Chapter 601

Chapter 601

A month after the baby arrived, Julian brought up the idea of giving Louisa a proper wedding.

"When we went to the courthouse, everything happened so fast," he said.

He was holding the baby, his eyes on Louisa, his voice soft. "I owe you a real wedding."

Louisa looked at him and smiled.

"We're practically an old married couple at this point — we already have a kid. What do we need a wedding for?"

"It's not the same."

Julian was serious. "Whatever other women have, you deserve too. And I want everyone to know — you, Louisa, are my wife."

Watching the sincerity on his face, Louisa felt warmth bloom in her chest.

"Okay."

She gave a small nod. "Then let's do it."

The planning kicked off almost immediately.

Adeline and Echo took charge of everything personally.

They booked the finest hotel, hired the most sought-after wedding planner, and brought in a top bridal designer.

The gown was custom-made — the designer took Louisa's measurements and built it around her.

Julian showed up the day she went in for the fitting.

When Louisa stepped out of the dressing room in the gown, he went completely still.

"What's wrong? Does it look bad?"

Louisa asked, a nervous edge in her voice.

"It looks incredible. You look incredible."

Julian crossed the room and took her hand, his gaze tender. "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world."

Louisa looked at him, color rising in her cheeks.

"Such a smooth talker."

But inside, she was absolutely glowing.

Nicholas contributed more than his fair share as well.

In his role as the bride's older brother, he put together a generous wedding gift for Louisa.

There was a bank card, a sprawling luxury penthouse in the heart of the city, and a high-end car.

"Louisa, this is my gift to you." Nicholas held out a set of keys and smiled. "The condo and the car are both in your name. No matter what happens, you'll always have somewhere to go."

"Nicholas, I can't accept this."

Louisa pushed them back. "I have my own money."

"Yours is yours. Mine is mine."

He pressed the keys back into her hand, his tone firm. "You're a Getty. A woman leaving home to start a new life deserves a proper send-off. Take it. Don't argue with me."

Louisa looked at him, her eyes going glassy.

"Thank you, Nicholas."

"Don't thank me."

He ruffled her hair, smiling. "From now on, whenever things get hard, you come home. I will always have your back."

The day of the wedding, the sky was perfect.

Bright sun, a gentle breeze — nothing harsh about it.

Louisa walked in her white gown, her arm linked through Nicholas's, moving step by step toward Julian.

Julian stood at the end of the aisle in a black suit, watching her, his expression soft with something that looked a lot like wonder.

For a moment, the whole world seemed to hold its breath.

Everything at the edges blurred away.

Only the two of them remained sharp and clear.

Nicholas placed Louisa's hand in Julian's.

"Julian, I'm entrusting my sister to you." His voice was grave. "You hurt her, and I will be the first one coming for you."

"Nicholas." Julian held Louisa's hand steadily, his eyes steady too. "I will spend the rest of my life taking care of her. You have my word."

Nicholas gave a single nod and stepped aside.

The ceremony itself was simple and warm.

No elaborate ritual. Just two people making promises to each other.

"Louisa, will you marry me?"

Julian's gaze was soft as he looked at her.

"I will."

Louisa smiled, and her tears came anyway.

"Julian, will you marry me?"

"I will."

He slid the ring onto her finger. She slid the ring onto his.

Both rings caught the light and shimmered.

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Someone in the crowd started the chant.

Julian looked at Louisa, leaned in, and pressed his lips to hers — gently, carefully, like the kiss meant something.

It did.

The applause that followed was thunderous.

Adeline and Echo both had tears on their faces.

Nicholas stood off to the side, watching, and found his own eyes stinging.

His little sister had finally found her happiness.

After the ceremony came the reception.

The room was full.

Relatives from the Tudor family, relatives from the Getty family, friends of both Louisa and Julian.

Sadie was there. Noah was there. George, Caden, Vivian — all of them came.

Even Xanthe showed up.

Everyone was there to celebrate the newlyweds.

"Louisa, congratulations." Sadie pulled her into a hug. "You've been through so much. You deserve every bit of this."

"Thank you, Sadie." Louisa smiled. "I don't know what I would have done without you, all these years."

"Oh, stop." Sadie laughed. "That's what friends are for."

Vivian made her way over too, looking a little uncertain.

"Louisa… congratulations." Her voice was quiet. "And I'm sorry. For everything before."

"It's in the past."

Louisa met her eyes and smiled. "Go live a good life."

Vivian nodded, blinking fast.

She knew Louisa meant it. She really had forgiven her.

Julian drank a lot at the reception.

He was happy.

He had finally given Louisa the wedding she deserved.

That night, when they got home, Julian held Louisa on the balcony and they sat together watching the city lights.

"Louisa." His voice was low near her ear. "You were breathtaking today."

"Flatterer."

Louisa laughed softly and leaned into him.

"I mean it."

Julian laced his fingers through hers, his tone quiet and sincere. "Louisa, thank you. Thank you for walking into my life."

Louisa looked at him and smiled.

"I'm the one who should be saying that." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for giving me a home."

They held each other and looked out at the glittering lights of the city — a thousand windows, a thousand lives.

Their story had weathered so much.

But they had made it through to the other side.

And ahead of them stretched so much more.

They would watch their child grow up.

They would taste every flavor life had to offer — the sweet, the bitter, the everything in between.

They would grow old together.

That was the life they had chosen. That was their happiness.

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