Timeline - June 19th | Present Time

The morning unfolded in soft, golden hues as Matthew and Eko relaxed by the poolside, their laughter still echoing faintly from the sunrise hours spent at the beach. The day had settled into a tranquil rhythm, and Eko, with an air of effortless elegance, plucked a strawberry from the vibrant fruit platter before them. The sunlight, gentle but insistent, wrapped them in its embrace, casting a radiant warmth over their picture-perfect escape.

Matthew lounged opposite her, the curve of a grin playing at his lips beneath his sunglasses, his chest still rising and falling in the aftermath of their earlier antics. Their playful tickling battle had ended with Eko retreating in breathless laughter to the plush poolside chair, and now the air between them was saturated with the kind of peace that comes only after peaceful happiness.

Eko took a slow sip from her mimosa, the chilled glass resting lightly against her fingertips. She sank deeper into the cushions, her rose-gold sunglasses slipping slightly down her nose, offering her an unfiltered view of Matthew. He was stretched out languidly, a vision of sunlit perfection. The crisp white of his cargo briefs and open-collared shirt contrasted sharply with his golden tan, every line of his toned body seemingly sculpted by the light itself. To her, he wasn't just beautiful—he was a reminder of everything good in the world, the kind of presence that made the mundane seem extraordinary.

And yet, as much as she loved the man before her, a sharp pang of jealousy stirred within her. His perfectly golden-tanned skin, kissed by the sun in all the right ways, seemed to glow with a radiance that felt almost unfair. Every sculpted line of his absurdly flawless body caught the light like a masterpiece on display, an effortless perfection she couldn't help but envy.

It wasn't fair.

Not even close, she thought, a flicker of self-deprecating humor softening the sting. How did he manage it so easily? While he lounged like a sun-soaked deity, she had to lather herself in SPF so thick it felt like armor, just to avoid turning into a blotchy, mismatched mannequin on their wedding day.

"Does she remember?" Matthew's voice slid into her thoughts, smooth and amused, cutting through the lazy rhythm of the morning. He raised his mimosa, the sunlight catching on the sleek lines of his black aviators. Eko couldn't see his eyes, but she didn't need to—the faint curl of his lips betrayed his mischief every time.

Rolling her eyes, she stretched out her legs with a smirk. "She remembers something," Eko drawled, her tone light but teasing. "Enough to start a full-blown meltdown, at least."

Taking a slow sip of her drink, Eko adjusted her rose gold sunglasses, perfectly perched on her nose, as she observed her soon-to-be husband lounging far too comfortably for the chaos unfolding. "But don't worry," she added, her voice tinged with dry humor. "I'm sure it'll hit her soon enough now that she's conscious."

Matthew's laugh was a deep, low rumble, his grin spreading wider. "Oh, you'll hear her scream all the way from here when she realizes who she drunkenly married."

Eko shook her head, her own grin mirroring his. "I think you're more likely to hear him than her."

Matthew burst into laughter, the sound rich and unrestrained, echoing across the pool. "Yeah, squealing in absolute delight," he teased, nearly choking on his drink. "Followed by that split second of pure panic when he realizes what he's gotten himself into. I mean, how do you even explain to your girlfriend that you accidentally married the one person she's actually jealous of?"

His laughter carried on, carefree and infectious, and Eko couldn't help but smile. It was obvious he was relishing the fact that, for once, the drama wasn't theirs to navigate. But her amusement faltered as a thought crept into her mind, one she hadn't considered until now.

Sitting up slightly, her brow furrowed, and she cast a sidelong glance at Matthew. "Babe," she began cautiously, her voice quieter now, "do you think they... you know... slept together?"

The question hung in the air, cooling the playful atmosphere like a shadow slipping across the sun.

Matthew turned his head to meet her gaze, his smirk unshaken but his pause telling. He didn't respond right away, instead letting his eyes follow Eko as she slipped off her sheer kimono-style cover-up. The sunlight spilled over her like liquid gold, illuminating her toned stomach and legs that seemed to go on forever.

For a moment, his mind wandered, unbidden, back to the night before—those same legs wrapped tightly around him, her laughter echoing in his ears, until their private revelry had been interrupted by the impromptu wedding chaos.

"If they did," he said finally, his grin widening as his eyes flicked to the playful Soon To Be Mrs. lettering across her bikini top, "that's really not our business, is it?"

He let his gaze linger a moment longer, unable to help himself. She looked radiant in that bikini—a vision that had been a highlight of his morning. Dragging him out for an early swim while the rest of the group slept off the aftermath of Eko's wild bachelorette party had been entirely her idea, and as always, she made even the simplest moments feel extraordinary. Now, as she lounged in her chair, her skin still glowing from their swim, she exuded the kind of effortless beauty that stopped him in his tracks every time.

But Matthew knew her too well to believe she was as relaxed as she appeared. The way she tilted her head thoughtfully, biting her lower lip—a telltale habit of hers—made it clear her mind was miles away.

"I just feel like..." she began, her voice trailing as she mulled over her words. "We should know if we're about to walk into World War Three. Jesse's newly single, he's in a serious relationship—and he's always loved her. That's like the perfect recipe for disaster or a Netflix murder series."

Matthew let out a low chuckle, setting his drink down on the small table beside him. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, and fixed her with the grin that always managed to disarm her defenses.

"You're overthinking it," he said, his tone light and teasing but with just enough warmth to anchor her swirling thoughts.

As he closed the distance between them, his hands moved with deliberate purpose, skimming up her legs from her calves in a way that was both featherlight and undeniably intentional. Eko, still reclining with an air of calculated indifference, felt a subtle warmth ripple through her at his touch. Behind her oversized sunglasses, she tilted her head to watch him, one brow arching in quiet curiosity.

"Besides," he continued, his voice dropping to a lower, silkier tone that sent a different kind of warmth spreading through her, "I'm much more interested in what we're doing for the rest of this morning. Preferably something that doesn't involve worrying about other people's sex lives."

Eko's lips curved into a knowing smirk, her eyebrow lifting higher in challenge. The edge of playfulness in his tone was a dance they knew well, one neither ever tired of. She reached for her mimosa, taking a slow, deliberate sip before replying. 

"Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind, husband-to-be?" she teased, her voice light enough of a provocation to meet his challenge head-on.

Eko's smirk deepened as she studied him, savoring the warmth in his eyes and the way his lips curved into that smile she could never get enough of. This man before her—relaxed, playful, at ease—felt like a gift she'd waited months to fully unwrap. Today had been perfect, and she treasured every moment so far. All of it was because he was free at last from the grip of his nightmare.

Everything had changed for them over the past few weeks. Ever since Matthew's breakdown—the fallout from the whole Richie and Teddy debacle—their lives had shifted in ways she hadn't thought possible. That day, he'd finally told her everything—or as much as he could bring himself to say. The horrors Tobias had inflicted on him, the blood-soaked memories of the orphanage, the carnage that had shaped him into the man he was now. And the massacre. The unspeakable things he'd done.

Hearing it had been agonizing. Nobody wants to imagine the person they love enduring such brutality at such a young age, let alone carrying the weight of it for years. But Eko had sat there, silent and steady, while he struggled to explain. His voice cracked under the pressure of truths he had buried so deeply, truths that seemed to scrape against his soul as he pulled them to the surface. Every word felt like a blade to her heart, but she stayed. She listened. And somehow, after the storm of his confessions, came progress.

He had let her in. Truly in. For the first time, he trusted her enough to use her magic, to let her numb the jagged edges of his pain, to quiet the nightmares that had tormented him for years. It was a delicate balance—he let her into his mind, but she had promised not to probe deeper, not to let her connection with him uncover what he wasn't ready to share. Instead, she offered him nothingness. Void. Peace. And slowly, it began to work.

For the first time in so long, Matthew was sleeping. Really, deeply sleeping. And it showed. The tension that had gripped his body like a vise had loosened. The hard lines of his face had softened. And for weeks now, Eko had woken up beside a man who looked his age—just twenty-three. Not a world-weary soul crushed under burdens no one that young should ever have to bear.

Her mind drifted to how she'd woken him that morning—the gentle brush of her lips against his, the way his arms instinctively tightened around her, pulling her closer without hesitation. In those quiet moments, she felt whole, as if they were pieces of the same puzzle finally falling into place, their edges smoothing out in perfect harmony.

Now, her gaze lingered on him, sprawled in his chair with that unmistakable glint of mischief in his eyes. This man before her—unburdened, at ease—was the living embodiment of everything she'd fought so hard to give him: peace.

Sometimes they all forgot, she realized, just how young he was. Beneath the commanding presence, the sharp wit, and the hardened resilience of a soldier was a boy molded by abuse, hatred, and pain. A boy who had been forced to grow up too fast, bathed in the sins of a world that had failed him.

But this moment, here and now, was proof of how far he'd come. Watching him at peace in this small slice of their world made her heart feel lighter. As he sat there smiling at her, memories from that morning floated back again. She had dragged him out of bed for an early trip to the beach to watch the sunrise, her excitement infectious even as he stumbled along in a half-asleep haze. The first light kissing the horizon had taken her breath away, but it was Matthew who made the moment unforgettable.

Making love on the soft sand as the sun rose above them, warming their skin and igniting a fire between them, had sent waves of bliss coursing through her. It wasn't just the passion that made her heart race—it was the connection, the way he made her feel seen, whole, adored.

Afterward, they had plunged into the ocean, their laughter ringing out across the waves. Matthew, ever the playful one lately—it was funny what proper sleep could do for someone—had dunked her beneath the water, only to pull her back into his arms with a triumphant grin.

His mischievous smile and the light in his eyes were irresistible, a reflection of the newfound peace that had softened him. In that moment, she had fallen in love with him all over again. His joy was contagious, unfiltered, and utterly pure—a glimpse of the man he might have been if the world hadn't tried so hard to break him.

By the time they returned to their private poolside haven, breakfast had been laid out with meticulous care, the serenity of the resort wrapping around them like a warm embrace. The earlier chaos of her call with Jesse felt distant now, eclipsed by the quiet magic of Matthew's presence.

Now, as his hands continued their slow, deliberate journey up her thighs, a delicious shiver traveled through her. His touch was both tender and possessive, stirring heat beneath her skin with every brush of his fingertips.

He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear, his voice a low, teasing murmur that sent a rush of electricity racing down her spine. "So, tell me, wife-to-be," he began, the playful glint in his eyes reflected in his tone. His lips grazed the delicate shell of her ear, and she felt her breath catch. His hands lingered, their deliberate slowness leaving her wanting more.

"How can I make your morning even more pleasurable?"

Her cheeks flushed, a soft heat rising to her skin as a smirk tugged at her lips. "You're off to a good start," she whispered, her voice low and laced with amusement as she leaned into his touch. "But I'm sure you can figure out the rest, husband-to-be."

Matthew's touch was a tantalizing mix of gentleness and command, sending ripples of heat coursing through her. Through half-lidded eyes, Eko watched him, the intensity of his focus making her heart race. His fingers moved deliberately, tracing a slow, teasing path to the edge of her bikini bottom. The warmth of the sun blanketing her skin was nothing compared to the fire he ignited within her.

When his fingers slipped beneath the delicate fabric, her breath hitched, her body instinctively arching toward him, every nerve alight with anticipation. The glass of mimosa she'd been holding slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft, muted crash against the poolside tiles. The sound barely registered, drowned beneath the rush of blood in her ears and the relentless sensations he coaxed from her with his touch—expert, insistent, and entirely irresistible.

Her hands gripped the edges of the lounge chair, a futile attempt to anchor herself as his lips grazed her neck. The featherlight contact sent sparks racing through her, adding yet another layer to the tension coiling between them. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven bursts, every inch of her skin alive with the deliberate, maddening precision of his touch.

Matthew's fingers moved with precision, each motion deliberate as he coaxed soft, involuntary sounds from her lips. Her body quivered, teetering on the edge of surrender, the anticipation building with each lingering caress and the careful press of his thumb.

Eko's head fell back, her hair spilling over the cushion as a sharp gasp escaped her lips. Her voice trembled with a mix of frustration and desperate longing. "Matthew..." she pleaded, her tone a blend of exasperation and need, her fingers curling tightly against the lounge chair as her resolve threatened to crumble beneath him.

But just as the tension reached its peak, Matthew slowed and the knowing smirk tugging at his lips was infuriating and irresistible all at once, making her pulse race even faster. He wasn't ready to let her fall—not yet—and the glint of mischief in his eyes promised he'd savor every second of her surrender when it came.

Matthew's lips trailed feather-light kisses along the sensitive curve of her neck, each press igniting a trail of heat beneath her skin. His voice was a low, velvety rumble against her, resonating with an almost sinful intent. "Not yet, Mrs. Skarsgard," he murmured, his tone deep and intoxicating, each word rolling off his tongue like a promise.

His fingers slowed, moving with deliberate precision, their maddening pace keeping her teetering on the edge. The way he teased her, every motion calculated to draw out her need, sent a desperate ache coursing through her.

He knew exactly what he was doing—heightening her anticipation, making her crave him with every lingering caress. The tension in the air was electric, her body responding to his expert touch as he savored the power of holding her right there, balanced on the precipice of surrender.

Eko bit down on her lip, her breaths uneven as she struggled to maintain some semblance of composure. Every careful motion of his hand, every maddening flick of his thumb against her sent jolts of pleasure surging through her. Her body trembled, her thoughts dissolving into a haze of want. Her nails dug into the chair, her grip a futile attempt to ground herself against the growing storm within her.

"Matthew, please," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breathless plea, laden with longing and desperation.

In a swift motion, his fingers withdrew and before she could protest, he knelt between her legs, his grip firm and possessive as his hands slid beneath her hips, pulling her closer to him. The intensity in his gaze burned through her, his intentions clear as he unraveled the ties of her bikini bottom with deft precision, leaving her bare and exposed beneath him.

Her breath hitched as his hands traced down her thighs, parting them wider. The cool breeze against her heated skin sent a shiver through her, but it was nothing compared to the fire that erupted as his mouth descended on her. His tongue moved with unrelenting purpose, each stroke deliberate and hungry, leaving no room for hesitation. He devoured her with a skill that made her toes curl, her head falling back against the chair as pleasure wracked her body.

Eko's fingers instantly tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, her body trembling uncontrollably as she gave herself over to the intensity of what his tongue was doing to her. His movements were steady, unyielding, and every calculated flick of it pushed her further toward the edge. Each wave of sensation was more overwhelming than the last, stripping away the last remnants of her control until all that remained was him—Matthew, her soon-to-be husband, the man who knew her body better than she did herself.

"Oh, God, baby," she moaned, her voice breathless and trembling, her legs quaking beneath the onslaught of his touch. Every nerve in her body surrendered to the wave of pleasure building within her, surging to a crescendo that threatened to consume her entirely.

Her world shrank to a single point—his touch, his mouth, the unbearable heat spiraling between them. She writhed beneath him, her hips moving instinctively, seeking the release that teetered just out of reach. Her breath hitched, her fingers tangling in his hair as she clung to him, her body arching into his.

"Matthew... fuck," she gasped, her voice thick with desperation, the tension inside her coiling impossibly tight, ready to snap. "God, fuck me—you need to fuck me," she pleaded, her tone raw, cracking under the weight of her unfiltered need.

It was a masterful torment, and she unraveled beneath him, her composure crumbling as the pressure became unbearable. And then, with one final, perfectly placed motion, the world shattered around her. Pleasure hit her like a tidal wave, her cry of his name cutting through the heated air as her orgasm tore through her, leaving her trembling, breathless, and utterly helpless beneath his touch.

Her body convulsed, her hips grinding into him as the aftershocks tore through her, gasping and breathless. She barely had time to recover before his hands gripped her thigh, hooking it around his waist. His gaze locked onto hers, and he surged forward, burying himself deep with a primal, unrelenting need.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, quickly muffled as her fingers tangled in his hair, yanking him down into a bruising kiss. Their mouths collided, tongues clashing with desperate urgency. Her moans vibrated against his lips as she arched into him, her body matching the rhythm of his thrusts matching his rhythm with a fervor that burned through them both.

Matthew's breath was hot against her lips, each exhale searing her skin as his teeth grazed her bottom lip. His growl rumbled low and deep, a sound that sent an electric shiver racing through her. "Eko," he rasped, her name a guttural plea and a barely restrained need. "I can't—God, I can't."

Her fingers tightened in his hair, yanking him back to meet her gaze. Her lips parted, a breathless plea spilling out between gasps. "Keep going," she commanded, her body arching against his, nails digging into his shoulders with enough force to leave marks. "Don't come yet. Do not stop!"

Her words sent a shudder through him, his eyes locking onto hers—darkened with lust, need, and something even deeper. His grip on her thigh tightened, his fingers sinking into her flesh as his pace grew wild, desperate. Each thrust was powerful, relentless, driving her closer to the edge with every collision of their bodies.

"I'm not stopping," he groaned, his voice raw and strained, his words punctuated by ragged breaths. "Like I ever could with you. Fuck, Eko, you feel so good. So fucking perfect."

Her body burned, nerves alight as the tension in her core coiled impossibly tight, ready to snap. She met him thrust for thrust, her hips bucking frantically against his, desperate to close the impossible distance to release. Every movement sent her spiraling closer, the need between them consuming everything else.

"Matthew!" she cried out, her voice breaking, her body writhing beneath him. "I swear—I'm gonna come again. H-holy...S-shit!"

His grip on her tightened, his control unraveling as he drove into her harder, deeper. Each thrust was raw, frenzied, his own release surging closer with every desperate motion. The air around them seemed to thrum with intensity, their combined need a firestorm neither could contain nor wanted to.

And then it came. Her climax tore through her, her back arching off the lounge chair as her cry of his name filled the air. The pleasure was blinding, overwhelming, pulling her under completely. A heartbeat later, he followed, a guttural groan vibrating against her skin as his release hit with the same ferocity. His body trembled above hers, the aftershocks rippling through them in unison.

For a moment, time seemed to hold its breath. The world was reduced to the sound of their labored breathing, the soft rhythm of their heartbeats syncing as he collapsed against her, his forehead pressing gently to hers. Their skin was slick, their limbs tangled, both of them utterly spent and caught in the lingering haze of their passion.

Eko's mind was a blur, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to steady her breath. She tightened her arms around him, pulling him closer, her voice a soft, shaky whisper. "You... you always do this to me," she murmured, her tone tinged with affection and just a trace of exhaustion.

A lazy, satisfied chuckle rumbled from Matthew as he tilted his head, brushing his lips gently against hers. His breath was warm, his movements tender, a perfect contrast to the intensity they had just shared. "And you love it," he teased, his words laced with playful humor before he drew her into a slow, languid kiss. Their mouths moved together effortlessly, the lingering connection between them as intoxicating as it was unspoken.

When Eko finally pulled back, her lips curved into a sly grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "God, I love your mouth," she giggled, stretching out beneath him, her body basking in the golden afterglow of their passion. Her fingers drifted through his tousled hair, tugging gently as her smirk deepened. "Do you know what else I love?"

Matthew raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he shifted slightly, keeping his weight deliciously pressed against her. "I have a feeling you're about to tell me."

She let out a soft chuckle, her fingers lazily tracing the line of his jaw. "The strip show you put on for me last night," she teased, her grin wickedly playful.

Matthew's laugh echoed across the poolside, warm and carefree. "Really?" he asked, arching an eyebrow in mock disbelief.

"Oh, and I love the photos I took," Eko added, her grin widening with mischief. "That, among other things."

His playful smirk faltered, replaced by a suspicious glance as he leaned back slightly. "Come again?" His brow furrowed, his head tilting as he tried to piece it together. Had he really been that out of it? Could she have taken photos without him noticing?

Eko couldn't hold back her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she adjusted herself on the lounge chair, fastening her bikini bottoms with a triumphant air. "Yep! Got the whole thing," she said, her tone singsong and teasing as her fingers reached for her phone. Mischief sparkled in her eyes as she sat up, scrolling through her gallery.

Matthew gave her a side-eye, equal parts skeptical and curious. "Show me," he said, leaning in closer, his head resting lightly against her shoulder with genuine intrigue.

Eko's grin turned devilish as she flicked through her phone. "Oh, you're going to love this," she said, holding the screen up between them.

The first photo appeared: an innocent group shot in the limo. Eko was mid-karaoke, leading the girls in song while champagne glasses sparkled in their hands. Laughter radiated from every face in the picture.

Matthew snorted, shaking his head. "Classic. That's a typical Friday night for you lot," he muttered, his lips twitching with amusement.

Eko's grin turned absolutely wicked. "Want me to skip ahead to the part where I'm licking ice cream off your cock? Or should I start with the one where you're eating me out on the breakfast table in the suite?"

Matthew's laughter erupted, warm and infectious, as the vivid memories came rushing back. "How about we rewind to the beginning—when you first got here—and maybe you can fill me in on what happened before you texted me?"

Eko tilted her head, her tone teasing and playful. "If I recall correctly—and I do, despite the haze—you were more than happy to oblige the bride-to-be's requests."

Matthew pulled her closer, his arms wrapping snugly around her waist. "You sent me those ridiculous eggplant emojis and said, and I quote, 'fuck your wife.' Did you really think I was going to pass on that invitation?" His eyebrow arched, the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"And weren't you boys knee-deep in strippers and drinking when I texted you?" Eko countered, her voice dripping with mock accusation.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against her neck, his voice a low rumble. "My wife wanted me. Nothing else mattered."

"Oh, she definitely wanted you," Eko purred, her lips curling into a devilish grin. "And just imagine—if you hadn't come, our two best friends wouldn't have drunkenly tied the knot, and we wouldn't be planning joint anniversary celebrations for the rest of our lives!"

Matthew's laughter filled the air, rich and genuine. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, his voice laced with affection. "Alright, let's see these photos, babe. Start from the top."

Eko's eyes sparkled as she held up her phone, her finger hovering over the screen to begin the slideshow. "Oh, baby, buckle up. You're gonna love this," she teased, her excitement radiating as they prepared to relive the wild, unforgettable chaos of their night.