25. Liam
Chapter twenty-five
Liam
I’m standing there, my hand in hers, surrounded by the people who were once just strangers to me. But right now, there’s only one thing I care about: her. Lucy.
The woman I’ve been in love with from the moment I first saw her.
The woman I’ve spent weeks, months, denying my feelings for, convincing myself that I wasn’t the kind of man who could have her.
But here she is, standing in front of me, just a few feet away from a future I never thought I’d get to have.
The room is filled with whispers, some confused, some curious, others just taking in the moment, but the noise doesn’t matter. It’s all background noise. The only thing that matters now is her.
“Lucy,” I say, my voice filled with an intensity I can’t even hide. “I don’t care about the world. I don’t care about the money, the pressure, the expectations. I only care about you. About us. I love you.”
Her hand trembles in mine, and I feel her heart racing just as much as mine is. Her eyes are shining, and I know she’s feeling every single emotion I am. The overwhelming relief. The joy. The love.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and drop to one knee, feeling the weight of the moment settle around me. I pull out the ring that has been in my dresser drawer from long before she left Ocean Bay.
“I don’t want to wait anymore, Lucy. I want you to be my forever. Will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man alive and share your life with me?”
I see the surprise flicker in her eyes, but there’s no hesitation in her response. She doesn’t look confused or unsure. She looks like she’s been waiting for this moment just as long as I have.
“Yes,” she whispers, her voice full of emotion, so soft and clear that it rings in my ears. “Yes, I will.”
And just like that, everything falls into place. The world slows, and all I can feel is her, her warmth, her love. The overwhelming relief that she’s mine, that we’ve both found each other in this chaos of a world.
I stand up, pulling her into my arms, and kiss her like I’ve never kissed anyone before. It’s not a kiss of passion or desire — though there’s plenty of that. It’s a kiss of pure love. A kiss that promises forever.
Her hands clutch at my jacket, and I pull her closer, as if there’s no space in the world that could exist between us. There’s only this moment. Only us.
We pull away slowly, and I rest my forehead against hers, feeling the steady rhythm of her breath, the soft sound of her heartbeat against my chest.
“I can’t believe this is real,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I never thought this would happen.”
I smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’ve been my dream from the beginning, Lucy. I’m just glad I didn’t miss my chance.”
Her eyes flicker with something — a vulnerability, a relief — but there’s no doubt in them. There’s no second-guessing, no pulling away.
“I love you,” she says, her voice so sincere that it feels like a promise.
“I love you too,” I reply, pressing my lips to her forehead. “And I always will.”
I pull away slightly to look at her again, my heart swelling. It’s overwhelming, in the best way. I never thought I’d get here, never thought this would be my reality, but now that it is, I don’t ever want to let it go.
“You’re my everything,” I say quietly, my voice thick with all the emotions I’ve been holding back. “And I promise, I’ll never stop showing you that.”
She nods, a soft smile curving her lips, and for the first time in my life, I feel at peace. Like the storm inside me has finally calmed. I’ve found what I’ve been looking for all these years.
We stand there, together, knowing this is just the beginning.
This isn’t the end. This is only the beginning of our forever.
***
It’s only a few weeks later, and I can’t believe this is happening.
It feels like I’m living in a dream, but everything around me is so vivid, so real.
The sun is low on the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over Ocean Bay, the perfect backdrop for the day that will change our lives forever.
The gentle waves lap at the shore, the air is crisp and clean, and there’s a feeling of magic in the air.
I stand at the front of the makeshift aisle on the beach, my heart racing with excitement.
Every inch of this moment feels sacred. Every breath I take feels like a promise to her, to us, to the life we’re about to build.
I glance at my friends — Bryan, Nate, and Emma — standing beside me, smiling, their eyes full of pride and love.
This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for, for so long.
The minister stands ready, a kind, smiling man who’s been a part of this community for years. He’s ready to seal this moment, but my mind can’t focus on anything except her.
And then, I hear the soft hum of the music begin.
The crowd falls quiet, but I don’t need to look around. I can feel her coming. I can feel the air shift.
My heart skips a beat as I see her.
Lucy.
She’s standing at the end of the aisle, her father by her side, her arm linked with his.
My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, the world feels like it’s spinning, but in the best possible way.
She looks breathtaking, the woman of my dreams, and she’s walking toward me like a vision — calm and beautiful, yet radiant, as if she’s glowing from within.
Her pale pink dress flows around her in delicate waves, the lace and satin catching the sunlight. The veil is held gently in place, framing her face. She’s smiling, but I can see the slight tremble in her lips, the quiet excitement and nerves mingling.
And then I see them — Pip and Nibbs. Of course, how could I not have known?
The ferrets, dressed in tiny, custom-made tuxedos, trotting down the aisle ahead of Lucy, each one carrying a small cushion with the rings perched delicately on top.
They’re the perfect touch, adding a sense of whimsy and charm to the ceremony.
The crowd laughs, and I can’t help but grin.
It’s so them — quirky, loving, and entirely fitting for Lucy.
Lucy’s father, James, smiles warmly at me as he gives her hand into mine.
There’s a silent understanding between us.
I know how hard this day must be for him — giving away his daughter, letting her go.
But there’s a sense of acceptance in his eyes, a look that tells me he knows she’s found someone who will love her the way she deserves.
“Take care of her,” he says quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
“I will,” I say, my throat tight. The weight of my promise is heavier than I expected, but I mean it with every fiber of my being.
Lucy smiles up at me, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “I love you,” she whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.
“I love you too,” I reply, my voice raw with emotion. I’ve waited so long for this moment. For her.
As Pastor Jenkins begins the ceremony, everything falls away.
The laughter of the crowd, the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, the soft whispers of the wind.
It’s just Lucy and me. We stand in front of each other, hands clasped together, our eyes locked in a gaze that feels like home. And then he asks for our vows.
Lucy, From the moment you got tangled up in those leashes on the pier and I took a dive for those fuzzy critters that were trying hard to take a dive, I knew two things:One — you were absolutely, adorably unlike anyone I’d ever met.And two — I was a goner.
You’ve seen the worst of my coding meltdowns, my ridiculous pranks, and my attempts at dog yoga. You’ve met every version of me — and somehow, you still chose this version today.
I vow to always be your biggest fan — in work, in wonder, in wildly over-the-top ideas. I promise to never stop making you laugh, even if it means dressing up like a ferret on your birthday.
I’ll carry snacks in my pockets for the animals, hold your hand when the world gets too loud, and dance with you in the kitchen — always offbeat, always together.
You are my calm and my chaos, my muse and my safe place. And I promise to spend forever figuring out how to love you better — with whimsy, wonder, and every bit of my heart.
I love you, Lucy. Wildly, endlessly, and joyfully.
And as I look into her eyes, she tells me this.
Liam, I used to think love was something quiet. Safe. Predictable. Like a cup of tea and a good book.
And then you showed up — all mischief and mystery and monologues to my ferret kids. You were unexpected… and unforgettable.
I love the way you see the world — like it’s full of magic just waiting to be coded. I love the way you look at me — like I’m the best surprise you've ever unwrapped.
I promise to be your anchor when the world spins too fast — and your partner in chaos when you want to build a catapult in the backyard.
I vow to make space for all your dreams — even the ones with lasers and glitter. To kiss you awake with coffee breath. To walk beside you, hand in hand, through every joy and every storm.
Loving you has been the grandest, quirkiest adventure of my life. And I can’t wait to write the next chapter — side by side, heart to heart, wi-fi or no wi-fi.
I love you, Liam. Always .
And then, when the minister pronounces us husband and wife, I can’t stop the goofy smile that spreads across my face. I lean in, my heart pounding in my chest, and kiss her — gently at first, then deeper, as if we’ve been holding this moment inside for far too long.
The crowd erupts in applause, but all I can hear is the sound of her breath, the softness of her touch as she wraps her arms around me.
The world is ours now.
As we pull away from the kiss, I hear shouting.
“Congratulations, you two!”
I look up and see Nate and Bryan grinning widely, their arms raised in celebration. But it’s not just the cheers or the applause that make this moment perfect. It’s the way Lucy looks at me, like she’s seeing me for the first time all over again.
We walk down the aisle together, hand in hand, our hearts in sync. The ferrets trot beside us, their tiny tuxedos causing even more laughter from the crowd.
We reach the reception area, where our friends and family are waiting. The sun has dipped below the horizon now, and the glow of the string lights above us adds a soft, romantic glow to the evening. I pull Lucy close, my arm around her waist, and feel the warmth of her body against mine.
I can’t stop smiling. I don’t think I ever will.
“We did it,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper, but full of everything we’ve both been holding inside.
“We sure did,” I say, my lips brushing against her forehead. “We’re married.”
Her eyes sparkle with happiness. “I’m yours.”
“I’m yours too,” I reply, my voice full of emotion.
The night unfolds with laughter, dancing, and stories shared under the stars. The quiet moments are just as special as the loud ones. It’s simple. It’s perfect.
At one point, we steal away to the edge of the beach, just the two of us. The waves crash softly, and the moonlight illuminates her face as she looks at me, her eyes full of the love I’ve waited for my whole life.
“I never thought I’d get here,” she says softly, her voice filled with wonder. “I never thought I’d have this. And you.”
“You have everything now,” I say, my hand gently cupping her cheek. “Yes, you have me.”
She leans into my touch, her heart beating in perfect rhythm with mine. “And I’ll never leave you,” she whispers.
The night stretches on, but in that moment, I know we’ve created something more than just a wedding.
We’ve built a life, together. A life that’s full of love, laughter, and the kind of happiness that doesn’t come from money or status — but from the simple, powerful connection between two people who are meant to be.
I kiss her again, and the world feels complete.
This is it. This is our forever.
And I can’t wait to live it with her.