Chapter: The Wedding of the Century
(Jay's POV)
One month.
Thirty days.
Seven hundred and twenty hours.
And somehow—
It felt like both forever and no time at all.
I stood in front of the mirror in Angelo's house, staring at myself.
White dress.
Simple.
Elegant.
Perfect.
My hair was done.
My makeup was light.
Just enough to enhance.
Not enough to hide.
Because today—
Today I was marrying Mark Keifer Watson.
And I wanted him to see me.
All of me.
The real me.
The door opened behind me.
I didn't turn.
I knew that reflection.
"Mamma."
Serina walked up behind me.
Placed her hands on my shoulders.
Looked at me in the mirror.
Her eyes were already wet.
"Oh, sweetheart."
I smiled.
"Don't cry."
"Too late."
She pulled me into a hug.
Careful not to ruin anything.
"My daughter."
I hugged back.
"Thank you, Mamma."
"For everything."
She pulled back.
Wiped her eyes.
"Your father is waiting outside."
I nodded.
"Kuya Angelo?"
"Already at the venue."
"Aries? Percy?"
She laughed.
"Trying to keep Keigan and Keiran from destroying everything."
I grinned.
"Good luck with that."
She kissed my forehead.
"Ready?"
I looked at myself one last time.
At the girl who had run.
Who had hidden.
Who had built walls.
At the woman who had come back.
Who had trusted.
Who had loved.
"Yeah."
"I'm ready."
---
The Venue – Garden of Angelo's Estate
Angelo had transformed the backyard into something magical.
Flowers everywhere.
White roses.
Soft lights.
An aisle lined with petals.
Guests filling every seat.
And at the end—
Him.
Keifer stood at the altar.
Black suit.
Perfect hair.
Eyes searching.
Waiting.
For me.
The music started.
Everyone stood.
I stepped out.
Arm in arm with Dad.
And the moment Keifer saw me—
His face changed.
Softened.
Lit up.
Like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Tears formed in his eyes.
He didn't even try to hide them.
I smiled.
Walked forward.
One step.
Two.
Past the faces I loved.
Section E – The Boys
Cin was in the front row, already crying.
Not subtle crying.
Full tears.
He didn't even care.
"JAY!" he shouted.
Everyone laughed.
He didn't stop.
"YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!"
David sat beside him, shaking his head.
But he was smiling.
Wiping his own eyes.
Trying to be subtle.
Failing.
Emman was recording everything.
On his phone.
On his watch.
Probably on a hidden camera somewhere.
"Got it," he whispered.
"All of it."
Eren was cheering.
Loud.
Proud.
"THAT'S OUR JAY!"
Rory was beside him.
Recording too.
But also crying.
Multi-tasking.
Erdix sat with Freya.
His arm around her.
Both watching with soft smiles.
Mayo was pretending to be cool.
But his eyes were wet.
Kit caught him.
"YOU'RE CRYING!"
Mayo glared.
"NO I'M NOT."
"Yes you are."
"SHUT UP."
Blaster was just staring.
In awe.
"Wow," he kept saying.
"Just wow."
Calix had Mica beside him.
Both holding hands.
Both emotional.
Calix nodded at me as I passed.
Proud.
Felix was already sobbing.
Openly.
Unashamed.
Drew handed him a tissue.
Then started crying himself.
Denzel had Grazel on his lap.
Grace beside him.
Grazel waved her tiny hand.
"SMOOOOL!"
The whole section melted.
Josh was standing at the end.
Clapping.
Cheering.
"GO JAY! GO JAY!"
The Brothers – Aries and Percy
Aries was in the second row.
Ella beside him.
He was grinning.
But his eyes were wet.
Percy sat next to him.
Also grinning.
Also crying.
They caught each other's eyes.
"WE'RE CRYING!" Aries whispered loudly.
"OBVIOUSLY!" Percy whispered back.
"THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!"
"TOTALLY!"
"WORTH IT?"
"WORTH IT!"
They high-fived.
Still crying.
Ella patted Aries' arm.
Grace from behind laughed.
"You two are ridiculous."
They nodded together.
"YES!"
"WE ARE!"
The Girls – Freya, Rakki, Mica, Grace, Ella
Freya was in Erdix's arms.
But her eyes were on me.
Full of love.
Full of pride.
"You did it, Jay," she whispered.
Rakki sat beside Cin.
Smirking.
But her eyes were soft.
"About time," she said quietly.
Cin hit her.
"Be nice!"
"I am nice!"
"THAT'S your nice?!"
"Yes."
Mica was holding Calix's hand.
Tears streaming.
Happy tears.
"So beautiful," she whispered.
Grace was juggling Grazel and emotions.
Trying not to cry.
Failing.
Ella had given up entirely.
Full tears.
No shame.
"She's getting married!" Ella sobbed.
Aries patted her back.
"I know, babe."
"OUR Jay!"
"I know."
"I'm so happy!"
"Me too."
The Chaos Duo – Keigan and Keiran
And in the very front row—
Keigan and Keiran.
Both crying.
Openly.
Loudly.
No shame whatsoever.
Keigan waved frantically.
"HIPAG JAY! HIPAG JAY! OVER HERE!"
Keiran grabbed his arm.
"She sees us, idiot."
"But I want her to KNOW!"
"She knows!"
"DOES SHE?!"
"YES!"
"OKAY GOOD!"
Keigan blew kisses.
Keiran did a thumbs up.
Both were a mess.
Both were perfect.
I laughed as I passed them.
They reached out.
Touched my dress.
Like I was a goddess.
"Pretty," Keigan whispered.
"So pretty," Keiran agreed.
I blew them kisses.
They both fake-fainted.
The crowd laughed.
---
The Altar
Finally—
I reached him.
Dad placed my hand in Keifer's.
Squeezed both.
"Take care of her."
Keifer nodded.
"Forever."
Dad kissed my forehead.
Walked to his seat.
And it was just us.
Just me and Keifer.
Hand in hand.
Heart to heart.
"Hi," he whispered.
I smiled.
"Hi."
"You're beautiful."
"You're crying."
He laughed.
Soft.
Happy.
"Can you blame me?"
I squeezed his hand.
"No."
"Me neither."
Behind us—
Someone sniffled loudly.
Cin.
Full-on crying now.
David patted his back.
"It's okay, bro."
Cin shook his head.
"It's NOT okay!"
"IT'S BEAUTIFUL!"
"AND I CAN'T HANDLE IT!"
Emman kept recording.
"Got it. Got all of it."
Eren was cheering again.
"YOU GOT THIS, JAY!"
Rory nodded.
"SAY YES!"
Erdix smiled.
"She already did."
Freya wiped her eyes.
"She really did."
Mayo was losing it.
Kit handed him a tissue.
"Here."
"I don't need it!"
"Yes you do."
"OKAY I DO."
Blaster was clapping slowly.
Respectfully.
"Beautiful," he kept saying.
"Just beautiful."
Calix and Mica were hugging.
Felix and Drew were holding each other.
Both crying.
Both happy.
Denzel lifted Grazel up.
She clapped.
"KEIF! SMOL! WUV!"
Josh cheered.
"THE BEST DAY EVER!"
Aries grabbed Ella.
Kissed her forehead.
"OUR SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED!"
Percy nodded.
"FINALLY!"
Keigan and Keiran were holding hands.
Both sobbing.
Both smiling.
"THEY'RE SO IN LOVE!" Keigan wailed.
"THE BEST LOVE STORY!" Keiran agreed.
"BETTER THAN MOVIES!"
"WAY BETTER!"
---
The Vows
The minister smiled at us.
"Dearly beloved—"
Cin sobbed louder.
"We are gathered here today—"
Percy grabbed more tissues.
"To witness the union—"
Aries grabbed Ella's hand.
"Of Jay and Keifer—"
Grazel clapped.
"YAY!"
Everyone laughed.
The minister gave up on formality.
He looked at me.
"Jay?"
I nodded.
Took a breath.
Looked at Keifer.
His eyes.
Those eyes.
I started.
"Six years ago—"
"I met this idiot."
Laughter.
Keifer grinned.
"And he was annoying."
More laughter.
"And stubborn."
"And infuriating."
I paused.
"But he was also—"
"Kind."
"Protective."
"Selfless."
My voice softened.
"He loved me when I didn't love myself."
"He waited when I ran."
"He fought when I gave up."
Tears formed.
I didn't stop them.
"And now—"
"After everything—"
"After six years—"
"After pain and distance and walls—"
"I'm here."
"With him."
"Where I belong."
I squeezed his hands.
"Keifer."
"I love you."
"I've always loved you."
"I will always love you."
"Forever."
The crowd was silent.
Then—
Cin screamed.
"THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!"
David pulled him down.
"Let her finish!"
"BUT IT WAS!"
Keifer laughed.
Tears streaming now.
He didn't care.
He looked at me.
His turn.
"Jay."
My heart stopped.
"I was an idiot."
Laughter.
"The biggest idiot."
"The stupidest idiot."
"But you—"
"You loved me anyway."
"You trusted me anyway."
"You came back anyway."
His voice cracked.
"I don't deserve you."
"But I'll spend forever—"
"Trying to be worthy."
"Trying to be the man you see."
"Trying to be yours."
He squeezed my hands.
"Jay."
"I love you."
"I've always loved you."
"I will always love you."
"Forever."
The crowd lost it.
Cin was ugly crying.
David hugged him.
Emman kept recording.
Eren cheered through tears.
Rory nodded proudly.
Erdix kissed Freya's forehead.
Mayo gave up hiding.
Kit handed him another tissue.
Blaster clapped slowly.
Calix and Mica kissed.
Felix and Drew held each other.
Denzel lifted Grazel higher.
Josh screamed.
"THEY DID IT!"
Aries grabbed Percy.
They hugged.
Crying.
Both of them.
Ella joined.
Grace joined.
Keigan and Keiran ran to the front.
Jumping.
Screaming.
"THEY SAID FOREVER!"
"THEY SAID FOREVER!"
"THIS IS THE BEST DAY!"
---
The "I Do"s
The minister tried again.
"Jay, do you take—"
I didn't wait.
"I do."
Laughter.
"I do, I do, I do."
"A thousand times I do."
The minister smiled.
"Keifer, do you take—"
He didn't wait either.
"I do."
"Absolutely I do."
"The only I do."
"Forever I do."
The minister gave up.
"Then I now pronounce you—"
Before he could finish—
Keifer grabbed me.
Lifted me off the ground.
Kissed me.
Right there at the altar.
Spun me around.
I laughed against his lips.
Kissed him back.
Hard.
Desperate.
Joyful.
When he finally put me down—
The venue exploded.
Aries screamed.
Percy cried.
Cin ran toward us.
David followed.
Emman kept recording.
Eren jumped.
Rory cheered.
Erdix hugged Freya.
Mayo threw rice.
Kit threw flowers.
Blaster lifted Calix.
Calix yelled.
Felix and Drew hugged.
Denzel put Grazel down.
She ran toward us.
Tiny legs.
Tiny arms.
"KEIF! SMOL! WUV!"
She crashed into our legs.
We picked her up together.
She kissed both our cheeks.
"Happy day!"
"Best day!"
Josh was crying openly.
"THIS FAMILY!"
"THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!"
Aries grabbed Ella.
Kissed her.
Then looked at us.
"YOU DID IT!"
Percy grabbed Grace.
Twirled her.
"DANCING NOW!"
Keigan and Keiran reached us.
Tackled us in a group hug.
"HIPAG JAY!"
"KUYA KEIF!"
"WE LOVE YOU!"
"FOREVER!"
---
The Receiving Line
We stood at the altar.
Everyone came to us.
One by one.
Cin first.
Hugged me so tight.
"Shorty got married."
I laughed.
"Idiot witnessed it."
He hugged Keifer.
"Take care of her."
Keifer nodded.
"Always."
David next.
Quiet hug.
"Proud of you."
I smiled.
"Thanks, David."
Emman.
Still recording.
"Got the whole thing."
"For posterity."
I laughed.
"Good."
Eren.
"YOU DID IT!"
"We did!"
Rory.
"Best wedding ever."
"Best family ever."
Erdix and Freya together.
Both hugged us.
"Happy forever," Freya whispered.
"Always," I promised.
Mayo.
Tried to be cool.
Failed.
Hugged me.
"Don't tell anyone I cried."
Kit behind him.
"Everyone saw."
"KIT!"
Blaster.
Simply nodded.
Respect.
"Good job."
Calix and Mica.
Both glowing.
"Next is you two," I teased.
Calix blushed.
Mica grinned.
"Soon."
Felix and Drew.
Both crying again.
"So happy for you!"
"The happiest!"
Denzel and Grace.
With Grazel between them.
Grazel raised her arms.
"Up!"
We picked her up.
She kissed us both again.
"My Keif! My Smol!"
"Forever!"
Josh.
Full hug.
"MY FAVORITE COUPLE!"
"MY FAVORITE FAMILY!"
"MY FAVORITE DAY!"
Aries and Ella.
Aries grabbed me.
Spun me around.
"MY SISTER IS MARRIED!"
Ella laughed.
"PUT HER DOWN!"
"NEVER!"
Percy and Grace.
Percy hugged Keifer.
"Welcome to the family."
"Officially."
Keifer smiled.
"Thanks."
Grace hugged me.
"You look beautiful."
I hugged back.
"Thanks, Grace."
Keigan and Keiran.
The final two.
They stood in front of us.
Both crying.
Both smiling.
"Hipag Jay."
"Kuya Keif."
"We love you."
"So much."
We pulled them in.
Group hug.
All four of us.
"We love you too," I whispered.
"Forever," Keifer added.
Keigan sniffed.
"Best day ever."
Keiran nodded.
"The best."
---
The First Dance
The crowd cleared.
The music started.
Soft.
Romantic.
Keifer took my hand.
Led me to the center.
His arms around my waist.
Mine around his neck.
We swayed slowly.
Just us.
Just this moment.
"I love you," he whispered.
I looked into his eyes.
"I love you too."
"More than anything."
"More than everything."
He kissed my forehead.
"Thank you for coming back."
I smiled.
"Thank you for waiting."
"Always."
"Forever."
Around us—
Everyone watched.
Cin crying again.
David smiling softly.
Emman still recording.
Eren swaying with an imaginary partner.
Rory taking photos.
Erdix holding Freya close.
Mayo pretending not to be emotional.
Kit failing at pretending.
Blaster nodding approvingly.
Calix and Mica dancing slowly too.
Felix and Drew holding each other.
Denzel holding Grazel, swaying.
Grace beside them.
Josh recording everything.
Aries dancing with Ella.
Percy dancing with Grace.
Keigan and Keiran dancing together.
Terribly.
But happily.
And in the center—
Just us.
Just love.
Just forever.
---
The Reception – Pure Chaos
After the dance—
The real party started.
Music.
Laughter.
Food.
Drinks.
Chaos.
Aries grabbed the mic.
"EVERYONE!"
"TIME FOR SPEECHES!"
Cin ran up first.
Grabbed the mic.
"JAY!"
I braced myself.
"You're annoying."
Laughter.
"You're short."
More laughter.
"You're chaotic."
"But—"
"You're my best friend."
"My sister."
"My family."
He looked at Keifer.
"Take care of her."
"Or else."
Keifer nodded.
"Or else?"
Cin grinned.
"Or else all of Section E will find you."
David stood.
"Everywhere."
Emman nodded.
"Always."
Eren pointed.
"Any time."
Rory smirked.
"Any place."
Erdix raised his glass.
"You're doomed."
Mayo cracked his knuckles.
"Completely doomed."
Kit nodded.
"We'll find you."
Blaster stood.
"And we won't be nice."
Calix smiled.
"Very not nice."
Felix agreed.
"Promise."
Drew wiped his eyes.
"I'll help."
Denzel lifted Grazel.
She nodded seriously.
"Find Keif!"
Josh cheered.
"WE GOT YOUR BACK, JAY!"
Keifer looked at me.
"I'm scared."
I grinned.
"Good."
---
The Girls' Speech
Freya took the mic next.
"Jay."
I smiled.
She started.
"We've been through everything together."
"School."
"Heartbreak."
"Life."
She looked at Keifer.
"When she was crying over you—"
"I wanted to kill you."
Laughter.
"But now—"
"I see why she loves you."
Rakki took the mic.
"I don't do speeches."
"But for Jay—"
"I'll try."
She looked at me.
"You're annoying."
I laughed.
"You're loud."
More laughter.
"You're short."
Everyone cracked up.
"But you're also—"
"The strongest person I know."
"The most loyal."
"The most loving."
She looked at Keifer.
"Hurt her and I'll end you."
Keifer nodded.
"Understood."
Mica took the mic.
Tears already.
"Jay—"
"You taught me what love looks like."
"Not perfect love."
"Real love."
"Messy love."
"Beautiful love."
She looked at us.
"Thank you for showing us."
"That love is worth fighting for."
Grace took the mic.
Grazel on her hip.
"I've known Jay for years."
"Seen her at her worst."
"Seen her at her best."
She smiled.
"And now—"
"I get to see her at her happiest."
Grazel grabbed the mic.
"SMOOL HAPPY!"
"KEIF HAPPY!"
"EVERYONE HAPPY!"
The crowd lost it.
Ella took the mic last.
Wiped her eyes.
"Jay—"
"Welcome to the family."
"For real this time."
"We're so glad you're here."
"Forever."
I was crying.
Full tears.
Happy tears.
Keifer held me.
Kissed my head.
"Beautiful," he whispered.
I nodded.
"So beautiful."
---
The Chaos Duo's Turn
Keigan grabbed the mic.
Ran to the center.
Keiran followed.
More dignified.
But equally determined.
Keigan shouted.
"EVERYONE!"
"OUR TURN!"
Keiran took the mic.
"We have something to say."
Keigan grabbed it back.
"HIPAG JAY!"
He pointed at me.
"YOU'RE THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO OUR BROTHER!"
Keiran took the mic.
"Besides us."
Keigan grabbed it.
"YEAH! BESIDES US!"
Keiran took it.
"But mostly you."
Keigan grabbed it.
"SO WE HAVE A GIFT!"
Keiran produced a small box.
Opened it.
Inside—
Two small figures.
Hand-painted.
One looked like me.
One looked like Keifer.
Holding hands.
Forever.
Keigan sniffed.
"We made them."
Keiran nodded.
"Took three weeks."
Keigan wiped his eyes.
"OUR HANDS HURT."
Keiran nodded.
"Worth it."
I was crying.
Again.
"Keigan— Keiran—"
They ran to me.
Hugged me together.
"We love you, hipag!"
"Forever!"
I hugged them back.
"I love you too."
"So much."
Keifer joined.
Wrapped his arms around all of us.
"Thank you."
"Both of you."
Keigan looked up.
"For real?"
"For real."
Keiran smiled.
"Best day ever."
Keigan nodded.
"BEST DAY EVER!"
---
The Dancing
After speeches—
The real party started.
Aries DJ'd.
Badly.
But enthusiastically.
Percy helped.
Also badly.
But no one cared.
Cin dragged me to the dance floor.
"COME ON, SHORTY!"
"DANCE WITH ME!"
I laughed.
Danced.
Keifer watched.
Smiling.
Then Grazel grabbed his hand.
"KEIF! DANCE!"
He looked at me.
I nodded.
"Go."
He danced with Grazel.
Tiny hands.
Big smiles.
Everyone watched.
Melted.
Cin yelled.
"THAT'S MY NIECE!"
David nodded.
"OUR NIECE!"
Emman recorded.
"Got it."
Eren cheered.
Rory took photos.
Erdix danced with Freya.
Mayo actually danced.
Kit joined.
Blaster did moves no one understood.
Calix and Mica slow danced.
Felix and Drew spun each other.
Denzel watched proudly.
Josh danced with everyone.
Aries and Ella were chaos together.
Percy and Grace laughed.
Keigan and Keiran started a dance battle.
Lost immediately.
Didn't care.
And in the middle of it all—
Keifer found me.
Pulled me close.
Danced with me.
Slow.
Despite the fast music.
Despite the chaos.
Just us.
Just love.
"I love you," he said.
I smiled.
"I love you too."
"Best day?"
I looked around.
At our family.
Our friends.
Our chaos.
Our love.
"Yeah."
"Best day."
---
The End of the Night
People finally started leaving.
Hugs.
Tears.
Promises.
Cin was last.
Hugged me tight.
"Take care, shorty."
I laughed.
"Take care, idiot."
He grinned.
Punched Keifer's arm lightly.
"Good job."
Keifer nodded.
"Thanks."
Cin left.
And it was just us.
Just Keifer and me.
Standing in the empty venue.
Flowers everywhere.
Memories everywhere.
Love everywhere.
He took my hand.
"Ready to go home?"
I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Let's go home."
We walked to the car.
Hand in hand.
Heart to heart.
Forever starting now.
---
Our Room – Finally Alone
The door closed behind us.
Silence.
Blessed silence.
I leaned against it.
Looked at him.
He looked at me.
Same thought.
Same feeling.
Same love.
"We did it," I whispered.
He walked toward me.
"We did."
"Married."
"Finally."
He stopped in front of me.
Cupped my face.
"Mrs. Watson."
I smiled.
"Mr. Watson."
He kissed me.
Slow.
Deep.
Full of everything.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
He picked me up.
I laughed against his lips.
He carried me to the bed.
Lay me down gently.
Hovered above me.
Looking down.
Eyes full of love.
"Best day of my life."
I touched his face.
"Same."
"Best day."
He kissed me again.
And again.
And again.
Until the world disappeared.
Until there was nothing left—
Just us.
Just love.
Just forever.
---
The Next Morning
I woke up in his arms.
Sunlight streaming through the curtains.
His heartbeat under my ear.
His arms around me.
Perfect.
I smiled.
Didn't move.
Didn't want to.
His voice, rough with sleep.
"You're awake."
"Mmm."
"Happy?"
I looked up at him.
His eyes still closed.
Face peaceful.
Beautiful.
"The happiest."
He opened his eyes.
Smiled.
That smile.
"Good."
"Me too."
I kissed his chest.
Right over his heart.
"I love you, Mark Keifer Watson."
He pulled me closer.
"I love you too, Jay Watson."
I grinned.
"Jay Watson."
"I like that."
He kissed my forehead.
"Me too."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
And outside—
The world waited.
The chaos waited.
The family waited.
But in this room—
In this moment—
There was only us.
Only love.
Only forever.
---
The end.
(For now.)