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Nicole's smile is radiant, her eyes wet with tears, but her heart is lighter than ever. She's no longer burdened by her past, by the fear that once held her captive. She can live her life free and ready to embrace the future, and Shane's love is the foundation on which she's rebuilding her life.
As the ceremony concludes, Jaime rushes forward, waving a drawing he's worked on for days. "Look!" he exclaims, holding up the picture. The photo displays a colorful and lively scene featuring Shane, Nicole, and Jaime beneath the wedding arch with the ocean as a backdrop, surrounded by their loved ones.
Nicole kneels down, her laughter soft and full of love. "It's perfect, just like us," she says, her voice catching in her throat as she pulls Jaime close.
Shane crouches beside Nicole and Jaime, his arm wrapping around both of them. As his eyes drift to Oliver, Kristen, and Annette, who are sitting with Alex, a sense of warmth fills him. Oliver raises a glass with a proud smile while Kristen waves cheerfully. Little Alex giggles and toddles toward them, finding comfort in his mother's arms. Shane feels the warmth of their shared joy wash over him. They're all part of this—this perfect, messy, wonderful family.
"We really are the perfect family now," Nicole whispers, glancing at Shane as she wipes a tear from her cheek.
Shane smiles, his heart full. "Yeah, we are," he agrees, pulling them both into a tight hug.
Annette walks over with Alex in tow, and Oliver and Kristen join them too, their faces glowing with happiness. Jaime takes Alex's hand, guiding him toward the waves as the rest of them watch. Laughter echoes along the shoreline as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the scene.
As they stand together, children's laughter fills the air, and a calmness settles within their hearts. The storm that had once raged in their lives has passed, and in its wake, they've built something unshakable, something that will last.