The Devil And The Maid.

It was 1:46 a.m.

Zayan had finally finished writing his vows. The soft light in the room flickered across Nora's sleeping form beside him. She had written hers earlier in the morning, tucked it safely under her pillow. He gently turned to her, brushing his thumb over her cheek. Her skin was warm, soft — peaceful. He smiled and finally let sleep take him.

Morning came far too soon. The ceremony was set for 9:00 a.m., yet Zayan was still asleep.

Nora yawned, stretched, and quietly removed the teeth-whitening strips she always wore overnight. She turned to find Zayan still sound asleep, face buried in the pillow.

She grinned mischievously.

"Z!" she whispered, crawling on top of him, "Come on… up, up, up now."

"Hmhmhm…" he mumbled sleepily.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" she sang, now tugging at him.

"Nora!" he groaned. "I need more sleep, please, darling…"

She got on top of him again, straddling him, making him groan even more — this time not just from exhaustion. His body reacted instantly.

"Oh, you're evil," he murmured, eyes fluttering open.

"You're mine," she replied with a wink.

He stood, still holding her in his arms, and sat back down, burying his face in her neck.

"My Nora… my beautiful sunshine," he whispered, kissing her lips slowly. Her eyes fluttered shut, and he nearly lost control — until a knock interrupted them.

"Nora! Time for your hair!" Melanin called.

Zayan chuckled. "Go, my love."

She giggled and got up, blowing him a kiss.

Zayan dropped back into the bed when the door burst open.

"Good morning!" Nora beamed.

"Morning, Nora!" the girls chorused.

"HEY! Get your lazy ass up now!" Meira shouted at Zayan.

He lazily raised a middle finger.

"Oh really?" Meira laughed and threw her shoes at him like they used to as kids.

Zayan stuck his tongue out and bolted into the bathroom. Everyone laughed.

Downstairs, the hairstylist and makeup artists were ready. Nora ate breakfast, fed the twins, and took her vitamins. Lysander was curled up asleep in Neal's arms.

All the girls were dressed in elegant bridesmaids' gowns. Aveline arrived and asked, "Where's the bride?"

"There!" Sora pointed, just as Nora stepped out.

She looked absolutely breathtaking. Her gown hugged her curves with flawless elegance. Her hair was tied into a bun adorned with silver and white flowers. A soft glow radiated from her — beauty in its most divine form.

"Woooah!" Frya gasped. "Nunu looks sooo gorgeous!"

Nora blushed slightly as more girls entered — Sachi, Valencia, Dabira, and Xandira. They paused, stunned.

"Damn… she's glowing," Sachi whispered.

Meanwhile, Zayan wore his deep blue and silver suit. He helped Lysander dress too. The little one was no longer feverish, his syrup having worked. Zayan practiced his vows again, this time getting it right.

Everyone was dressed, even Azara, who wore a sharp silver-blue suit instead of a gown. She stood proudly, holding her little baby boy.

At the orphanage, Issca and the children got ready. They rode in new cars to the church. One of the kids, Rose — 19 years old — was Nora's third child from the orphanage, sharp, strong, and capable. All of them had been trained to protect themselves.

At the church, Zayan held Seraphina, dressed in matching colors with her brother. The aisle shimmered under the morning light.

Nora stood behind the doors, nerves flooding her.

"You'll walk with your father," one of the coordinators said.

"I… I don't have a dad," she whispered, her eyes brimming.

Shaw appeared, suit crisp and eyes warm.

"Nora… I'll walk you down the aisle."

Zira stood beside him, smiling. Nora's face lifted. Her veil was placed gently over her head as the doors opened.

The bridesmaids lined both front and back. Security had been tripled, with nearly four million in guards surrounding the venue. The twins sat on Catalina's lap, fussing softly. Asher stood behind Zayan, holding the rings.

The pastor stood at the altar, flanked by the High Priest.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of two blessed souls. We pray for their joy, prosperity, health, and peace. Now… if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."

A brief silence.

Then… every gang member stood up — guns out.

"If anyone dares," Arion said, "you'll be shot on sight."

The pastor blinked. "Yeah… that's what I thought," he muttered, and the crowd laughed nervously.

"Mr. Zayan, your vows."

Zayan stepped forward, took Nora's hands, and looked into her eyes.

Zayan:

"Before you…

I was a man carved from stone,

breathing without living,

counting time like a punishment.

Love was a word I never trusted,

and joy…

was something I only watched from a distance.

But then you…

You walked into my silence like a storm,

soft and wild,

fierce and fragile —

and everything changed.

You taught me how to feel… with just a glance.

You made my heart ache… in the most beautiful way.

You turned my shadows into places I wanted to dance with you.

Nora,

you are the ache in my chest I never want to heal,

the fire I would burn for again and again,

the only light that doesn't blind me — but saves me.

I vow…

to love you in your loudest laughter

and in your softest silence.

To carry you when your strength fades,

to fight for you when your voice trembles,

and to hold you through storms

until the sky turns gold again.

I vow to kiss the scars the world gave you,

and protect the softness they couldn't break.

To never run from your darkness,

but sit with you in it — until the stars find their way back.

You are my always.

The place my soul calls home.

The heartbeat I thought I'd never have.

The girl who taught the devil how to kneel.

And in this moment,

before every breath we'll ever take,

I give you all of me —

the broken pieces,

the buried past,

the sacred love I kept locked inside…

it's all yours now.

Forever,

is not enough.

But it's where I'll start… with you."

The crowd was breathless. Even Zayan's mother was crying. Nora's lips trembled.

The pastor turned to her gently. "Mrs. Nora. Your turn."

Nora:

"My dearest Z…

They told me love was dangerous.

That people leave.

That promises break.

That hearts don't survive too many cracks.

And I believed them…

Until you touched mine

without even trying to fix it —

just held it,

as if it was never broken.

Zayan,

you didn't save me with grand gestures.

You saved me in quiet ways —

by listening to the silences I was too afraid to speak,

by standing still when the world tried to pull me apart.

You…

you were the first place I felt safe,

even in your storm.

The first eyes I ever saw myself reflected in —

not as the girl who was lost…

but as someone worth loving,

worth staying for.

So today,

with trembling hands and a heart that finally knows what home feels like,

I vow…

to love the man behind the armor,

the boy who once walked alone,

the soul that hides his softness like it's a secret —

but not from me.

I vow to remind you that even the devil can be loved gently.

That you don't have to be perfect to be enough.

That I choose you —

when you're silent,

when you're fierce,

when you're afraid.

I will choose you

in all the ways the world never did.

I vow to be your calm,

your chaos,

your softness,

your shield.

To build with you,

heal with you,

and never run — not even when it hurts.

And if life ever forgets to be kind,

I'll still hold your hand,

still say your name like a prayer,

still find my way back to you in every lifetime.

Because loving you…

is the bravest thing I've ever done.

And the only thing I never regret.

Zayan,

for every breath we have left,

I am yours —

completely, endlessly,

and without apology."

Asher's tears spilled. Even the gang couldn't hold it in — a full-blown emotional breakdown. The pastor smiled warmly.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Zayan gently lifted her veil. Nora giggled softly. And then, their lips met in a kiss that silenced the world.

Cheers erupted. Claps, whistles, tears.

The Devil and his Maid… were now husband and wife.

They headed to the wedding dinner — hand in hand, heart to heart.