Chapter 40

Years Later

The house smelled like fresh flowers and warm vanilla, a mix of carefully arranged bouquets and the lingering scent of cake. People buzzed around us—family, friends, the kind of people who had seen us at our best and worst. Laughter rang through the air, glasses clinked, and somewhere in the background, Béatrice was making a dramatic toast that was sure to embarrass both of us.

But all I could see was Xander.

Standing in front of me, his tie slightly loosened, his hands warm as they rested on my waist. His eyes held that same quiet intensity I had grown used to over the years, the kind that said more than words ever could.

"You're staring," he murmured, amusement flickering across his face.

I smiled, tilting my head. "I was just thinking."

"Dangerous," he teased, just like he had all those years ago.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "I was thinking about how we got here. How we made it."

Xander's grip on my waist tightened slightly, his thumb brushing small circles against my dress. "Of course, we made it," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Did you ever really doubt it?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe during the fridge war of 2022. Or the time we nearly burned the kitchen down trying to make pasta. Or—"

He cut me off with a quick kiss, his lips curving into a smile against mine.

"Fine," I admitted when he pulled away. "Maybe there were a few moments."

Xander chuckled, pressing his forehead against mine. "You and me, Maya. We always figure it out."

I exhaled, feeling the truth of his words settle deep in my chest. We had been through the worst of it—the fights, the stubborn silences, the moments of doubt. And yet, here we were. Still standing, still laughing, still choosing each other.

"Yeah," I whispered. "We do."