He had waited for her to grow up, only for her to undertake a perilous mission from which she never returned. Everyone called her a hero, but she was gone.


    She had left him all alone in the world. He had spent years waiting for someone who was nevering back.


    But miraculously, his wait was finally over.


    After receiving the certificate, the only step remaining in the formal process was to recite the vows.


    Bet and Yvonne stood facing each other, holding the card with the official vows that the clerk had handed them, and began to read together.


    "We willingly unite as husband and wife. From this day forward, we will share all the responsibilities and duties of marriage. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, we promise to cherish and love one another for the rest of our lives."


    Bet''s deep eyes were fixed on Yvonne, his gaze so intense it felt as if he wanted to merge their very souls.


    She gazed back at him, her own beautiful eyes shimmering like starlight.


    The entire process of getting married had gone off without a hitch.


    As Bet led Yvonne out of the building by the hand, the moment still felt surreal.


    The office was now open to the public, and happy young couples were flooding in, crowding around the counter to take a number and wait their turn.


    Yvonne instinctively paused, watching the bustling scene for a moment.


    "It''s so lively in there," she said, her voice filled with a touch of envy. "I almost wish we could have gotten married like that, amidst all the excitement."


    "We could go join them," Bet said, squeezing her hand. "If someone recognizes you, we''ll just announce our marriage right then and there. Give everyone something to celebrate."


    "Let''s not," Yvonne said, shaking her head. "They''re all having their moment. We shouldn''t cause a scene." She let Bet lead her out of the building.


    Their first stop was the Jones''s family home. Bruce and Monica were overjoyed when they heard the news.


    Monica cooked a celebratory feast, and Bruce opened a special bottle of wine he had been saving, sharing a few sses with Bet.


    "Bet, my boy," Bruce said


    warmly, "now that you''re married,


    you''re the head of a new family. You


    have to take on that responsibility,


    cherish your wife, and one day,


    One day, raise


    your children. Yvonne is a wonderful girl. I know you two will be very


    happy together."


    Bet replied, "Mr. Jones, I promise I''ll do my best to be a good husband, and I''ll


    learn how to be a good father when the timees."


    After having lunch with the Jones family, Yvonne and Bet left. Instead of


    heading straight back to Cherry Bay, they drove to the cemetery to visit Mr. Cooper''s grave.


    Yvonne had brought some of Mr. Cooper''s favorite pastries and a bottle of his preferred wine, along with a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.


    Yvonne knelt before the headstone and carefully poured some of the wine onto the ground in front of it.


    "Mr. Cooper, I''vee to see you," she said softly. "I brought your favorite pastries and wine. Grandpa, Bet and I are officially married now. We''re going to build a good life together so you don''t have to worry se about me anymore."


    She then took the marriage certificate from her purse and held it up for him to see.


    "Grandpa, the wedding dress you


    made for me... I''ve kept it perfectly safe. When Bet and I have our ceremony, I''m going to weardt and be the most beautiful bride for you.''


    "I miss you so much, Grandpa. If there really is another life after this one, I hope I get to meet you there, too."


    Her eyes welled with tears she couldn''t hold back.


    Bet leaned down and draped his jacket over her shoulders, then gently stroked her hair.


    "The wind is picking up," he said softly. "Let''s head back for now. We cane visit him again soon."


    "Okay," Yvonne nodded, letting Bet take her hand and lead her back down the


    hill.