Chapter 10 - The Official Picture
One year later.
The grand ballroom of the historic Viking Hotel in Newport was decorated with warm golden lights, lush green garlands, and tables covered in crisp ivory linen.
It was our wedding day.
There were no three hundred fake high-society guests. There were eighty close friends, trusted colleagues from Montgomery Development, and genuine loved ones who had supported us through every step of our journey.
I wore an exquisite, off-the-shoulder ivory silk gown with a long, sweeping train. My hair was styled in soft, elegant waves, and on my hand, the emerald ring sparkled brilliantly alongside a matching platinum band.
Chloe, now ten years old, stood beside me as my Maid of Honor. She wore a lovely pastel yellow dress, and in her hair was a brilliant golden bow that caught the light of every candle in the room.
Logan stood at the head of the altar in a crisp black tuxedo, looking at me as if I were the only person in the entire universe.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the officiant spoke, his voice warm and resonant. "By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Logan, you may kiss your bride."
Logan pulled me into his arms, kissing me with a fierce, romantic passion that made the entire room break into warm, enthusiastic applause.
When we pulled back, smiling radiantly, a high-end society photographer stepped up to the front of the altar with a professional camera.
"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery!" the photographer called out with a smile. "We need the official family portrait before we open the reception!"
Logan turned, wrapped his arm securely around my waist, and reached his other hand out to Chloe.
Chloe stepped right between us, standing tall, proud, and beaming with confidence, right in the absolute center of the frame.
I looked down at my daughter, then up at my husband, feeling a deep, unstoppable warmth fill every corner of my soul.
We didn't hide in the back row. We didn't worry about who was watching. We stood right in the center of the light, exactly where we belonged.
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"Ready?" the photographer asked, raising his camera. "One... two... three!"
The flash went off, capturing a picture of absolute truth, fierce love, and a family that would never be hidden again.
