The cheering of the crowd still thundered in their ears as Ariel and Holly slipped back behind the divider, the sounds muffled but not gone. Ariel barely had time to catch her breath before Holly grabbed her waist with both hands, firm and desperate, and pulled her close.

  Ariel gasped, laughter bubbling up in her throat, but it was swallowed instantly as Holly kissed her. The kind of kiss that was deep, lingering, and full-bodied. The kind that left no air between them. Holly pressed forward until Ariel could feel the solid weight of her against her front, the satin of her dress shifting under the pressure of Holly’s hands.

  Ariel let out a muffled sound, almost a laugh, almost a sob, and then melted entirely. She threw her arms around Holly, elbows hooking tight around the back of Holly’s neck, pulling her in even closer. She leaned into her so hard her bouquet slipped from her hand, tumbling silently to the ground.

  The kiss went on, stretching, deepening. Their tears mingled, their breaths hitching. Holly’s grip on Ariel’s waist tightened like she was afraid to let go, like the whole world might try to steal this moment away if she eased up even an inch.

  Finally, slowly, reluctantly, they parted. Their lips brushed once, twice, before separating. Ariel rested her forehead against Holly’s, her breath shaky and hot against Holly’s lips.

  They both giggled then. Quiet at first, then growing into breathless laughter, the sound laced with tears and joy.

  “Oh my God,” Holly whispered, her voice trembling with exhilaration. “Red, we just… we just did it. We’re married.”

  Ariel’s lips curved, her eyes wet as she let out a disbelieving laugh. “We’re married. Holly, we’re actually married.”

  Holly pulled back a fraction, just enough to look at her properly, drinking her in. “You are so beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful in my life.”

  Ariel’s smile quivered, and she let out a teary laugh. “Don’t make me cry again, I just got fixed up.”

  Holly chuckled, brushing her thumbs along Ariel’s damp cheeks. “Too late. Besides, you’re the most gorgeous crier I’ve ever seen.”

  Ariel rolled her eyes, leaning closer, her voice thick with emotion. “You know… I kept thinking that if I believed in this day too much, it would disappear. That I’d wake up alone again. But here you are.” She squeezed Holly’s neck tighter. “Here you are.”

  Holly’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, her eyes shining. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me now. Wife.”

  That word landed between them like a firework. Ariel laughed again, loud and bubbling, her arms tightening around Holly’s neck. “Say it again.”

  Holly grinned, lowering her voice to a husky whisper. “Wife.”

  Ariel shivered, closing her eyes, overwhelmed. “God, you’re so beautiful. I love you.”

  “I love you more,” Holly shot back immediately, brushing a quick, playful kiss against Ariel’s lips.

  “Not a chance,” Ariel retorted, her smile wide and giddy, tears streaming freely again.

  They dissolved into giddy laughter once more, pressed so close their foreheads bumped. Every inch of them hummed with adrenaline, with joy, with the sheer impossibility of having everything they had once only dreamed of.

  For a long, quiet moment, they just stood there, foreheads touching, breathing each other in, the roar of the crowd beyond the divider a distant heartbeat to their own.

  The minutes slipped away behind the divider, Ariel and Holly wrapped in their own little world, whispering, laughing, occasionally stealing another long kiss, neither of them willing to let go of the other’s hands for even a moment.

  It was Jordan who finally broke through. His voice, warm and steady, carried around the corner before he appeared. “Hey, love birds. I figured I’d have to come drag you out eventually.”

  Ariel flushed, giggling, and Holly smirked, her hand still tight at Ariel’s waist.

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  “Give us a break, we just got married,” Holly said.

  Jordan shook his head but grinned, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Reception’s all set. You ready?”

  Ariel and Holly exchanged a look, a quick squeeze of fingers, then both nodded in unison.

  They moved up to the edge of the divider, listening as Jordan’s footsteps carried away. The low hum of conversation from the guests outside shifted into a hush as he took the mic.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Jordan said, his voice amplified, clear and bright. “Please put your hands together for the brand-new brides… Ariel McIntyre and Holly Sinclair!”

  The crowd erupted, applause and cheers swelling like a wave. Ariel and Holly stepped out together, hands clasped, both of them beaming. They waved, their eyes sparkling at the sea of their friends, coworkers, and family. Then, grinning like conspirators, they glanced at each other and, in perfect sync, they struck a magical girl pose, Ariel with her bouquet held aloft like a staff, Holly with one arm thrown dramatically across her chest and the other pointed skyward.

  The crowd lost it. Laughter, whoops, clapping: it all rolled through the park like thunder. Ariel and Holly held the pose for a few long, glorious seconds, grinning through the cheers, before breaking into laughter and hurrying together down the aisle hand in hand.

  The space beyond had transformed: tables and chairs were set neatly on either side of the central aisle, leaving an open space in the middle for dancing. Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, glowing gently as the daylight began to soften. Buffet tables lined one side, where the catering team was setting out chafing dishes and trays, steam curling upward as the aromas of roasted meats, fresh bread, and rich sauces began to fill the air.

  As Ariel and Holly moved through the space, their guests clapped them on the shoulders, hugged them quickly, offered words of congratulations that blurred into one joyous chorus. Ariel could barely keep her head up under the weight of all the love pressing in on them, but she was smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. Holly laughed, her arm wrapped firmly around Ariel’s back, guiding her through the flow of bodies like she was a compass in the chaos.

  The reception was alive already, even before the first plate was filled. Music drifted from the speakers, a lively instrumental that had people swaying in their chairs. The scent of garlic and herbs grew richer by the minute as servers pulled lids from the buffet trays. The space glowed—from the soft light overhead, from the flowers woven into the centerpieces, and most of all, from the sheer warmth of everyone gathered.

  And in the center of it all, Ariel and Holly stood together, hand in hand, their hearts still racing from the aisle walk and their magical girl flourish.

  The buzz of conversation softened as the music shifted. The first notes of the chosen song drifted through the speakers—an orchestral track from a beloved video game, slow and tender, the kind of melody that wrapped itself around the heart like a memory. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t showy. It was personal.

  Jordan’s voice came over the mic, warm and teasing. “All right, folks! Let’s clear the floor and give these two their moment.”

  Guests pushed their chairs back, the open space between the tables quickly widening as people gathered at the edges with smiles and phones at the ready. Ariel and Holly moved hand in hand to the center of the floor, their steps measured, their eyes locked on each other as if no one else existed.

  The music swelled, and Holly gently slid her hands to Ariel’s waist, her fingers pressing into the soft satin of her gown. Ariel’s arms lifted around Holly’s shoulders, her bouquet already left behind on a table, freeing her to lean in fully. They began to sway, slow and steady, bodies moving together in an easy rhythm.

  Ariel’s cheeks glowed as Holly drew her just a little closer, her lips pulling into a smile. “Relax,” Holly whispered softly against her ear. “Just follow me.”

  Ariel chuckled breathlessly. “Always.”

  They moved in slow circles, their steps light, unhurried. Ariel’s gown flowed with every shift, the lace flowers threaded into her hair catching the string lights above. Holly’s violet suit shimmered faintly under the warm glow, her long, golden hair swinging gently down her back. The melody rose around them, and Holly, with a mischievous grin, lifted one hand from Ariel’s waist to clasp her fingers, spinning her outward.

  Ariel let out a startled laugh as her dress flared around her legs, the twirl catching her by surprise, but her face was pure joy when she landed back in Holly’s arms. The crowd cheered, a ripple of laughter and applause running through them, but Ariel only had eyes for Holly.

  They swayed again, slower now, foreheads brushing, eyes half-lidded as the music moved into its softest passage. Then, just as the song began to rise once more, Holly whispered, “Ready?”

  Ariel blinked, unsure, until Holly gave her a sly wink. And then, Ariel took control. Her hands slipped firmly onto Holly’s waist, her stance steady, her confidence blooming. Holly’s brows arched, delighted, as Ariel bent her slightly back and dipped her.

  The crowd cheered wildly as Ariel leaned down, her curls falling forward, and pressed her lips firmly to Holly’s—deep, certain, brimming with triumph and love. Holly’s free hand cupped the side of Ariel’s face as she melted into it, laughing softly against her lips even as tears streaked her cheeks again.

  When Ariel finally drew her upright, the song’s final note lingered in the air, the crowd exploding into applause. Phones flashed, hands clapped, whistles cut through the roar.

  Ariel and Holly held each other close, both breathless, both laughing through tears, the world spinning around them.

  And in that moment beneath the lights, the music, and the love of everyone they held dear, it was clear: this was only the first of a thousand dances they would share.