8 years later
The soft rustle of parchment echoed through the study. Zayden sat at his writing desk, eyes glistening, fingers tracing the worn spine of his journal—the one that hadn't left his side since the day Elena was gone.
Tonight, he wasn't writing business notes or reflections.
He was writing to her.
> August 1st—They're getting married, Elena.
He paused, staring out at the moonlit garden below, where fairy lights hung like scattered stars—Elio and Liora's rehearsal dinner had just ended.
And now… silence. A father's silence before the moment every parent dreams of. Or dreads.
---
The Letter
> My love,
Can you believe it? The twins. Our babies. They're 24 now—and tomorrow, they'll both be walking down the aisle. Together. A joint wedding. (They said it was poetic. Just like you would've said.)
Elio's marrying the girl he's loved since college—a quiet soul with a laugh that reminds me of you. And Liora… she chose someone fiery, passionate, and just stubborn enough to keep up with her.
I wish you could've seen them today—how Elio practiced his vows ten times in front of the mirror, and Liora panicked because her veil wasn't the 'right shade of soft ivory.' You would've known exactly what to say.
You would've fixed everything with a kiss to the forehead and a smile only they understood.
---
Zayden's throat tightened. He looked at the framed photo of Elena on the desk—her smile frozen in time, watching him as if she never left.
> I helped Elio with his cufflinks today. He reminded me so much of myself… except calmer, gentler. He doesn't carry the weight I once did—maybe because I carried yours, too.
And Liora, love… she walked down the staircase in your earrings—the pearl ones. Said she wanted you there in some way. When I saw her… I broke. Because for a second, I swear… it felt like you were standing right beside her.
---
Flashbacks in Real Time
Zayden recalled earlier that evening when Liora walked into his room wearing Elena's perfume. She twirled slowly in her dress and asked, "Dad… do I look like her?"
He had to leave the room before answering.
And Elio? He pulled Zayden aside, voice low and shaking. "Will I ever love her like you loved Mom?"
Zayden didn't respond. He simply hugged him—and hoped that was enough.
---
Closing the Letter
> They still talk about you like you're here. I never let them forget. I couldn't.
Tonight, Elio asked if I'd ever fall in love again. I told him the truth.
How can I, Elena?
No one else made me feel the way you did when you looked at me across that plane. When you stood up to me at the office. When you fell asleep on my chest after that rooftop night.
You were my always.
And tomorrow, when I walk Liora down the aisle, and stand beside Elio as his best man—I'll be smiling. But inside, I'll be searching the crowd for you.
Maybe you'll be in the breeze. In the way the sun hits her veil. In the tremble in his voice.
Because I know you never left. You just moved into the parts of them that needed you most.
Forever yours,
Zayden.
---
As he finished the letter, Zayden sealed it and placed it inside the wooden memory box beside her other letters—the one labeled For Elena, Always.
And before turning off the lamp, he whispered toward the heavens:
"They grew up, my love. And they made it. Just like we promised."