The venue was alive—warm lights glowing like a thousand quiet blessings, soft music floating through the air, and rows filled with everyone who mattered.
Everyone.
Kuya Angelo stood near the front, eyes misty but proud.
Jay's mom sat beside Tita Gemma, hands clasped tight, already emotional.
Section E filled an entire row, whispering excitedly.
Teachers, employees, shareholders, guests—faces from every chapter of her life—had gathered for this one moment.
But Jay barely saw them.
Behind the curtain, her hands trembled.
Her breath came shallow, heart racing as reality finally sank in. This is it.
The day. The walk. The forever.
She swallowed hard, nerves threatening to spill over.
Then—
a hand reached out.
Her father.
Strong. Steady. Familiar.
Jay looked up at him, eyes glossy. He gave her a small nod, the kind that said I'm here. You're safe.
She slipped her arm through his, grounding herself in his presence.
The doors opened.
And the world seemed to pause.
As Jay stepped forward, time slowed. The music swelled, and every head turned—but none of it mattered, because her eyes had already found him.
Keifer.
Standing at the altar, tall and still, dressed in quiet elegance—but the moment he saw her, everything about him changed. His breath hitched. His eyes softened. A smile broke through, unguarded and full of awe.
Like the world had narrowed down to just her.
Jay walked toward him, each step steadier than the last, her father guiding her forward. The aisle felt long and short all at once.
When they finally reached him, her father stopped.
He looked at Jay—really looked at her—his expression filled with pride, love, and a thousand unspoken memories. Then he turned to Keifer.
Without rushing. Without drama.
He placed Jay's hand into Keifer's.
A quiet transfer.
Not ownership—but trust.
Keifer closed his fingers around hers instantly, firm and gentle, like he was promising without words.
Her father met Keifer's eyes, gave a small, meaningful nod, and stepped back.
Jay and Keifer stood facing each other now.
Hands intertwined.
Hearts pounding.
The room holding its breath.
And the officiant stepped forward—
The priest stepped forward, his voice calm and warm, filling the quiet hall.
"Keifer," he said gently, "you may now say your vows."
Keifer took a breath.
For a moment, he said nothing—just looked at Jay, like he was memorizing her exactly as she stood before him.
Then he spoke.
"I didn't fall in love with you the way people talk about in stories," he began softly.
"I didn't see you and think she's the one."
A faint, honest smile touched his lips.
"At first… I hated you."
A soft ripple moved through the guests, but Jay didn't flinch—she only held his hands tighter.
"You challenged everything I was. You refused to bend. And I thought—wrongly—that I could control you."
"I thought I was smart. I thought I was setting a trap."
His voice dropped, full of truth.
"But somewhere between your courage and your kindness… I was the one who fell."
He swallowed, eyes never leaving hers.
"I fell so hard that now, I don't remember who I was before you."
The priest watched quietly as Keifer continued.
"You stood beside me when I didn't deserve it. When I pushed you away. When life tested me in ways I didn't know how to face."
"You stayed. You believed. You became my strength without ever trying to be."
Keifer lifted her hand, pressing it over his heart.
"Today, before everyone here, I vow this—
I will choose you in every season.
I will stand with you when the world is kind… and when it isn't."
His voice wavered slightly.
"When you're strong, I'll be your partner.
When you're tired, I'll be your shelter.
When you doubt yourself, I'll remind you that you changed my life simply by being in it."
The priest nodded, moved.
Keifer took a steady breath.
"I can't imagine a life without you—and I never want to try."
"So I promise you my loyalty, my patience, my love—today and always."
A quiet pause followed.
"I'm yours, Jay. Forever."
The hall was silent for a heartbeat—then filled with emotion that no one tried to hide.
—
The priest smiled gently and turned to her.
"Jay," he said softly, "you may now say your vows."
Jay let out a shaky breath.
She looked at Keifer—really looked at him—and for a moment, she laughed quietly through her nerves.
"I hated you," she said suddenly.
The room broke into soft chuckles.
"I truly did," she added, shaking her head. "You were arrogant, impossible, and way too sure of yourself."
"And somehow… I fell for you while hating you."
More laughter rippled through the crowd.
"I didn't fall in love gently," she continued, voice steadying.
"I fought it. I denied it. I argued with my own heart."
Her smile softened.
"And then you betrayed me."
The room went still.
"But even then," she said, eyes shining, "my heart kept whispering—he'll come back for you.
Because somewhere deep down, I knew… you loved me."
She squeezed his hands.
"When you confessed your feelings again—when you stood in front of me with nothing but honesty—that was it."
"That was the moment I believed you completely."
Her voice wavered, but she didn't stop.
"You didn't just say you loved me. You showed it."
"You protected me. You stood between me and every danger, every fear, every storm."
"You chose me—even when it wasn't easy."
Jay smiled, tears slipping free.
"So today, I vow this:
I will stay with you. Always.
I will choose you—every time, in every lifetime."
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling.
"I promise to stand by you, to argue with you, to challenge you… and yes," she added playfully,
"I promise to be even more chaotic around you."
The entire hall burst into laughter.
"But this chaos," she said softly, bringing the moment back,
"belongs only to you."
Her voice dropped into something tender and sure.
"Because when I look back… it was you from the start."
"And it will be you at the end."
She took a breath.
"I'm yours, Keifer.
Forever."
The priest nodded, visibly moved, as the room filled with applause, laughter, and quiet tears.
—
The priest waited until the room settled again, smiles still lingering, eyes still wet. He gave them a moment—just a moment—to breathe each other in.
Then he spoke.
"May I have the rings."
A quiet movement followed as the rings were brought forward, resting briefly in the priest's palms before he lifted them slightly, his voice calm and steady, grounding the emotion that filled the space.
"These rings are a symbol," he said, "of a promise without end, a circle with no beginning and no finish—just like the love you have chosen today."
He turned first to Keifer.
"Keifer, place the ring on Jay's finger and repeat after me."
Keifer took the ring with hands that were no longer guarded, no longer distant—only certain. He held Jay's hand gently, reverently, like it was something precious he had finally learned how to keep.
As he slid the ring onto her finger, his voice came out low, full, unwavering.
"With this ring, I give you my heart.
With this promise, I give you my life.
I choose you today, tomorrow, and always."
Jay's breath hitched, her fingers curling instinctively into his.
The priest then turned to her.
"Jay, place the ring on Keifer's finger."
Jay smiled through tears, a smile that carried their entire journey in it—every argument, every silence, every return. She took the ring, paused just for a heartbeat, then slid it onto his finger.
Her voice was soft but sure.
"With this ring, I choose you.
In chaos and calm.
In laughter and love.
Today and forever."
The priest nodded, visibly moved, and stepped back slightly, giving them space even as the moment grew larger than the room.
He looked at them both.
"You have spoken your vows before your family, your friends, and all who love you. You have chosen each other not because the path was easy—but because it was worth it."
The hall was silent, hanging on every word.
"By the power vested in me, and by the love you have promised one another, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
A pause.
A smile.
"You may kiss your bride."
Keifer didn't rush.
He lifted Jay's face gently, his forehead resting against hers for a breath—as if grounding himself in the fact that this was real, that she was here, that she was his.
Then he kissed her.
Not dramatic. Not rushed.
A kiss full of relief, certainty, and forever.
The room erupted—applause, cheers, whistles from Section E, happy tears from family, laughter mixing with emotion. Kuya Angelo wiped his eyes. Jay's mom clutched Tita Gemma's hand. Even those who had watched them from a distance knew—this wasn't just a wedding.
This was a promise that had survived everything.
And as Keifer rested his forehead against Jay's again, smiling like a man who had finally come home, she smiled back—knowing she had chosen right.
Every time.
The moment the priest stepped aside, applause erupted like a wave that had been waiting to crash.
It wasn't polite clapping.
It was loud, emotional, relieved.
Section E stood first—whistles, cheers, someone shouting Jay's name far too loudly. Teachers followed, smiling through tears. Employees clapped with genuine pride, shareholders with rare warmth, guests rising to their feet as if the love between the two at the altar had demanded it.
Jay laughed, breathless, still holding Keifer's hand like letting go might break the spell.
Keifer leaned in slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"You okay?"
She nodded, eyes shining. "I think I forgot how to breathe."
His mouth curved into that familiar smile—the one that only ever belonged to her now. "Good. Because I plan on stealing it a lot."
She bumped her shoulder into his, chaotic and light, and he shook his head, fond already.
They turned together and began walking back down the aisle.
Not rushed.
Not careful.
Just together.
Jay waved instinctively, laughter spilling free as Section E exaggerated their cheering. Someone blew a kiss. Someone else pretended to faint. Keifer raised an eyebrow in mock disapproval, but his grip on Jay's hand tightened, grounding, proud.
As they reached the end of the aisle, Jay's father stepped forward.
For a moment, he just looked at them.
At his daughter—no longer just his little girl.
At the man who now stood beside her.
He pulled Jay into a hug first, strong and lingering. "You were brave," he murmured, voice thick. "Always were."
Then, without ceremony, he turned and hugged Keifer too.
It wasn't awkward. It wasn't hesitant.
It was firm. Accepting.
"Take care of her," he said simply.
Keifer nodded, equally steady. "With everything I have."
Jay's mother reached them next, already crying, cupping Jay's face like she needed to see her up close, like she needed proof. Tita Gemma fussed immediately—straightening Jay's hair, adjusting the veil, wiping tears that weren't even smudging anything.
Kuya Angelo clapped Keifer on the back, grinning. "You survived," he teased. "Respect."
Keifer exhaled. "Barely."
Jay laughed again, loud and unrestrained, and it felt like something in the air finally loosened.
Photos followed—exactly as chaotic as expected.
Group photos where no one stood straight. Family shots interrupted by laughter. Section E refusing to behave, forcing Keifer to give up on looking serious entirely. Jay kept leaning into him, whispering things that made him shake his head and smile despite himself.
At one point, someone asked for a "formal couple pose."
Jay tried. She really did.
But ten seconds in, she burst out laughing, and Keifer followed instantly, foreheads touching as the photographer sighed and snapped anyway.
The photos came out perfect.
Not because they were polished—but because they were real.
When it was time for the reception, the lights dimmed slightly, anticipation buzzing through the hall.
"And now," the announcer's voice boomed, "please welcome—Mr. and Mrs. Keifer Watson!"
The doors opened.
Music surged.
Jay gasped softly, overwhelmed by the sound, the movement, the applause—and Keifer squeezed her hand, leaning in.
"Stay with me," he murmured.
She smiled up at him. "Always."
They walked in together, greeted by cheers, confetti, and flashing lights. Jay lifted her hand in a playful wave, already feeding off the energy, while Keifer walked with a calm confidence that had shifted—no longer guarded, no longer solitary.
They reached the center of the floor, and for a moment, everything slowed again.
The first dance music began—soft, steady, familiar.
Keifer placed a hand at Jay's waist, the other still holding hers. She rested her free hand on his shoulder, feeling the rise and fall of his breath beneath her palm.
They swayed gently.
No performance. No show.
Just them.
Jay rested her forehead briefly against his chest, closing her eyes. The noise faded. The years compressed. All the arguments, the silence, the return—it all led here.
"I always knew," she whispered.
He lowered his head. "Knew what?"
"That you'd catch me."
His grip tightened. "I always will."
When the dance ended, applause followed—but they barely noticed.
It wasn't until later, when the reception had fully bloomed—laughter echoing, plates clinking, conversations overlapping—that they finally slipped away.
Not far. Just to a quiet corner near the balcony doors, where the lights softened and the noise dulled.
Jay exhaled deeply, leaning back against the railing.
"That was… a lot," she said, smiling.
Keifer stepped closer, resting his forearms beside hers. "Worth it?"
She turned her head, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "Every second."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he said quietly, "I was scared."
She didn't tease him. Didn't joke.
"Of what?"
"Of not being enough," he admitted. "Of losing you again. Of standing there and realizing I didn't deserve this."
Jay reached out, placing her hand over his.
"You didn't earn me by being perfect," she said softly. "You earned me by coming back. By staying."
He nodded, eyes fixed on her fingers intertwined with his.
They stood there a while longer, watching the lights, listening to the distant laughter.
Eventually, Jay nudged him. "We should go back before they send a search party."
He smirked. "Section E already has a plan."
They returned hand in hand.
More laughter followed. More hugs. More moments that stitched themselves into memory.
And through it all—every glance, every touch, every shared smile—one truth remained steady and unshaken.
It had been them from the start.
And now, finally, it was them forever.
Before Jay could leave with Keifer for the mansion, the noise of the reception softened around them, like the night itself knew this moment needed space.
Kuya Angelo was the first to step forward.
The teasing grin he usually wore wasn't there now.
He looked at Jay for a long second, eyes scanning her face like he was memorizing her all over again—not as the girl he protected, but as the woman she had become.
Then he pulled her into a tight hug.
The kind that lingered.
The kind that said you'll always be mine too.
"You grew up right in front of us," he murmured, voice low and thick. "And today… you chose your forever."
Jay's arms tightened around him. "I'll still come back and annoy you," she whispered.
He huffed a soft laugh against her hair. "You better."
When he pulled back, he cupped her face briefly. "Be happy," he said simply. "That's all."
Aries stepped in next.
He didn't say much—he never did when it mattered most.
He smiled at her, warm and steady, then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I'm proud of you," he said quietly. "Congratulations."
Jay blinked fast, nodding. "Thank you… for always being there."
He squeezed her shoulder once, firm and reassuring, before stepping aside.
And then—
Percy.
The ever-chaotic, loud, impossible Percy.
He walked toward her with exaggerated seriousness, hands in his pockets, lips pressed together like he was trying very hard not to joke.
But his eyes betrayed him.
"Oi," he said, clearing his throat. "Come here."
Jay stepped into his arms, and the moment she did, his composure cracked.
He hugged her tightly.
"Baby sista," he said, voice rougher than usual. "Take care, okay?"
She laughed softly through tears. "I will."
"Don't forget us just because you married Mr. Rich-and-Annoying," he added, sniffing.
She pulled back slightly, smiling. "Never."
Percy pointed at Keifer without looking at him. "You," he said. "If you ever—"
Keifer raised his hands immediately. "I know. I know."
Percy nodded, satisfied, then turned back to Jay, brushing a tear away quickly like it had offended him.
"Be happy," he said again, softer this time.
Jay hugged him once more, longer.
When she finally stepped back, she turned toward Keifer.
He had watched everything quietly—every hug, every tear, every goodbye—with a respect that didn't interrupt but promised something solid.
He reached for her hand.
Jay took it.
As they walked away together, she glanced back once.
Kuya Angelo stood with his arms crossed, Aries beside him, Percy pretending not to wipe his eyes.
Jay smiled—full, grateful, steady.
And then she turned forward.
Toward Keifer.
Toward the mansion.
Toward the life they had chosen—together.
__________________________
I skipped their bachelors party cz you guys were disparate, so those who waiting for next chapter get ready 😁 cause you are not gonna sleep after that,
Love you
Thank you 🌸