The chapel glowed with soft light, golden rays slipping through tall windows, scattering across polished wood and white blooms. Every seat was filled family, friends, colleagues their faces a mixture of pride, awe, and emotion.
The music began, a gentle swell of strings. Heads turned as the doors opened.
Arabella walked first, clutching a basket of petals, her little steps careful but steady. She tossed them one by one, her violet eyes shining as she spotted her father waiting at the altar. Jessy followed, wobbling proudly with Liam guiding him down the aisle. "Dada!" he shouted halfway through, making everyone laugh as Chris's eyes softened, his heart nearly breaking from the joy.
Then the room hushed.
Bella appeared at the doorway, her arm linked with Joe's. Her gown flowed like water, simple but breathtaking, her veil catching the light as if woven from sunlight itself. Her eyes lifted, locking onto Chris, and in that instant, the world vanished.
Chris's breath left him. Every scar, every battle, every sleepless night had led here. His heart thundered as Bella moved closer, step by step, her gaze never leaving his.
Joe pressed a kiss to Bella's forehead before placing her hand into Chris's. "Take care of my daughter," he murmured firmly.
"With my life," Chris vowed.
The priest began, words echoing like a benediction. But for Chris and Bella, only their voices mattered.
When it was time, Chris spoke first. His hand trembled as he held hers, but his voice was clear.
"Bella... I have failed you before. I let the world hurt you while I stood powerless. But today, in front of everyone, I vow never to let you stand alone again. You are my strength, my peace, my forever. With you, I have a family. With you, I am home."
Tears blurred Bella's eyes. Her fingers tightened around his.
"Chris... when I first met you, I never imagined we'd survive what we did. There were times I thought I'd lost you forever. But love... real love... finds its way back. You are my heart, my safe place, the father of my children, the man I prayed for without even knowing. I vow to stand with you, through every storm and every sunrise. Always."
The silence in the chapel was heavy with emotion. Vera wept quietly in the front row, Bianca and Alexis clasped each other's hands, Hailey dabbed at her eyes while Andrew nodded with pride. Even Joe's eyes glistened though his jaw stayed firm.
Jessy, oblivious to the solemnity, clapped his little hands. "Mama pretty!" he declared loudly, making everyone laugh through their tears. Arabella grinned, twirling the hem of her dress as if celebrating the moment in her own way.
The priest's voice broke through the joy. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Chris wasted no time. He cupped Bella's face, his lips crashing onto hers with a hunger that spoke of years of longing, loss, and redemption. The crowd erupted in applause, but to Chris and Bella, there was only the taste of forever.
When they finally pulled apart, Bella whispered against his lips, "We made it."
Chris smiled, his forehead resting against hers. "No, my love. We're just beginning."
The ballroom shimmered with gold and ivory, chandeliers spilling light across round tables draped in silk. Roses filled the air with fragrance, the hum of music carried laughter, and for once, the world outside did not exist.
Chris and Bella entered hand in hand, the applause thundering around them. Jessy squealed from Vera's lap, waving his tiny arms as if he understood this was his moment too. Arabella ran forward, clutching Bella's dress, her violet eyes proud.
"Family picture first!" Alexis shouted, dragging Bianca along. The photographer scrambled as everyone gathered siblings, cousins, children. It was chaos: Jessy chewing on his bow tie, Raquel trying to fix her lipstick mid-shot, Andrew standing stiff before Hailey elbowed him to smile. The final click captured something raw love messy, noisy, unbreakable.
The speeches began.
Bianca took the microphone first, her voice trembling. "Bella has been my best friend since we were girls, and I've seen her broken, I've seen her strong, and I've seen her find a love that terrified her because it was too real. Chris... if you ever forget what you promised today, you'll answer to me." The crowd laughed as Chris raised a mock hand in surrender.
Hailey spoke next, her tone softer. "Chris has always been protective. Too protective sometimes. But watching him with Bella, I see a man who finally found someone worth fighting his demons for. Bella... thank you for loving my brother the way none of us could."
Even Andrew stood, clearing his throat, his voice low but steady. "We were raised in a house where love was twisted into control. But tonight, I see something pure. A family built from choice, not force. Hold on to this all of you." He glanced at Arabella, who beamed at him, and his eyes softened.
The dance floor opened. Chris led Bella out, the music swelling around them. He pulled her close, his hand steady at her waist, his forehead brushing hers.
"You look like a dream," he murmured.
"You're not too bad yourself," she teased, though her eyes shimmered.
They moved as if no one else existed, Jessy's giggles and Arabella's claps fading to background music. Bella's hand slid to Chris's chest, feeling his heartbeat, steady and strong.
Halfway through, Jessy wriggled free from Vera and toddled onto the dance floor. "Mama! Dada!" he squeaked. Arabella chased after him, grabbing his hand. The room burst into laughter and applause as Chris scooped both children into his arms, twirling them gently while Bella laughed through tears.
It was not the perfect dance they had rehearsed. It was better.
The night stretched with joy Alexis catching the bouquet and nearly knocking Bianca over in the process, Liam sneaking Jessy extra sweets until Vera caught him, Raquel and Imelda dancing with Kayden and Jayden until all three collapsed in laughter.
When the last song played, Chris and Bella slipped away onto the balcony. The city glittered below, quiet compared to the storm inside.
Bella leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. "I never thought we'd get here."
Chris kissed the crown of her head. "We didn't just get here, Bella. We built this. Every scar, every fight, every tear...it led us here."
Jessy's sleepy babble drifted through the window, Arabella's laughter not far behind.
Bella smiled, her hand finding Chris's. "Then let's never let it go."
Chris squeezed her fingers, his voice a vow only she could hear. "Never."