Bella stood on the balcony of her room, gazing at the sky. Her thoughts wandered back to the rooftop of the training camp, where she would spend countless hours at night staring at the moon and stars — her only comfort in that unfamiliar place.
But tonight, a storm raged within her. In just a few moments, so much had changed… and so much more was about to.
She suddenly became aware of footsteps approaching. Noah came to stand beside her.
"What's got you so lost in thought?" he asked gently.
Bella turned to look at him but said nothing.
He spoke again, more quietly this time.
"This decision… it's not that difficult for you, is it? You like Ethan."
Bella let out a soft sigh before replying,
"Everything is happening so fast. I can't seem to make sense of it all. Why did Dad make this decision so suddenly…"
Noah placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, pulling her into a brief side hug.
"I'm sure Uncle Luke thought this through. You like Ethan, and he likes you — so what's the problem? When Uncle Luke was hospitalized, Ethan was there. He didn't leave his side until he saw him. He kept calling me, asking about you over and over."
"But…" Bella began, only for Noah to gently interrupt.
"Are you not happy with Uncle Luke's decision?"
She shook her head.
"It's not that. I'm just saying… it all feels so sudden."
Noah smiled softly.
"Then maybe that's a good thing. You'll have time to truly get to know each other. It's just the registration for now. The celebration and all the wedding traditions will come after your training is done. And hey—" he added with a wink, "I'm here, your dearest best friend. Always by your side."
Bella finally smiled and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug.
**************************************************************************************
The next day, the Grey family arrived at the O'Brien house. Everyone was gathered in the sitting area, engaged in warm, polite conversation.
Bella couldn't help but notice — Ethan Grey looked… different today.
It had been days since she'd seen him in anything other than his SID uniform. But today, dressed in formal clothes, he looked like someone entirely new. His black, silky hair was neatly styled with gel, every strand perfectly in place and catching the light as it shone. His deep, dark eyes held a calm intensity, and that effortless smile — it lit up his already striking face, making it hard for Bella to look away.
Anna, Ethan's mother, spoke up with a gentle smile.
"So, tomorrow we'll invite the marriage attorney over here to complete the civil registration," she said. "It's easier to do it at home — safer, and more comfortable for Luke, especially since the doctors have advised him to avoid too much movement for now. What do you think, White?"
White gave a calm nod.
"I have no objections. We'll keep it small — just a quiet gathering with family. And the day after tomorrow, Bella needs to return to the training camp anyway."
Everyone agreed with a few nods and smiles.
Saaz, August, Clary, and Simon stepped forward to congratulate Ethan, exchanging jokes and hugs, making the atmosphere light again.
But through it all, Ethan hadn't looked at Bella — not even once.
And when he finally did… she wasn't looking at him. She sat beside White, her head slightly bowed, absentmindedly fidgeting with her fingers.
Ethan recognized the gesture instantly.
She only did that when she was confused.
************************************************************************************
As planned, the next day, the marriage registration was completed without a hitch. The Lightwood family was also present, adding their usual warmth and liveliness to the occasion.
Throughout the formalities, Noah stood beside Bella — calm, steady, and quietly supportive.
When everything was finally done, Luke stepped forward and wrapped Bella in a gentle embrace.
"I wish you a life full of happiness," he whispered.
Tears stung Bella's eyes.
For the first time, she truly felt it — a connection that hadn't always been there. She and Luke had never been especially close. Among her Parents, it was White — she'd always been the closest to. Luke had always been a figure of strength, a role model she admired from a distance, not someone she ever expected to show softness.
But ever since that night — the incident, the bullet — something had shifted. Luke had begun letting his emotions surface. The man who once kept everything locked tightly inside now held her with a tenderness.
Then, Luke turned to White.
He hugged him tightly, kissed his cheek, and said in a low voice, full of quiet affection,
"You… and our kids… are the greatest gift of my life."
From behind them, Clary, Simon, August, Saaz, and Noah immediately burst into a loud, dramatic chorus of
"OHHHHHHH!"
White, slightly flustered but glowing, smiled shyly — the kind of smile that only comes when love is loud and undeniable.