#elopement wedding packages

[shilp1707]

Elopement Wedding Packages: Your Dream Intimate Ceremony in Portugal

In an era where couples are increasingly seeking intimate, personalized celebrations, elopement wedding packages have surged in popularity. These tailored experiences offer the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and simplicity for couples looking to tie the knot in a truly unique way. If you’re considering an elopement in one of the world’s most enchanting destinations, let’s explore why Portugal should be at the top of your list.

Portugal: A Dream Elopement Destination

With its stunning coastlines, historic castles, and picturesque vineyards, Portugal offers a diverse array of breath-taking backdrops for your special day. From the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve to the romantic hills of Sintra, this beautiful country caters to every couple’s vision of their perfect elopement.

But planning a destination elopement can be challenging, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the local wedding industry. This is where specialized elopement wedding packages and expert planners come in handy.

Crafting Your Perfect Elopement Package

When considering elopement packages in Portugal, it’s essential to work with a team that understands your unique needs and can bring your vision to life. White Dots Weddings, experts in bespoke destination weddings in Portugal, offers customized elopement packages that cater to discerning couples seeking a luxurious and intimate celebration.

Here’s what you can expect from a well-crafted elopement package:

Venue Selection: From secluded beaches to historic palaces, your package should include assistance in finding the perfect location that resonates with your style.

Legal Requirements: Navigating the process of getting married in Portugal as foreigners can be complex. Your package should include guidance on all necessary paperwork and legalities.

Ceremony Planning: Whether you envision a traditional Portuguese ceremony or something more unconventional, your package should cover all aspects of the ceremony, including an officiant if required.

Styling and Décor: Even for intimate elopements, the right decor can elevate your experience. Look for packages that include personalized styling options.

Photography and Videography: Capturing these precious moments is crucial. Ensure your package includes skilled professionals who can document your day beautifully.

Culinary Experience: Whether it’s a romantic picnic or a gourmet dinner, your elopement package should cater to your gastronomic preferences.

Accommodation: Many packages include recommendations or bookings for romantic lodging options.

Additional Experiences: Some couples might want to include local experiences like wine tasting or sailing. The best packages offer add-on options to enrich your elopement journey.

Why Choose White Dots Weddings for Your Portugal Elopement

When it comes to planning a bespoke elopement in Portugal, White Dots Weddings stands out as a premier choice. Their team of expert wedding planners specializes in creating personalized, luxury wedding experiences that cater to each couple’s unique vision.

White Dots Weddings offers full-service wedding planning, taking care of every detail from A to Z. They understand that busy professionals with refined tastes need a planner who can save them time while ensuring every aspect of their elopement is perfect. Their curated list of vendors ensures that you’re working with the best in the industry, from photographers to florists.

Moreover, White Dots Weddings’ deep understanding of Portugal’s most romantic wedding venues allows them to suggest hidden gems that perfectly match your style. Whether you’re dreaming of a Sintra wedding venue with its fairy-tale castles or a chic Lisbon ceremony with urban sophistication, they have the local knowledge to make it happen.

Making Your Elopement Dreams a Reality

Elopement wedding packages offer a stress-free way to create an unforgettable, intimate celebration of your love. By choosing Portugal as your destination and partnering with experts like White Dots Weddings, you’re setting the stage for a truly magical experience.

Remember, your elopement should be a reflection of your love story. Whether you’re envisioning a luxury wedding planning experience or a simple, romantic beachside ceremony, the right elopement package can turn your dreams into reality.

Ready to start planning your dream elopement in Portugal? Visit White Dots Weddings at and take the first step towards your perfect intimate wedding in one of Europe’s most romantic destinations.

[myrtlebeachwedding]

Elopement Wedding Packages

As you embark on the journey of planning your elopement, Barefoot Wedded Bliss emerges as the perfect ally. With over 25 years of experience, we specialize in turning dreams into reality. Our elopement wedding packages, starting at an affordable rate, offer a stress-free and joyous experience.

[incantowedding08]

Planning a Catholic Wedding on the Amalfi Coast: A Dream Come True

The Amalfi Coast, with its dramatic cliffs, picturesque towns, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, is a dream destination for many couples. And what better way to celebrate your love than with a Catholic wedding in this idyllic setting?

Choosing the Perfect Catholic Wedding Venue

When planning a Catholic wedding on the Amalfi Coast, the first step is to choose the perfect venue. Here are a few popular options:

Sorrento: This charming town offers a blend of ancient history and modern amenities. Popular Catholic wedding venues in Sorrento include the Basilica of Sant’Antonino and the Church of San Francesco.

Ravello: Perched high above the coast, Ravello is known for its breathtaking views and romantic atmosphere. The Duomo di Ravello and the Church of San Giovanni del Toro are popular choices for Catholic weddings.

Amalfi: The capital of the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi is a picturesque town with a rich history. The Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and the Church of San Giovanni Battista are popular Catholic wedding venues. Planning a Catholic Wedding Ceremony

Once you’ve chosen your venue, it’s time to start planning your Catholic wedding ceremony. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Religious requirements: Catholic weddings must adhere to specific religious guidelines. Be sure to consult with a priest to discuss the requirements for your ceremony. Language: If you and your partner are not fluent in Italian, it’s important to arrange for a translator to assist with the ceremony. Music: Traditional Catholic wedding music is often played during the ceremony. You may also want to consider incorporating local Italian music into your celebration.

Planning a Catholic Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, you’ll want to celebrate with your guests at a reception. Here are a few tips for planning your Catholic wedding reception on the Amalfi Coast:

Venue: Many of the same venues that host Catholic weddings also offer reception facilities. Consider hosting your reception at the same venue as your ceremony for convenience. Food and drink: Italian cuisine is renowned for its delicious flavors. Be sure to sample some of the local specialties at your reception. Entertainment: Live music is a popular choice for Catholic wedding receptions. Consider hiring a local Italian band or string quartet to entertain your guests. Eloping on the Amalfi Coast

If you’re looking for a more intimate wedding experience, consider eloping on the Amalfi Coast. There are many beautiful elopement packages available that include everything from the ceremony and reception to accommodations and transportation.

Jewish Weddings on the Amalfi Coast

While the Amalfi Coast is primarily known for its Catholic weddings, it’s also possible to have a Jewish wedding in this stunning location. There are a few synagogues on the Amalfi Coast, and many local wedding planners can help you arrange a Jewish wedding ceremony and reception.

Civil Weddings on the Amalfi Coast

For couples who are not religious, a civil wedding is another option. Civil weddings can be held at a variety of locations, including town halls, villas, and gardens.

Planning Your Dream Catholic Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Planning a Catholic wedding on the Amalfi Coast is a dream come true for many couples. With its stunning scenery, romantic atmosphere, and rich history, the Amalfi Coast is the perfect place to say “I do.” By following these tips, you can plan a memorable and unforgettable wedding that you and your guests will cherish for years to come.

Visit Us-https://www.incantoweddinginitaly.com/

[beautifulbridal]

Wedding planning Orlando_ Beautiful Bridal Ceremonies

If you’re with your wedding planning or just getting started, a beautiful bridal ceremony and from enchanting outdoor settings to luxurious indoor venues, they craft each ceremony to reflect the couple's unique love story and magical day. Our team is an expert in wedding planning in Orlando, and we believe every couple deserves to relax and enjoy their planning experience. Our flexible planning options make it easy to find the ideal service for you.

[kaliartistry]

The Premier Guide to City Hall Weddings in New York City

Experience the Charm of a City Hall Wedding in NYC

City Hall weddings in New York City offer a unique blend of simplicity, elegance, and the vibrant backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Whether you are local residents or lovebirds coming from afar, the Manhattan Marriage Bureau provides an intimate setting for couples looking to embrace the beauty of New York City in their nuptial celebrations.

Simplified Steps to Your NYC City Hall Wedding

Preparing for Your Big Day

Before you can enjoy the simplicity of a City Hall wedding, there are several steps you’ll need to follow to ensure everything goes smoothly:

1. Obtaining the Marriage License

First things first: securing a marriage license is crucial. You can make an appointment through the Project Cupid website to obtain your license at least 24 hours before your ceremony. The City Clerk’s office releases appointment slots three weeks in advance, typically on Mondays at 9 AM. Keep an eye on their Twitter feed for real-time updates.

2. Scheduling Your Ceremony

After securing your marriage license, you’ll need to book a ceremony appointment. These are also scheduled through Project Cupid. Remember, your appointment time is not your ceremony time but rather your entry into the City Clerk’s office.

On the Day of Your Wedding

Arrival and Check-In

Arrive on time for your appointment to ensure a smooth process. You’ll check in at the front desk, where you’ll be given a ticket number. This number is essential, as it will be called when it’s your turn to sign your marriage documents and again when it’s time for your ceremony.

The Ceremony

City Hall ceremonies are brief but memorable. You’ll choose between the East Chapel and the West Chapel—both offer a simple yet charming setting for your exchange of vows. Ceremonies typically last from three minutes to five minute and conclude with the iconic kiss that seals your union.

What to Expect at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau

The Setting

The Manhattan Marriage Bureau, located at 141 Worth Street, provides a quintessentially New York ambiance. Despite its efficiency, the venue is equipped with picturesque spots perfect for those post-ceremony photos.

Guest Policy and Photography

As of the latest update in January 2024, you are allowed to bring four guests, excluding children under 12. Your photographer counts as one of the four guests, so plan accordingly.

After the Ceremony: Celebrating Your New Union

Capturing the Moment

We at Kali Artistry understand the significance of this day and offer specialized photography services to capture every candid moment. Our team is skilled at utilizing the unique elements of City Hall to create stunning visual memories that you’ll treasure forever.

Exploring Nearby Photo Opportunities

After your ceremony, take advantage of the nearby locations for a photo session. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Promenade, and the charming streets of Manhattan provide perfect backdrops for your wedding photographs.

Comprehensive Costs and Planning Tips

Fees and Necessary Documents

You will need to bring:

A valid ID for you and your partner.

Your witness, over 18 years old, with a photo ID.

The marriage license, obtained in advance.

A $25 ceremony fee, which is payable by credit card or money order.

Additional Advice for a Smooth Experience

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a change of attire if desired. The relaxed atmosphere of City Hall, combined with our expert photography, will ensure your wedding photos are as joyful and authentic as your love story.

Kali Artistry: Your Premier NYC City Hall Wedding Partner

We are more than just photographers; we are storytellers who are privileged to be part of your City Hall wedding in New York City. With Kali Artistry, you’re not just getting a City Hall photographer; you’re gaining a dedicated partner who will ensure your wedding visuals are as enchanting as your love story.

For inquiries or to book our services, please visit our website or contact us directly. Your journey to a memorable City Hall wedding begins with us. Let’s make magic together.

[mindonphotography]

Modern Photography in Boston - Mind on Photography

What is the difference between photography and modern photography?

Photography, as a term, encompasses the entire field of capturing images using light-sensitive materials or electronic sensors. It has evolved significantly over time, with "modern photography" referring to the current state of the art and practices in photography, which includes advancements in technology, techniques, and styles.

Here are some key differences between traditional photography and modern photography:

Technology: Traditional photography relied on film cameras, where images were captured on light-sensitive photographic film and then chemically processed to produce prints. Modern photography, on the other hand, predominantly utilizes digital cameras, where images are captured electronically on digital sensors and can be instantly viewed, edited, and shared using digital technology.

Workflow: Traditional photography involved a more time-consuming and labor-intensive workflow, including film loading, manual focusing, exposure metering, and darkroom processing. In contrast, modern photography offers streamlined workflows with features such as autofocus, auto-exposure, digital image processing, and instant image preview, allowing for faster and more efficient image capture and editing.

Image Quality: While traditional film photography is renowned for its unique aesthetic qualities and rich tonal range, modern digital photography offers greater flexibility, control, and convenience in image capture and post-processing. Digital cameras have also made significant advancements in sensor technology, resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance, resulting in higher-quality images overall.

Access and Distribution: Modern photography has democratized the art form, making it more accessible and inclusive through digital platforms and social media. With the rise of smartphones and social networking sites, anyone can capture and share photos instantaneously with a global audience, revolutionizing how images are created, consumed, and distributed.

Styles and Trends: While traditional photography encompassed a wide range of styles and genres, modern photography has witnessed the emergence of new techniques, trends, and genres influenced by digital technology and contemporary culture. This includes genres such as street photography, mobile photography, drone photography, and digital manipulation, as well as trends like HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging, minimalism, and conceptual photography.

Overall, while the fundamental principles of photography remain constant, modern photography reflects the ongoing evolution and innovation in technology, techniques, and artistic expression within the medium.

[alyssabelkaciphotography]

Discover the unrivaled magic of Alyssa Belkaci's best elopement packages in Paris, the City of Love. With an impeccable eye for detail and an innate understanding of romance, Alyssa curates extraordinary experiences that surpass all expectations. Imagine the sheer bliss of exchanging vows in the embrace of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or whispering sweet nothings while strolling hand-in-hand through Paris's charming cobblestone streets.

[emilyjenksphotography]

Saying "I Do" in Style: San Francisco Elopement Packages

Are you dreaming of an intimate and unforgettable wedding experience in one of the most iconic cities in the world? Look no further than San Francisco. With its breathtaking views, charming neighborhoods, and romantic ambiance, San Francisco is the perfect destination for couples seeking a unique elopement experience. In this blog, we'll explore why San Francisco elopement packages offer an ideal solution for couples looking to exchange vows in style.

Why Choose San Francisco for Your Elopement?

San Francisco boasts a myriad of picturesque locations that provide the perfect backdrop for your elopement ceremony. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and scenic parks to historic landmarks and quaint streets, the city offers endless possibilities for couples seeking a romantic setting to say "I do." Whether you envision a ceremony overlooking the bay or amidst the lush greenery of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco has something to offer every couple.

Tailored Elopement Packages for Every Couple

San Francisco's elopement packages are designed to cater to the unique preferences and desires of each couple. Whether you're seeking a simple ceremony with just the two of you or an intimate gathering with a small group of loved ones, there's a package that's perfect for you. From officiants and photographers to floral arrangements and transportation, these packages take care of every detail, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – your love and commitment to each other.

Seamless Planning Process

Planning a wedding, even an elopement, can be overwhelming. That's where San Francisco elopement packages truly shine. Experienced wedding planners and coordinators work closely with you to bring your vision to life, handling all the logistics so you can relax and enjoy the moment. Whether you're a local couple or planning a destination elopement, these professionals ensure a seamless and stress-free planning process from start to finish.

Creating Unforgettable Memories

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and San Francisco elopement packages are designed to make it truly unforgettable. Imagine exchanging vows as the sun sets over the city skyline or sharing your first dance under the twinkling lights of the Golden Gate Bridge. With the help of talented photographers and videographers, every moment of your elopement will be beautifully captured, allowing you to relive the magic for years to come.

Embrace the Magic of San Francisco

In conclusion, San Francisco elopement packages offer couples the opportunity to celebrate their love in one of the most enchanting cities in the world. With stunning locations, personalized packages, and expert planning services, saying "I do" in San Francisco is a dream come true for couples seeking a truly unforgettable wedding experience. So why wait? Take the first step towards your happily ever after and start planning your San Francisco elopement today.

[photographer-phuket-thailand]

Elopement wedding

[weddingofficiantsatlga]

Get in touch with Wedding Ministers & Officiants of Atlanta in Lawrenceville, GA   Get in Touch With Our Team - Receive a Free Quote – Connect With Our Professional Officiants Connect With Our Dependable Ministers and Officiants Call Now 770-963-7472 Click for our Website!

[pacificvows]

In a nutshell, hosting a wedding in the mountains captures a range of benefits for the couple and the family. For some couples, it can be confusing to choose the best location from multiple wedding venues mountain. In that scenario, you can reach professionals such as Pacific Vows to take valuable advice. They are highly-reputed wedding photographers you can hire for elopement and other services.

[beautifulbridal]

Celebrate Your Love with Affordable Orlando Elopement Packages - Beautiful Bridal Ceremonies

Delve into our tailored Orlando elopement packages, blending affordability with elegance for your special day. Explore the most enchanting wedding venues in Florida with our budget-friendly Orlando elopement packages. Our experienced wedding officiants in Orlando, Florida, ensure your special day is filled with love and cherished memories. Explore our selection of picturesque venues and customizable packages designed for intimate and beautiful bridal ceremonies. Find the ideal backdrop for your beautiful bridal ceremony amidst the magic of Orlando. Experience the magic of a beautiful bridal ceremony with our curated offerings.

[magiccath]

Yours, Stardust: Chapter one, Goodbye, Spaceman

A/N: Woah! A multi-part? Also, this is written in British English, you've been warned.

Summary: In which Donna loses her memories and you're forced to choose: your best friend or the alien you've grown far too attached to.

Word count: 6,379

Donna Noble always came first. Not that you had ever complained - not that you were complaining now. It was simply a part of your life, an irrefutable fact like the sky being blue. She had, and always would, come first. 

You came first for her, too. It was always you and her. Best friends, always and forever. No one was ever supposed to get between you; parents, other friends, romantic partners, and least of all the Doctor. Before it was the three of you, it had been the two of you. For the majority of your lives, you had been inseparable. It was without saying that you and Donna did just about everything together. There was never one without the other.

The first time you met the Doctor still hung in the corners of your mind. You had spent hours searching for Donna, all the while fighting the growing pit in your stomach that something was wrong, before stumbling into the reception party. You were still in your wedding attire, your unreasonably uncomfortable dress shoes hanging from your hand, having given up and taken them off. Donna had put you in some silly outfit for the ordeal, something that she knew you wouldn’t even consider wearing for anyone else. But it was Donna, so of course you put it on. 

When you saw Donna, properly pissed off and frazzled, you didn’t waste a second before throwing yourself into her arms. More than anything, you were just glad she was okay. You didn’t care if she had run off to elope this handsome stranger next to her, if he was holding her captive, or even what her shithead fiance would say about it all. All that mattered at that moment was that she was safe. 

It turned out that she hadn’t eloped with the handsome stranger. Depending on who you asked, the kidnapping was up for debate. 

You’d follow Donna to the corners of the Earth - In fact, you probably had over the years. You followed her to Egypt, you’d followed her around while she searched for the Doctor, and when the time came you’d followed her onto the TARDIS. When you were still kids, your mum had once asked you if you’d follow Donna off a cliff. In more ways than one, you supposed you had. The TARDIS wasn’t quite a cliff, but the outcome felt the same.

-

The Doctor knew that you and Donna were a joint package. He knew that if he lost one, he would lose both. As all things did with him, this too would end. He would move on and you two would stay the same - you and Donna, Donna and you. You’d come with Donna, and one day you would inevitably leave with her too. 

That didn’t stop him from getting attached. It didn’t matter that he was over 900 years old, the last of his kind, or that he had lost almost everyone he had ever loved. The idea of him not growing attached to you was almost impossible. How could he not? You were everything that he’d ever allowed himself to hope for. 

He’d let his guard down, he’d grown comfortable - accustomed, even. Donna’s favourite tea in the cupboard had become second nature to him. Your charity shop coat thrown across the coral structures of the TARDIS console room, right next to his own, was something he had grown too used to. The sight of your dirty trainers discarded on the metal flooring haunted him more than any other companion ever had. He didn’t want that all to change - he didn’t want your shoes strewn across the floor if you weren’t there to trip over them. He didn’t want your favourite chipped mug in the cupboard if you weren’t using it. He didn’t want Donna’s tea to collect dust, the metal tin rusting away in the depths of the TARDIS kitchen. 

The Doctor followed a universal truth; companions always left or died. It was a destiny he had been trying to outrun for years. When they did (for whatever reason), their presence always lingered in the TARDIS, no matter how much he tried to ignore it. Donna had noticed it the first time she ever entered the ship, instantly clocking Rose’s purple shirt hanging from the railing. The TARDIS herself noticed, she felt the absence inside of her very being. She’d taken to filing prior companions’ rooms away long ago, hiding them away from the Doctor and oftentimes herself. Martha’s room was still somewhere on the ship, her medical textbooks and second favourite leather jacket hidden behind a door somewhere in the depths of the endless hallways. She’d had to buy a new sports med textbook, her old one (with all of her highlights, annotations, and stray pieces of homework) still sat in the ship, likely never to be opened again. 

It was different with Donna and it was certainly different with you. He wasn’t even sure he could bring himself to file the two of you away, to hide you in the mental file folder of people he had let down, of people he had lost. 

He wasn’t sure he could handle the loss of you. It would be painful to see the lack of you in all of the places you should be - standing next to him in the control room, handing him spare parts while he repaired the console, making yourself a morning cup of tea. He feared that when you left his life, he wouldn’t be able to look at the ship the same way again. It would feel haunted in the worst way. 

In the grand scheme of his lifetime, it had been a blip, nothing more than a singular moment in time. He only had you for a mere handful of years, but it had never felt like that. As much as he hated it, he had grown to depend on you. Before he knew you, he might have been okay without you. Now, he would always feel the hole where you used to be. 

You and Donna belonged on the TARDIS, you fit into his life in a way that no one else ever had. For the first time in years, centuries even, he was truly happy. 

As much as he could, the Doctor had fallen into a sense of routine. There were things that he had just grown used to, things that he could rely on in his generally unreliable lifestyle. You always did your laundry on the TARDIS because you preferred the Laundromat to the machines back home. He knew that Donna wanted to go home once a month to check on Wilf, or that you would bring him a steaming cup of tea if he stayed up late working on the console. You never put enough sugar in it for his liking, but he’d never told you that. Maybe he should have. 

He should have known it would never last. Wanting you here forever was nothing more than wishful thinking in the first place. Perhaps the universe was playing a joke on him, or maybe it was seeking revenge for all the things he had done wrong in his painfully long life. 

Losing Donna was hard enough for him. Having to be the one to wipe her memory and explain to her mum and grandad why he could never see her again was one of the hardest things he had ever done in his long life. He felt gutted, ripped apart at his already fragile seams. There were so many people he had said goodbye to, but none of them were his best friend. Losing Donna was like losing a piece of himself, like handing away one of his hearts just to see it get run over by a truck. It was hard in ways he had never thought possible, but losing you was a whole different ordeal. He had loved Donna, yes, but never in the way that he loved you.

He loved you in a way he hadn’t loved anyone in the longest time. Even if he didn’t want to, even if he knew it wasn’t possible, he loved you. It wasn’t something he wanted to admit to himself, and it was something that he could never admit to you, but it was true. Just as much a fact as the sky being blue (though, the Doctor knew that the sky wasn’t really blue. Humans didn’t have the optical ability to see the true colour of the sky. The Doctor thought that was truly a shame, it was one of his favourite colours).

Even without it being said, there was something there. The two of you had never loved each other the way that the Doctor loved Donna. You hung in the space between; not quite together, but so much more than just friends. Maybe, if the two of you had time, he would have found his way to you. In the end, he always did. It was impossible not to, you were like a magnet to him. Nothing had ever come as easy to him as loving you. 

He tried not to love you, he really did. But if he hadn’t been able to stop over the last year, he wasn’t going to be able to stop now. Loving you ruined him, body and soul, but he couldn’t seem to shake himself from it. 

Losing Donna was painful for the Doctor, but it was life-ruining for you. It was practically excruciating to see the best part of your best friend's life be wiped away in an instant. 

“When I’m with the Doctor, I feel like I’m actually something. Someone,” Donna had told you once. “Like my life finally has a purpose. This is it, this is where I’m meant to be.” 

Donna wouldn’t even be able to mourn what she lost, because she couldn’t even remember that she lost it. Perhaps that was the cruellest fate of them all. 

Never again would you sit on her floor on the TARDIS, organising her CDs and making fun of the Doctor. You wouldn’t ever complain to her about the Time Lord, or yell into her pillow because of how utterly frustrating he could be. She wouldn’t remember him, she wouldn’t remember the room she had outfitted on the TARDIS, she wouldn't remember those late nights. But you would, they would always be stitched into the seams of your memories. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t get rid of them.

You wanted to scream at the Doctor, beg him to give you your best friend back. He could destroy civilisations, save worlds, and build empires, why couldn’t he fix this? Why did he have to put you in a position to choose? 

The Doctor had figured you would stay with him. In his mind, there wasn’t another option. He needed you. To you, the answer was obvious. Donna Noble came first. She always did. 

Now, you were gone, but months ago you had been here. Your memory was already haunting him, fragments of you handing in his periphery. His eyes landed on the front doors of the TARDIS, his mind already filling in the blanks. 

Only a few weeks ago, he had found you sitting with your legs dangling out of the open doors, feet idly kicking into the open air of space. He was sure if it was any other ship, flown by any other alien, you wouldn’t even consider sitting out in the open expanse of space, but you had grown to trust the Doctor and his TARDIS with more than just your life. 

Donna had long since gone to bed, she was probably fast asleep wrapped up in the Egyptian cotton sheets she got from her first trip to the 1920s. You, on the other hand, found yourself unable to sleep, fancy cotton sheets or not. It wasn’t necessarily a frequent problem for you, but sometimes after steady weeks of adventuring, you weren’t able to sleep as easily. On those nights, you’d stay up with the Doctor. He would never openly admit it, but he liked the company. 

Used to this routine, the Doctor had sat down silently next to you, his long legs draping over the edge of his beloved ship. For a minute neither of you said anything, just looking out at the stars. The silence settled around the Doctor like a familiar blanket. For once, he didn’t feel the pressing need to fill it with chatter.

It had been a beautiful night in space, though the Doctor supposed he’d never seen one that wasn’t. A glittering array of stars and soft nebulas filled his vision, a couple of far-off planets hidden behind stardust. It didn’t matter that he’d seen it billions of times, nothing else really compared to the feeling of just sitting in outer space, basking in the soft starlight. 

“Have I ever told you about binary stars?” the Doctor murmured, his face still turned out toward the galaxy. From here, you could take a minute to admire his side profile. 

“No, I don’t think you have,” you replied, tearing your gaze away from him. “Tell me.” 

The Doctor reached his arm out and pointed at two sparkling spheres in the distance. They were nestled right next to each other in the dark, huddled together like penguins weathering out a storm. 

“They’re stars that orbit the same centre of gravity, permanently bound together by it. Most of the stars are part of a binary system, actually,” he explains, his quiet voice ringing out into the night. “Normally you can���t see them as separate entities with your naked eye, but, well…” 

“Being literally in space changes that,” you finish for him. 

“Exactly.”

“Over time the stars lose momentum and slowly gravitate towards each other until they collide in a supernova,” the Doctor continued, still looking out into space with a forlorn look. “Or if one explodes first, it forms a pulsar. The companion star, the dimmer one that is, will be destroyed. Either way, they’re the death of each other.” 

“Companion stars?” you chuckle, leaning your head against the solid wood of the doorframe. Now it was the Doctor’s turn to look at the soft outline of your profile. 

“Or secondary star, B-star, you get the idea,” he utters quickly, just a few ticks faster than his normal dialect. 

“Are we smaller stars to you?” you ask after a beat, gazing out at the pair of stars in the distance. In a way he envied them, two entities intertwined forever, always a joined force in the stark expanse of the cosmos.

“No,” the Doctor said almost instantly. “Never smaller, or lesser, or whatever other word you want to use. Never that. There’s never been anything bigger than you. Ever.” 

“Are the other stars called the Doctor star? Time Lord star?” you teased with a wide smile, the expression taking over your entire face. He loved when you smiled like that, your whole face practically illuminating the room. 

“First, it’s the brighter star. And, no, they’re the primary stars,” he scoffs, trying to hide the beginnings of his own smile. It was hard not to smile back when you looked at him like that. 

“Which one’s the companion?” you asked, nodding in the general direction of the stars in the distance. From your spot, they looked the same, so similar you might have even mistaken them for one entity at first glance. 

“Can’t tell from here,” the Doctor shrugged. “The TARDIS could tell us,” he looks back at the console, ready to get up and check. He was starting to realise he would do anything for you, and that kind of power was dangerous. 

You shook your head, silently telling him to stay. “It’s not important, I just figured you’d know.” 

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t know everything.” 

“I know,” you say simply. There were plenty of things the Doctor didn’t know, though it was rare for him to admit it. He didn’t know your birthday, or at least the proper date on first guess. He didn’t know Donna’s middle name, and most importantly, he didn’t seem to know how much he meant to you. 

The silence settled back over you for a while. You sat like that for a while, sitting a little too close together and staring out into the universe before you. The binary star system hung in his field of vision, seemingly burning brighter than any other celestial body in his view. He couldn’t help but cling to the idea of them. 

“The primary star is usually the one to explode, killing its companion,” the Doctor broke the silence. “It is literally the cause of the other’s death.” 

“If I was a binary star, I’m not sure I would mind all that much.” 

“Of course not, stars aren’t capable of thought processes or emotions-” he frowned, already correcting your statement. 

“Metaphorically,” you cut him off before he could talk himself into circles; he was always really good at that. 

“Oh,” he said, softer this time. “Why? Why wouldn’t you mind, that is.” 

“Space is so big, everything is so far apart. If you’re a star, you just occupy your gravity all alone. But if one day, another star comes along and dips into that space… well, life isn’t so lonely anymore, is it?” 

The Doctor shook his head, the spiky strands of his hair bouncing from the motion. “They kill each other.” 

“Wouldn’t you risk it too? For that companionship, that love, that brief moment of contact before you combust? I know I would.” 

“You have to kill your best friend, your partner. I’m not sure that’s worth it,” the Doctor argued. He was tired of losing people, tired of being the last one standing, tired of being the cause of all of those deaths. Maybe it should be called a “Time Lord star”.

“Would you rather be alone for the rest of your life?” you asked, turning back toward him. His eyes caught yours and he had to fight back tears. He didn’t want to be alone for the rest of his life, he wanted to be with you. With Donna. He would burn until he died out if he had to if it meant he could keep you. He would give you his hearts if he could - crack his ribs open and pry them out with his bare hands. 

“Yes,” he lied, his voice cracking ever so slightly. It was nothing more than a pipedream, the idea that things would always be this way. He knew that, but it didn't make the inevitable blow any softer. You were never his to keep. 

“We aren’t talking about stars anymore, are we?” you whisper. No, no we aren’t, he thought. Your words had hung in the air, the silence palpable. 

Now, almost half a year later, his worst fears were coming true. He had drawn you too far into his gravitational pull and now he was going to lose you, just like he had lost everyone else. 

The crash was inevitable. He couldn’t have the two of you forever, at some point, it was going to end. Binary stars always ended in explosions. It was only a matter of time before one of them went supernova.

Your voice tore him out of his thoughts. “So this is goodbye,” you whispered sadly, gazing down at the floor. You couldn’t look at him, not without breaking down. You’d never thought it would come to this. 

“You can’t leave,” the Doctor’s voice almost cracked, his words strained. “I can’t lose you.” 

“I can’t stay.” 

“Yes, you can,” he pleaded. You didn’t have to respond to that, you both knew that the decision was already made. It was made the second that he wiped Donna’s mind. 

The Doctor slumped against the console, the motion pained and dejected. “I just lost my best friend, I can’t lose you too” the Doctor cried, practically begging you. 

“So did I!” you snapped. “I go with you and I lose the last bit of her I have left.” 

“I can drop you off, you can always visit-” 

“I’m not leaving her, Doctor,” you said definitively, refusing to budge on the matter. “She just lost the most wonderful year of her life - she lost you. I’m not going to be another thing she loses.” 

“It doesn’t have to be one or the other.” 

“It always is with you,” you murmured. The words hung in the air, the Doctor unable to argue with them. He couldn’t do the grey areas, he had never been any good at them. There wasn’t just getting coffee or catching up with him, there was always something more. 

“She needs someone,” you added softly. 

“She has Wilf and Sylvia.” 

“She needs someone to remind her that she’s brilliant. Someone she will listen to.”

The Doctor didn’t have to respond to that, both of you knew it wasn’t the same. Donna needed someone there to remind her that she could be amazingly brilliant, and you were the only person who could really do that. You were the only one to see just how important Donna Noble was to the whole world, the universe even. 

The only thing he could do was stare at you, silently committing your face to memory. You were already there, hidden in the corners of his mind. He didn’t need to memorise you, you were burned into him. There was no forgetting you. He wanted so desperately not to lose you, even the faint memory of you that would always linger in his mind. His eyes danced over your features, mapping every single curve and spot that he had grown to know so well. He wasn’t sure he could forget you, even if he wanted to. A little bit of you was permanently stitched into his very being. 

“You were the best part of my life,” you whisper, breaking the silence. 

“Your life isn’t over.” 

“I already know. There’s no beating you, Doctor. I-” your words caught in your throat. 

“I love him,” you had whispered to Donna months ago, the two of you curled up on the TARDIS library couch. “I love him irreversibly, I don’t think I could stop loving him if I tried.” You had tried, continuously even. It wasn’t meant to be, yet you couldn’t let him go. 

“I love you,” you finally admitted to him, your voice a cracked whisper. The words weren’t a surprise to the Doctor. Frankly, you hadn’t expected them to be. 

The two of you had danced around it for so long, lost in your own waltz of messy feelings. If you just kept avoiding it, wouldn’t it go away? But there was no more avoiding it, this was it. The last time you would ever see the Doctor. 

“If I say it back will you stay?” he whispered, his voice raw. 

“No,” you said instantly, a part of you hoping he’d say it anyway. He only nodded, his gaze falling to the floor. You don’t know why you’d expected anything else. It didn’t matter if you were walking out of his life, he couldn’t say it. You weren’t sure he would ever be ready to say it. 

“Thank you,” he murmured after a beat. The words didn’t feel like enough, but they were all he had. 

“I should be the one thanking you, not the other way around,” you chuckled sadly. “For showing me all of the universe and the things it has to offer.” 

The Doctor shook his head, his spiky fringe drooping across his browline. “No, really. Thank you, for everything.” He would never be able to thank you enough for all that you had done for him; the countless nights you’d spent just sitting with him long after he should have gone to bed, all the times you’d talked him out of a spiral, the comforting squeeze of your hand in his. His life was undoubtedly better with you in it, and now you were walking out of it. The worst part was that he was powerless against it, there was nothing he could do to make you stay. 

Unceremoniously, you slung your arms around him one last time. He allowed his own arms to snake around your middle, holding you tighter than he ever had. If he closed his eyes and focused on the feeling of you, he could almost convince himself you weren’t leaving. His nose slotted perfectly into your neck, it was so natural he didn’t even have to think about it. 

“I’m going to miss you, spaceman,” you whispered, so quiet only the Doctor could hear. 

It felt as if his hearts were being ripped out of his chest. He didn’t want to be this vulnerable, especially not in front of you. His mind grappled with the crushing weight of it all, frantically trying to scoop the last shreds of his dignity off the ground. 

“I’ll miss you too, stardust,” he whispered, his voice strained. How was he expected to survive this? How could he be expected to do anything without you? 

When you pulled away from the hug, there was the faintest hint of tears in your eyes. The sight only served to break the Doctor’s hearts further. He hated when you were sad, and he absolutely loathed it when he was the cause. 

His hand reached out and brushed the stray tear from your cheek, swiping his thumb across the soft skin, his hand just barely quivering. You exhaled shakily, your breath ghosting across the Doctor’s skin. 

“Goodbye,” you murmured, your voice cracking. 

Reluctantly, you untangled yourself from the embrace, taking a step back. It took everything in the Doctor not to reach out for you and pull you back into him. 

“Goodbye,” he whispered back. 

He desperately wanted to wake up and find this was all some horrible nightmare. He longed to jolt awake like he did the many times he had dreamed of the horrors of the Time War. In the morning, this would be nothing more than a false memory that had plagued his unconscious mind. He would wake up, and you would be there. Donna would be there. 

He blinked slowly, clenching his eyes shut with the hope that he would open them and this would all be fixed. After a beat, he slowly opened them again, but you were gone. 

The TARDIS had never felt so empty. 

-

You closed the door to the TARDIS carefully, your fingers lingering on the worn, blue wood of the ship. Once it was closed, you allowed yourself to sag against the doors. You took a second to gather yourself before stepping away from the ship. Only then did the tears start to fall.

As the TARDIS dematerialised, your cries turned into full sobs. The sound that once felt like home now felt like a fatal wound. You weren’t sure this was something you could ever get over, no matter how hard you tried. 

It didn’t matter how hard your heart was breaking, you had other places to be. Donna needed you, and you weren’t going to abandon her. Now, or ever. Donna Noble always came first. 

Hastily wiping your tears, you tugged the front door of the Noble residence open. You started slowly slipping off your shoes, kicking them dejectedly onto the wet mat by the coat rack. Just as you were easing off your left trainer, Donna rounded the corner. You didn’t even have time to register the fact that she was now awake, or even ask her how she was feeling before she started fretting over you. 

“Oh no, I know that look,” she chided, immediately taking your coat from your hands. 

“What look?” you plastered a smile on your face, the effort mitigated by your already blotchy face.

“Your sad one,” she stuck her finger in your face, “I don’t like it.” 

“I’m fine.” 

“No, you’re not. Was it work? A bloke? A bloke at work?” she rambled on, growing increasingly irritated at the mere concept of someone upsetting her best friend. She would burn the world down for you if given the chance. No one meant more to Donna than you did. 

“It was Josh, wasn’t it? I always hated him, but you already knew that. Not like I was ever secretive about it.” Of course she figured it was work, she didn’t remember that you had quit months ago. Time Travel wasn’t exactly compatible with a working schedule. Before you could respond and tell her no, it most certainly was not Josh, she was already going on again. “We’re going to have a pint of ice cream and then you’re moving on, got it?” she instructed, chattering on as if it was that simple. Maybe if it had been anyone else it would be that simple. Things were never simple when it came to the Doctor. 

“Okay,” you nodded. The last thing you wanted to do right now was say no to the incredible force that is Donna Noble.

-

The Doctor sat across from Wilfred Mott, idly running a finger along the edge of his coffee cup. He didn’t drink coffee, at least not black coffee, so the drink sat untouched. He’d always loved the man, but lately, he was the last person the Doctor wanted to see. Wilf was just one more painful reminder of all that he had lost. 

He didn’t understand why Wilf had picked this cafe, or even a cafe at all. There were hundreds on the street, yet he had seemed dead set on this one. It wasn’t even a nice one - the seats were cracked, the mugs chipped and mismatched, and the table was littered with scratches. The Doctor idly ran his pointer finger over a set of initials someone had carved into the wood, an eternal declaration of love. 

Pulling his gaze back up to the other side of the table, he found Wilf staring intently out the window. It almost looked like he was waiting for something. 

“What?” the Doctor asked, following his gaze with a furrowed brow. 

Outside on the street was Donna, packing up cardboard boxes into her car. As if seeing his best friend wasn’t painful enough, you rounded the corner, calling after the redhead. Suddenly it all made sense why Wilf had insisted on this particular cafe. 

“I'm sorry, but I had to. Look, can’t you make her better?” Wilf pleaded. 

“Stop it,” the Doctor growled, tearing his gaze away from the pair. He wouldn’t allow himself to dwell on this. He wouldn’t allow himself to think about you, it would only cause him to spiral. 

“No, but you’re so clever. Can’t you bring her memory back? Look, just go to her now. Go on, just run across the street. Go up and say hello,” Wilf continued.

“If she ever remembers me, her mind will burn, and she will die.”

“They miss you, both of them.” 

The Doctor’s eyes faltered, wandering back to the pair of you on the street. Now, Donna was yelling at a traffic warden, her angry voice carrying into the diner. Her voice was hauntingly familiar, and only then did he realise just how much he had missed Donna’s fury. 

“She’s not changed,” he chuckled. 

“Couldn’t if she tried.” 

“And…” the Doctor asked, not daring to directly ask how you were. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. Deep in his hearts, he longed for you to be happy. Yet, he didn’t think he could bear the pain of it. 

“They’re fine too. Working at the university now, a big cushy job and all.” 

The Doctor nodded. Of course, you were. At least you were happy.

“She’s getting married,” Wilf said, looking back out at his granddaughter. It took the Doctor a full second to realise he had been talking about Donna, not you. For a moment, panic rushed into his brain. He knew it would come one day, it was all part of you moving on. New job, new haircut, probably someone new to love too. He just wasn’t ready for that day to be today. 

“Another wedding?” he said, trying to play off the split second of panic. 

“Yeah.” 

“Is she happy? Is he nice?” The Doctor turned his gaze back to the mug in front of him, staring at the rapidly cooling coffee like it was the most interesting thing in the world. 

“Yeah, he’s sweet enough. He’s a bit of a dreamer. Mind you, he’s on minimum wage, she’s earning tuppence, so all they can afford is a tiny little flat. And then sometimes I see this look on her face like she’s so sad, but she can’t remember why.” 

“She’s got him.” That was more than the Doctor could say. He didn’t have anyone, least of all the two people he wanted most. He’d spent the last year running around, searching for anything to fill the hole the two of you had left in his hearts. He had spent all that time forcing you out of the corners of his mind, chopping away at pieces of himself to rid himself of the ache. As much as he tried, he just kept seeing you in all of the places you should be. 

“She’s making do.” 

“Aren’t we all?” the Doctor chuckled dryly. His whole life he’d been making do, building the blueprints of a life out of abandoned scraps he’d found on the side of the road. He’d been living in a house of cards, and one day it was bound to fall down. 

“Yeah, how about you? Who have you got now?” Wilf asked. The Doctor wanted to scoff at the idea. There was no replacing Donna, no replacing you. 

“No one. Travelling alone. I thought it was better, but…” he trailed off. It wasn’t true, he never once thought that travelling without you and Donna was better. He swallowed, pushing the threat of tears back down. The two of you had moved on, it was time he did too. 

“You need them, Doctor. I mean, look. Wouldn’t they make you laugh again?”

The truth was, you would. Both of you. Together, you could make everything better. 

-

One last goodbye. He was at least owed that, wasn’t he? One last goodbye before he let go. 

He figured he ought to at least wish Donna a happy marriage, even if he couldn’t do it directly. Before it all went down, Wilf had told him they were struggling, her and Shawn. The Doctor hated the idea of her in a shoebox flat, Donna Noble couldn't be squeezed in like that. At the very least, he could set them up for their new life. He wasn’t sure what constituted a lot of money, certainly not what constituted a lot of money in 2010. The best he could come up with was a winning lottery ticket. 

He’d completely forgotten that in delivering the envelope with the winning ticket snuggled safely inside he would run into you. For a moment, he was taken aback by the sight of you, fretting about the bride in your wedding attire. You looked beautiful, but then again you always did. When his eyes met yours, it felt like the whole world had stopped. He practically froze when you started walking toward him. Maybe he wasn’t ready for this. 

“What are you doing here?” you asked, your voice tense. The Doctor immediately felt as if he’d done something wrong. 

“Will you give this to Donna?” he asked softly, handing over the envelope. Warily, you took it from his outstretched hand. 

“What is it?” 

“Lottery ticket, should be enough for them to start their new life,” the Doctor explained, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. 

You nodded, staring down at the taupe envelope in your hands. “I’ll give it to her.”

The two of you stood in silence for a minute, neither of you venturing to speak. The only sounds in the area were the runoff of chatter from the wedding and the gentle chirp of birds in the nearby trees. 

The Doctor had so many things he wanted to say, yet none of them felt like enough. This was the last time he was ever going to see you with this face - possibly at all - and he couldn’t come up with anything. 

It’s not that he didn’t have things to say. Oh, he had so many things to say. A full year alone left him in a jumble of his own thoughts. He was still trying to detangle the webs of his mind. That wasn’t going to be his problem anymore, let the next one handle it. 

“I’m sorry,” he uttered, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. 

“For what?” 

“Everything,” he said. “For what happened with Donna, and what happened with us.” 

“I’m sorry too,” you whispered, fiddling with the envelope in your hands. “For leaving you and all of that.” 

The Doctor shook his head. “It turned out okay,” he lied. 

“You got someone new?” 

“No,” he said instantly. Of course, he didn’t have someone new, how could you think that? He didn’t just move on, especially not from Donna and you. “No, I don’t.” 

“You need someone.” 

“I’ve been fine,” he lied again. In reality, he had been far from fine. The TARDIS felt hauntingly empty without you. He missed Donna’s tabloid magazines scattered across the control room, the last book you were reading discarded on the surface of the console, and the half-empty tea mugs from both of you sitting in the sink for days on end, he missed it all. No matter what he did, he couldn’t fix it.

“I miss you,” you whispered so softly the Doctor wasn’t even sure he heard you correctly. 

“Then come back,” he practically begged. It didn’t matter how much he changed, how different this new Doctor was going to be, he would always love you. He would always need you. 

“I can’t do that.”

“I’d rather have five days a year than anyone else all the time,” he uttered, fighting his way through the stabbing pain in his body. He didn’t have much time left. But then again, he never did. 

“Goodbye, Doctor.” 

Somehow, those words hurt more than they did the first time. 

[ereardon]

Homecoming [Jake Seresin x Reader] Chapter 3

Summary: Returning home to California after six years abroad in England, you found everything has changed. Jake Seresin, your father's former college roommate and lifelong best friend, is now a widower and has purchased a new vineyard in Montecito, only a few miles from your childhood home. Your parents’ marriage is on the rocks, your brother is struggling with what to do with his life, and you’ve grown up and are starting your own counseling practice. So what happens when you find yourself falling for the man your father calls his best friend? And worse, what happens when your parents find out he’s falling for you, too? 

Pairing: Jake Seresin x Reader

Warnings: Age gap, eventual smut, cursing, alcohol

Word count: 2K

Chapter overview: Y/N settles into her job at Jake's vineyard, and has a revelation about their relationship

Author's note: This fic references a significant age gap, as reader is the child of Jake's best friend. However, she's in her mid-twenties, and he's been only a small part of her life to this point as he spent the majority of his time traveling with his late wife. This fic does not depict grooming, but if you are concerned with any of the themes please read at your own risk.

Masterlist here

On your second week on the job, a drunken bachelorette smashed fifteen bottles of wine by toppling over a display case. Just as you were about to curse them out, Jake swooped in, one hand on your arm, a reassurance blanket. 

“On the house,” he said with a grin and the girls swooned at him, forking over a 400% tip to try and cover the cost of the bottles. Jake let you keep it all. 

“For the practice,” he said, holding a hand up, stopping you from pressing the cash into his palm. 

“Jake, I can’t.” 

“Take it,” he replied, insistent. “Please.” 

By the time your one-month anniversary at the vineyard rolled around, Jake was letting you help plan weddings and events. The vineyard had a handful of different event packages, and you were up to your ears in paperwork. 

“Knock knock.” Jake hovered in the doorway of your office. He had cleared out a spare room next to his office and made it yours. It fit a small desk and chair, and you relished the ability to go into your office and shut the door and close out the world. 

“Hey. What’s up?” 

“You’re working late.” 

“Oh you know, my boss, he’s a real hard ass.” 

Jake grinned, lowering his arms and folding them across his broad chest. “Yeah, heard of him, they say he’s a huge asshole.” 

“And super ugly,” you replied. 

Jake chuckled. “Just wanted to check in on the Mackenzie wedding. How’s that going?” 

You sighed. “Remind me never to get married.”

He frowned. “Why is that?” 

“Marriage seems OK, but weddings are the worst. It brings out everyone’s bad side.” You tilted your head. “What was your wedding like?” 

“We didn’t have one.” 

“What?” 

He shrugged. “We were young, we wanted to save our money and travel. So we went to the San Francisco courthouse and eloped.” 

“Do you regret it?” 

“Not for a second.” He smiled. “You’re right, Sparky. Weddings aren’t for the bride and groom. They’re for family and friends. Sometimes it’s nice to keep it just about you.” 

There was something in Jake’s gaze that you couldn’t read. Was he thinking about Jenny? 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Y/N,” Jake said softly. “Don’t stay too late, OK? If it’s too late to drive home, call me and I’ll pick you up.” 

“I live fifteen minutes away,” you reminded him. 

“Just call me, alright.” 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, boss.” 

He chuckled and shook his head. You found yourself watching him walk away. 

***

“Let’s make quesadillas.” 

You peeled your eyes open. Colin was standing in the corner of your room wearing a pair of swim trunks and no shirt. You sat up, rubbing your eyes. “You’re shitting me, right?” 

“Come on.” He smirked. “Night swim and Mexican food. It’s tradition.” 

“We’re not seventeen anymore, Colin,” you groaned. “I have work in the morning.” 

“Jake will understand.” 

“Doesn’t matter,” you replied. “I’m responsible now.” 

He ripped the blanket off the bed and you shot up to seated, furious. 

“Seriously?” 

Colin grinned. “Come on. Live a little, sis.” 

Ten minutes later, the two of you were eating quesadillas in the hot tub. You tipped your head back against the tile rim. “What are we doing out here?” 

“Eating quesadillas.” 

You rolled your eyes. “That’s not what I mean and you know it. We’ve barely talked since I got home. It’s been six weeks.” 

“I’m busy. You’re busy.” 

“I have a job. You work at the crab shack.” Colin, after nearly failing out of college twice, had taken an almost permanent job on the boardwalk. This time he was a fry cook at a seafood joint frequented by tourists. 

“Don’t be such a snob, it doesn’t suit you.” 

“Just like being an idiot doesn’t suit you.” 

He shoved the rest of his quesadilla in his mouth and reached for yours. You were too slow – he grabbed it and forced it into his stuffed face. “Thanks.” It came out garbled and you watched a fleck of dried cheese land in the swirling water. 

“Disgusting,” you said with a laugh. “I’m serious though. What are you doing? You can’t live with mom and dad forever.” 

“You live with mom and dad.” 

“For now.” 

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Same.” 

You sighed. “Fine. New subject.” 

“So when do I get to see my little sis at her big grown up job?” 

“The vineyard?” He nodded. “Whenever. Come any time, I’m always there.” 

“With Jake.” 

You frowned. “Yeah, with Jake.” 

“Y/N.” He tipped his head. “He’s like, old. You know that, right?” 

“What?” You were aghast. “I mean, yeah I know that. I’m not stupid.” 

“He’s too old for you.” 

“He’s Jake!” you countered. “He’s dad’s friend. He’s my boss.” 

“Not once did you say you don’t want to date him.” 

The truth in Colin’s words prickled your brain. He was right. You couldn’t say that and be telling the truth. Because the truth was, as the days went by, you were starting to see Jake differently, despite your best efforts. He was kind and he was generous and he had an affable attitude that charmed everyone, old and young, man or woman. He was easy to be with. He made things fun. 

You shook your head. “Shut up, Colin.” 

He laughed. There was something buried in that laugh. How many times had the two of you snuck out in the middle of the night for a swim? How many times had you heard his laugh, and known that he was going to unearth your secrets? Colin knew everything you did before you even did it. 

***

“We need more sauvignon blanc on table three,” you said to the head waiter. He scampered toward the bar in the back, emerging a moment later with a frosty bottle of white, carefully cutting the metal wrapper tableside and popping the cork seamlessly. 

“Relax.” Jake appeared from behind, looking relaxed in a suit in the way only a confident man in his forties could. 

“I can’t,” you replied, eyes watching the bride and groom flit from table to table speaking with their guests. So far, nothing had gone wrong. At least, not in the front of the house. In the back, you had stopped three rounds of appetizers from being burned, and had to deal with a last minute rosé crisis. 

“I hired you because I knew you’d do the job well,” he said. “But I want you to have fun, too.” 

You shot him a glare and he smirked. “Fun? You think trying not to ruin someone’s wedding is fun?” 

“Honey, once they get down the aisle, nothing could ruin it. I could go over there and puke on her dress and it would still be the best day of her life.” 

“Don’t you dare.” 

He chuckled. “Do me a favor, Sparky?” 

“I’m not going to spill red wine on the mother of the groom just so you can have the last laugh.” 

“Have a drink,” Jake replied. “And save me a dance.” 

By the end of the night, you had eaten approximately fifteen balls of fried mac n cheese and had four glasses of champagne. As the last guests departed – the bride and groom had driven off in an antique Jaguar an hour earlier – you let out a sigh of relief. 

“Great job guys,” you said to the crew as they filed out of the kitchen, backs sore, white servers aprons splattered with wine. Your neck was aching and so were your feet. All you wanted to do was go home, take off your wrap dress and take a hot shower before stumbling into a fluffy pile of white bed linens. 

You had been surprised to learn that all of the vendors – the florist and the linen delivery and the chair rentals – would arrive the next morning to pack everything up. Somehow you had it in your mind that a wedding was ripped down the instant it was over. As if it was never there. But the reality was, the ghost of the wedding lived on through the night. In the quiet and the dark, the skeleton of everything remained. 

As you turned, heading for the stairs, Jake emerged at the top of the stairs. “Clocking out?” 

You nodded. “I need to sleep for one hundred years and quite possibly take the longest shower known to mankind.” 

Jake carefully stepped down the marble stairway before landing at the bottom, only a foot from you. “Well if you do that, I’d have to fire you.” 

Your face fell. “What?” 

“You promised me a dance,” he added. 

You frowned. “The musicians are gone. The wedding is over, Jake. And besides, my feet feel like they’re dying.” 

“Take off your shoes.” There was something authoritative about how he said it. And despite your bed calling your name, you followed his orders, slipping off the tall heels, bare feet hitting the cold marble floor and you almost moaned in relief. Jake held out one hand and you took it, letting him lead you out onto the empty dance floor. He pulled out his phone, hitting a few buttons before music filled the air around you. “One dance,” he whispered. 

“Yes, Jefe,” you replied and he smirked. Naturally, your fingertips reached for his, one hand tangled with his fingers, the other wound around his neck. Jake held your waist softly, pulling you in closer, until you could feel the heat of him on you. 

“I couldn’t do this without you, Y/N.” You knew it was serious when he didn’t call you Sparky, the heinous nickname that had come from that one summer as a child when you had been determined to teach the dogs how to do tricks like the seals at the zoo, balancing balls on their noses and doing flips in the water. It ended horribly, and there went your dream of being a zoo performer. 

“Yes you could,” you replied. “You did it before I came home. You’ll do it after.” 

Jake’s grip tightened microscopically, but you felt it. Like he was grounding himself as the two of you swayed in the open space. “What would you say if I begged you not to leave?” 

You looked up at him. The slight stubble across his jaw, the way his collar was pulled apart, a small tuft of chest hair peering through the top of the white shirt. “Jake, I—”

“I want the best for you, Y/N,” he interrupted. “I always have. But selfishly, I want you to myself, too. You make everything easier. You make everything better. And it’s been a long time since I felt like I could depend on anyone other than myself.” 

“The clinic isn’t anywhere near done,” you replied. “I still have months of construction and paperwork and hiring people.” 

“Just the thought of losing you.” He shook his head. “Sorry, I’m being selfish. I’m the adult here, I shouldn’t be putting so much pressure on you.” 

You stopped dancing, dropping Jake’s hand and lifting it to his neck so that your fingertips closed behind his collar. Jake’s hands fell dutifully to your waist, large fingertips digging into the sides beneath your ribs. “I’m not a kid anymore,” you whispered. “I’m twenty five.” 

Something passed between the two of you. You found yourself staring up at Jake, his algae green eyes, the way his lips were puckered slightly. The way he felt, hot, pressed against you. 

And then it was over. Jake’s hands fell from your waist as he took a step back. “It’s late,” he said softly. “Can I drive you home?” 

You frowned. “I drove myself. I’ll be fine.” 

He turned toward the stairs, the music in his pocket shutting off abruptly. “Goodnight, Y/N.” 

You watched his shoulders sag as he disappeared up the stairs. The thundering of your heart in your chest threatened to knock you over. 

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