Chapter 144 – Ethan's POV
"The hard part wasn't falling in love with her. The hard part is planning a wedding that's even half as beautiful as she is."
Who knew wedding planning could be this intense?
I sat at the dining table in my apartment—our apartment now, technically—surrounded by swatches of fabric, venue catalogs, cake tasting notes, and a color-coded spreadsheet Amara made. She'd gone to Arya's for a quick girls' brunch, giving me the perfect window to finalize one major part of the wedding.
The part I wanted to surprise her with.
I smiled, tapping my pen against the table as I stared at the note on my phone: "Secure the rooftop." Not just any rooftop—the exact rooftop where we first watched fireworks together, back when everything between us was still uncertain and unspoken. That night had changed everything for me. I wanted it to change our lives again, this time as husband and wife.
"Ethan, you're losing your mind," I muttered under my breath as I dialed the rooftop's event coordinator.
But I didn't care. I wanted this wedding to scream Amara — elegant but free-spirited, soft but powerful, just like her.
"Hello?" the voice came through. "Skyline Events."
"Hi, this is Ethan Lantel. I'm following up about booking the rooftop space for my wedding."
After confirming the date and details — golden hour ceremony, fairy lights, acoustic band, and a private elevator for just us — I leaned back and smiled.
One piece down.
The next part was harder — keeping secrets from Amara.
When she came home later, her smile lit up the entire space. She dropped her bag on the chair and kicked off her shoes.
"I missed you," she said, walking into my arms.
I held her tightly. "I missed you more. How's Arya?"
"She's glowing. Still acting like a newlywed. Damon won't stop holding her hand."
"Can't blame him."
She rolled her eyes fondly. "So, what did you do while I was gone? Eat junk food and avoid wedding prep?"
"Of course not," I said too quickly. "I was very productive."
"Mhm." She narrowed her eyes. "You're hiding something."
I smirked. "I might be. But you'll find out in a few weeks."
She groaned dramatically. "You and your surprises. Just don't plan something outrageous like a skydiving entrance."
"Noted." I laughed. "But I'm not promising anything."
Truth be told, planning this wedding wasn't about extravagance — it was about meaning. Every detail had a memory behind it. From the wildflower centerpieces she loved as a child, to the soft jazz she danced to in the kitchen every Saturday morning.
I even reached out to Arya and asked her to help design Amara's bouquet — white peonies, lavender sprigs, and one pale blue forget-me-not in the center. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and yes — something blue.
The next morning, I found myself flipping through our wedding binder while Amara snored softly beside me. Her hand was sprawled across my chest, her engagement ring glinting in the soft morning light. I kissed her forehead gently and whispered, "We're almost there."
Every moment leading up to this felt like a quiet miracle.
When I first met Amara, I didn't think she'd even remember my name. And now? Now I was trying to build her a wedding that would show her what she meant to me without ever needing to say it out loud.
That afternoon, we had a call with the wedding planner — a fierce woman named Tasha who took no nonsense but adored Amara. I watched them bounce ideas off each other while I pretended to take notes but really just stared at her.
"So," Tasha said, smiling. "Ethan, you haven't said much. Anything you'd like to include?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I want our first dance to be to 'Can't Help Falling In Love.'"
Amara's eyes softened instantly.
"That's the song that was playing when I realized I loved you," I added.
Her hand found mine under the table, squeezing tight.
We wrapped up the call and sat in silence for a while, both of us soaking in how close we were to the big day.
"Can you believe this is happening?" she whispered.
"No," I replied honestly. "But I've never wanted anything more."
"Even more than your companies and empires?"
I turned to face her. "Those things gave me success. You gave me peace."
Her eyes shimmered, and she leaned in to kiss me.
Later that evening, we sat together on the couch, scrolling through wedding playlists and laughing at some of the cheesy dance suggestions. She was curled into my side, a blanket draped over both of us.
I thought of the moment I'd see her walking down the aisle. Of how I'd probably cry even if I swore I wouldn't. Of how I would whisper "I do" with more certainty than anything I'd ever said in my life.
Because with Amara, it wasn't just about love.
It was about coming home.
And I was finally ready.