Chapter 7 - The After Party

The reception was pure madness. Within an hour, the dance floor was packed, half the

champagne was gone, and someone had already spilled cake on the carpet.

Joe watched with wide eyes as Taiga’s relatives started an karaoke battle. “This is… not what I

pictured.”

“You expected calm? With my family?” Taiga smirked, sipping her drink.

Joe laughed. “Guess I should’ve known better.”

Their first dance wasn’t perfect. They stepped on each other’s feet, stumbled through turns, and

nearly toppled into the cake table. But their laughter drowned out the music, and the guests

cheered as if they’d pulled off a masterpiece.

Later, as the party raged, Joe and Taiga slipped outside. The night was cool, the city lights

twinkling. Taiga leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Can you believe it?” she whispered. “We actually did it.”

Joe kissed the top of her head. “Yeah. Against all odds.”

She tilted her head up, eyes gleaming. “Think we’ll survive forever?”

Joe chuckled. “If anyone can, it’s us.”

For once, Taiga didn’t argue. She just smiled, small and soft, as the sounds of laughter and

music spilled from the hall behind them.