Chapter 47
JIYA
Ibrought the wedding date forward.
With my hand resting on Jack’s arm, I walked out through the backyard doors.
The air was cool, touched by the softness of spring, and the sky was slowly shifting into twilight. Everything felt still, almost as if the world had paused just for this moment.
Emma walked ahead with Julia, Cole’s niece, scattering flower petals with tiny hands, their laughter light and carefree. They looked beautiful in their white and lavender dresses, like little pieces of joy leading the way forward.
Lucas followed closely behind, walking with Tristan, holding lavender pillows with the rings placed carefully on top. They looked so grown-up in their tuxedos.
Then I saw him.
Cole.
Standing there, waiting for me.
A soft smile spread across his face as our eyes met, and everything else seemed to blur away.
Cole wore a light olive suit that softened his features, his cheeks slightly flushed, his eyes filled with emotion, and it grounded me instantly.
He looked… gorgeous.
But I could see it.
The toll the cancer had taken on him.
It had spread rapidly.
His body had given up on him, and he was constantly exhausted when he came home from work. Hardly able to keep any food down, his weight had dwindled, and his face was hollow.
But today…
Today was a good day.
And I held onto that.
As I walked toward him, I felt light in my limbs and throughout my body as my heart raced. My breathing slowed as I smiled wistfully at Cole.
Jack placed my hand in Cole’s.
When our fingers touched, something tender unfurled slowly inside me.
I looked up at him and smiled, knowing there was nowhere else in the world I would rather be.
Around us, our families gathered—Jack’s, Elle’s, Liam’s.
Elle stood nearby, my best friend, my maid of honour, her eyes already shining as she took the bouquet of lilies from my hands. She looked stunning in her lavender dress, standing beneath the beautifully decorated lattice arbour adorned with flowers, greenery, and soft linen drapes.
Everything was perfect.
The priest began, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Jiya Flores and Cole Harris.”
I looked at Cole.
He mouthed, I love you.
My chest squeezed.
I was pulled back to the night I had spent alone, angry and broken, standing in a quiet church with no one around.
How could you do this to him? I had cried. How could you take him away from me? I was finally happy. He was finally happy. Why are you doing this?
And then…
That whisper.
It’s not the end, Jiya. This is just the beginning.
I had turned around, searching for someone—anyone—but there had been no one there.
Now, standing here, looking at the man I was about to marry, I finally understood.
This was the beginning.
No matter how much time we had.
I mouthed back, I love you.
“Now for the vows. Jiya…”
My hands tingled as I held his.
“I, Jiya, take you, Cole, to be my husband. To love and to hold from this day forward. I see these vows not as promises, but as privileges.” My chin trembled, but I didn’t stop.
“I choose to live with you… as your lover, your companion, and your friend… loving you when life is peaceful and when it is painful.” My vision blurred slightly.
“I promise to be there with you every step of the way… every day, every minute, and every second. I love you. And that’s the beginning and end of everything. ”
I looked up at him.
His eyes were moist, glistening in the fading light.
And he smiled.
I smiled back, even as tears threatened to fall.
“Now it’s the groom’s turn. Cole…”
“I, Cole, take you, Jiya, to be my wife, to love and to hold from this day forward. Whatever time I have left, I want to spend it with you. You are beautiful inside and out. I vow to kiss you every day as we do today. I vow to love you from today until my last breath.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
“I vow to love our children and spend every waking moment with them. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that I pledge myself to you till death do us part.”
I couldn’t stop the tears now.
As we exchanged rings, a heaviness settled in my chest—a quiet, aching hope for a miracle I prayed for every night. Please… just give us more time.
The priest smiled warmly. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Cole’s lips met mine, and a heartbeat later, the world disappeared again.
It was just us.
The reception unfolded in the backyard, transformed into something magical.
Will and the restaurant staff moved efficiently, clearing the ceremony chairs and setting up for dinner. A long table dressed in white satin, adorned with fresh flowers, candles, and fairy lights, created a glow that felt almost dreamlike.
A small band played softly in the corner, and a photographer moved quietly, capturing every fleeting moment.
Then the music changed.
A singer in a red dress began to sing How Long Will I Love You? by Ellie Goulding.
I looked into Cole’s brilliant blue eyes as we swayed together for our first dance as husband and wife.
I wanted to remember everything.
The scent of his cologne.
The feel of his hair beneath my fingers.
The warmth of his breath against my lips.
The way his arms held me beneath the stars.
Every second.
Every heartbeat.
Because I knew…
Every moment mattered now.