Until My Last Breath
1154 Words
Two Months Later
The Cole Estate
New York City
Adrian Cole — 27
Marcus Bennett — 28
Sarah Bennett — 26
Kai Bennett — 8
Eleanor Cole — 26
⸻
People often said weddings were chaotic.
They were wrong.
Chaos implied there was some sort of order trying to exist.
This…
This was complete madness.
“Where are the rings?”
“I had them!”
“No, you gave them to Sarah.”
“I absolutely did not!”
“I watched you!”
Marcus rubbed both hands over his face.
“It is eight o’clock in the morning.”
“Why is everyone shouting already?”
⸻
Upstairs…
Eleanor stood in front of the mirror.
The room buzzed around her.
Bridesmaids adjusted her veil.
Someone fixed the train of her dress.
Someone else searched for a missing earring.
Yet Eleanor barely noticed any of it.
She simply stared at her reflection.
Sarah appeared behind her.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
Sarah smiled.
“Good.”
Eleanor frowned.
“Good?”
“It means this matters.”
Sarah stepped beside her.
“You know…”
“The first time Adrian came to dinner after meeting you…”
Eleanor looked over.
“…he smiled before he even walked through the door.”
“He did?”
Sarah nodded.
“He didn’t even realize he was smiling.”
A tear escaped Eleanor’s eye before she could stop it.
“I don’t deserve him.”
Sarah immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“You don’t say that.”
Eleanor looked down.
“You deserve each other.”
⸻
Across the estate…
Adrian adjusted his cufflinks for what felt like the hundredth time.
Marcus watched him from the doorway.
“I’ve seen you negotiate billion-dollar mergers.”
Adrian didn’t answer.
“I’ve seen you stand in front of investors who wanted your company.”
Still nothing.
Marcus grinned.
“But one wedding has you terrified.”
Adrian exhaled slowly.
“What if she changes her mind?”
Marcus blinked.
“…You’re serious.”
“What if she realizes she could’ve done better?”
Marcus burst into laughter.
Adrian frowned.
“I’m glad my panic amuses you.”
Marcus walked over and straightened Adrian’s tie.
“Listen to me.”
Adrian met his eyes.
“That woman looked at you…”
“…and chose you.”
“Not your money.”
“Not your name.”
“You.”
Marcus smiled.
“So stop overthinking.”
“For once in your life…”
“…just be happy.”
⸻
Outside…
Kai stood proudly in front of a full-length mirror.
His tiny black tuxedo fit perfectly.
The sunglasses, however…
Were enormous.
Marcus looked at him.
“You know you’re indoors.”
Kai nodded.
“I know.”
“So why are you wearing sunglasses?”
“’Cause Uncle Adrian said I have an important job.”
“And important people wear sunglasses.”
Marcus sighed.
“I suppose they do.”
Kai grinned.
“I look cool.”
“You look like a tiny bodyguard.”
“I AM.”
⸻
Guests filled every seat.
Soft music drifted through the gardens.
White roses lined the aisle.
The afternoon breeze carried the scent of lavender.
Adrian stood at the altar.
His hands trembled.
Marcus leaned closer.
“Breathe.”
“I’m trying.”
“You look like you’re about to faint.”
“I might.”
⸻
Then…
The music changed.
Every conversation stopped.
Every head turned.
Eleanor appeared at the end of the aisle.
For a moment…
Time forgot how to move.
She wasn’t simply beautiful.
She was home.
Adrian felt something tighten painfully in his chest.
Marcus looked at him.
“You okay?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
He couldn’t.
His entire world was walking toward him.
⸻
Kai walked proudly ahead of Eleanor.
Halfway down the aisle…
He stopped.
Everyone frowned.
Kai turned around.
Looked at Eleanor.
Then back at Adrian.
He hurried the rest of the way.
“Uncle Adrian.”
Adrian leaned down.
“What is it?”
Kai whispered loudly enough for the front rows to hear,
“You still can’t marry me?”
A heartbeat of silence.
Then…
Laughter swept through the entire garden.
Even the officiant laughed.
Adrian kissed Kai’s forehead.
“I’m still only allowed one.”
Kai sighed dramatically.
“I had to check.”
⸻
The ceremony continued.
When it came time for the vows…
Adrian took Eleanor’s hands.
His voice shook.
“I spent my whole life believing strength meant standing alone.”
He smiled through tears.
“Then I met you.”
“You taught me that love isn’t loud.”
“It isn’t perfect.”
“It isn’t found in grand gestures.”
“It’s Sunday breakfasts.”
“It’s waiting up for each other.”
“It’s laughing over burnt cookies.”
“It’s choosing the same person…”
“…every single day.”
A tear slipped down Eleanor’s cheek.
“And I promise…”
“…to choose you.”
“Every morning.”
“Every evening.”
“Every ordinary day in between.”
“For as long as I live.”
⸻
When Eleanor began her vows…
Even Marcus had to look away.
“You once told me…”
“…that you didn’t know how to stop working.”
She smiled.
“So I made it my mission…”
“…to teach you how to come home.”
She squeezed his hands.
“I promise…”
“…to keep reminding you.”
“No matter how busy life becomes…”
“…there will always be someone waiting.”
“You’ll never have to carry the world alone again.”
⸻
“I now pronounce you…”
“…husband and wife.”
Applause erupted.
Adrian didn’t wait.
He pulled Eleanor into his arms.
And kissed her.
Cheers echoed through the gardens.
Kai covered his eyes dramatically.
“Eww.”
Marcus laughed.
“You wanted to marry him five minutes ago.”
“That was before the kissing.”
⸻
That evening…
The reception glowed beneath thousands of warm lights.
Music filled the air.
Laughter floated across the gardens.
Kai danced with Sarah.
Marcus teased Adrian relentlessly.
Eleanor looked happier than she’d ever been.
As the night wore on…
She stepped onto the balcony overlooking the celebration.
Adrian joined her moments later.
“Running away from your own wedding?”
She smiled.
“Just needed a minute.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist.
They watched the lights below in comfortable silence.
Then Eleanor rested a hand over his.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“No matter what life throws at us…”
“…don’t stop loving like this.”
Adrian kissed her forehead.
“I couldn’t.”
“Not even if I tried.”
Far below…
The music continued.
The laughter echoed.
The stars shone brightly above them.
- Writer
