CHAPTER 13

A WEDDING TO REMEMBER

The wedding was planned quickly—there was no time to waste. Grace's condition was worsening, and Ethan was determined to make her dream of being his wife come true. With the help of their closest friends and family, they organized a small ceremony in just two weeks.

The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear, a rare gift in the middle of a rainy season. Grace was tired, her body weak, but her spirit was radiant. Her best friend, Amelia, helped her into a flowing white gown that Ethan had insisted she deserved, no matter how simple the ceremony.

"You look beautiful," Amelia whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

Grace smiled at her reflection, her hand brushing her rounded belly. "I feel…grateful," she said softly.

The ceremony took place in a small garden surrounded by flowers. Grace walked down the aisle on her mother's arm, her steps unsteady but her determination unwavering. Ethan stood at the end of the aisle, his eyes locked on hers, his love for her written in every line of his face.

When she reached him, he took her hands gently, steadying her. "You're breathtaking," he whispered.

The vows were short but deeply personal. Ethan's voice broke as he spoke. "Grace, you've changed my life in ways I never thought possible. You've shown me the true meaning of love and strength. I promise to love you with everything I have, for as long as I'm lucky enough to have you."

Grace's voice was quiet but steady. "Ethan, you've given me more than I ever thought I'd have—a love I didn't know I could find, a family I didn't know I could have. I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to hold on to every moment we have together."

When the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Ethan kissed her as though the world was holding its breath. The guests cheered, but for Ethan and Grace, it felt like they were the only two people in existence.

The reception was simple but joyful. They danced to Grace's favorite song, even though Ethan had to hold her close to keep her upright. They laughed, they cried, and for a few precious hours, they forgot about the shadow of her illness.

As the night came to an end, Grace rested her head on Ethan's shoulder, her voice soft. "Thank you," she murmured.

"For what?" Ethan asked, stroking her hair.

"For loving me like this," she said. "For making every moment matter."

Ethan pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You're the love of my life, Grace. You always will be."

And as they sat together under the stars, their hands intertwined, they knew that no matter how much time they had left, their love would last forever.