Chapter 77
L&R: Vows Beyond Shadows
As twilight deepened into a soft indigo sky, the garden transformed once again—this time, into a place of warmth, joy, and stories waiting to be told. Lanterns hung from the trees flickered like fireflies, casting a golden glow over white linen tables, each named after constellations. Guests wandered with drinks in hand, laughter echoing gently through the air as music from a live band blended seamlessly with the hum of contentment.
At the center of it all sat Lex and Rhea, side by side at a sweetheart table beneath a canopy of jasmine and fairy lights. Rhea had changed into a soft ivory saree with silver threadwork, her hair loosely braided with baby's breath woven in. Lex, now in a charcoal suit with a blush-pink boutonnière, leaned toward her often—sometimes to whisper a joke, sometimes just to look.
Cradled between them in a delicate white bassinet was their baby girl. Guests kept taking turns to peek at her, their faces melting into gentle awe. Some joked that she'd already inherited Lex's steady gaze and Rhea's mysterious calm. A few even swore she smiled in her sleep during the vows.
Siddharth, Lex's best friend, raised a toast first. "They say every love story is unique. But theirs? Theirs could write a book." His voice cracked a little as he looked at them. "From London shadows to this garden of light—Lex, Rhea, you're proof that even broken paths can lead to the right place."
Shivin, Sky's best friend and Micah's colleague, followed with a slightly teasing but heartfelt speech. "Rhea, I remember the day you stormed into all our lives like a mystery novel. Lex, I still don't know how you kept up—but you did. And now you've got the plot twist of a lifetime—a baby girl who's already stealing the show."
A surprise performance followed—Maki and Art , two guests who had become like family, sang an acoustic duet under the starlight. The song had no name, just soft chords and lyrics that echoed the theme of finding each other again and again, even across lifetimes.
By now, laughter rang louder, the clink of glasses harmonizing with music, and children ran barefoot through the grass chasing bubbles. A photo booth near the old oak tree captured candid memories: friends wearing flower crowns, elders smiling with nostalgic eyes, and one perfect shot of Lex lifting his daughter in the air while Rhea laughed beside him.
As the night deepened, Lex and Rhea took to the dance floor once more. But this time, they weren't alone. Lex gently held his baby daughter in one arm while Rhea took the other. The three of them swayed under the stars to a slow, timeless melody. Around them, the guests stood still—watching, smiling, some wiping away tears.
Because in that moment, it wasn't just a wedding reception.
It was a promise made whole.