Timeline - 36 Hours ago

Matthew held the phone just out of Eko's reach having watched the playback of their sex tape that Eko had left filming of them in the hotel room. A playful grin lit up his face as he zoomed in on the video. "Look at your face, babe," he murmured, clearly enjoying the sight of her caught in pure ecstasy. An enticing moan from the video echoed through the speakers, making Eko laugh and reach to lower the volume.

But he lifted the phone higher, dodging her hand. Giggling, she grabbed his face, pulling him into a deep, lingering kiss, her tongue sweeping over his, leaving him momentarily distracted.

Amid their kiss, his thumb brushed the play button again, and they heard his low moan from the video suddenly fill the silence.

Grinning, he finally surrendered the phone to her, and Eko settled against his chest, feeling his warmth as they watched the scene. Her gaze softened, eyes tracing the image of him on screen, head thrown back as he moved in and out of her with all the passion she loved. "Look at you go," she murmured, smiling with a delicious spark in her eyes.

**** *****

Eko's legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her nails raking down his back with deliberate pressure, leaving vivid trails in their wake. Her breath hitched, trembling, "Harder, Matthew. Stop holding back... Jesus."

Matthew's grip on her hips was unrelenting, his hands firm and steady as he slammed her against the edge of the dining table. The vase on the table toppled, crashing to the floor, but neither of them spared it a glance. His chest heaved as he locked eyes with her, the intensity in his gaze raw and consuming. "You think I'm holding back?" he rasped, his voice low, his tone sharp with challenge. "We both know how this ends—you begging for me."

She gasped, her lips parting in a shaky laugh, her fingers tightening in his hair as she arched against him. "You know it's my favorite thing to do."

Something shifted in his expression, his restraint snapping as he reached for her dress. With a single tug, the delicate fabric gave way, the sound of tearing filling the room as her dress fell in tatters to the floor. The cool air rushed over her bare skin, making her shiver as his hands followed, firm and insistent, mapping every curve with a rough reverence.

His fingers slipped to her thighs, pushing them apart with deliberate force, his movements decisive and controlled. "Stay still," he commanded, his tone firm but not unkind, his gaze locked onto hers. "Don't move."

Eko's heart raced, her body trembling beneath his touch, but defiance sparked in her eyes as she smirked. "And if I don't?" she whispered, her voice teasing but breathless.

His lips crashed against hers in response, his kiss demanding and full of heat. Pulling back just enough for their breath to mingle, he murmured, "Then I'll make sure you have no choice but to obey."

Matthew's growl deepened, his hands locking onto her waist with a force that left no room for hesitation, pulling her firmly against him. His teeth grazed her lower lip, catching it in a sharp nip that made her gasp. This wasn't just a kiss—it was a collision of dominance and defiance, a heated struggle for control. His hands roamed her body with deliberate intent, rough and unyielding, igniting trails of heat wherever they touched, staking his claim on every inch of her.

Eko's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, her nails scraping against his scalp in a retaliation that only spurred him on. She met his fervor with equal intensity, her chest pressing against his as she bit his lip in a daring challenge. Her breaths came fast and shallow, her body trembling as his growl reverberated through her like a low, primal vibration that made her knees weaken.

He broke the kiss, his lips hovering against her ear, his breath hot and deliberate as his teeth grazed her skin. "You're going to be my good fucking girl," he snarled, his voice rough and dangerous, a promise and a command rolled into one. "Aren't you?"

"So fucking good," Eko moaned, her voice trembling but still laced with a teasing challenge.

In one swift, fluid motion, he spun her around, his strength undeniable as he pressed her chest against the cool surface of the table. The polished edge bit into her stomach as his weight pinned her down, unyielding and dominant. One hand tangled in her hair, pulling her head back until her neck arched sharply, a gasp spilling from her lips at the forceful motion. His other hand found her ass, his palm landing with a sharp crack that sent a jolt through her entire body.

The sting was immediate, heat blooming across her skin, and she let out a sharp cry. But when she turned her head to meet his gaze, her wicked grin was there, her eyes glittering with challenge and defiance. It was enough to send fire roaring through his veins, his own grin matching hers, predatory and full of intent.

"You like that?" he murmured, his voice low, dark, and edged with promise, each word dripping with authority.

"Do it again," she taunted, her tone daring, her breath hitching as she braced herself for his response.

Matthew didn't hesitate. His hand came down harder this time, the sharp, resounding crack slicing through the air. The sound reverberated like a thunderclap, and her cry was louder, sharper, a raw mix of pain and pleasure that sent a shiver down his spine. Her body arched against the table, her trembling hands gripping the edge tightly, the involuntary tremor in her legs betraying her need. It was everything he needed to hear, everything he needed to see.

Leaning over her, his lips brushed her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "You're mine," he growled, his voice rough, dripping with possession. Each word seared into her like a brand, leaving no room for doubt. "Say it."

"All yours," Eko gasped, her breath catching as she turned her head to meet his gaze. Her lips curled into a wicked smile, defiance blazing in her eyes. The silent challenge hung between them, daring him, provoking him, igniting something feral within him.

Matthew's hand gripped the thin lace of her panties, and with one deliberate tug, the delicate fabric tore free. The ruined scrap was tossed aside like it was nothing, leaving her completely exposed. The sound of his ragged breaths and the sight of her bare beneath him sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through him.

"Do you want me to fuck you?" he demanded, his voice low, rough, trembling with restraint he was already losing grip on. Sometimes, in moments like this, Eko knew the edge of his permission wasn't just about her—it was about him wrestling with the shadows of his past, grounding himself in the present.

"God, yes!" she snapped, her voice sharp with need, her body arching back against him, desperate for release. Her tone wasn't just an answer—it was a demand. "I'm yours. Always yours."

That was all he needed.

With a guttural growl that tore from his chest, Matthew slammed into her with a brutal, unrelenting thrust, burying himself deep inside her. The force of it stole her breath, her scream shattering the air, raw and unrestrained. Her nails clawed at the polished wood of the table, her fingers slipping as she sought something to anchor herself against. The cool surface pressed against her cheek, grounding her even as she unraveled.

He didn't hold back. His hips moved with relentless force, each thrust punishing and consuming, a statement of everything he couldn't always say aloud. Each movement claimed her, leaving no part of her untouched.

"Fuck, Eko," he groaned, his voice raw, every syllable dripping with need and reverence. His hands gripped her hips with bruising strength, pulling her back into him as though he couldn't get close enough, couldn't have enough of her. "You're so fucking tight—so wet," he growled, his words strained as though holding back more than just his release.

***** *****

"Fuck, you look so hot like this," Eko murmured, her voice low and breathy as her eyes drank him in. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the video playing on her phone, her body still thrumming from the memory of his touch. Every inch of Matthew in the frame was a symphony of tension and power—the way his muscles flexed with each deliberate thrust, the raw intensity etched into his features. He was devastatingly divine, a force that set her aflame in ways no one else ever could.

Eko's breath hitched as she watched the Matthew on-screen come undone. His head tipped back, lips parted, eyes half-lidded with the kind of pleasure that could unravel her. His chest heaved, each breath ragged and unsteady as he tried to collect himself, but the satisfaction was clear. He was utterly wrecked, completely hers, and the thought sent a wave of heat coursing through her body.

Her fingers brushed against the cold marble of the dining table, her gaze flicking between the video and the man beside her. In the footage, her own body remained sprawled beneath his, their lovemaking was raw and electric. She felt her thighs press together instinctively, her breath quickening as desire reignited like a spark catching dry tinder.

The sight of him losing himself like that—so primal, so powerful—stoked the fire in her belly all over again. She wanted him, deeply and completely, in ways that felt endless. Her lips parted, a breathless whisper of his name forming, just as—

A sudden ringtone shattered the moment, freezing the video on Eko's screen as Jasmine's name lit up, cutting through the lingering heat like a bucket of cold water.

"Heyyy!" Eko grumbled, glaring at the interruption. Matthew chuckled beside her, reaching for his champagne with a lazy grin as she sighed dramatically and hit the answer button.

"Jazzy?" she said, her tone hovering between irritation and amusement.

"Oi, my head hurts. Where are you? Where am I?" Jasmine's voice was slurred, thoroughly disoriented, and utterly unapologetic.

Eko smirked, already bracing herself for the chaos. "That's an excellent question. Which guy did you leave with?"

There was a pause, followed by muffled shuffling and what sounded like a half-hearted groan. "I, uh... I see three naked butts in this room. So, I'm assuming all three?"

Eko burst into laughter, clutching her stomach at Jasmine's absurd predicament. "Babes, how? How do you always get yourself into these situations, huh?"

Jasmine groaned, her voice muffled, maybe shaking her head. "I... I don't even know. W-where are you anyway?" she muttered, slurring slightly.

"Poolside, babe," Eko replied, grinning as she glanced at Matthew, who was casually sipping his champagne. "Jesse's passed out in our room, and Mya is still MIA. But hey, at least you're accounted for now."

A drawn-out groan echoed through the line, followed by the sounds of shifting bodies and sleepy complaints in the background. "Ugh... well... I'll be down there eventually," Jasmine mumbled, her words trailing into another groan. "As soon as I locate my clothes. Oi—no! Why the hell are you wearing my g-string!?"

Eko snorted as the line abruptly went dead. Shaking her head, she set the phone down, still laughing, and then rolled her head to her husband to be. "Seriously, where did Mya end up?"

Matthew smirked, swirling his champagne with an easy confidence. "At the ceremony with Richie, remember?"

Eko furrowed her brow, trying to piece it together. "Oh, right! But then they just... disappeared. Where did they go?"

Leaning back in his chair, Matthew's lips curled into an amused grin. "Yeah, after we cut into that chocolate disaster they called a wedding cake. I found them out on the balcony later."

"Okay, right," Eko murmured, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "So, they're probably around somewhere... unless Mya's back in Sawyer's room." Tilting her head, she narrowed her eyes. "Wait, Sawyer was there, right?"

Matthew arched an eyebrow, his grin growing. "Babe, come on. Seriously?"

"What?" Eko's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Do you seriously not remember the fight they had?"

Her eyes widened, realization dawning—or rather, the lack of it. "Wait, what? What fight?"

Matthew laughed softly, shaking his head. "You were that drunk, huh? Mya was missing for part of the night. She and Sawyer had a blowout argument—he stormed out of ours to go find her."

"What?" Eko's voice rose sharply, her eyes widening with each passing second. The gaps in her memory gnawed at her, and frustration bubbled to the surface. "Wait, wait—hold up. What happened? Why were they fighting?"

Matthew shrugged nonchalantly, taking another sip of his champagne. "Richie got a call from her, took off in a rush, and that was the last we saw of them—well, besides the wedding and then this morning."

"This morning?" Eko's head was spinning as she tried to piece it together. "I don't understand," she muttered, her brow furrowed.

Matthew's grin widened mischievously.

"Matthew!" she exclaimed, narrowing her eyes. "You're keeping me in suspense!"

He leaned forward, his grin softening as he pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. "Relax. Her and Richie were asleep in her room when we left," he said casually.

"What?" Eko's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "And you're just now telling me? Where the hell was Sawyer when we got the call from Jesse and Toni to witness their wedding?"

Matthew leaned back, shrugging again, his smirk firmly in place. "Babe, I was busy fucking my fiancée at the time, remember? Before those two loud, obnoxious drunks summoned us to the chapel to be witnesses."

The memory hit her like a jolt—Jesse and Toni's frantic call, their chaotic yelling to get there immediately. And all of it happening right after their heated, mind-blowing session on the dining table.

Eko snorted, unable to contain her laughter. "Oh my God, I hope I took photos!" she giggled, grabbing her phone and eagerly scrolling through her gallery. Her wide grin grew with each flick of her finger, passing candid snaps of Matthew scrambling to get dressed in a rush—his shirt half-buttoned, hair an endearing mess, a sheepish grin plastered across his face. The memory of his flustered state paired with her teasing made her laugh all over again.

Then, she hit the jackpot: a series of photos from the chapel. Jesse and Toni stood at the altar, looking more euphoric and tipsy than any couple had a right to. The moment they kissed, sealing their impromptu vows, had been perfectly captured, a mess of laughter and love immortalized in Eko's lens.

"Oh. My. God. Here we go," she said triumphantly, turning the screen toward Matthew. Her laughter bubbled over as she pointed at the images. 

***** 2:15 AM *****

"I wanted the nicest wedding for me... and my queen," Toni slurred, words tumbling over each other as he staggered into the tiny chapel, his arm around Jesse. He was laughing, sloppy and unfiltered, a rare glimpse of raw, drunken emotion.

Jesse was no better. She clung to him for balance, her wild red hair tumbling into her face as she giggled uncontrollably. Her makeup was smudged, her cheeks flushed, and the faint glimmer of a tiara perched crookedly on her head. "Oh my god, Toni, this is the best idea ever!" she cackled, almost toppling over as she tried to spin. "We're geniuses!"

Behind the counter, the receptionist barely raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the disheveled duo. She'd seen it all before—late-night, drunken declarations of eternal love that wouldn't last the week. She sighed heavily, her accent sharp as she deadpanned, "She want dress?"

Toni froze, his mouth falling open in mock shock. "A dress? Hon, do you want a dress?" he asked, spinning to Jesse, who swayed dramatically.

Jesse hiccupped loudly, squinting down at her wrinkled green sequin party dress. She reached up to adjust the tiara on her head—the one she'd stolen from Eko earlier in the night. "This is a dress!" she declared with dramatic flair, spinning in place. The veil perched on the tiara slipped sideways as she twirled, and she barely caught herself from crashing to the floor. "I'm, like, stunning."

"Absolutely stunning," Toni slurred, nodding with the kind of exaggerated sincerity only drunkenness could bring. "Best bride ever. Perfect. Wifely." He waved a hand vaguely in her direction. "But Jess, hon... it's our wedding. You gotta wear white. That's, like... the rules."

The receptionist let out a heavy, pointed sigh, clearly unimpressed and nearing the end of her patience. "Suit?" she asked flatly, her tone as lifeless as her expression.

"A suit?!" Jesse gasped in mock outrage, clutching Toni's arm like she was about to faint. "Look at him! He's perfect just like this. A whole snack in human form."

Toni straightened up, swaying slightly as he puffed out his chest. "Damn right. Snack," he said with a smug grin, punctuating the statement with a clumsy finger gun.

Jesse burst into a fit of giggles, grabbing Toni's face and pulling him into a sloppy, laughter-filled kiss. The receptionist pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath as she reached for the clipboard, clearly eager to move things along before they caused any further chaos.

"You want marriage?" she asked, her tone flat as she gestured toward a small sign that read: Quickie Bunny Rabbit Nuptials!

"Marriage?" Jesse repeated, her voice dripping with mock confusion. She grabbed Toni's cheeks with both hands, squishing them together until his lips puckered exaggeratedly. "Yeah, I think we probably want to be married. Look at this face. Total husband material."

"Right? Look at her!" Toni exclaimed, gesturing wildly at Jesse as though presenting a rare work of art. "Wifey of the freakin' century!"

"Paperwork," the receptionist interrupted, sliding a clipboard onto the counter and shoving a small box of cheap rings toward them. "Pick ring. Sign form."

Jesse squinted at the assortment of rings, wrinkling her nose at the gaudy display. Each one was worse than the last—ugly ass gemstones and garish colors shining under the dim chapel lights. "Oh, these are just too cute," she said, voice dripping with drunken sarcasm.

"Wow," Toni smirked, eyeing the box with a sloppy grin. "A lot of choices here." He fumbled for a pen, attempting to sign the form with exaggerated precision. "Sign here, marry her, done."

The receptionist nodded at Toni before turning to Jesse. "Pick," the receptionist urged again, her patience visibly thinning.

"Matthew is so gonna kill you when he sees this on his card," Jesse whispered conspiratorially, barely able to hold back her laughter. She stumbled slightly as she leaned over the counter, peering into the rows of tacky rings like she was choosing the crown jewels.

"He'll kill you," Toni countered, laughing so hard he nearly dropped the pen.

"Nobody kill nobody. Marriage," the receptionist said, her tone flat, slicing through their drunken chaos. She tapped the clipboard again, her patience clearly on its last legs. "Sign paper. Pick ring."

Jesse grabbed the pen with a dramatic flourish, her laughter bubbling over as she tried to focus on the form in front of her. Toni, meanwhile, zeroed in on the box of rings, his eyes lighting up as he spotted something that immediately caught his attention.

"Here!" Toni declared triumphantly, his fingers plucking a dainty ring from the box. It gleamed under the flickering chapel lights—a vibrant, ruby-red heart-shaped stone, delicately set between two sparkling diamonds on a slender gold band. He turned it in his hand, the facets catching the light like tiny stars, before holding it up to Jesse with exaggerated pride.

"It's perfect," he said, his grin wide and unsteady, but his tone brimming with genuine affection. "For you." 

The receptionist barely suppressed a groan as Jesse clutched the ruby ring dramatically, holding it up like it was the crown jewel of the British Empire. "Real gem, no fake row," the receptionist repeated, her tone clipped and tired. "Fifteen thousand more. You take?"

Jesse's jaw dropped so fast it was a wonder it didn't hit the floor. "Wait... WHAT?! Fifteen THOUSAND?!" she shrieked, dragging out the words like she was on stage. "It's real?! Like, actually real-real?!" She looked at the ring again, her drunken awe making it glisten even more in her bleary vision.

Her eyes snapped to Toni, wide and full of mock panic as she clutched the ring to her chest. "Tonnniiiii, Mattie is going to kill us if we buy this!"

Toni swayed a little, his sloppy grin spreading as he leaned on the counter for support. "Hon, it's his wedding present to us."

Jesse burst into a smile, "you're a snack-level genius."

The receptionist exhaled sharply, her patience clearly running out as she tapped the clipboard again, louder this time. "Paperwork. Witnesses after. You pay; we provide them."

Jesse waved the ring dramatically at Toni, wobbling slightly as she posed. "So, are we taking this one?" she asked, her voice dripping with over-the-top seriousness like she was weighing a life-altering decision.

Toni leaned in, cupping her cheek with one hand, and kissed her—a sloppy, uncoordinated kiss that dissolved into giggles the moment their lips parted.

"Yes," Jesse declared breathlessly as she pulled back, her gaze locking onto his. "Yes, Toni." This time, the word carried more weight, more meaning than the giddy haze of the moment could hide.

Toni froze for half a second, his expression softening. "Yes?" he asked again, his voice low, seeking confirmation, as if he needed to hear her say it one more time.

"Yes," she repeated firmly, her voice steady despite her drunken state. She spun back toward the receptionist, her smile so wide it practically lit up the room. "It's perfect. We'll take it."

Toni grinned like a man who'd just won the lottery, his hand diving into his pocket. Without a moment's hesitation—or any regard for the outrageous price tag—he slid Matthew's credit card across the counter.

"Oh em gee!" Jesse gasped suddenly, clutching at Toni's arm. "We need our Maid of Honor and Best Man!" Her fingers fumbled for her phone as she swayed, trying to focus on the screen.

Jesse fumbled with her phone, her giggles uncontrollable as she struggled to unlock it. The device slipped from her grasp more than once, but she finally managed to dial Matthew and Eko. "You... you are summoned!" she slurred into the phone, her tone carrying an exaggerated air of authority. Between hiccups and bursts of laughter, she rambled about the "once-in-a-lifetime event" that demanded the entire gang's presence.

"You don't get it! The gang needs to be here!" Jesse whined dramatically into the phone, her drunken resolve unwavering despite Matthew and Eko's audible giggling on the other end. With a triumphant flourish, she snapped her phone shut, mission accomplished.

Meanwhile, Toni squinted at the tablet in front of him, painstakingly attempting to sign something that vaguely resembled Matthew's name. He grinned, utterly oblivious to the exorbitant price glaring at the bottom of the screen.

Minutes later, Matthew and Eko stumbled into the chapel, looking thoroughly disheveled. Eko's hair was a wild mess, and Matthew's shirt hung open, its buttons scattered somewhere far behind them—a casualty of whatever passionate chaos they had left in their wake. Matthew half-heartedly tried to tug his shirt together, giving up with a shrug when it became clear there was no salvaging it.

"Ohhhhhhh," Jesse squealed, wobbling as she pointed at the pair. Her drunken grin widened, her finger waving in mock accusation. "We totally interrupted! You two were absolutely... doing it for the billionth time, weren't you?"

She raised an exaggerated eyebrow, leaning forward unsteadily, as though to drive her point home. "You know," she slurred, her words dripping with playful mischief, "one of these days, you're gonna pop out a baby with all your... you know... fucking."

Matthew threw his head back in laughter, catching Jesse's wobbly finger mid-air before pulling her into a warm hug. "Well," he teased, a sly grin lighting up his face, "maybe you'll be next. I mean, after all, I'm not the one about to get married."

"Stoooooppppp," Jesse groaned through her giggles, her balance faltering as she swayed against Matthew, her grin impossibly wide. She clutched his arm dramatically, leaning her head onto his shoulder as if he were the only thing keeping her upright.

Eko chuckled softly, her gaze settling on Jesse with a mixture of amusement and affection. Seeing her so unguarded, so carefree, was rare. Jesse, who usually carried herself with sharp wit and fierce independence, was glowing with a wild happiness that Eko couldn't help but adore. Whatever cosmic joke—or miracle—had brought her and Toni here tonight, it was a moment worth savoring.

With her heart full, Eko stepped forward, wrapping her arms around both Jesse and Matthew in an uncharacteristic burst of affection. "Best wedding ever," she giggled, her voice full of genuine warmth.

In this moment, nothing else mattered. Their closest friends were together—free, happy, and uninhibited. Consequences be damned, Eko thought, her grin widening as she pulled them closer. This was love in its rawest, most ridiculous form, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

***** *****

Eko laughed, her head leaning back against Matthew's chest as they lounged together on the sofa longue now by the pool, scrolling through the chaotic collection of wedding photos. The glow of her phone illuminated their faces, her smirk widening with each swipe.

"We should get this framed for them," Eko said, pausing on a shot where all four of them were captured mid-laughter, unfiltered and carefree.

She flicked through the next few pictures—each one progressively blurrier than the last, full of laughter and squinty smiles. "This one's my favorite." She tapped on an image where the receptionist had taken a photo of Matthew and Toni holding her and Jesse in their arms bridal-style, all of them grinning like fools.

As she swiped through, Eko paused, her brows furrowing slightly. "So uh... do you think Toni's told Charlotte about his new wife yet?" She let out a small sigh. "I mean, I really liked her, but—this is Jesse. You know? And we are team Jesse, all the way."

"That is not our problem, babe," Matthew shook his head, his eyes still on the screen as she scrolled. "Whatever's between them, it's theirs to figure out."

Eko tilted her head, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Do you think Charlotte knew, though? That Toni's always been in love with Jesse?"

Matthew chuckled, shaking his head with a resigned smile. "Eko, babe, for the love of all that's good, please don't get involved."

She twisted to face him, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You do know who you're marrying, right?"

***** 2:30 AM ***** 

"Cake!" Jesse suddenly shrieked, her eyes lighting up as though she'd just invented the concept. "We need a cake!"

She was now dressed in a short, simple white dress that looked like it had come from the clearance rack of a thrift store. A massive, floppy bow tie adorned the outfit, nearly swallowing the top half of her ensemble, and a festive, bride-to-be tiara with flashing lights perched precariously on her head.

The receptionist, whose patience had long since left the building, rolled her eyes and sighed. "The package includes wedding cake," she said flatly, ushering the group into the tiny chapel with the air of someone who just wanted to go home.

"Witnesses?" the priest asked, looking over his glasses at the group of misfits now gathered.

Eko and Matthew raised their hands simultaneously, their grins equally ridiculous. "Present!"

Jesse and Toni burst into uncontrollable laughter. "We're the people... getting married!" Jesse slurred, waving her arms dramatically before tripping slightly into Toni's side.

The priest gave them a long, tired look but opened his book anyway. Clearly, he'd seen it all before. His tone as he began the ceremony was professional but carried an undercurrent of resignation, as though he were bracing himself for slurred vows and exaggerated declarations of undying love.

"Was this the kind of bachelorette party you wanted?" Matthew whispered into Eko's hair, his arm wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her closer. His quiet laughter vibrated against her temple, making her giggle.

Eko chuckled, opening her mouth to reply when her eyes caught movement near the entrance. Richie and Mya were sneaking in, trying (and failing) to remain inconspicuous. They looked like they'd been through a tornado—Mya's hair was wild, and Richie's bloodshot eyes gave away more than they probably intended. They stopped dead in their tracks, their jaws dropping as they caught sight of Jesse and Toni at the altar, both giggling uncontrollably like mischievous school kids.

"They're getting married," Eko whispered, her attempt at subtlety failing as her voice carried loud enough to make a few people turn their heads.

The priest shot her a quick, disapproving glance but didn't let it derail him. Without missing a beat, he raised his hands solemnly. "By the powers vested in me by the state and the communion of the Poseidon Resort," he declared, his voice booming with practiced authority, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Richie and Mya stood frozen at the entrance, wide-eyed and entirely taken aback as they watched Toni and Jesse lean into their first, somewhat wobbly, kiss as husband and wife. The kiss was a clumsy mix of laughter and affection, ending with Jesse nearly toppling over in her excitement.

"Woooo!" Matthew and Eko cheered in unison, throwing confetti into the air as though they'd prepared for this moment all along. Their enthusiasm rivaled that of a much grander wedding, and Eko couldn't help but snap another picture.

"What the hell did we miss?" Mya whispered urgently to Richie, her voice laced with bewilderment as she continued to gape at the scene.

Richie shook his head slowly, his expression a mix of awe and confusion. "Honestly, I'm more curious about what they took. This was definitely not on the list of things I thought would happen this weekend."

Mya's jaw dropped slightly in disbelief. "You and me both."

"Sooo?" Richie smirked, leaning closer, his voice low and teasing. "Think Toni's finally going to admit he's in love with her?"

Mya snorted, quickly covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "He's going to need to survive Charlotte first. By the way, you know Aiden's gone gone, right?"

Richie's brow furrowed, his smirk fading slightly. "I heard something this morning," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wasn't sure what to make of it."

"Jesse told us that Aiden knew," Mya said, lowering her voice and glancing toward Jesse and Toni at the altar. "Said he always knew she wasn't in love with him. Then said something like: 'Because she'd been in love with him and didn't even realize it.'"

Richie's gaze followed Mya's, both of them watching Jesse laugh as she leaned into Toni, her grin impossibly wide while Toni kissed her hand with exaggerated, drunken flair. The joyful chaos seemed worlds away from the quiet tension brewing between them.

Mya's phone buzzed in her hand, drawing her attention. Her expression shifted, her face falling as her eyes misted over.

"Don't," Richie said sharply, his voice cutting through the noise.

"Richie, I should answer him," Mya whispered, her hand shaking as she tightened her grip on the phone. "He doesn't like it when I don't." 

Before she could react, Richie snatched the phone from her hand. His jaw clenched, and his expression hardened with protective anger. "It doesn't give him the right to have kissed the fucking stripper," he said, his tone laced with sharp frustration.

"Richie, give it back," Mya said softly, reaching for the phone, her voice faltering. "I need to talk to him. It was one mistake."

"One mistake?" Richie's voice rose, firm and unrelenting as he held the phone out of reach. "You've just told me it happens all the time—over and over again. He has you and he's out there fucking kissing other women, fucking them for all we know. That's not a mistake. That's a choice."

Mya brushed at her tears hastily, shaking her head. "He was just upset, okay? He doesn't mean it. He just... he just doesn't know how to process things sometimes. We see it in trauma victims." 

"Upset?" Richie snapped, his voice incredulous. "That's your excuse? You think this is okay because he's upset?"

"It's not an excuse!" Mya's voice cracked, her tears streaming harder now. "You don't understand. He's been through so much. The shitty orphanages, the abuse—he doesn't know how to deal with it. You've been through it too, Richie. You know how it messes you up."

Richie's voice softened, though his frustration didn't waver. "And what about you, Mya?" He gripped her hand, placing it over his chest as he stared into her tear-filled eyes. "What about you? What about the pieces he's breaking in you?"

Mya's lip trembled, her voice shaking. "W-what about me?" Her tears fell harder, her words spilling out in a rush. "Jacob died, and you left me, Richie! And then there was Sawyer. He tried to put me back together, and it worked, okay? He's broken, just like I am, just like we all are, and we make it work. That's what matters. I have to make it work—for Mac, for us."

"Mya, are you hearing yourself?" Richie snapped, his frustration boiling over as the cacophony of laughter and shouting from the group swelled around them.

"What does it matter to you?" Mya shot back, tears streaming down her face. Her voice cracked as her emotions spilled out in a torrent. "This isn't your problem! So what if he does it? He's good and kind and... and nice. I need to be there for him! He tries for me, for Mac. He's good to our daughter!"

Richie stepped closer, his voice lowering but no less intense. "And what about you?" He grabbed her trembling hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. "What about you, Mya?"

Her lip quivered, her voice shaking as she stared at him through tear-blurred eyes. "What about me?" she whispered, her cheeks wet with anguish. "What about me, Richie? Jacob died, and you—you left me. Then there was Sawyer, and he... he tried to put me back together. And it worked for a while. But at the end of the day, he's just as broken as the rest of us. We put the pieces together, we make it work, but... but none of it matters, none of it..." Her voice cracked, her tears falling faster. "When you... when you don't love me. So I try to find happiness in the small things."

Richie's next words came in a rush, loud and raw over the din of the celebration behind them. "I love you," he blurted out, the declaration hitting like a thunderclap. His chest heaved as though the words had been ripped from him. "And I should've told you—on the sky deck, all those weeks ago."

Mya's eyes widened, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "W-what?"

"I should've swallowed my fear and told you." Richie's voice softened, the fire in his tone replaced by vulnerability. His hand tightened around hers as he stepped even closer, searching her face for recognition. "Since the moment you fell into my life, I have loved you, Mya. Through the birth of Mackenzie, through losing Jacob—through everything. I have never stopped loving you."

Behind them, the chapel erupted into even louder chaos. Jesse was doubled over with laughter, smashing cake into Toni's face, who retaliated by scooping a handful and chasing her around the room. Matthew and Eko cheered them on, confetti flying through the air, their voices merging with the thumping bass of a wedding playlist that seemed to get louder by the second.

And yet, for Richie and Mya, the noise melted into nothingness. The confetti, the laughter, the drunken antics—all blurred into the periphery, like an unfinished painting fading at the edges. It was just the two of them, standing in the eye of the storm.

In that moment, it all crystallized. The love they'd both carried, the missed chances, the pain, the grief—it had brought them here, to this moment of clarity. It was just them, standing in the midst of it all, realizing they'd been orbiting something real all along. The kind of connection they'd both felt but never dared to rename—potentially until now.

***** *****

"Oh my god, look at this!" Eko exclaimed, pointing at the rolling video on her phone as she zoomed in on Richie and Mya's faces.

"Babe," Matthew warned, his tone low and serious. "Leave it."

"Babe," she mimicked, drawing the word out with exaggerated emphasis. "Come on, something totally went down!"

"Yeah, probably," he muttered, his eyes lingering on the screen as Richie and Mya exchanged a loaded look. "Which is exactly why we need to stay out of it," he added, his voice softer, almost contemplative, as though recalling just how delicate their relationship had always been.

Before Eko could argue, the video abruptly cut to a piercing scream from Jesse, her voice loud enough to make both of them flinch. "EVERYONE TO THE ALTAR!" Jesse bellowed, the sound slurring slightly as the frame jostled wildly.

Eko turned the camera toward herself with a grin, sticking out her tongue. "Jesse, I hope you're enjoying your wedding video!" she laughed, capturing her own moment of giddy chaos before panning back to the scene.

As the six of them gathered for a group photo snapped by the priest, Eko continued scrolling through her camera roll, thumbing through blurry shots and half-lit moments that barely made sense. "Okay, I must have lost my phone for a bit, because none of these—AH!" she gasped, her eyes widening as a series of selfies appeared on the screen.

The pictures featured Jesse and Toni, their faces squished together mid-makeout, Jesse's lipstick smeared across Toni's cheek in a bright streak of evidence.

"Oh no," Eko muttered, glancing at the timestamp. It was past 4 a.m. now, and the chaos of the night was clearly far from over.

She kept scrolling, her curiosity pushing past her hesitation. Both she and Matthew leaned in, their breath hitching as the photos transitioned to something else—video mode.

"Do we... watch it?" Eko murmured, her finger hovering uncertainly over the play button. The frozen frame showed Jesse and Toni still tangled together, Jesse's wild red hair cascading over Toni's shoulder like a fiery curtain.

"Uhh..." Matthew hesitated, his expression torn between horror and barely contained amusement. A nervous chuckle slipped out.

"Ah, fuck it!" Eko said with a grin, throwing caution to the wind as she tapped the unmute button.

The video immediately erupted with moans. Both their eyes widened in shock as they realized the camera had caught much more than an innocent video of them.

"Oh, come on, guys!" Eko groaned, burying her face in her hand. "This is on my phone!"

Matthew doubled over with laughter, wiping at his eyes as Eko stared at the screen in mock horror, unsure whether to laugh or delete it on the spot.

***** *****

They pulled away from the kiss, and the phone shifted as Jesse propped it on Toni's shoulder, the angle capturing her flushed face and wild grin. "That is me... owning you for life," she declared with a giddy smile into the camera, then pointed it down to the tattoo. Her words slurred slightly, but the sentiment was clear. "My... h-husband."

Toni's arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a bear hug that knocked the phone from her hand. It tumbled face down onto the bed, but the camera still caught enough—a sideways view of the two of them falling onto the mattress in a tangle of naked limbs.

"Fuck, Jesse," Toni groaned, his voice low and ragged. The sound of her laugh followed, breathless and full of mischief, as she crawled on top of him, her red hair cascading around them like a curtain.

**** ****

Eko yelped, flicking the phone away from her like it had burned her, sending it sliding to the end of the couch. She turned to Matthew, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right response.

Matthew was doubled over with laughter, tears streaming down his face as he clutched his stomach. "That answers that question about the sex then."