WHEN FOREVER BEGINS #2
“Touché,” Lennon shoots back, and the rest of the band encourages him with a round of laughter.
The mood is light, celebratory, and I realize, standing here, that this is exactly how I imagined our wedding would feel.
Intimate, yes, but full of love and laughter—the way we are when we’re surrounded by our true family.
Declan leans in close again, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he speaks. “You ready for the reception, babe?”
I nod, though my mind is still half-lost in the whirlwind of what just happened. We’re married. Declan is my husband. I’m officially his. The thought repeats in my head on a loop, making it hard to focus on anything else. But I shake myself free of it, grinning up at him.
“I’m ready,” I tell him, and he pulls me in for one more quick kiss before he leads me to the reception space with his hand in mine.
The tables are modestly decorated with white roses and candles that flicker in the warm breeze. The ocean stretches out behind us, a shimmering backdrop to the evening, its steady rhythm in sync with the beating of my heart.
The guests erupt again as we emerge into the reception hand in hand. It’s overwhelming—in the best possible way. Declan squeezes my hand, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of it as we move to the head table, which is more of a casual setting with cozy chairs facing toward our guests.
The first course is served—something fancy with scallops and a delicate white sauce. I barely taste it, though. I’m too busy stealing glances at Declan, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he’s now my husband.
Husband. The word feels new, foreign, but at the same time, it’s always felt right. Like this was meant to happen from the moment we met.
After dinner, the speeches begin. Lennon is first, of course, and he takes full advantage of the spotlight, telling stories from the early days of Orion Skye—some I’m pretty sure are exaggerated yet just as hilarious.
Declan laughs beside me, shaking his head and blushing at some of the wilder tales, but I can see the affection in his eyes.
Lennon is family, in every way that matters.
“I remember when Declan first told me about Savion,” Lennon says, grinning my way.
“I thought he was joking. I mean, a paleontologist? The guy who spends his life with rock fossils dating a rock star? Seemed a little too on the nose, you know? But then... then I met Savion, and I got it. He’s the real deal.
The guy who could take Declan’s crazy life and somehow make it better.
So here’s to Savion—our new favorite in-law. May you survive this crazy ride.”
Everyone raises their glasses, and I find myself laughing along with them, but my heart feels so full I think I might cry. I catch Declan’s eye again, and the warmth in his gaze makes me feel like I’m glowing from the inside out.
The toasts continue, but I hardly register each one of them until it gets to Kelly. She stands up, glass in hand, her voice quivering slightly.
“Savion, I’ve always been so proud of you.
Not just for everything you’ve accomplished in your career, but for the person you are.
And when you met Declan, I saw something change in you.
You became... brighter. Happier. More you.
I don’t know how else to describe it. You’re my best friend, and seeing you find someone who makes you feel this complete, this loved...
it’s everything I ever wanted for you. Maybe that's why this feels like the best gift I’ve received this Christmas.
Declan, thank you for being that person for him.
I know you two are going to have a beautiful life together. ”
My own throat tightens at the waver in her voice. I haul her into a hug, met with a round of applause in response. She pats her eyes dry, giving me a teary smile before stepping back, and I see Declan’s eyes glassy with emotion.
As the applause fades, Lennon rises from his chair again, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright," he says, tapping his champagne glass with a fork. "As best man, I figure I've earned the right to hijack the schedule."
A ripple of laughter moves through the guests.
"But as lead singer of Orion Skye..." He looks toward Lars and Jazz. "...I figured we'd give the newlyweds a wedding present they won't find on any registry."
Two members of the resort staff emerge, one carrying an acoustic guitar, the other a bass.
They hand them to Lars and Jazz respectively before slipping quietly back into the crowd.
Near the dance floor, the venue's sound technician exchanges a nod with Lennon and adjusts a few settings at the mixing board.
I blink at Declan. "You knew about this?"
His grin answers before he does. "I might've had a suspicion."
Lennon steps up to the microphone. "Dec's usually standing up here with us. Tonight, though..." He looks over at us and grins. "Tonight, he's exactly where he belongs."
The guests applaud.
"So this one's for our brother... and his husband."
The words settle warmly in my chest. Lennon nods to Lars and the first familiar chords fill the evening air.
I know this song—it's one of Orion Skye's biggest hits.
I've heard it on the radio more times than I can count, watched thousands of fans sing every word back to the band.
But tonight it sounds different. Softer.
More intimate. Like it belongs here instead of a sold-out arena.
Declan turns to me before the first verse even begins. "Dance with me, husband." Declan slides one hand to the small of my back while I rest mine on his shoulder. Our fingers intertwine, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moves.
My lips curve before I can stop them.
“I finally get to call you my husband,” he murmurs, resting his forehead against mine as we sway.”
“I like the sound of that.” I smiled. “Say it again.”
“My husband.”
I laugh through the tears. “Yeah... I don't think I'm ever getting tired of hearing that.”
“There were moments I thought this day had been stolen from us.” He swallows. “Getting to stand here with you... I don't think I'll ever stop being grateful.”
I glance toward the stage. Lennon catches my eye and flashes me a grin. Lars is completely lost in the music, fingers drifting over the strings of his acoustic guitar. Jazz stands beside him, smiling as he lays down the bass line, giving me a quick wink when he notices me watching.
My heart squeezes. This band gave me Declan. If Lars hadn't insisted on stopping to look at dinosaurs... if Declan hadn't stayed behind... Our paths might never have crossed.
As though he can sense my roiling thoughts, Declan leans closer. "What are you thinking about?"
I smile up at him. "That I'm really glad Lars only likes dinosaurs when they're chasing Chris Pratt around a theme park."
"He'd probably tell you Chris Pratt deserves all the credit."
I rest my head against his shoulder. "Maybe I should send Chris Pratt a thank-you card."
Declan chuckles. "I don't think he's expecting one."
"Probably not." I look into his eyes. "But somebody set all of this in motion."
Declan gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm just grateful it ended with you."
We fall into a comfortable silence after that, our bodies moving in sync like they always do.
The music wraps around us, but the only thing I’m truly aware of is him—the warmth of his skin, the steady beat of his heart, the scent of him so familiar and comforting.
It’s like we’re in our own little world, and nothing else matters.
As the song winds down, Declan leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “This is just the beginning, Sav. The best is yet to come.”
I nod and allow my eyes to slip shut, letting his words settle deep into my soul. Because I know he’s right. This day—this incredible, surreal, beautiful day—is just the start. There will be challenges, sure. There will be moments when we’ll stumble, when life will throw its hardest punches.
But we’ll get through it. Together.
Declan laces his fingers through mine. "Come on, husband," he says as he takes my hand in his.
I grin. "Husband, huh?"
He smiles. "I'm going to be saying that every chance I get."
"Good." I squeeze his hand. "Because I love the sound of it."
We leave the reception behind, following the lantern-lit path to the private beach bungalow the resort reserved for us.
I glance back one last time at the people who made tonight unforgettable. For so long, I thought my story had ended with loss. Instead, it led me to love, to healing... and to Declan.
Declan catches me looking. "Ready for our next adventure?"
I look at my husband. The man who taught me that scars don't make me less worthy of love. The man who chose me. Every single day. I smile. “With you? Always.”
And as we disappear into the night, I know that this—us—is forever.