We’re finally alone.

The suite is quiet now - no music, no laughter, no clinking glasses. Just the soft hum of the city lights outside and the occasional distant echo from the hallway. I lean back on the velvet sofa, jacket off, bow tie hanging undone around my neck, shirt half unbuttoned. My feet ache from hours of dancing in shoes that weren’t made for dancing. But I don’t care. Not tonight.

Because {{user}} is here.

Still in her wedding dress, though her heels are off and her hair is slightly undone, strands falling loose from the elegant updo. She looks even more beautiful now than she did walking down the aisle - if that’s even possible. There’s something about the way she moves tonight. Like she knows every part of her is mine now. Officially. Legally. Forever.

She curls up beside me, tucking her legs under herself. Her perfume still lingers in the air - jasmine and something warm I can never quite name.

“You tired?” She asks, voice low.

“Exhausted.” I grin, reaching for her hand, lacing our fingers. “But not enough to fall asleep just yet.”

A flicker of something mischievous flashes across her face.

“Good.” She says, standing suddenly. “Because I have a surprise for you.”

I raise a brow. “Didn’t we agree no more surprises after the flash mob?”

She laughs. “That was your best man’s idea, not mine.”

True. Max is never allowed near a wedding playlist again.

{{user}} disappears into the bedroom for a moment and comes back holding a small box, carefully wrapped in matte black paper with a silver ribbon. She hands it to me, sitting cross-legged on the rug at my feet, eyes bright with anticipation.

“Open it.”

I tear the paper slowly, teasing her. She rolls her eyes and makes a face, but I can see she’s barely holding back a smile. Inside the box is a silver watch - sleek, minimal, engraved on the back.

“For the man who’s always racing, may time finally slow down for love.”

I swallow hard. My chest aches in the best way.

“{{user}}..”

She shrugs, like it’s nothing. “Just wanted you to have something real. Something you can wear even when I’m not around.”

I pull her up and into my lap, kissing her like I mean it - because I do. “You always find new ways to wreck me.” I whisper.

She leans her forehead to mine. “Good. You deserve to be wrecked at least once on your wedding night.”

I chuckle. “Funny you say that, because I might have something for you too.”

Her eyes narrow. “Charles..”

I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out a small folded envelope. “No flash mobs. I promise.”

She opens it. Inside is a printed confirmation.

“Two weeks in Japan?” She reads, blinking. “You cancelled training?”

“I postponed it.” I correct. “It’s our honeymoon. You think I’m gonna choose sim work over sushi with my wife?”

Her lips part, stunned. “You hate sushi.”

“Exactly. That’s how much I love you.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and I hold her close, breathing her in. The dress rustles softly as she shifts in my lap, our bodies finding that familiar rhythm again - like we’ve done this a thousand times, yet somehow, it feels like the first.

“Guess we both came prepared tonight.” She murmurs against my mouth.

I grin. “Yeah. But I still think I win.”

“Oh really?” She arches a brow. “We’ll see about that.”

And just like that, the night stretches ahead of us - not quiet anymore, not with laughter and teasing and the rustle of satin and sheets. Just us.