Three weeks had passed since Adira had taken Connor's number under the guise of Commander Jackson's transfer. She sat at her desk, the phone open in front of her, staring at the contact she had saved. A mix of apprehension and excitement coursed through her. She hadn't intended to reach out, but something compelled her to do it. After a moment's hesitation, she typed a simple "Hi" and hit send.

Meanwhile, Connor was on a night shift, feeling the usual exhaustion settle in when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a text from an unknown number. Curiosity piqued, he typed back quickly: "Hi, who's this?"

Adira was reviewing a medical file when she saw his name pop up on her screen. Her heart raced at the sight, and she picked up her phone, replying with a casual tone.

**Adira**: This is Adira. How are you?"

Connor's pulse quickened as the message flashed across his screen. He hadn't expected to hear from her, let alone in this way. He felt a swirl of emotions—relief, confusion, nostalgia. But why was she acting as if they were strangers? It was as if the past five years had been erased.

He typed back, trying to keep his thoughts clear.

**Connor**: "I'm good. Just busy with night shift stuff. You?"

He hit send, but the unease lingered. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was deliberately keeping things distant, as if she didn't want to acknowledge their history. Did she really not remember the connection they had? Or was she choosing to ignore it?

As he waited for her reply, Connor couldn't help but replay their last encounter in his mind. He had hoped for something more, for a chance to rekindle what they once shared. Now, it felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, uncertain of whether to jump or retreat.

Adira looked at the message Connor had sent, her fingers hovering over the keyboard before she finally typed back, trying to keep things light.

**Adira**: *"I'm good, just looking at a patient's report."*

Connor saw her message pop up and quickly replied, his heart still unsettled.

**Connor**: *"Okay. Do you need any help?"*

Adira smiled softly at his offer, a small flicker of warmth passing through her. She typed back with a gentle decline.

**Adira**: "Umm, no. I don't need help. I just wanted to let you know that Commander Jackson is doing fine now."

Connor stared at the message for a moment, relieved but still confused by this strange, distant interaction. He replied casually, even though the conversation felt heavier than it seemed.

**Connor**: "Oh, that's nice."

Adira quickly replied, feeling the need to end the conversation before it went somewhere she wasn't ready for.

**Adira**: "Yea. Good night. Talk to you later."

Connor read her message, the brief exchange leaving him feeling oddly unsatisfied.

**Connor**: "Good night."

Adira sat there for a while, staring at her phone, her heart heavier than before. She had wanted to say more, to talk to him about something deeper, but she didn't know how. There was a pull she couldn't explain, as if her heart knew him in ways her mind couldn't comprehend.

The question gnawed at her—did she know Connor before? Was he someone important in her past, before she lost her memory? The doctors had told her that some things might never come back, but the connection she felt with him was undeniable. Her body remembered him, the warmth in his presence, but her mind... it was blank.

She closed her eyes, trying to shake the feeling, but her heart wouldn't let go of the strange, unspoken bond that lingered between them. And yet, she couldn't find the words to keep the conversation going, afraid of what she might discover if she dug too deep.

______

For the next six weeks, Connor and Adira's text conversations became a steady part of their lives. Each message exchanged carried a hint of warmth, a thread that seemed to reconnect them, even though they were both acutely aware of an underlying tension.

Adira found herself feeling comfortable enough to keep texting Connor, sharing small details about her day, her work, and even bits of her life outside the hospital. But one thing she hadn't revealed was the secret she carried—the memory loss. It loomed over her, making every interaction feel like a delicate balancing act. She didn't want to break the fragile bond they were rebuilding, but the weight of what she hadn't told him pressed on her more each day.

For Connor, these conversations felt both familiar and strange. He was growing more certain that something was different about Adira, something that made him question what had happened to her in the years they had been apart. She was still the same person in many ways—confident, intelligent, caring—but there was a subtle distance, a hesitation in her words that hadn't been there before.

He had noticed little things. Adira would ask him questions that seemed oddly basic as if she was learning about him for the first time. He'd respond with details she should already know from their past, but her replies would always be polite, never acknowledging the shared history they once had. It was as though she was piecing him together, getting to know him all over again, and that puzzled him deeply.

One evening, as Connor sat in the break room after a long shift, he stared at his phone. Their latest conversation was still open:

**Adira**: "So, what do you do to relax after your shifts? You always seem so focused."

He had replied, trying to be lighthearted but feeling the oddness of the question.

**Connor**: "I guess I go for a run or sometimes grab a beer with Will. Nothing too exciting."

The conversation had moved forward, but the feeling stayed with him. He couldn't shake the sense that Adira wasn't just reconnecting with him—she was *rediscovering* him.

And every time they spoke, he felt like he was rediscovering her too. She was the same Adira, but she wasn't. Something was off, and he couldn't pinpoint it. It wasn't just the small talk or the way she sometimes hesitated—it was the fact that she seemed to be getting to know him all over again, like their shared history had vanished.

He had considered asking her directly if something was wrong, but he didn't want to push her. Not yet. Not when they had only just started talking again after all this time.

So, for now, Connor kept his suspicions to himself, waiting for the right moment to ask the questions that were building in his mind.

______

A few days later, Connor and Adira were texting casually, exchanging light banter about their respective days, when her next message caught him completely off guard.

**Adira**: "Hey, are you free tomorrow? I was thinking... maybe we could meet for a late brunch?"

Connor stared at his phone screen, dumbfounded. He hadn't expected that. After weeks of dancing around deeper conversations and keeping things relatively surface-level, the sudden shift in her tone took him by surprise. His mind raced with questions—was this her way of finally opening up? Or was it just a casual meet-up?

He quickly typed back, trying to sound calm despite the swirl of emotions in his chest.

**Connor**: "Yeah, I'm free. Where and when?"

His heart raced as he watched the three dots indicating her typing, waiting for her reply.

A moment later, her message popped up on his screen.

**Adira**: "How about 11:30 at The Elm Café? It's a quiet spot, perfect for brunch. I'll text you the address."

Connor exhaled, nodding to himself as he read the message, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves. He replied with a simple "Sounds good. See you then," though his thoughts were far from simple. What did this brunch mean? Was it just a friendly catch-up, or was there something more to it?

The rest of the night, he found himself distracted, thinking about their upcoming meeting. As much as he was looking forward to seeing her again in person, face-to-face, he couldn't help but wonder if this would finally give him the answers he had been searching for.

The next morning, Adira woke up at her usual time. It was Saturday, and she felt no rush, moving at her own pace as she prepared for the day. After freshening up, she started on her coffee, enjoying the quiet of her apartment, feeling the calm before what she was mentally labeling her "brunch date." The thought made her stomach flutter, though she tried to play it off as excitement for a simple outing.

Meanwhile, Connor wasn't having as smooth of a morning. He had been called in for an emergency surgery late the previous night and didn't return home until 4 a.m. Groggy and grumpy, he woke up around 8 and dragged himself out of bed. He freshened up, feeling the weight of exhaustion but trying to push it aside. Checking his phone, he saw a notification from Adira.

**Adira**: "Hey, are we still on for brunch?"

He smiled slightly, despite the tiredness, and replied.

**Connor**: "Sure. See you there."

He tossed his phone aside and headed for the shower, feeling a small surge of energy at the thought of seeing her again. He hadn't expected to be this excited, but something about reconnecting with Adira had stirred up emotions he hadn't faced in years.

Adira, meanwhile, was scrolling through Instagram when Connor's reply popped up. She smiled softly at his confirmation, a small but undeniable sense of excitement bubbling up inside her. Today wasn't just brunch—it felt like the start of something. And though she wasn't sure where it would lead, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was important. She knew she had to tell him about Seattle soon. This meeting felt like the perfect opportunity before she left.

Heading to her closet, she picked out a simple yet chic outfit—a black turtleneck paired with black trousers, and a half-sleeve beige cropped sweater to pull it together. After a bit of light makeup and soft waves in her hair, she gave herself a final once-over in the mirror. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous energy. With one last look, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

Connor, meanwhile, had just finished showering and was standing in front of his closet, trying to figure out what to wear. He didn't want to overdo it, but he wanted to look good—presentable, but not like he had tried too hard. Finally, he pulled out a brown knitted jersey and paired it with black pants. His silver watch glinted as he adjusted his sleeves, his tattoo peeking through the fabric.

Satisfied with his look, he ran a hand through his damp hair and grabbed his keys. As he left, he couldn't help but wonder what this brunch would lead to. There were so many things unsaid between them, and today felt like a step toward finally understanding what had changed between them—or perhaps, what hadn't.

______

Adira was the first to arrive at the café. She glanced around, taking in the cozy atmosphere before choosing a table near the window. The light filtered in gently, giving the café a warm glow as she settled in, tapping her fingers on the table in quiet anticipation. A waitress approached her with a friendly smile.

"Can I get you anything to start?" the waitress asked.

Adira returned the smile. "I'll wait for my friend before ordering food, but I'd like an iced latte, please."

"Of course," the waitress replied and headed off.

Just as the waitress left, Connor walked through the door, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her. He smiled when he saw her sitting by the window, looking relaxed, and made his way over. In his hands, he held a small bouquet of flowers—three pink roses surrounded by delicate baby's breath. It was a simple gesture, but one that made his heart race a little faster.

"Hey," he greeted as he reached her table.

Adira looked up from her phone, her face lighting up as she saw him. "Hey!" She noticed the bouquet in his hands and raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised.

Connor handed her the flowers with a sheepish smile. "These are for you."

Adira took the bouquet gently, her smile widening as she admired the soft pink roses. "Thank you, Connor. These are beautiful."

He nodded, sitting down across from her, feeling a small sense of relief that she seemed to like the gesture. Before they could say more, the waitress returned with Adira's iced latte and set it down in front of her. She turned to Connor.

"And for you?"

"A cappuccino, please," he replied, and the waitress nodded before disappearing again.

As the two sat there, a comfortable silence fell between them for a moment. Adira placed the bouquet gently beside her on the table, her fingers brushing over the petals absentmindedly. She felt a warmth in her chest—this brunch felt different than she had expected. More... intentional.

Connor leaned back in his chair, his gaze flickering between Adira and the flowers. He couldn't help but notice how relaxed yet thoughtful she seemed today, her smile lingering just a little longer than usual.

"So," Adira began, breaking the silence as she stirred her latte. "How was your morning? You look like you didn't get much sleep."

Connor chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right about that. Late-night surgery. I didn't get home until four, but I didn't want to cancel."

Adira smiled. "I appreciate that. You must be exhausted, though."

"I'm alright," he said, leaning forward slightly, "I'm glad we're doing this. It's been a while since I've had brunch with someone."

Adira's smile deepened, and she nodded, taking a sip of her latte. "I'm glad too. I was looking forward to this."

Their conversation flowed easily from there, both of them slipping into the familiarity of each other's company. But beneath the surface, there was still a sense of something unspoken between them, an invisible thread connecting the past and present, waiting to be unraveled.

The waitress had just brought Connor's cappuccino when they placed their order for pancakes and sandwiches. Their conversation flowed easily, as it usually did, but as they began eating, Connor noticed a change in Adira's demeanor. She grew quieter, her fingers fidgeting slightly with her fork as she pushed a piece of pancake around her plate.

Connor furrowed his brow, leaning in slightly. "You want to ask something?"

Adira hesitated, biting her lip. She looked uncertain, which was unusual for her. "I... I don't know how to ask."

Now Connor was curious. He raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite. "What is it that you want to ask?"

Adira took a deep breath, her gaze falling to her pancakes. After a moment of silence, she finally looked up at him and asked, almost too quickly, "Will you marry me?"

Connor froze, the fork halfway to his mouth, his mind racing. He blinked, completely stunned by her question. It was so out of the blue, he couldn't help but think he misheard her.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Adira said quickly, waving her hands in front of her as if to stop him from panicking. "Listen to me first before you freak out."

Connor set his fork back down on his plate, leaning back in his chair. His shock hadn't faded, but he was trying to compose himself. "Alright... I'm listening."

Adira let out a breath, relieved that he wasn't running for the door just yet. "Okay, so, I know how that sounds. But it's not what you think. There's this... situation. Ummm, I might have fucked up a little bit?  My parents want me to get married, but huh I said I am married already to you."

Connor sat back in his chair, letting Adira's words sink in. He stared at her in disbelief, trying to process everything she just said. "You... told your parents you're married? And you used my name?" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and shock.

Adira winced, looking down at her plate again. "Yeah. They've been pressuring me for a while now, and I—I don't know why, but I panicked. And your name was the first thing that came to mind."

Connor rubbed the back of his neck, trying to wrap his head around the situation. He let out a soft chuckle, more out of disbelief than amusement. "So, let me get this straight. You told your parents we're married... and now you're asking me to actually marry you, so they don't find out?"

Adira nodded, her expression sheepish. "It sounds insane when you say it like that, but yeah, that's basically it."

Connor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "So, you're asking me to pretend to be your husband?"

She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her mistake. "I know it's crazy, Connor. And I'm not asking you to actually marry me, just to... pretend, at least until I can figure something out. My parents are coming to visit in a week, and I need to show them I'm—"

Connor raised a hand to stop her. "Wait, wait. So not only did you tell them we're married, but now they're coming here, and you want me to play along?"

Connor ran a hand through his hair, his mind trying to catch up with the situation. "You're seriously asking me to go along with this? Adira, this is... insane."

"I know it's a lot. I wouldn't ask if I had another option, but they'll be relentless otherwise," Adira explained, her voice soft, almost pleading. "And... I trust you. I mean, we've been talking a lot these past few weeks, and I feel like... I don't know, I just thought you might understand."

Connor took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn't just a small lie, Adira. You know that, right? This is big, and it's not something I can just casually agree to."

Adira looked down at her pancakes, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I know. I'm sorry, Connor. I didn't mean to drag you into this mess. But my parents are really traditional, and if they think I'm already married, it'll buy me some time. The time I need."

Connor let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Adira, this is a lot. I mean, it's not like we can just pretend to be married for a weekend and then go back to normal."

"I know," she said softly. "But I didn't know who else to ask. You're the only person I trust enough to do this with me."

Connor looked at her for a long moment, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes. He could tell she was genuinely in a tough spot, and despite the madness of the situation, he still cared about her. Deep down, part of him wanted to help, but this wasn't a simple favor.

He sighed again. "Okay... let's say I agree to this. What's the plan? How are we supposed to convince them we're married?"

Adira smiled weakly, grateful he was even considering it. "We'll just... make up a story. Something believable about why we kept it quiet. We can tell them we've met through a common friend and have been together for a while, and that we got married recently. It's not ideal, but it'll work. I'll make sure they don't ask too many questions."

Connor shook his head, still baffled by the whole thing. "This is... the craziest thing I've ever heard."

Adira bit her lip, leaning forward slightly. "Connor, I know it's asking a lot. But I promise I'll make it as easy as possible for you. And once my parents leave, we can go back to normal. No strings attached."

Connor stared at her for a long moment, his mind racing. Finally, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Alright. I'll do it. But we need to figure out the details, and I'm not going to pretend this isn't weird."

Adira's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Connor. I promise it's just temporary. I'll figure out a way out of this mess."

Connor gave a wry smile. "You'd better."

They both sat in silence for a moment, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. Finally, Connor picked up his fork again, eyeing Adira with amusement. "You realize I'm going to hold this over your head for a long time, right?"

Adira laughed softly, feeling lighter now that he'd agreed. "Yeah, I figured you would."

As they resumed their meal, the tension lifted, but the reality of what they were about to do still lingered between them. This was only the beginning of whatever came next, and neither of them could predict how it would play out.

As the brunch wrapped up, Connor leaned back in his chair, glancing over at Adira. "So... are you free the whole day?"

Adira raised an eyebrow, taking a final sip of her coffee. "Yeah, why?"

Connor hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to come over to my place? We need to figure all this out—how we're going to make this story believable."

Adira blinked, surprised by the suggestion, but quickly nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense. We should plan it out."

______

A short while later, the two of them were at Connor's apartment. The space was modern, with minimal décor but a warm, lived-in feel. Adira paced back and forth in the living room, biting her lip in thought, while Connor sat on the couch, deep in his own thoughts, his arms crossed over his chest.

"This is harder than I thought it would be," Adira said with a sigh, running a hand through her hair as she continued pacing.

Connor watched her for a moment before shaking his head. "You're making me dizzy with all that walking around."

She stopped and gave him a half-hearted smile, then plopped down on the couch beside him. "Sorry. I just don't know what to tell them. We need something realistic, something they'll believe without asking too many questions."

Connor rubbed his chin, still thinking. "Okay, well, let's start with the basics. How did we reconnect? Your parents are going to want to know how we went from not seeing each other for years to suddenly being married."

Adira chewed on her lip again, then sat up straighter. "We could say we connected after one of your surgeries. Maybe you were called in for a case and we bumped into each other at the hospital?"

Connor nodded slowly, considering it. "Yeah, that could work. We connected over work. But... how do we explain the marriage? We can't exactly say we eloped out of nowhere."

Adira thought for a moment, her brow furrowed. "What if we tell them it was... gradual? We started spending more time together, and things just naturally fell into place. No grand romantic gesture, just... a quiet decision."

Connor looked at her thoughtfully. "Yeah, that sounds believable. We could say we kept it low-key because of work. You're busy, I'm busy, and we didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

Adira nodded, a little more relaxed now. "Exactly. We just didn't want the attention. Plus, we've known each other for so long, it didn't feel like we needed some huge wedding."

Connor leaned back against the couch, feeling like they were making progress. "Alright, that covers how we got married. Now, what about the timeline? How long have we supposedly been married?"

Adira hesitated. "Not too long. Maybe... a couple of months?"

Connor considered it, then nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. Long enough that it doesn't seem rushed, but short enough that it makes sense why we haven't told anyone."

Adira leaned back beside him, letting out a sigh of relief. "Okay, I think we've got the basics down. We'll need to keep it simple, stick to the details we've talked about."

Connor turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "And what about your parents? What are they like? Is there anything I need to know about how to handle them?"

Adira chuckled lightly. "Oh, they're... intense. My mom will probably ask a million questions, and my dad, well, he'll want to make sure you're 'good enough' for me."

Connor smirked. "Great, looking forward to that." After that, there was silence with both of them lost in their thoughts, and suddenly something dawned on him. He turned to Adira and asked" Adira, what if your parents want to see the marriage certificate?"

Adira looked back at him, her mind racing as she processed Connor's words. She hadn't thought of the possibility that her parents would ask for a marriage certificate. Panic started to creep into her chest.

"Shit, Connor! I really didn't think this through," she muttered, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Now what?"

Connor leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor as if the answer might appear in the pattern of the rug. "We could... forge one?" He said half-jokingly, but the idea didn't sit right with either of them.

"No way," Adira replied quickly. "My father's military. He's going to check everything. We'd get caught in an instant."

Connor sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Okay, so we need to figure something out that doesn't involve lying any more than we already are."

Adira got up again, pacing in front of him. "What if we just tell them we had a private ceremony? But they'll still want proof, right?"

Connor nodded, watching her as she moved. He could see the stress building up in her, and he understood. This wasn't just about pretending anymore—it was starting to feel too real.

"Yeah, they'll want more than just our word," Connor said thoughtfully, running a hand through his hair. "We have to give them something tangible."

Adira stopped pacing, turning to face him. "But how? I don't see any way out of this without actually getting married."

Connor's eyes widened slightly as the weight of what she was saying hit him. He stood up, taking a step toward her. "You mean... actually get married?"

Adira crossed her arms, nodding slowly. "It's the only thing that makes sense. If we don't, my parents will figure it out, and it'll be worse than if I'd just told them the truth from the start."

Connor was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on hers. The idea seemed surreal, but she had a point. They'd dug themselves into this hole, and the only way out might be to commit to it fully.

"Are you sure?" Connor asked, his voice softer now. "This isn't something we can undo easily."

Adira hesitated but then nodded again. "I know. But it's the only way to make this work. We're in too deep already. I'd rather deal with a real marriage than face my parents knowing I lied about something this big."

Connor studied her, the weight of the situation settling heavily between them. They had known each other so long ago, and now, here they were, contemplating marriage—not out of love, but necessity.

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright," he said finally. "Let's do it."

Adira blinked as if his agreement had startled her, even though she had expected it. "Really?" she asked softly.

Connor gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. If this is what it takes to help you out, I'll do it."

Adira let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, a mixture of relief and nervousness washing over her. "Thank you, Connor. I know this isn't what either of us imagined, but... it's the only way."

Connor nodded. "We'll make it work. We'll get married, and when the time's right, we can figure out the rest."

Adira smiled, though her heart was still racing. "Okay. I guess the first step is figuring out how we're actually going to do this."

Connor glanced around the room, thinking for a moment. "We could just go to the courthouse. It's quick and simple. No one has to know except us."

Adira nodded. "Yeah, that works. Let's keep it low-key."

Connor nodded. "Okay. I'll make some calls. We can get everything sorted in the next couple of days."

Adira smiled, feeling a strange combination of nerves and excitement. "Okay. Let's do it."

As Connor picked up his phone to make the arrangements, Adira sat back down on the couch, her mind still spinning. She had never imagined her life would take such a sharp turn, and yet here she was—planning a marriage with the man she just started to know.

As Connor finished his call and sat down beside her, there was a quiet understanding between them. This wasn't going to be easy, but they were in it together. Whatever happened next, they would face it side by side.

Adira looked over at Connor, her heart beating a little faster. "I guess we're doing this," she said softly.

Connor glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I guess we are."

______

Over the next few days, Adira and Connor worked tirelessly to get everything in order. Connor had convinced Adira to move in with him to make it seem like they had been living together for months. Adira settled into the new arrangement smoothly, her belongings now blending seamlessly with Connor's.

Now, they stood side by side in front of the courthouse. The sun was just beginning to peek through the morning clouds, casting long shadows on the stone steps. Adira and Connor both took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling in.

Connor turned to her, his expression a mixture of apprehension and determination. "So we're really doing this?"

Adira met his gaze and nodded, her voice steady but soft. "We really don't have any other way."

He exhaled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah... let's do this."

Adira was dressed in a simple yet elegant midnight blue knee-length dress, the soft cowl neckline falling gracefully against her collarbone. The full sleeves added a touch of sophistication, and her minimal makeup accentuated her natural beauty. She wore only small, delicate earrings and a bracelet, her hair pulled back into a neat low bun.

Connor, on the other hand, looked casual yet sharp in a textured brown shirt paired with crisp white trousers. His silver watch glinted in the soft light, matching the subtle bracelet on his wrist.

Adira took another deep breath, feeling the weight of what was ahead. She reached for Connor's hand, their fingers intertwining as they silently drew strength from each other. With one last shared glance, they stepped forward, entering the courthouse together.

Connor and Adira walked through the courthouse hallway, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor. As they turned the corner, they spotted Will and Lucy waiting for them near the entrance to the ceremony room. Will was the first to notice them, his eyes widening in curiosity as he quickly made his way toward Connor.

"Hey!" Will greeted, pulling Connor into a quick, firm hug. As they embraced, Will leaned in and whispered, "What's going on?"

Connor pulled back slightly, meeting his friend's questioning gaze. "I'll tell you later," he whispered back with a quick nod.

Will raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied. "Promise?"

Connor gave a small smile. "Yeah, promise."

Meanwhile, Lucy had rushed over to Adira, immediately pulling her friend into a tight hug. "Okay, spill. What is happening?" she asked in a hushed tone, her eyes searching Adira's face for answers.

Adira, keeping her composure, smiled softly and whispered, "I'll explain everything, I promise."

With questions temporarily put on hold, the four of them walked into the room where Connor and Adira were about to get married. The space was intimate and simple, with wooden benches lining the walls and soft sunlight streaming in through the high windows. At the far end of the room stood an older woman in a judge's robe, her face warm and kind, a gentle smile playing at her lips as she awaited their arrival.

Connor and Adira exchanged a glance, their hands still clasped tightly together as they moved forward to stand before the wooden podium. The air in the room was thick with anticipation, but the warmth of the judge's smile seemed to calm their nerves, if only for a moment.

They took a final deep breath, their fingers intertwined as they faced what was about to unfold. The judge began speaking in a soft, reassuring tone, her voice carrying through the quiet room. "Good afternoon, everyone. We're gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Connor and Adira."

Connor gently squeezed Adira's hand, glancing at her with a soft smile. The warmth of her touch helped to calm his nerves, and for a brief moment, everything felt right.

Judge continues speaking "Marriage is a commitment to live together, to love and support one another, and to share the highs and the lows that life brings. Connor and Adira, you've chosen to embark on this journey together, surrounded by those who love and care for you."

The camera would focus on Connor and Adira's expressions now, their hands still intertwined, eyes locking in the gravity of the moment. The world outside seemed distant, as if it no longer existed.

"If you have prepared vows, now is the time to share them." Judge says looking at them.

Connor cleared his throat, a faint tremor in his voice as he began, but his words were filled with sincerity.

"I take you as mine, knowing and loving all of your strengths and faults, just as I offer myself to you as yours with all of my strengths and faults. I will be there for you in your times of need, just as I know I can turn to you when I need a guiding hand." Connor says in a soft tone.

Adira smiled softly, her heart swelling with the weight of his words. She took a breath, her voice calm and confident as she spoke her vows.

"Today I say, 'I do,' but to me, that means, 'I will.' I will take your hand and stand by your side in the good and the bad. I dedicate myself to your happiness, success, and smile. I will love you forever." Adira says with a smile on her face.

A brief silence followed as they took in the significance of their words, the room filling with an almost palpable sense of intimacy.

"By the power vested in me by this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Judge says with a smile.

Connor hesitated for a second, tilting his head slightly as if asking for permission. Adira, her eyes soft and trusting, nodded in response. With a gentle movement, Connor leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her right cheek, the moment quiet yet deeply intimate.

The simplicity of the kiss only deepened the connection between them, filled with love, but beneath the surface, Connor's heart was conflicted. As he pulled back, his gaze lingering on Adira, a flood of memories rushed through him. He knew that marrying her wasn't just about love — it was about fear. Fear of losing her again. The past five years had been a blur of missed chances and what-ifs, ever since they lost contact. Those years without her had chipped away at him, leaving cracks he wasn't sure would ever heal.

He couldn't afford to lose her again.

Not this time.And so, as they stood there, newly married, Connor's love for Adira was tangled with an unspoken, selfish truth — that he had agreed to this not just for her, but for himself. Because the thought of a life without her was something he wasn't willing to face.

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Hey everyone,

Here's chapter 2 I hope all of you will like it. 

With love 

Mansi