As we made our way to the gathered couples in the courtyard, Yve’s mother met us in the middle and pressed a folded embroidered handkerchief into her hand. “Your something borrowed.”

Yve hugged her mother, and while their relationship had been rocky ever since Jay Haines’s death, at least they were beginning to have one. Years of silence on both their parts had created a large divide to be crossed. But slowly, it was happening.

“I’m proud of you, Yvonne,” her mother said, and Yve pressed the handkerchief to her eyes to dab away the forming tears.

“Thank you, Mama.”

“So, are we having a wedding tonight?” the officiant asked as he came to stand before us.

I looked at Yve.

She’d blinked back the tears, and a smile graced her face as she nodded. “Yes, sir. I believe we are.”

We locked hands and stood before him.

“Wait, your something new,” Elle interrupted, hurrying toward us. She held out a silver chain with a charm.

Yve took it from her. It was a glass slipper. She looked at her former employee and tears welled again. She pulled Elle in for a hug.

“When he said you were wearing the Cinderella dress, I couldn’t resist. Love you, babe.”

“Love you too.”

Elle stepped back, and I clasped the necklace around Yve’s neck.

“Are we ready?” the officiant asked.

Yve threaded her fingers through mine and squeezed. “Yes, sir, we are,” she said, staring into my eyes. “Ready for forever.”

And we were—ready for a forever where our scars didn’t define us, but reminded us of how far we’d come and what we’d conquered to be together.

THE END