Chapter 13, Part 1: New Beginnings
The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Kiea and Ryzen as they sat at the kitchen table, sipping their coffee. The engagement party was behind them, and now, the reality of planning their wedding had begun.
Kiea: "It still feels unreal. We’re getting married, Ryzen."
Ryzen: "I know, right? It feels like just yesterday we were arguing over little things. Now, we’re planning forever."
Kiea smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Ryzen. She felt so lucky to have him.
Kiea: "Okay, so first things first. We need a wedding date."
Ryzen leaned back in his chair, thinking.
Ryzen: "Not too soon, but not too far either. How about six months from now?"
Kiea: "That sounds perfect. It gives us time to prepare without rushing."
She grabbed her phone and opened a calendar, marking the date. It felt like a small but important step toward their future.
A knock on the door interrupted their moment. Kiea stood up to open it and found Lia standing there, holding a notebook and a big smile.
Lia: "Good morning, lovebirds! I come bearing wedding-planning energy."
Kiea: "You’re so extra, Lia."
Lia walked in and sat across from Ryzen, flipping open her notebook.
Lia: "Alright, we need to talk about the venue, the guest list, the food, the theme—oh, and of course, the dress! Kiea, have you thought about your wedding dress yet?"
Kiea blinked, feeling overwhelmed.
Kiea: "I... haven’t really thought that far ahead."
Ryzen: "Breathe, babe. We’ll take it one step at a time."
Lia grinned.
Lia: "That’s why I’m here. I’m going to help you make this wedding the event of the year."
They spent the next hour brainstorming ideas, from color schemes to flower arrangements. Kiea felt a mix of excitement and nervousness—there was so much to do.
As the morning went on, the reality of it all started to sink in. They were really doing this. They were building their future together.
And despite all the stress and planning ahead, Kiea couldn’t be happier.
As the discussion continued, the excitement in the room grew. Lia eagerly jotted down notes while Kiea and Ryzen shared their thoughts.
Lia: "Alright, let’s start with the venue. Do you guys want an indoor or outdoor wedding?"
Kiea looked at Ryzen, who smirked as if he already knew her answer.
Kiea: "Outdoor. I’ve always wanted to get married under the open sky, maybe near a lake or a garden."
Ryzen: "I figured you'd say that. An outdoor wedding sounds perfect."
Lia clapped her hands together.
Lia: "Great! I’ll look up some locations and set up visits. Now, let’s talk about the guest list."
Kiea sighed, leaning back against her chair.
Kiea: "This part is stressful. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but I also don’t want a huge wedding."
Ryzen chuckled.
Ryzen: "Then we keep it simple—family, close friends, and people who truly matter."
Lia nodded, scribbling down their ideas.
Lia: "Got it. We’ll make sure it’s intimate but still special."
Just as they were getting into the details of catering, Ryzen’s phone rang. He picked it up and stepped aside to answer. Kiea watched his face carefully as his expression shifted.
Kiea: "Everything okay?"
Ryzen sighed as he ended the call.
Ryzen: "That was my boss. I need to fly back for a few days to sort something out at work."
Kiea felt a pang in her chest. Even though she knew it wasn’t a big deal, the thought of being apart again, even for a short while, made her uneasy.
Kiea: "When do you have to leave?"
Ryzen: "Tomorrow morning."
She forced a small smile.
Kiea: "Okay. It’s just for a few days, right?"
Ryzen nodded, stepping closer and holding her hand.
Ryzen: "Just a few days. I promise."
Lia cleared her throat, giving them a teasing smile.
Lia: "I swear, you two act like you’re about to be separated for years. Relax, it’s just a work trip."
Kiea rolled her eyes playfully, but deep down, she knew she would miss him.
As they continued their wedding plans, Kiea reminded herself that no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them together. This was just the beginning of their journey, and she was ready for whatever came next.
The next morning, Kiea woke up to the sound of Ryzen moving around the room, packing his suitcase. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, watching him.
Kiea: "You're really leaving, huh?"
Ryzen turned to her with a soft smile and sat beside her on the bed.
Ryzen: "Just for a few days. I promise I'll be back before you even have time to miss me."
Kiea scoffed, crossing her arms.
Kiea: "Oh, please. I already miss you, and you're still here."
Ryzen chuckled, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Ryzen: "I'll call you every night, okay? We can even video call if you want."
Kiea sighed against his chest.
Kiea: "Just don’t forget to take care of yourself. Eat on time, get enough sleep, and don’t stress too much."
Ryzen kissed the top of her head.
Ryzen: "You worry too much. But I love that about you."
A honk from outside made Kiea’s heart sink. The car that would take Ryzen to the airport had arrived. They stood up, and she walked with him to the door, holding his hand tightly.
At the doorway, he turned to her one last time.
Ryzen: "I love you, Kiea."
Kiea forced a smile, though she felt like crying.
Kiea: "I love you too, Ryzen. Come back soon."
With one last kiss, he grabbed his suitcase and walked out. Kiea watched as he got into the car and drove away, already counting down the days until he returned.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was temporary. They had a wedding to plan, a future to build. No matter how far Ryzen was, their love was strong enough to withstand the distance.
Determined to keep herself busy, she grabbed her phone and called Lia.
Kiea: "Hey, do you want to go check out some wedding venues today?"
Lia’s excited voice came through the phone.
Lia: "Absolutely! I’ll pick you up in an hour!"
Kiea got ready, she smiled to herself. Ryzen might be gone for now, but life kept moving forward. She had a wedding to plan, a dream to chase, and a love that was worth every moment of waiting.
4o