When we finally reached the end of the aisle, Lucy and Jaden stepped away from me and took their places across from Vlad and Sam, who held little Fynn in his arms. Gabriel stepped forward, took my hand, and led me the rest of the way.
The officiant immediately started his speech, but I simply stared into Gabriel’s eyes, immortalizing this moment in my memory. It was odd to think how far we’d come in our year together. To think that this had all started with me kidnapping him. It made me wince to think about it now, especially after all we’d been through, but I honestly didn’t regret knocking him flat on his back. It’d brought us together and given me a love like nothing I’d ever thought possible. Gabriel was my life, my love, my family. And I was so proud to be standing up here next to him.
When the officiant asked us to recite our vows, Gabriel stood straighter and squeezed my hands. “Maddie, standing here before you, I’m in awe. In awe of your beauty, your kindness, and your loving nature. It’s taken a great deal to get us to this moment. We’ve faced literal demons and emerged not just unscathed, but stronger and more united. I’ve known love before, and I’ve lost it. But you’ve taught me that even an immortal heart can be born anew.
“Every challenge we’ve faced, every nightmare, every cage, has proven one thing to me. You are the light that guides me home. You’ve shown me that love isn’t just about the battles fought together, but also the quiet moments in between. You are my warrior and my savior. And I vow to cherish every day with you. I am irrevocably yours.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back. I didn’t want to ruin my makeup, not after all the effort Jaden had put into it.
My turn. “Gabriel, for so long, I was alone. Growing up, I had no one. I always felt like the odd person out. I never fit in, and I had no idea what it meant to have a family. I built walls around myself, thinking that I was better off alone. But then, my life took a turn. I found friends who became my family, and a sister who became my best friend.
“And then, I found you. Meeting you changed everything. Suddenly, there was a light in my life that I’d always known was missing. With you, I found the kind of understanding and connection I’d always hoped for, but never believed I’d find. You’ve taught me that home isn’t a place; it’s a feeling, and my home is with you. You’ve given me a sense of belonging I never thought possible, and I promise to spend every day making sure you feel as loved and cherished as you’ve made me feel. I love you, and just as you are mine, I am yours. Forever and always.”
Gabriel watched me, love pouring off him in waves. I knew he wanted to kiss me, but he had to wait until the end. He gently took my hand and slid my wedding ring on my finger, his promise to me now symbolized in a circle of gold.
I did the same with his ring, my hands trembling slightly as I slid it over his finger. Our eyes locked, and we shared a soft smile.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Gabriel did more than that. He wound his arms around my waist and dipped me backward, his kiss landing on my throat—a silent promise of what awaited us tonight. The room erupted with applause. When Gabriel helped straighten me back up, I cupped his face and kissed him properly, his lips soft against mine.
“I love you,” I whispered when we separated.
Gabriel smiled and kissed me again. “I love you too. Always and forever.”
Epilogue
Phew.What a wild ride. To think of everything that’s happened in such a short amount of time, and there’s still more for us to deal with—though none of it is all that important anymore.
For those wondering, the police stripped the Academy down to the bones, and we rebuilt it from scratch with Elias’s involvement once he ascended to the throne. The current slayers elected a new council, with my dear friend Jaden at the helm, who has taken to the role with all the aplomb I would expect from her. Sitting on the council next to her are our friend Ginny, Gavin—the slayer from New Orleans—and two others whom I hadn’t met before all this. But to keep the same issues from happening again, we established a vampiric oversight committee that the council must answer to. My dear husband, Gabriel, leads this committee with Vlad, both working together to keep Elias in the loop. It was rocky at first, with a few slayers resistant to working with vampires. We dismissed them, paving the way for a new, more vampire-friendly type of slayer to emerge—as ironic as that might sound.
Nash’s little black-market business came to a dramatic—and violent—end, thanks to Aimee and her pack. Avery and I chat frequently, and I’m happy to report that through the help of a therapist, she’s doing quite well.
As for Gabriel and I, we did indeed share the eternal kiss. I am now as immortal as he is, and quite content to spend the rest of eternity kicking ass and taking names.
Josh and Jaden eventually married, and the two are expecting their first little one. I’m incredibly excited to be an auntie again, especially now that Annalise and Fynn are growing up.
We decided to plant a memorial dedicated to Chris. His tree grows in our backyard, somewhere we can feel close to him. I sometimes go out there and tell him all about our lives. To this day, I still miss him, and I’m starting to realize that feeling will never go away. It’s become a part of me, and I’ve accepted that.
Other than that, we’re all just living our lives as happily and peacefully as we can. Hopefully, our adventures have come to an end, but ya never know what the future has in store!
Love ya,
Maddie
