"January 1, 2025"

I can feel my heart beating hard as I step into my dress. Georgia is behind me with a smile on her face along with tears. I look at myself in the mirror and smile.

Today is the first day of the new year and it's also my wedding date. Last night we were all together to ring in the new year. Eleanor was happy to be able to stay up late with us.

We tried to get Madz to leave me for a night but that was a giant no go with him. He said in no way is some stupid tradition going to keep him away from me.

Georgia is buttoning my dress up when I hear a knock at the door. I know it's not Madz so I yell “Come in.” It’s Axel. “Axel, you look wonderful.”

Axel is in black jeans and a white dress top. He has his prospect cut on and looks over me with a giant smile. I wanted the men to feel comfortable so I let them all keep the cuts on.

“Nova. Holy hell you look beautiful. Madz is a lucky man.” Georgia finishes up my dress and I grab Axel's hand.

“Thank you for doing this for me today. I could never repay you for this.” Shaking his head knowing he would.

“You never have to thank me for this. You showed me what love was and took me in like I was family. I owe YOU.” We’re both shaking our heads and laughing together.

“Sweetheart. I need to go get Eleanor ready to go. She's already dressed but the flower girl is ready for the party to start. You guys get ready to go.” We nod and she walks off.

“Nova, I’ve got something to ask you.” I set down my makeup brush and place my attention on Axel.

“So are you really sure? If you have any second thoughts, no questions asked, forget about everyone, I'll be your getaway driver.” Axel states as seriously as I’ve ever seen him.

“Axe, I promise you if I wanted to run away from this I would tell you. But I want this. Madz is my forever and I'm ready for this to happen.” Axel pats me on my back and I finish my makeup.

A knock sounds at the door and Axel checks. It's one of the workers we hired. “Are you two ready to go? The flower girl wanted me to come get you.” I take one last look at myself and nod.

Axel lays out his hand for me to grab and we start heading towards the front of the barn. They have heaters going so it's nice and warm.

I hear music going and I see Eleanor running up to me. “Nova, are you ready? Are you so ready to get married? I can't wait to be the flower girl.”

“Eleanor, I'm so ready.” I glance over at Axel. “More ready than I’ve ever been for anything.” They both smile up at me. The worker comes back and speaks to Eleanor and she nods.

I guess it's time. I'm hidden to the side but I see them open curtains for Eleanor to walk down the aisle. Eleanor gracefully tosses flower petals down on the floor and everyone hums.

Once I see Eleanor talking to Maz I know it's my time. Axel takes a tissue from his pocket and carefully taps my tears away. “You’ve got this Nova. Let's get you to Madz before he comes for you.”

I hear ‘Enchanted’ by Taylor Swift starts. But it's a piano version by Ana Done. Axel takes my hand and we walk behind the curtain. Slowly, it opens and I hear gasps fill the room.

I can feel everyone looking at me but all I see is Madz. Even though I told him his cut was fit, he stands there in a suit. He looks so handsome. Tears start to fall from my eyes.

As I walk closer I see Madz face fully now. His eyes shine and he has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on him. As we’re walking down the aisle Madz takes a step towards us and starts to head my way.

What in the world is he doing? Madz gets to us halfway down the aisle and takes my face into his hands and kisses me. The crowd laughs at him. This is so Madz behavior.

“Thank you Axel.” Madz says. “I got it from here man. Thanks for taking care of my girl.” Axel gives me one last hug and Madz walks me up the rest of the way.

Everyone is still giggling at Madz antics as we make our way up front. Saint stands up front and I guess this is one of the surprises. He has to be an ordained minister.

“Hi Nova.” Saint says with a smile on his face.

I giggle. “Hello Saint. Let's get this show started huh.”

“We're gathered here today to welcome Madz and Nova in holy matrimony. Madz was always a loner and tough on all of us. Until the day Nova stumbled into his life.” Saint laughs out the last part.

“Nova and Madz have a connection we all look for in life and one that will surely last forever.” Saint is speaking but all I can hear is my heart beating in my chest.

“They both deserve each other in so many ways. Love being the biggest reason.” Saint closes his book. “Now let's get this started before Madz loses it.

Madz glares at his friend and Saint just laughs.

“Do you take Nova to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Saint asks before he can finish Madz jumps in.

“I do.” Madz replies quickly. The crowd laughs.

“Okay then.” Saint gets to the point. “Nova, do you take Madz to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others?”

“I do. Forever.” I shakily say. Madz hand tightens on mine.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Before Saint can even finish Madz is on me.

The kiss is hard and fast. I don't even have time to react. I finally catch up and kiss him back. Madz pulls away and leans into my forehead. “You’re officially mine. Forever.”

I hear clapping and whistles all around me. I glance around and everyone is cheering at us. Eleanor is at our feet jumping around. Georgia is full on crying now.

My life has just started. I’ve entered an exciting new phase, with opportunities I never thought I’d have. It's a fresh start and I'll never be alone.

Madz comes into focus and hugs me hard. “I love you Nova. Thank you for becoming mine. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how you deserved to be treated.”

With that we walk past our friends and family with them cheering us on still. They are tossing confetti on us as we pass by. Hand in hand we walk to the reception room.

We were alone for a few seconds when Axel came up behind Madz. “Here Nova. Here is your gift you asked for.” He hands over a package I have saved for Madz. Axel leaves us and holds off the guest while I give Madz something he’ll either freak out about in a good or bad way.

“What is this? You didn't have to get me anything.” Madz opens the gift bag and pulls out a tiny ‘cut’. Yes I stopped calling them vests. “Wait a minute, does this mean you're having my baby?”

I shyly nod my head yes and look at the floor. Madz grabs my chin and makes me look at him. “I didn't think this day could get any better. But you just proved me wrong. Nova you're giving me everything I could ever want.”

“I thought you would be upset. I thought maybe it was too fast.” Madz just looks at me with a confused look on his face.

“I could never get mad at you for something like this. I can't wait to see our family grow. I love you Nova.” He gets on his knees and kisses my stomach. “And I love you little Lee.”

Madz stands and kisses me one last time before we start letting the guest through the doors. Everyone forms a line to wish us well for our future.

If there is one thing I learned after being alone all of these years is, it only takes one moment, one person to change your life forever. And Madz was the change for me.

I have a business, friends and a family. And now I have a baby growing inside me from the one man that will show me what a forever type of love is supposed to feel like.

I love my life now and nothing could ever change that. Once we were alone again Madz took my hand and walked me over to the cake. “Let me feed both of my babies.”

That's the ending to our story but not for the NSMC. More adventures are sure to come and I'll stick with my family all the way through. Forever.