The late afternoon sun filtered through the rose arbors, casting a warm glow over the garden. Nicki Jenkins stood at the altar, her heart thrumming with a mixture of excitement and pure joy. Her gaze was fixed on Lydia, the woman who had captivated her completely, her smile widening as Lydia met her eyes. The minister’s words were a gentle hum in the background, but Nicki Jenkins heard only the promise of their future. This was it, the moment she had dreamed of, the start of forever with her Lydia. I do, Nicki Jenkins’s voice was soft but clear, a bright note in the serene atmosphere, as she responded to the minister’s question, her hand trembling slightly as Lydia reached for it, her touch a grounding comfort. She squeezed Lydia's hand, a silent affirmation of her devotion. She glanced briefly at the assembled guests, especially Arabella and Lizzie, her new stepdaughters, amidst a sea of supportive faces, before her eyes found Lydia again, full of adoration. She felt a shiver of anticipation as the ceremony neared its climax, her future unfolding before her.