The wedding celebrations had begun to wind down. The laughter and music had softened to a gentle hum as guests started saying their goodbyes. Aaron and Amy stood near the exit, glowing with happiness as they thanked everyone for coming.
John and Athena approached them, walking side by side. John, towering over most of the crowd, had his signature calm and slightly amused expression, while Athena, as always, radiated her confident, badass vibe.
"Look at you two," John said as they reached the couple. "Still standing after an entire day of smiling, greeting, and dancing. Impressive."
Aaron chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Barely. I think my face might be permanently stuck in this smile."
Amy leaned against Aaron, her eyes sparkling. "Totally worth it, though."
John smirked. "Well, we'd better leave you two to it. Unless, of course..." He paused dramatically, his deep voice laced with mischief. "You want us to remain available till your honeymoon?"
Aaron groaned, but a grin spread across his face. "You're impossible."
Amy laughed, nudging Aaron playfully. "Honestly, we could use the entertainment."
John leaned in, giving Aaron a firm, brotherly hug. "If you're free," Aaron said quietly, a hint of genuine emotion in his voice.
"Always," John replied, patting Aaron on the back.
Then he turned to Amy and gave her a quick, gentle hug. "Take care of him," John said with a smirk. "He's a handful."
"Don't worry," Amy replied with a wink. "I've got it covered."
Athena, standing slightly to the side, gave them a small nod. "Congrats again, you two. You've officially survived one of life's biggest boss levels."
Aaron laughed. "Coming from a game designer, that means a lot."
"Take care," Amy said, her voice warm. "And thank you for everything. You two made today even more special."
John and Athena waved as they stepped away, heading toward the parking lot. The night air was cool, and the quiet outside was a stark contrast to the lively energy of the reception hall.
"You know," Athena said, glancing at John as they walked. "That was a nice touch. Offering to stick around for the honeymoon."
John shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "What can I say? I'm generous like that."
Athena rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her amusement. "You're ridiculous. But... it was a good night."
John nodded, his gray eyes reflecting the soft glow of the streetlights. "Yeah. It was."
They reached the car, and John unlocked it with a click. Athena slid into the passenger seat, and John took his place behind the wheel. As the engine hummed to life, the siblings exchanged a quick glance—no words needed, just a shared understanding that, in their own way, they'd contributed to making Aaron and Amy's day unforgettable.
With that, they pulled out of the parking lot, leaving behind the laughter and love of the wedding night as they drove off into the quiet Los Angeles night.
To be continued...