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“He would have loved this day,” Charlotte murmured, brushing a tear from Lizzie’s cheek.

Lizzie nodded, smiling wistfully as she walked into Charlotte’s waiting arms.

Joy carried them the rest of the day.

Hair and makeup were perfected, dresses donned just in time for the photographers to arrive, and ten thousand buttons down the back of Lizzie’s gown held Charlotte and their mother hostage for what felt like entire eras of human history.

“How did the ladies at the bridal shop do this so fast?” Diana groused, working her way down her back.

“They did make it look easy,” Charlotte agreed.

They shared a look and Diana dropped a hand down to tuck a strand of hair behind Charlotte’s ear, and it was a reassurance she didn’t know she needed.

“You both grew up so fast,” Diana said, eyes misting with tears.

“Ah mama,” Lizzie groaned. “You’re going to make us all cry if you start.”

Ali flitted through it all, capturing precious moments the other photographers missed. Every time she checked her screen and shimmied with delight over a perfect shot, it was impossible not to smile with her.

She spoke to everyone she crossed paths with, learned their stories, took their portraits. Most never thought to ask about her in return. Ali knew so much about everyone, but so few knew her.

Out on the overlook, as Ali and Imani roasted each other to keep genuine smiles on everyone’s faces, Charlotte could hardly take her eyes off her.

Ali looked radiant in the bronze gown with gold detailing; the bodice hugged her waist before the skirt fluttered softly to the ground. A striking contrast to the phthalo green of Charlotte’s own dress, which clung to every curve and hollow of her body before flaring out to pool around her ankles and kiss the ground. A braided crown of auburn circled Ali’s head, wisps escaping to frame her face, sprigs of baby’s breath tucked in by Lilah until she looked like something straight out of a woodland fairytale. Charlotte’s hair fell in glossy waves swept to one side, dark and dramatic against her skin.

The ceremony itself was full of laughter and happy tears. Both brides were breathtaking, eyes only for each other. Even Sasha’s more reserved disposition cracked into something far more radiant. Their vows were touched with a pure vulnerability and unequivocal love. Just as the sun hit the horizon, they marked their commitment with a kiss.

There wasn’t a dry eye in sight.

The reception shimmered beneath twinkling lights strung to perfect elegance. Candles glowed from every centerpiece. It remained a sophisticated event right up until Charlotte and Lizzie’s cousins hit the open bar and declared the festivities tragically under-hyped.

They took to the dance floor early, only pausing for speeches and milestones, namely the cutting of the cake and the tossing of the bouquets.

Lizzie’s bouquet landed squarely in Ali’s unsuspecting hands as she stood off to the side, other hand holding her camera. The look of pure confusion on her face when Lizzie turned and tossed it to her directly was beyond adorable.

But it also melted Charlotte’s heart as Lizzie’s dazzling grin boomed. A very clear seal of approval she would never take lightly, considering Lizzie never once approved Charlotte’s past relationships.

Sasha agreed with Lizzie. Or so Charlotte assumed when Sasha didn’t even throw her bouquet, just handed it to Charlotte without ceremony as she walked past her.

She knew what she needed to do.

The night wore on, winding down after Lizzie and Sasha made their grand exit, Sasha dipping Lizzie and pressing a deep kiss to her lips before they vanished into the limo. The venue would close soon, but the cousins had already declared a mandatory hotel after-party. One by one, guests left until hardly anyone remained.

Ali lingered near the table, photographing the melting wax and lopsided candle stubs like they were priceless artifacts. Charlotte approached the band, making one last request and dropping a large tip into their collective jar. They were more than happy to oblige.

Drawing up from behind, Charlotte gently wrapped herself around Ali, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“The only thing that would have made this night better is fireflies and s’mores!” Ali remarked, a giddy tone to her voice as she snapped one last photo of the dwindling candlestick. “When we⁠—”

She stopped short, tension flickering through her body.

“When we get home,” she corrected quickly, “I think I want to add a couple more paintings to my show. I got some incredible shots of you. Your bone structure is criminal. It’ll be the envy of every artist, the object of all their desires.”

Charlotte smirked against her shoulder, letting Ali ramble herself out, then gently turned her around and pressed a kiss to her still jabbering lips.

“Dance with me?”

Peachy cheeks darkened as Ali ducked her head smiling shyly before meeting Charlotte’s gaze.