They planned a small wedding under the oak tree in the Vale estate garden—the same tree where Elo and Sky had painted their mural and spent long afternoons talking about the future.
On the day of the wedding, Ariston walked Elo down the aisle.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.
“I love you, Dad,” she said.
“I love you, too,” he replied.
Sky stood beside her as maid of honor, in a simple blue dress.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Sky said as she helped button the back of Elo’s gown.
“I can’t either,” Elo said. “Are you nervous?”
“No,” Elo said. “Just happy.”
At the reception, Sky gave a speech that made everyone cry.
“I met Elo when we were seven and eight,” Sky told the crowd. “She was hurting, but she was also the bravest person I’d ever meet. She taught me that surviving isn’t enough. You have to turn pain into purpose. She did that, and she changed thousands of lives.”
She raised her glass.
“To Eloin,” she said. “My best friend, my sister, my hero.”
Everyone cheered.
Later, Elo and Daniel danced under the oak tree lights.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Happier than I ever thought I’d be,” she said.
“Good,” he replied. “Because I plan to keep you this happy for a very long time.”