The twilight deepened over the Colorado lakeside beach, the sun's final rays surrendering to a canvas of indigo sky dotted with emerging stars. Our wedding reception unfolded like a dream under strings of fairy lights strung between palm-like mountain aspens, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the sandy dance floor.
Tables groaned with catered delights, fresh seafood, vibrant salads, and that berry-filled cake we'd cut earlier, its sweetness still lingering on my lips. Laughter and music filled the air, the quartet shifting to upbeat tunes as guests mingled, their faces alight with joy. At seven months pregnant, I felt a gentle fatigue settling in, but the adrenaline of the day, and Elias's unwavering presence, kept me buoyant.
My ivory gown whispered against the sand as Elias led
