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Officiant - Dave... you may kiss your wife.
And he did.
And the whole world softened.
---
AFTERMATH
The crowd erupted in applause. Lexie clapped with tears in her eyes. Jackson nudged Parker. Even Luke, standing quietly near the edge, let out a long breath and gave Mateo a tiny wave.
As AJ and Dave walked back down the aisle as *husband and wife*, she glanced back for just a moment.
She saw Maria and Carla beaming. She saw her interns cheering, half-shocked, half-joyful. She saw Luke standing guard like always.
And in that moment, AJ knew this wasn't just a wedding.
It was *rebirth*.
---
