The garden held its breath.
Not silent.
But waiting.
The air itself seemed to pause around them, as if even time understood that something had shifted.
Leah's final words still lingered.
Soft.
Certain.
"I choose you… every time."
Izana didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his grip on her hand tightened just slightly. Like he needed to feel that she was still there.
Still real.
The officiant cleared his throat gently.
A small reminder.
The ceremony wasn't over.
"Then," he said calmly, "we will proceed."
The moment didn't break. It simply… continued.
"May we have the rings?"
A subtle movement behind them.
Dante stepped forward.
For once—quiet.
No teasing.
No remarks.
He held out a small velvet box.
Izana glanced at him briefly.
Dante smirked.
"Don't drop it."
Izana ignored him.
Leah let out a quiet laugh under her breath.
The tension eased.
Just a little.
Izana opened the box.
Inside—
Two rings.
Simple.
Elegant.
But unmistakably theirs.
He picked up one carefully.
Turned toward Leah fully.
His movements were steady. But slower than usual.
More deliberate.
Like he didn't want to rush this moment.
"Leah."
Her name came out softer than before.
She looked up at him.
"Yes?"
Izana held her hand gently.
His thumb brushed lightly against her fingers.
"I am not good with traditions," he admitted quietly.
Leah smiled.
"I've noticed."
A faint flicker of something crossed his expression.
Not quite amusement.
But close.
"I don't understand most of them," he continued.
"But this one…"
He lifted the ring slightly.
"…I understand."
Leah's breath caught just a little.
"This is not a symbol to me," he said.
"It is a promise."
His red eyes locked onto hers.
Unmoving.
"I will not remove it."
"I will not forget it."
"And I will not break what it stands for."
His voice lowered.
Steady.
Certain.
"You are mine."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"And I am yours."
Leah's cheeks warmed slightly.
But she didn't look away.
"Good," she whispered.
Izana slid the ring onto her finger.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like it mattered.
Like it meant something beyond the action itself.
Because to him—
It did.
Leah looked down at her hand.
The ring caught the sunlight.
Shimmered softly.
For a moment—
She just stared at it.
Then she laughed quietly.
"It fits perfectly."
Izana answered simply,
"Of course it does."
She looked back up at him.
"You really planned everything."
"Yes."
Leah shook her head slightly, smiling.
"Of course you did."
The officiant turned to her.
"And you?"
Leah nodded.
She reached for the second ring.
But her fingers hesitated for just a second.
Not out of doubt.
But emotion.
Then she took it.
Stepped just a little closer to Izana. Close enough that her voice didn't need to be loud.
"Izana."
He looked at her immediately.
Focused.
Attentive.
Leah lifted his hand.
Held it gently.
"You said you're not good with traditions," she said softly.
"I'm not either."
A small pause.
"But I like this one."
Izana didn't interrupt.
Didn't move.
So she continued.
"Because it's simple."
Her fingers brushed against his.
"It's just… choosing each other."
A small smile.
"Again."
Izana's gaze softened.
Leah slid the ring onto his finger.
Slow.
Careful.
Mirroring him.
"I choose you," she repeated quietly.
His hand tightened around hers.
"And I'm not going anywhere."
A soft murmur moved through the guests.
Subtle.
But warm.
The officiant smiled faintly.
Then spoke clearly.
"With the exchange of these rings… your vows are sealed."
A pause.
"And now—."
The moment everyone had been waiting for.
"You may kiss."
Silence fell.
Not heavy.
But expectant.
Leah blinked.
Then looked at Izana.
"Well?"
A small teasing tone slipped into her voice.
"Are you going to stand there?"
Izana studied her.
For a moment—
Too long.
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Izana."
"Yes."
"You're hesitating."
"I am not."
"You are."
A pause.
Then—
Quietly—
"I am considering."
Leah tried not to laugh.
"Considering what?"
"How to do this correctly."
She smiled.
"There's no 'correct' way."
Izana looked at her for another second.
Then said simply,
"I disagree."
Leah shook her head.
"You're impossible."
"Yet you married me."
She stepped closer.
Close enough that there was no space left between them.
"Just kiss me."
Simple.
Direct.
Izana exhaled softly.
Then—
He moved.
One hand lifted. Resting gently against her cheek.
Careful.
Like she was something fragile.
Precious.
His thumb brushed lightly against her skin.
Then he leaned in.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Like he wanted to remember every second of it.
Leah didn't wait.
She closed the distance.
Their lips met.
Soft.
Warm.
Not rushed.
Not overwhelming.
Just…
Right.
For a moment—
Everything else disappeared again.
No garden.
No family.
No past.
Just this.
Just them.
Izana's hand remained steady against her cheek.
Leah's fingers lightly curled into his jacket.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Not intense.
But certain.
Like a promise being sealed without words.
Then—
They pulled back.
Just enough.
Their foreheads rested together.
Breath mingling.
Leah smiled softly.
"See?"
Izana's voice was quieter than before.
"…Acceptable."
Leah laughed.
"Acceptable?"
"Yes."
"You're unbelievable."
A faint, almost invisible smile touched his lips.
"I'm aware."
The officiant spoke again.
"And with that… I now pronounce you husband and wife."
A pause.
"You may proceed."
Applause followed.
Not loud.
Not overwhelming.
But genuine.
Warm.
Clara smiled openly.
Dante clapped once, slower than the others, watching with quiet approval.
Elias stood near the back.
Arms relaxed.
Expression unreadable at first—
But then—
A small nod.
Respect.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Izana didn't look at them.
Didn't acknowledge the crowd.
His attention stayed exactly where it had been from the beginning.
On Leah.
Leah glanced around briefly.
Then back at him.
"…We did it."
"Yes."
"That's it?"
Izana tilted his head slightly.
"What else would there be?"
Leah laughed softly.
"I don't know. Something dramatic?"
"This was sufficient."
She smiled.
Then squeezed his hand.
"Yeah."
A small pause.
Then—
"Let's get out of here."
Izana raised an eyebrow.
"Immediately?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Leah leaned closer.
Lowered her voice.
"Because everyone is staring."
Izana glanced briefly at the guests.
Then back at her.
"That is expected."
"I know."
She smiled.
"But I want a minute."
His expression softened slightly.
"…Very well."
Without another word—
He turned.
Still holding her hand.
And led her away from the altar.
Not rushed.
Not hurried.
Just… steady.
Together.
They stepped off the platform.
Walked past the rows of chairs.
Past the quiet watching eyes.
But this time—
It felt different.
Because this time—
They weren't walking toward something.
They were walking away from it.
Into something new.
Leah exhaled softly.
"I feel lighter."
Izana glanced at her.
"Explain."
She smiled.
"I don't have to wonder anymore."
"About what?"
"About us."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"You never did."
Leah bumped her shoulder lightly against his.
"I did."
A small pause.
"Not anymore though."
Izana nodded once.
"Good."
They reached the edge of the garden.
Where the trees cast deeper shade.
Where the noise softened.
Where it felt… private.
Leah stopped.
Gently tugged his hand.
He stopped with her.
Looked down slightly.
"Yes?"
She stepped closer again.
Smiling.
"…Hi."
Izana blinked once.
"…Hello."
Leah laughed.
"That feels weird."
"What does?"
"Calling you my husband."
A pause.
"…Say it again."
Izana looked at her.
Then said quietly,
"…Wife."
Leah's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Okay, that one's worse."
"Why?"
"Because I like it too much."
Izana didn't look away.
"…Good."
Silence settled again.
But it wasn't empty.
It was full.
Soft.
Leah leaned forward slightly.
Rested her head against his chest.
Just like she always did.
Only now—
It felt different.
More real.
More permanent.
Izana's arm wrapped around her automatically.
Holding her close.
Secure.
Leah closed her eyes.
"We're really married."
"Yes."
A small pause.
"…Again."
Izana's hand moved gently through her hair.
Slow.
Careful.
"As many times as necessary."
Leah smiled against him.
"Let's try to keep it to once this time."
"No promises."
She laughed quietly.
The garden behind them continued to hum softly with life.
Voices.
Movement.
Celebration beginning.
But here—
In this small space—
It was still calm.
Still theirs.
Leah lifted her head slightly.
Looked up at him.
"…Ready for everything else?"
Izana met her gaze.
Unshaken.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"As long as you are there."
Leah smiled.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I know."
And this time—
There was no doubt.
No hesitation.
No distance left between them.
Only certainty.
Only choice.
Only each other.
And this time—
It was forever.