The wedding was simple
No cameras
No grand venue
Only those who mattered
Emma stood in front of a mirror
Wearing a white dress
Not one made for display
But one made for truth
Beside her
Ava helped fasten the back
You look beautiful
Emma smiled
I feel peaceful
For the first time in so long
In the living room
Damon stood in a black suit
He waited
Nervous hands folded behind his back
No crowd
Just Leo
Ava
And a few trusted friends
The minister stood with a calm smile
Holding a small book
Not to impress
But to unite
Emma stepped into the room
Every head turned
But Damon's eyes were the only ones she felt
He could not breathe for a moment
He had seen her in so many forms
Fighting
Crying
Defiant
But this version silenced everything
She walked to him
Each step slow
Steady
Meaningful
They stood face to face
No music
Just quiet
The minister spoke
Today is not a celebration of perfection
It is a commitment between two souls
Who found each other in chaos
And chose peace
Damon took her hands
They were cold but firm
He looked into her eyes
I was raised in silence
Trained in control
But the moment I met you
Everything changed
You forced me to feel
To speak
To care
And now
I never want to live another day without your voice beside me
Emma blinked tears away
I was lost in fear
In survival
But you stood between me and every storm
Even when I hated you
You never left
Now I understand
That love is not made in safety
But in fire
The minister nodded
Do you both promise to walk forward
Together
Even when the path disappears
They answered
Yes
Do you both promise to choose one another
Even when the world tries to divide you
Yes
Then I now declare you bonded
By choice
By strength
By love
You may seal this truth with a kiss
Damon leaned forward
Emma met him halfway
Their lips touched
And everything else disappeared
Later that night
They returned home
Not as strangers
Not as survivors
But as something more
He helped her out of the dress
She held his hand
They stood in the quiet bedroom
No rush
No performance
He kissed her shoulder
She leaned into his chest
They lay down together
The city glowing outside
But they needed no light
Emma whispered
Do you remember when I first moved into this place
I hated you
He smiled
I remember
You threatened to stab me with a fork
She laughed
You deserved it
They both laughed quietly
Until silence wrapped around them again
He ran a hand along her side
Her body warm
Her breathing steady
She turned to face him
Do you still think you are a monster
He paused
Sometimes
She touched his cheek
You are not
You are a man who was hurt
And you chose to heal instead of destroy
He kissed her again
Not hard
Not desperate
But with reverence
The night passed slowly
Their hands never parted
Sleep came like a promise
Not an escape
In the morning
Emma woke first
She watched him
The hard lines of his face soft in sleep
She felt the baby move
A soft flutter inside
Life
New and unbroken
She whispered to the child
You are safe now
We are safe
Damon opened his eyes
Looked at her
Good morning wife
She smiled
Good morning husband
They made breakfast together
Pancakes
Fruit
Silence filled with meaning
Later
They visited the Hope Sanctuary
A group of children ran up to Emma
Hugging her legs
Smiling
Laughing
She knelt and hugged each one
Her voice soft
Her eyes full
A young girl tugged her sleeve
Is he your prince
Emma looked back at Damon
He is more than that
He is the man who saved my heart
Damon knelt beside her
The girl tilted her head
Do you have a baby inside
Emma nodded
Yes
The girl clapped
I hope she is a girl
Girls are strong
Emma laughed
Damon smiled quietly
They left the Sanctuary late in the afternoon
Driving slowly through the city
Emma rested her head against the car window
Sometimes I think about Marcus
About what he did
Damon kept his eyes on the road
I do too
But we beat him
Not by becoming like him
But by surviving him
Emma closed her eyes
I do not want to live in fear anymore
You never will again
At home
They stood on the balcony
Watching the sky fade into dusk
Emma whispered
Do you think our child will understand what we went through
Damon wrapped his arms around her
No
And I hope they never have to
She leaned back into him
The city was quiet
For now
The past was buried
The present was full
And the future was waiting