New Beginnings

New Beginnings
POV Sage Winters

The evening air at Winterhold International Airport was crisp as Thorne and I stood near the arrivals gate. My hands were clenched together, eyes fixed on the exit doors.

Thorne's hand covered mine. "Breathe, Sage. They'll be here any minute."

"I can't believe they're really coming."

"They wouldn't miss this for anything."

Movement near the exit caught my attention. Two figures emerged, one pushing a luggage cart.

"Sage!" Calla's voice cut through the noise. She abandoned the cart and broke into a run.

I was already moving. When we collided, her arms went around me tight.

"I missed you so much," I managed.

"I missed you too." She pulled back. "You look thinner."

Behind her, Elara approached slowly. She stopped a few feet away, and for a long moment we just looked at each other.

Then she opened her arms, and I went into them.

"Child," she whispered, stroking my hair. "You've grown so much."

I laughed through threatening tears. "I'm just so glad you're here."

Thorne helped Calla with the luggage. "It's good to see you again, ma'am."

Elara studied his face. "You're taking care of her?"

"Every day. For the rest of my life."

Something in her expression softened.

Calla grabbed my arm, eyes sparkling. "Sage! I watched the medical conference livestream! You were incredible!"

Heat rose in my cheeks. "It was just luck."

"Don't be modest," Elara said firmly. "That was skill and courage."

Thorne's arm slipped around my waist. "She's become quite the medical celebrity."

We made our way toward the parking area. I let Calla's voice wash over me while my mind drifted to everything that had happened in the past month.

Marcus and Lyanna recovering. Celeste's fifteen-year sentence. Ronan caught at the border. And two days ago, the police report about Maeve's involvement.

So much had changed.

As we pulled out, Calla leaned forward. "Tell me everything about the wedding plans!"

"You'll see the dress tomorrow. But the venue is beautiful. White roses and lilies everywhere."

"It sounds like a fairy tale," Calla sighed.

Elara squeezed my shoulder. "You deserve a fairy tale, Sage."

My throat tightened. "Thank you. For everything."

"You were never a burden," Elara said softly. "You were a gift."

Thorne's hand found mine.

The drive took about forty minutes. When we pulled through the gates, the sun was setting. Calla gasped.

"Oh Sage, it's beautiful!"

White roses and lilies climbed trellises and woven through fence rails. The ceremony garden had rows of white chairs facing an elaborate floral arch.

Marcus and Lyanna were on the front terrace in wheelchairs, Jason behind them. Marcus raised his hand in greeting.

"Welcome, children."

I made the introductions. "Grandfather, Grandmother, this is Elara and Calla. Elara took me in when I was six."

Lyanna took Elara's hands. "Thank you for taking care of our granddaughter when we couldn't."

Elara's eyes were bright. "She's been like a daughter to me."

Marcus nodded solemnly. "You gave her a home when she had none."

Movement near the house caught my attention. Vivienne emerged from a garden path. When she saw us, she froze.

Our eyes met briefly, then she quickly looked away and hurried past.

Thorne's hand rested on my back. "Still avoiding you."

"She looked upset."

"Of course she's upset." There was amusement in his voice. "You're showing off your happiness."

"I'm not showing off."

"You're just doing it unintentionally," he said, pressing a kiss to my temple.

Evening deepened. We moved inside for dinner, filled with laughter and warmth. After dinner, Elara and Calla helped me up to my room.

The wedding dress hung in the closet. When Elara drew it out, the room seemed to hold its breath.

Simple but elegant, fitted bodice flowing into a full skirt. The white fabric glowed in the lamplight.

"Try it on," Calla urged.

With their help, I stepped into the dress. When I turned to the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

"Sage," Calla whispered. "You're so beautiful."

Elara wrapped her arms around me. "Your mother would be so proud."

The mention of my mother broke something inside me. "I wish she could be here."

"She sees," Elara said firmly. "And she's incredibly proud."

A knock interrupted. Caius stepped in and stopped.

His eyes filled with tears. "You look just like your mother on her wedding day."

"Really?"

He nodded. "She would want you to be happy too."

"Thank you, Uncle."

After they left, I climbed into bed. Sleep felt impossible.

Then the balcony door clicked.

Thorne's silhouette appeared. He crossed to the bed, his hand finding mine.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

"Too much going through my head."

He lay down beside me, pulling me against his chest.

"Nervous?"

"Excited. Scared. Happy. Everything at once."

His hand stroked through my hair. "Tomorrow, everything changes."

"Tomorrow just makes official what's already true," I corrected softly. "That we choose each other, every day, for the rest of our lives."

He tilted my face up. "I love you, Sage Winters."

"I love you too."

He kissed me, slow and deep. When we pulled apart, I settled back against his chest.

Tomorrow would bring new beginnings.

---

Morning sun streamed through my windows. Today was my wedding day.

Calla and Elara arrived early. When I stepped into the wedding dress again, everything felt surreal.

Caius appeared at my door. "Ready?"

I took a deep breath. "Ready."

The gardens were transformed. White roses and lilies everywhere, guests seated in neat rows, and at the end of the aisle, Thorne waited.

The wedding march began. Caius offered his arm.

We began the walk. Every step brought me closer to my future. I saw Marcus and Lyanna standing with support, their faces radiant. I saw Elara and Calla, tears streaming. I saw friends and family.

But mostly, I saw Thorne.

When I reached him, Caius placed my hand in Thorne's.

"Take care of her."

"With my life," Thorne replied.

The officiant began. "We are gathered here today..."

The words washed over me. All I could focus on was Thorne's hand holding mine.

"Thorne Ashford, do you take Sage Winters to be your wife?"

"I do," he said steadily.

"Sage Winters, do you take Thorne Ashford to be your husband?"

"I do," I whispered.

Thorne slipped the ring on. "This time it's not a contract. It's a promise. You're never alone."

I slipped his ring on. "Thank you for teaching me that I'm worth loving."

"You may now kiss the bride."

Thorne lifted my veil. "I love you, Sage. Always."

"I love you too."

He kissed me, deep and tender. The guests erupted in applause.

When we pulled apart, I was laughing and crying. Thorne pulled me close, and we turned to face everyone together.

Marcus and Lyanna were crying. Caius was smiling. Elara and Calla were embracing. Even Drake smiled.

Damien approached. "Congratulations, cousin."

Thorne gripped his hand. "Thank you."

The celebration continued into evening. As night fell, Thorne and I slipped away to the balcony. The moon hung full and bright.

"No regrets?" Thorne asked.

I leaned into him. "Not a single one."

"Remember that contract in the hotel?"

I laughed softly. "I thought you were insufferable."

"And now?"

"Now I know you're insufferable." I turned to face him. "But you're also the best thing that ever happened to me."

He kissed my forehead. "That contract was the smartest thing I ever did."

"We don't need contracts anymore," I said. "We have something better."

"What's that?"

"Love. Trust. A future we're building together."

He held me tighter. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me."

"I could never regret you," I whispered. "You're my home, Thorne."

We stood there in the moonlight, and I felt complete. All the pain, all the struggle had led me here.

To this man. This love. This life.

I was Sage Winters-Ashford now. I had reclaimed my inheritance, found my family, and built a future on my own terms.

And I was exactly where I was meant to be.

THE END