Chapter 464: The Best Love Stories Written By Time Itself
Days passed by. As the buds sprouted, the frigid winter quietly loosened its hold over Avaloria City, giving way to the tender warmth of spring.
The streets that shimmered with frost before now bloomed with colors. Soft petals fluttered as flowers and trees were given new life.
Lariette’s days unfolded in a gentle rhythm, much like the changing season. Her mornings began with a cuddle from Ruediger before they had breakfast together.
While the Elsher family hadn’t bothered Lariette, the same couldn’t be said of the Alvords. But Ruediger had stopped caring about them.
Whenever Matthew and Vincent tried to play tricks, his men would quickly nip them at the buds[01].
Then, their lives settled into a comforting calm. What happened at the beginning of the year had long left their minds.
None of them wanted to dwell on the past, especially when it would chip into their happiness.
They walked the same streets together, past the cafe, bookstore and flower shop, feeling the cool air of spring against their skin. He would reach for her hand, fingers intertwining as though anchoring her to the present.
Lariette was busy with school, while Ruediger was preoccupied with his hidden role for Edenia Avenue. Despite that, they managed to spend day to day with renewed hope.
As per Lariette’s request, neither Declan nor Rafael informed their parents of Mr. Eastwood’s doings. Samantha and Jonathan had long left Lariette’s mind. They hadn’t seen each other for over half a year.
And that was fine.
She had stopped begging for their parental love. With the ones who truly cared for her around, she lacked nothing.
One weekend, as the soft light of early spring spilled through the tall windows, Ruediger carried a cream-colored envelope to Lariette. She was lounging on the couch, quite drowsy.
"What’s that?" she looked up, seeing the envelope, sealed with a lavender wax stamp.
"Something fancy and happy," he grinned as he flashed the card to her.
Lariette leaned over Ruediger, her eyes brightening once she realized what it was.
"It’s Elsie and Nate’s wedding invitation!"
"Correct, sweetheart," he smoothly slid a hand along her jaw, "Here’s a kiss as a reward."
She laughed, "Hahaha! Quick! Open it!"
Both knew that Nathaniel had just proposed to Elsie last Christmas Eve. Even though only a few short months had passed, the newly engaged pair was already speeding up for a spring wedding.
The Faulkner and Winslow families happily celebrated the pair’s decision to hold a wedding so soon.
Once, Ruediger jokingly pointed out, "Poor guy. He waited for almost six years to end his bachelor status."
Although teasing, his statement held some truth.
Both Nathaniel and Elsie had waited for over five years. Now that they were reunited, they wouldn’t want to wait another day. Their love had weathered through storms.
Lariette, Ruediger and Madeline were in the wedding party, appointed as bridesmaids and best man. Still, Nathaniel and Elsie sent them a formal invitation.
Andrea and Diane, the mothers of the groom and bride, handled most of the wedding preparations to quicken the process. They shared ideas and opinions while respecting Elsie and Nathaniel’s preferences.
To make the moment more special, the wedding ceremony would take place in Nathaniel’s cliffside villa in Seacastle, right within the lavender garden he had grown for Elsie for the past few years. As for the reception, it would be at the beach down the cliff.
Only families, relatives and close friends were invited to the ceremony. Their business partners and others would attend the reception later.
Under Lariette’s beaming look, Ruediger tore the seal carefully and unfolded the card. A delicate scent of dried lavender wafted out.
The note read...
[The best love stories are written by time itself.]
[After years apart and the grace of reunion, Nathaniel Faulkner and Elsie Winslow invite you to celebrate the beginning of their new Chapter.]
Lariette looped her arms around Ruediger’s neck, her smile brighter, "You’ll be the greatest best man! Have you prepared a speech? Hehe, what will you include?"
He raised a brow, amusement glinting in his emerald eyes, "Hmm... Maybe that time when Nate stopped the bad guys with a superbike?"
"Hahaha! Sounds so heroic!" she laughed, "Aww~ I can’t wait to see Lorrie in her flower girl dress. How perfect."
A smile tugged at his lips, "Sweetheart, I can’t wait to see you in the bridesmaid dress too."
Elsie designed her own wedding dress, as well as the ones for Lariette, Madeline and Lorianne. Both Nathaniel and Ruediger couldn’t wait to see their beloved women in them.
She leaned over, brushing her lips over his, "You’ll get to see it soon. And it’s going to be a beautiful wedding."
And indeed, it was.
Over one month later, as spring neared its end, the wedding morning dawned bright and clear. The air was fragrant with the sweetness of blooming lavender and the salt of the sea.
Nathaniel’s villa stood proudly on the cliff, overlooking endless waves that glittered under the spring sun.
The garden, the one he had planted during the years he and Elsie were apart, was in full bloom. The purple fields swayed in the breeze, filling the space with color and memory.
A beautiful altar, aisle and chairs were set up in the garden. The ceremony would begin at noon, while the reception would follow two hours later.
Inside the villa, laughter and soft chatter floated from the bridal room.
Lariette and Madeline stood before the mirror, both dressed in gentle shades of pale sage green. The chiffon flowed gracefully when they moved. Their hair was adorned with tiny lavender sprigs that Elsie had chosen for them.
The bride sat by the window in her white wedding gown, the sunlight catching the pearls on her veil. She looked exquisitely radiant as a quiet joy reflected in her softened gaze and smile.
The maid of honor, Elsie’s cousin, adjusted her veil with a teasing grin, "You look like you stepped straight out of a fairytale dream."
Elsie laughed, "A very nervous fairytale dream."
"You’ll be fine," Lariette said warmly as she touched Elsie’s hand, "Nate won’t take his eyes off you even for a second."
Madeline added jokingly, "Ahem, more like he wanna take off your dress with his eyes."
"Hahaha!"
Laughter bubbled over as the bride blushed. At that moment, the door creaked open as Lorianne peeked in, her little flower crown slightly crooked on her tiny head.
"Mommy! Grandma says it’s almost time!" she announced proudly, clutching her small woven basket of petals.
Elsie stood, her gown flowing like the gentle sea waves, "Thank you, darling. Are you ready to walk with me?"
Lorianne nodded eagerly, eyes shining. She spun in her dusy rose tea-length dress, "I’ve practiced!"
Lariette and Madeline shared a glance, their hearts swelling at the sweet sight. Then, they followed Elsie, Lorianne and the others downstairs.
Nathaniel was waiting at the bottom, tall and composed, perfect in his black suit. His expression softened the moment he saw his bride.
"My love, you look..." Nathaniel paused, words failing him, "Like everything I’ve been waiting for."
Elsie’s cheeks flushed pink as she reached for his hand, "And you look like our home."
Together, with Lorianne skipping between them, they stepped into the garden where the ceremony would begin.
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