The weekend had barely begun, and yet the world already felt different—warmer, brighter, more certain.
Cinderella woke to the sound of birdsong and the light scent of vanilla candles Silvester must have lit before she stirred. She rolled over, expecting to see him in bed beside her, but found only a folded note resting on his pillow.
Wear the blue dress. The one that makes you feel like you rule the world. I've planned a little something.
– S.
Her heart fluttered as she sat up, a smile spreading across her face. That dress had always been special—Silvester had gifted it to her months ago, saying it made her look like the heroine of her own story.
It wasn't until she stepped into their living room later that evening, fully dressed and makeup done, that she realized little something was an understatement.
The entire space had been transformed.
Fairy lights hung from the ceiling like stars. Petals covered the floor in a soft trail that led to the balcony. A string quartet played gently in the background. And there he stood, waiting—dressed in a fitted black suit, hair slicked back just enough to keep that boyish charm he wore so well.
"Silvester..." she whispered, nearly breathless.
He didn't speak. He extended a hand, and she walked straight into his arms, letting him lead her to the balcony where a table for two had been set. Dinner was perfect—elegant, romantic, familiar. Her favorite dessert sat chilling in a crystal dish beside champagne flutes.
But it wasn't until after dinner, when the string quartet shifted into a softer, slower melody, that Silvester stood up and took a deep breath.
"Cinderella Harper," he began, reaching into his coat pocket, "you've been the fire that warmed me, the storm that changed me, and the peace that healed me. From the first day I saw you again in university, I knew my life would never be the same."
He sank to one knee, and her breath caught in her throat.
"You are my beginning and my end. My love, my partner, my home. Will you marry me?"
Cinderella blinked through the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hands covered her mouth. She couldn't speak at first. But her heart answered before her lips did.
"Yes," she finally whispered. "Yes. A thousand times yes."
The ring—simple, elegant, with a shimmering diamond—slid onto her finger like it had been made for her. Cheers erupted as their friends burst from their hiding places—Heather, Lily, Eloise, and even a few old friends from university.
There was dancing, music, champagne showers, and tears. And in the middle of it all, Silvester never let go of her hand.
---
The wedding came three months later.
A glamorous celebration held in a grand garden estate just outside the city, the ceremony was a blend of classic elegance and modern charm. Cinderella walked down the aisle in a satin gown that shimmered with every step. Her veil floated behind her like a whisper from heaven, and the bouquet in her hands was a soft mix of peonies, lilies, and lavender—her mother's favorite flower.
Desmond walked her down the aisle.
There were tears in his eyes. She squeezed his hand and looked into his face with quiet forgiveness. The past had broken many things, but today was about what had survived.
As she reached Silvester at the altar, everything else faded.
Their vows were raw and personal—no fluff, just truth.
A promise to be each other's shield, sanctuary, and spark.
"I've loved you in pain. I've loved you in joy. And I will love you in every chapter to come," Silvester had said.
"And I will love you fiercely," Cinderella had replied, "because love saved me. And you were love."
The kiss that sealed their union drew applause, cheers, and more than a few happy tears.
---
The reception was a fairytale—twinkling lights above, laughter all around, and Cinderella radiant in a second dress, barefoot on the dance floor. She and Silvester danced like they were the only ones in the world, spinning and laughing, their foreheads touching, hearts syncing.
Heather gave a hilarious toast that had everyone in stitches. Lily cried through hers. Eloise just raised a glass and said, "To the one who finally found her way home."
That night, when they returned to their apartment—now officially their home as husband and wife—they sat on the balcony wrapped in a shared blanket, staring at the moon.
Cinderella looked at the ring on her finger, at the man beside her, and whispered, "I never thought I'd be this happy."
Silvester leaned in, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You earned this. Every piece of it."
She smiled. "I know."
And for the first time, she truly believed it.
Cinderella woke to the soft rays of morning light filtering through their bedroom window, casting a warm glow across the room. She stretched lazily, her fingers brushing the fabric of the soft sheets, still savoring the bliss of her new life as Silvester's wife. It was like stepping into a dream—everything felt surreal, but in the most perfect way. The days that followed their wedding had been nothing short of magical. She had woken up every day next to Silvester, wrapped in his love and the comfort of their shared future.
The early mornings were now spent in quiet moments, sharing coffee and slow kisses before either of them had to rush off to their daily responsibilities. They had grown into their new roles as husband and wife effortlessly, the rhythm of their days flowing easily between work, friends, and the occasional quiet evening in. Life had become sweeter with every passing moment, and each day seemed to bring a new layer of happiness. Cinderella had never imagined life could feel this peaceful, this certain.
The house was theirs now, and every corner felt like a piece of their love story. They had spent weekends making little changes to the space—adding plants, rearranging furniture, and laughing at how silly it felt to finally be fully settled. There was no more uncertainty, no more fear. There was just them, and it was enough.
One evening, a few weeks after their wedding, Silvester surprised her with a weekend getaway to a cozy cabin in the woods. He had packed everything—blankets, food, even her favorite books—leaving no detail unnoticed. They spent the days hiking, cooking meals together, and stargazing late into the night. But it was on the last night of their retreat, while they sat by the fire with wine glasses in hand, that Cinderella felt something shift inside her. It was a warmth, deep and knowing, that she hadn't felt before.
That night, when they returned to their cabin, Silvester kissed her deeply and smiled against her lips. "I'm glad we did this," he murmured, his voice low, eyes sparkling in the firelight. "I needed this, with you."
Cinderella smiled, her heart full. "Me too," she said softly, snuggling closer to him. But as she rested her head on his chest, a sudden thought crept into her mind. She had been feeling a little off lately—tired, nauseous, and more emotional than usual. At first, she thought it was just the stress of wedding planning and the excitement of being married, but now, she wasn't so sure. There had been no other explanation for the changes in her body.
The next morning, she took a breath, steeling herself for what she might discover, and made her way to the small, rustic bathroom to take the test. Silvester had already made coffee, humming softly to himself in the kitchen, unaware of the storm brewing inside her.
A few minutes later, she found herself staring at the test in disbelief. Two lines. Two lines that changed everything.
She sat down slowly, her heart racing. The warmth in her chest from the night before suddenly felt like it had expanded tenfold. She was pregnant.
Cinderella had always imagined motherhood in distant, abstract terms, but now it was real, right in front of her. The thought that she was going to have a child with Silvester—his child—felt like a dream within a dream.
With trembling hands, she wiped her face, trying to calm herself. It felt too early to tell Silvester. What if she was wrong? What if she was just overthinking it? But she couldn't deny the overwhelming joy that flooded her heart.
She walked back to the kitchen, still holding the test, and found Silvester sitting at the table, the coffee in front of him steaming. He looked up at her with a smile, but the moment he saw her face, his expression shifted.
"What is it?" he asked softly, noticing her nervousness.
"I—" Cinderella swallowed, unsure how to begin, "I think I need to tell you something." She held out the test in her hand.
Silvester blinked, his eyes flicking to the test and then back to her face, the confusion in his gaze giving way to shock, then understanding. "Wait... Are you saying...?"
She nodded slowly, her voice trembling as she confirmed, "I think I'm pregnant, Silvester."
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. His face softened, and then he stood up quickly, his hands reaching for her. His eyes were full of wonder, disbelief, and joy all at once. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"I'm pretty sure," she replied, a tear escaping her eye. "I took the test."
He laughed softly, pulling her into his arms, lifting her off the ground. "Oh, my God," he whispered into her hair, his voice thick with emotion. "This is... this is the best news ever." He kissed the top of her head and then her lips, sweetly, before pulling back slightly to look at her again. "We're going to be parents, Cinderella."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded, overcome with emotion. "I know," she whispered. "I can't believe it."
Silvester held her close, and they stayed there for a long time, savoring the moment. Everything they had dreamed of was coming true. Their love, their future—it was all falling perfectly into place.
That night, after calling their families to share the news and basking in the joy of their new chapter, Cinderella and Silvester lay in bed, entwined in each other's arms. Their future was uncertain in many ways, but this moment—this certainty, this pure joy—was a moment they would always remember. Their love had created something new, something beautiful. A new life.
And as Cinderella drifted off to sleep, her hand resting gently over her belly, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that the best part of their story was only just beginning.