The boulevards of Paris glittered in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, a bustling, vibrant city scene yet still serene in the small spaces of this microcosm. The Eiffel Tower stood proudly in the distance, its majestic silhouette a perfect symbol for their love story—a tale of unexpected beginnings, fierce moments, and, finally, a commitment that would last.
Kasie stood by the window in their small Parisian hotel room, staring out at the city she had come to love. She had never imagined her life unfolding like this—finding love with someone she initially couldn't stand, and yet here she was, about to marry him in the city that had sparked it all. Paris was not only a location; it was the start of who they were.
She averted her gaze from the window and her heart beat against her ribs as her eyes fell on the plain, but beautiful, wedding gown hanging from the doorway. It was a dress that was as much a symbol of who she was now as it was of the journey they'd shared. It wasn't the same woman who had been in Paris months before, nor was Jake. Their love had changed them both—deepened them, challenged them, but also completed them.
With a door opening, Jake stepped in, looking good enough to be the handsome groom she had imagined, wearing a flawlessly fitted suit. He stood there for a moment, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of her.
"Hey," he said, voice thick with emotion. "You okay?"
Kasie smiled, her heart swelling with an overwhelming warmth. "I think I'm more than okay," she replied, her voice shaky with all the feelings she had inside her. "I think I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Jake smiled back, his expression tender. "Me too."
There was a pause between them, a moment where words weren't needed. Their eyes spoke everything—the years they had spent fighting, laughing, growing together. They had moved from strangers, to enemies, to so much more. And now, standing here, poised to marry, they were solid, unbreakable.
"I never imagined this would be our story," Kasie whispered, her voice catching. "Paris wasn't just a trip, was it?"
Jake shook his head slowly, stepping closer to her. "No. It wasn't just a trip. It was the start of the things I never realised I was missing. You."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she could not let them fall, as she gripped his hand as tightly as she could. "I love you," she whispered, the words escaping before she could stop them. "I love you so much."
Jake grasped her hand, quite softly, telling her. "I love you too."
They looked at each other, with shared long, silent moment before Jake cracked it with a soft laugh. "Ready to do this?"
Kasie nodded, her heart in her throat. "Let's do it."
The ceremony:
The chapel was small, quiet secret tucked in a hidden place in Paris, a sanctuary from the usual life in Paris. The stained-glass windows cast a soft fill of light, that brought the room to life in a way that rendered everything magical just a bit more. The air was thick with anticipation, every person present knowing they were witnessing something beautiful.
Kasie's breath caught as she walked down the aisle, her father's arm gently supporting her. The ambience of soft violin sounds filled the space and she gazed into Jake's eyes who stood at the altar for her. The moment was surreal. She couldn't believe this was happening—couldn't believe it was her in that moment, walking toward the man she'd almost hated, the man who had become her whole world.
Jake's eyes never left hers as she approached, his expression full of love and something more—something deep and unspoken that only they shared.
When she reached him, she could barely find the words to express what she was feeling. However, he clasped her hands and all the things that she didn't have to say came rushing back to him.
Their promises were soft spoken to one another, about their future which they would build themselves. Moistening welled up in Kasie's eyes as she spoke, her tone even but her voice betraying her emotion.
Jake," she replied and turned to him, "I have never imagined encountering a person who would challenge me, who would push me to be more and at the same time make me feel more comfortable. You are my home, Jake and I can't imagine my life without you in it.
Jake squeezed her hands, his voice thick with emotion. Kasie, I have no idea how I should be so lucky, but I will vow each day to show you how much I love you. You're everything to me."
The officiant smiled at them and after a pause said, "then husband and wife. Cheers filled the room but all Kasie heard was the resonant thump of her pulse and the murmuring exhalation of Jake interflowing with her own.
The First Kiss:
As the officiant smiled and pronounced them married, Kasie felt a quiet thrill spread through her. This was it. The moment they'd been building toward.
Jake cupped her face with his hands, fingers touching her with a gentle warmth. She gazed up at him, feeling her heart race as he leaned in, his lips brushing hers in the softest kiss. The kiss was slow, soft, yet every thought that they ever expressed to each other was there. It wasn't about the kiss—it was about the promise it carried.
As soon as they parted, the world dissolved into the background. There was only Jake, only Kasie, only Paris.
And then, as if on cue, Kasie's voice broke the silence, the words coming out before she even realized she'd said them.
"Now we are stuck together this time, forever."