My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Diana and Celeste were chatting in the garden, sipping tea and indulging in desserts Diana especially, as her cravings were in full swing.

"How's married life treating you?" Celeste asked with a curious smile.

"Good. I really can't complain. Maximus is a great man. Yes, I know he's a bit older than me, but that's never mattered to me. You know, on our honeymoon, the poor guy got jealous a few times..."

"Really?" Celeste asked, surprised.

"Yeah. He kept saying he could be my dad, and that a bunch of younger guys were checking me out. I mean, I never looked at them—I wouldn't, ever. He's the only one I care about. I don't even see anyone else."

"And how are things with you and Peter?" Diana asked, trying to sound casual.

"Good. We're still adjusting to our life together-and to parenting."

"How's it going between you two?" Diana pressed with a little grin.

"I think... really well. I haven't had any complaints so far," Celeste laughed softly.

"You look happy with him," Diana said, nudging her playfully.

"I am. Very happy."

"Have you two set a date for the wedding?"

"No, not yet. But honestly, that's not what matters to me. What matters is that we have a life together, that we love each other, that we love our daughters and everything this family represents. Though, I'll be honest..."

"Go on, tell me..."

"I never thought I could be this happy with someone. After my first husband died, I didn't think happiness like this was even possible especially not here, in this house," Celeste said, glancing around at her home.

"I'm really glad to hear that. Truly. We've barely talked about your past, but I can imagine it wasn't easy."

Celeste went quiet for a moment, her mind drifting back to those hard days when it was just her and Spike. Whether things were good or not, she still got up every day and fought to move forward.

"Can I tell you something?" Celeste asked cautiously.

"Of course."

"There was a time I was terrified that Peter wouldn't want us. When he first woke up, his eyes were so empty. And they stayed that way for days. He never realized it, but it was obvious-he didn't remember me. It was uncomfortable. He looked at my belly with confusion. I've never told him, but it hurt."

She paused, then smiled. "But now? Now I'm just thankful he stayed with us. He's amazing with the girls. Honestly, I think our daughters feel the same way I do."

"What do you mean?"

"They fall in love with him every time they see him. You should see the way they look at him—it's like he's the most magical thing they've ever seen. And he looks at them the same way. They're his whole world."

"You need to let go of those early moments. That was months ago. If he stayed, it's because he chose to. Have you ever seen even a hint of doubt in his eyes?"

"No, not at all. He's told me that himself that he stayed because he wanted to. Not because I begged or pushed. But I can't pretend those early days didn't hurt."

"Come here..." Diana said, opening her arms.

She understood. She'd seen Celeste fight tooth and nail during the time Peter was unconscious. Despite everything, despite her own

vulnerable state, she never wavered. When everyone else had nearly given up on Peter, she was the one who held on-believing he would wake up, even if it wasn't the way she hoped.

Celeste had been strong. Maximus had told her that Celeste had endured the suspicion of an affair between Peter and Valerie. She'd had to see Valerie, face her, deal with it all.

The Peter everyone knew now wasn't the same man she had spent a year and a half with. That man had been serious, bitter. And no one really knew if he had ever loved her or if she had just been a distraction from his pain over Mary.

As if fate had wanted to give them both a second chance, Peter had lost those memories—and the man who woke up was someone entirely different. He was a 25-year-old version of himself, carefree, unburdened.

This new Peter had slowly, naturally won Celeste over with his warmth, his kindness, the way he cared for her and their daughters. He wasn't the man she once knew—but what he made her feel now was even stronger than before.

"My love," Peter said, wrapping his arms around Celeste from behind and handing her a bouquet of roses and freesias.

"Peter... How did you know?" she asked, looking at the bouquet.

"They're your favorites, right?"

"Yes..." she said softly, turning to look into his eyes.

The moment touched Diana deeply. In silence, she and Maximus both

understood: Celeste was the right woman for Peter. No doubt.

as

Int

Celeste had come into his life during a dark, broken time. Maybe in the beginning, Peter had clung to her an escape from what he felt for Mary but that was long gone Row. That part of the past had faded the moment he woke up as someone new.

"Hey, lovebirds... Get a room!" Maximus called out, laughing at how lovey-dovey they were.

Diana elbowed him.

"Don't say that! Let them enjoy the moment. Besides... you didn't bring me any flowers," she added, eyeing his empty hands.noveldrama

"No, but I brought you something even better. Come on, let's leave these two alone for a moment," Maximus said, leading her into Celeste's kitchen. "Surprise!"

He had picked up a delicious red berry cake from the bakery-the kind he knew would drive his wife wild.

"Wow! I want it now!" Diana said, her mouth watering.

"I didn't bring flowers, but I knew this-this would make you really happy."

Diana's baby bump wasn't showing much yet, but her cravings were strong, and Maximus made sure to indulge every single one of them.

"I love you, Maximus!"

"I love you even more..." he replied, kissing her forehead.

"Get a room, you two!" Peter called, bursting in and catching them in their tender moment.

"Peter!"

"What? You said it to us first! And I'm four rooms away-you two need the room more than we do," he said with a teasing grin.

Anyone listening to the brothers

might have thought they were still teenagers and maybe, in a way, they were. Two young souls frozen in time now finally pressing play again. Not as boys, but as men who understood that the past had to stay where it belonged, and that the only thing that truly mattered... was living the present.