Epilogue
THE WEDDING
The ceremony that officially takes a couple to the beginning of their happily ever after… a gathering that involves a lifetime of promises.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I could barely recognize myself. The girl staring back at me was wearing a very elegant white princess gown made from the finest duchesse satin and silk. The bodice that has a sweetheart neckline was encrusted with genuine crystals. The romantic full skirt with elaborate ruffles and folds was adorned with crystals and intricate embroidery, as well as the cathedral length veil that I wore. The famous designer who made my gown made sure that the dress was fit for fairy tale and princess romances, too.
My hair was curled and clipped in a half pony and fastened with two diamond hair combs that belonged to Ryder’s mother. My hair cascaded around my face and there were very small white flowers clipped all over it. The combs were my something borrowed and something old. I wore a very elegant and expensive diamond necklace that Ryder gave me as an early wedding gift, which was my something new. Under the dress, on my right thigh, I was wearing a lace garter adorned with sapphires, which was my something blue.
I smiled at myself. I looked like a princess, indeed. And today, I will officially begin my happily ever after.
My father entered the room and smiled at me. “Sweetheart, it’s time.” He stared at me for a while. “You look so beautiful. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” he said. “I am so glad you found a better man and you’re going to have a better life than what you originally planned with Bryan. I am so happy because Ryder is an honorable man and he genuinely loves you.”
“I love you, Dad.” I said to him. “Thank you for everything.”
He kissed my forehead. Then he held out his arm to me and led me out of the mansion.
A coach was waiting for me outside. Nicole and Ryder had this custom-made as a surprise for me. It was round-shaped, with gold steel carvings. The big rear wheels and smaller front wheels were made of rubber tires and white metal rims. The carriage itself looked like it was made of glass and white flowers accented the entire thing.
My breath was taken away. I’m a wedding planner, so nothing about the entire wedding was supposed to surprise me. But this… I would forever love Nicole and Ryder for this.
My father and I climbed up into the coach and sat on the white leather seats. A white horse drew it, and a coachman dressed in a white suit drove us towards the entrance of the garden where the ceremony was going to be held.
Nicole met me by the oak tree arch.
The arch was now adorned with white roses at the front. White flowers hung over the interior of the entire arch and over the head of anybody who walked inside. White rose petals covered the entire floor.
I stepped into the orchard and my breath was taken away completely. I know I planned how this place would be decorated, but seeing the final result was beyond what I imagined it would be.
The entire orchard had flowers in full bloom in different rich colors. It was right to choose white and cream for our motif, as it would be a perfect contrast to the colorful orchard and garden.
White chairs now filled half of the orchard, where our relatives and friends were all seated. Lines of white roses decorated the aisle. White flower vines hung from the makeshift ceiling we created all over the portion of the orchard where the ceremony would be held.
A choir of cellos, violins, and a piano was playing a classical music. Then the music stopped, and Pachelbel’s Canon played, signifying my arrival. Everybody stood up and looked at the entrance.
My father squeezed my hand and smiled at me.
I smiled up at him and allowed him to walk me down the aisle. The minute I arrived rose petals slowly dropped from the ceiling like gentle snow. Then the machines we had installed in every corner filled the entire place with bubbles. I walked on ivory carpet that had the emblem “R&A” printed all over it in gold ink.
It was breathtaking and it was everything I imagined it would be… probably even better.
Our relatives and friends were watching me; many of them were in tears. Tears were also rolling down my cheeks even though I was trying my best not to cry.
I stared ahead and saw Ryder standing there, splendid and breathtaking in a white Armani suit. Jake was standing behind him.
His eyes never left mine as I walked towards him. And it felt like walking towards my eternity... towards the only world I would ever want to belong to.
As I took each step towards him, I saw my life flashing before me.
I remembered running away from the jewelry shop and bumping towards a warm body that enveloped me in comfort… I remembered sitting in the bar that night, desperately asking that man to help me… I remembered showing up in Geena’s wedding feeling hopeful after many months of pain and heartache. I remembered being broken… and then being rescued and fixed. I remembered the joy of finally giving in to my love and passion for this man… my savior, my best friend, my ally, my knight in shining armor.
Then I remembered a little of the pain I felt when I thought I lost him in the accident… the heartbreak that came afterwards when he couldn’t remember me… and the joy we shared when he made love to me even though he couldn’t place me in his past.
And finally, I remembered that day at the beach where he finally found his way back to me. It felt like being lost for a long time and then finally coming back home.
Ryder was looking at me intensely… lovingly. He was crying, too. And then he gave me a gentle smile.
“I love you, beautiful.” He whispered.
I smiled back at him. “I love you, too.”
My father took my hand and placed it in his. Then they shook hands and then Ryder guided me towards the altar.
Ryder and I intertwined our hands all throughout the ceremony. Even until now, I couldn’t believe that I’m standing here beside him. For years, I never knew happiness and love like this would exist in my life. I was content with what I had with Bryan and when my heart was shattered to pieces, I didn’t know that I could be fixed again… that I could be as good and as strong as I am now… that I could be with a man like Ryder, who I thought existed only in dreams and fairy tale novels.
“Ryder… a little over a year ago, I was heartbroken and I thought I was unfixable beyond belief. I was in the dark and I didn’t know how to find my way out. At the lowest point of my life, when I thought I had nothing left to lose, nothing left to hope for, I ran into you, and you offered me kindness… enveloped me in warmth... hugged me in comfort and gave me hope the very first second that I met you. I didn’t even know your name… didn’t even see your face and yet you already saved me in many ways. That very second was the start of my real ‘ever after’.
Now, I understand why I had to go through everything that I went through… and I wouldn’t change a thing. Because without all those… I wouldn’t be standing here… happier than I could ever imagine… and about to spend the rest of my ‘ever after’ in love and bliss with you. I will forever thank you, for loving me, for fixing me and for patiently waiting for me to love you back. You are my rock, my best friend, my savior, my knight in shining armor. I love you so much, Ryder Van Woodsen… and I promise to love you forever… more than anything in this world… more than myself and more than life itself.”
Tears were glistening in my eyes, as I said the words that are in my heart and the promise that I intend to keep until the rest of my days.
Tears brimmed Ryder’s eyes too as he squeezed my hand in his.
“Astrid… the day you walked into my life, you changed it instantly. I knew I was in a dream… a dream that I didn’t want to wake up from. You made me feel needed. You have given me a whole new purpose and my life a whole new meaning. You are everything I didn’t know I needed. Our love was everything I was afraid to hope for because I thought it existed only in dreams and fairy tales. But when I realized that it was happening to me for real… I knew I would never let you go.
You taught me how to believe in forever… you saved me from my old self… you led me out of the dark and drew me into your world and I never ever want to come out of it.
You showed me that love can withstand a million storms… and that happiness can be limitless. You are my princess, my best friend, my perfect match. You needed me, and loved me for who I really am inside. Because of your faith in me… I am no longer afraid to be weak… and because of that I am stronger than I have ever been. I love you very, very much, Astrid Van Woodsen. I promise to always be the man you fell in love with… I promise to make all your dreams a reality… I promise to take care of you… and to never stop making your ‘ever after’ come true… now… forever and beyond.”
Ryder’s vow went out to my heart and engraved itself there, where it would remain for eternity. I know that he meant every word, and I felt the intensity of his love for me in every promise he made.
Finally, we put our platinum bands on each other’s fingers. We opted for a simple band, no stones, no corners… only a circle that symbolizes our love… smooth sailing, strong, valuable, and never-ending. Inside the rings, my name was engraved on Ryder’s, and his name was engraved on mine, along with the words ‘Ever After’.
“I pronounce you husband and wife… you may now kiss the bride.”
Ryder lifted my veil. His eyes were brimming with tears and there was so much love and tenderness on his face. I couldn’t stop crying too, but I know that from now on, with Ryder… I will only be crying happy tears.
He leaned forward and then he gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. One kiss… but it lasted for a long time. Because that single perfect kiss contains so much love, so much passion… so many promises that we couldn’t even put into words… vows that only our hearts could understand. We were breathing together, and our hearts were beating as one.
When the kiss ended, Ryder leaned his forehead against mine breathing in the scent of me. Then he pulled away gently and said, “Astrid Van Woodsen… my love… my life… my wife.”
I smiled at him and then he leaned forward again and this time, he gave me a more passionate kiss.
It seemed like we were in our own world. During those moments, there was only Ryder and me… in each other’s arms, lost in the passion of our kisses.
Then we heard everybody clapping and cheering around us. We reluctantly pulled away from each other. Ryder smiled at me and kissed me on the forehead before pulling me to him into a tight hug.
We were joined by our friends and relatives who congratulated us and gave us their best wishes.
My new father and mother in-law hugged me.
“Welcome to our family, sweetheart.” Mr. Van Woodsen said.
Ryder’s mom hugged me. Tears were streaming down her cheeks too. “I’m so happy, Astrid. Thank you for your love and patience for my son.”
“Thank you… for bringing a wonderful man into this world.” I said to her.
After taking pictures with everyone, we headed out towards the arch of oak trees again and into where the coach was waiting for us. Our bridesmaids and groomsmen were already there, along with most of our guests. They were all holding white balloons.
Just as we are about to go into the coach, confetti popped and flew all over us. Our guests clapped their hands and they released hundreds of white balloons into the sky.
Inside the coach, Ryder looked down at me and smiled. “I love you… wife.”
I laughed. “I love you too… husband.” And then we lost ourselves again in another world-spinning kiss.
First, we went for a photo shoot along with our bridesmaids and groomsmen. Some shots we took by the lake, some we took inside the labyrinth, and others inside the mansion.
We transformed almost the whole estate into a fairyland. We decided to hold the reception in one of the huge gardens beside the labyrinth. It started in the evening and the guests were just amazed about how we created an enchanting world for them.
The sun finally set, the evening fell and the whole place lit up. The entire reception area was covered in a high-ceiling transparent dome. Again, one of Ryder’s many brilliant suggestions. The purpose of that was because the ceiling was filled with tiny LED lights that lit up in the evening, making it look like a million bright stars across the sky.
To build the dome took time and, doubtless, a lot of money. So I told Nicole that I’d rather have my stars and constellations instead of the fireworks. I’ve always dreamed of having fireworks in my wedding. But I had to compromise. I don’t want to spend more than I should, particularly since Ryder insisted on paying for everything. Even my father could not convince him to share some of the expenses.
Tables and chairs were covered in white linen and decorated with elaborate white rose centerpieces, tall white candles and white torches. Gems and crystal pieces were also scattered around the tables to add to the sparkle when hit by light and camera flashes.
A huge lighted dance floor was built in the center, and it too was covered in white rose petals. Again bubble machines were installed in every corner.
The trees all around were also covered in flowers and mini LED lights were installed in almost every branch to make the trees light up as if fireflies infested them. Swans swam on the lake and at night real fireflies really did fly around the bushes, which made the whole place look even more enchanting.
We served a buffet with more than a dozen main courses, a huge selection of desserts, and free-flowing drinks from juices to liquor. The catering gave me the least worries, since it’s practically what Ryder’s family does. Ryder’s mother made most of the arrangements for the food and beverages.
The guests were given a Swarovski crystal coach figurine, which were custom-made and engraved with our names. The coach opens up on top to reveal the finest Godiva truffles inside them.
The finest wine was served during the ceremonial toast. We had an eight-tier wedding cake that had cream-colored flowers and roses cascading on it from the topper down to the base. A miniature version of “Princess Astrid and Prince Ryder” adorned the very top of our tall cake.
I tossed my beautiful rose bouquet and I was so happy it landed in Nicole’s arms. She didn’t even try to catch it. She was the farthest at the back, but I gave a little bit more force when I threw it, and her reflexes made her catch it.
When I sat down in the chair for Ryder to get the garter on my thigh, he couldn’t resist going under my heavy skirt using his teeth. I giggled lovingly at him, reminiscing the memory from Geena’s wedding when he first did that.
John was among the bachelors lined up, eager to catch the garter and possibly get a chance to dance and kiss Nicole… without having to ask her himself.
Ryder looked at the hopeful bachelors and then he turned around. He tossed it high and with force. The guys jumped and trampled on each other when they landed on the ground.
I watched, eager to see who finally caught my garter. But the guys stood up, laughing and fixing their suits. No one seemed to have caught it. My heart sank when John emerged empty-handed. The guys looked at each other blankly.
Finally a figure stood up. He was sitting behind the pool of guys. He didn’t seem interested to join them, but somehow, the garter landed perfectly in front of him.
I bit my lip as Adam approached me. I saw John shake his head and retreat to his seat. Adam turned to give Ryder a secret scowl before he turned to Nicole, a crooked smile now planted on his face.
Nicole raised a brow at him. Then she gave Ryder and me a look that seemed to say You-two-are-so-dead! Ryder just smiled innocently at the three of us.
“What? Maybe it’s fate.” Ryder whispered to me.
“Or… maybe it’s your perfect aim.” I whispered to my husband.
I giggled to put on a show in front of all the guests while Adam knelt down to put the garter on Nicole’s leg.
“Higher! Higher!”
The crowd cheered, and I swear I could hear Dannie and Garrie’s voices on top of everybody else’s.
Adam pushed the garter higher up Nicole’s thigh, while she blushed all shades of red. John was sitting at the bar now, ordering drinks, not even slightly interested with what’s going on in the dance floor.
When he had pushed the garter far enough, Adam stood up and took Nicole’s hand in his in a very gentlemanly way.
“Kiss!” We heard everybody cheer.
Ryder took me in his arms, his eyes glittering. “Come on, love. Let’s show them how it’s done.” He teased. My laughter died on my lips when he covered them with his and gave me a passionate kiss.
When we pulled away, Adam and Nicole were watching us with disbelief on their faces. Adam took Nicole in his arms. Everybody clapped their arms and cheered, including us.
I was nervous. What was Adam going to do?
He leaned his face forward, and for a while, I thought he was really going to kiss Nicole. But his lips landed an inch from her lips. And then he pulled her closer to him, bent towards her neck and planted a soft kiss on her shoulder.
When he pulled away, he looked down at her and laughed. Nicole pinched his arm as she giggled in relief.
The music played and Adam pulled Nicole into his arms again and danced with her. Ryder took me into his arms, too. He had a wide grin on his face.
I cannot describe how I felt for Adam and Nicole. I was nervous at first, but after that, my heart sort of melted. I haven’t seen Adam so affectionate for a woman. Usually he was cold and heartless. But he seemed comfortable and warm with Nicole… like they’ve been friends for a very long time.
“You did that on purpose.” I whispered to Ryder.
“No.” He denied. “I threw with a purpose. The rest was up to fate,” he said, placing a kiss on my neck. “Just like us, love. Fate brought us here. I didn’t like that it played with us first, but then I’m happy it brought us back together again. Well, I got Bryan to thank for punching the life out of me, causing my memories to go back. But just the same… fate got us back together… so we could be here today. Happy.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. I leaned forward and gave Ryder a kiss on the lips. “Yes. I am happy, Ryder. Are you?”
He smiled at me gently. Then he said, “Bliss, love. This is bliss.”
When a new song played, I danced with my friends, and Ryder’s male relatives, although there weren’t many of them. Ryder danced with my mother and my aunts and some of my young nieces and cousins.
I danced with John, who was completely ignoring both Nicole and Adam and I was scared to ask him about it. Maybe I’ll save all my questions for after my honeymoon.
I danced with Adam, who seemed nonchalant about the whole thing. And I know that if I do ask him about Nicole, I will not get a proper answer anyway, so what was the point?
I also danced with Dannie, who couldn’t help asking me if I knew what was going on with the three. I told him I knew nothing and he must not press any of them. I made him promise not to meddle.
I even danced with Garrie, who admitted to me that his heart broke when he told me the first time he met me that my engagement ring was a fake. He told me that he was so glad to be part of my wedding… to see that it all turned out perfectly well for me in the end.
I was emotional when I danced with my father, and he cried a lot too. He kept telling me how proud he was of me and how happy he was that I am very happy with Ryder.
I also danced with Uncle Jack. He was very happy because he knew he didn’t have to worry about me. That I’ve gotten over what Geena and Bryan did to me, and it all worked out for the better.
Then finally, I was back in Ryder’s arms. He leaned forward and kissed my lips gently. “This is probably the best wedding arrangement I have seen,” Ryder said to me.
“It was probably the most expensive too.” I complained. I actually didn’t know how much the whole wedding cost. Nicole knew because she spoke to all the suppliers. And of course Ryder knew because he wrote the checks.
He laughed. “It’s nothing, love,” he said. “The twinkle, the pride and the happiness that I see in your eyes are all worth it.”
I leaned my head on his chest and sighed contentedly. Who would have thought that about a year ago, I was devastated because my dream wedding was stolen from me. And now… I got married, and I had the wedding of my wildest imagination, and my real prince made it all happen for me.
When I opened my eyes, a familiar, beautiful blonde caught my attention. She was sitting in the corner, holding a toddler in her arms.
I looked at her. She still looks pretty, but her eyes looked old, like they were hiding layers of sadness in them. I remembered sending her an invitation, but I was not really sure that she would come.
Bryan was in prison for months, and now he’s being placed on rehab. Geena filed a divorce on the grounds of infidelity, physical assault and psychological incapacity. I felt sorry for her, but I know that she was also better off. No matter what she did to me, she still deserved a better man.
Geena’s eyes met mine, and she smiled at me shyly. I realized that I could not hold her a prisoner of her guilt anymore because I am truly happier now. And if it weren’t for her, maybe I would not have been here with Ryder, making my dreams come true. Her fate could have been mine.
Slowly, I smiled at her. Then I took a deep breath and mouthed, “I forgive you.”
Somehow, she understood my message, like she always did when we were growing up. She always gets my sentences even before I finish speaking. Tears brimmed her eyes and she nodded at me. Then she smiled. I felt the warmth and sincerity in that smile.
“Thank you.” She mouthed back.
Tears welled up in my eyes, too. And I felt like a hundred tons was lifted from my chest. I didn’t know that I was still holding this anger inside me until I finally decided to let it go. And I felt better. Because no matter what Geena did to me, we were still cousins… and we were like sisters, and I knew I would always love her.
I looked back at Ryder. He reached up and wiped a tear from my cheek. He’d been watching Geena and me the whole time and he witnessed what happened between us.
“You’re truly an amazing woman, love,” he said. “You have a good heart and a pure soul. More than your beauty and charm, I am in love with how good you are inside. I’m so glad you’re my wife. And I hope our kids will be as kind-hearted as you are.”
I glanced back at him in surprise. “Kids?” The thought warmed my heart.
He nodded. “Please pass on your violet eyes to at least one of them.”
I laughed. “How many kids do you plan to have, Mr. Van Woodsen?”
“Minimum three,” he replied. “Two boys, one girl. Or two boys, two girls… or three boys and two girls… or…”
“Ryder, stop!” I laughed. I knew where he was going with that. It made me feel warm that he wanted many kids… because I do. I was an only child and I only had Geena when I was growing up. It would be nice to have siblings who are also your best friends. “We’ll have as many kids as we will be blessed with.”
He leaned his forehead towards mine. “And I will take care of all of you. You will have a lot of little princes and princesses in your ‘ever after’, love. I promise you that.”
Just then, Nicole, Paris, and Jake interrupted us.
“It’s almost time.” Paris said.
I was confused. I didn’t know what was going on. Ryder nodded and then Paris grabbed my hand, pulling me with her. Nicole grabbed my train and we hurried into the house.
“What is going on?” I demanded.
They smiled. “You can’t go to your honeymoon in your wedding gown.”
“I don’t even know where we are going,” I said.
“Just trust my brother.” Paris said. “He’s been planning this for months.”
Ryder took care of the honeymoon and he refused to tell me where we were going. I don’t even have a clue.
Before I knew it, Paris and Nicole were undressing me, taking out the flowers in my hair and I was being dressed in an elegant halter-top purple dress that went all the way to my knees. Nicole insisted I wear a pair of shorts under my dress. Then she handed me a pair of violet beaded thong sandals. Paris managed to fix my hair into a half-pony. My hair still looked wonderful, but much simpler than it was during the wedding.
Then they led me out to the front of the mansion. Ryder met me by the stairs. He too had a change of outfit. The suit was gone and he was now wearing a pair of pants and loose long-sleeved shirt.
He took my hand and kissed it. Then he leaned forward and kissed me thoroughly on the lips. Our guests were around us, clapping their hands, cheering for us.
“I love you, Mrs. Van Woodsen,” Ryder said. Then he motioned for me to look at the skies above me.
Suddenly a streak of light sparked in the sky. Followed by a loud sound. And then the whole sky burst into a million different colors. It was beautiful and breathtaking… just like the man beside me.
Tears brimmed my eyes. I stared up at him. I completely crossed out fireworks on the list and exchanged it for the starlit dome in the garden. Ryder didn’t tell me that I was going to have fireworks after all. I forgot that this man really listens to me. When I dream out loud, when I talk about the things that I wanted… things that would make me happy... this man was listening and he remembers every single thing.
“Thank you for the fireworks.” I said to him.
“Thank you for marrying me.” He whispered and then he kissed me again.
Immediately, after the fireworks display, we heard a loud sound from the sky. I looked up again and found a helicopter descending in front of the huge garden.
“Our ride is here,” Ryder said.
“Seriously?” I asked. “Where are we going?”
“To the airport. We can’t miss our flight,” he replied. Jake handed him our bags and then he pulled me away with one hand.
Again, everybody congratulated us and sent us their love and well wishes.
“Astrid, my only wish is that when you come back, you already have something baking in the oven.” Ryder’s mother whispered to me.
I laughed nervously and looked at Ryder. He smiled at his mother. “I will try my best, Mother.”
Then Ryder took my arm and led me towards the helicopter. Now I realized why Nicole insisted that I wear shorts underneath my dress. Ryder guided me up and then he climbed in himself. Our guests and relatives waved us off. As the helicopter ascend to the sky, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I waved back at them and threw them flying kisses.
Everything was just surreal… perfect. Even if I planned the wedding well, Ryder managed to make it even more perfect for me. He still managed to throw in a couple of surprises. I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt a kiss on my forehead and I closed my eyes to savor the warmth, comfort, and security that I felt in his arms… where I know I will forever belong in for as long as I live.
When we arrived at the airport, Ryder told me that he was taking me to Maui.
“We’ll stay five days there, then we’ll go to Tahiti. Then to the Caribbean, then we’ll head off to Asia. On the way back we’ll pass by France and Italy.”
My eyes widened. “Seriously, Ryder?”
He grinned. “Seriously.” Then he leaned forward and kissed me thoroughly. “Why did you think my mother was so hopeful that she’ll have a grandchild when we get back?”
I laughed. “How long are we going to be gone?”
“A month…”
My eyes widened. “A month!”
“And two.” He added.
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Three months? Who goes on a honeymoon for three months?” I asked him.
He laughed. “Us, love. Us.”
“What about Oil Rig?” I asked.
“Paris will take care of that. And I’ve asked Adam to look at the reports twice a month.”
“And Ever After Malibu and Manhattan?”
“Relax. Nicole is taking care of that. And… Dannie and Garrie are helping as well. Plus Janis is practically not working. So on her spare time, I think she’ll also give a hand.”
“Wow! They really love us, don’t they?”
“Yes. Plus, they’re being well-compensated for it, don’t worry.” He chuckled.
Then his face descended towards mine and he kissed me thoroughly again. He only needed to do that and I would do anything and go anywhere with him.
I took a deep breath. “I’m glad I ran into you at the jewelry shop that day, Ryder. And I’m glad you served me margaritas at Oil Rig that night. You… are everything I dreamed my Prince would be… maybe even more. You are… wonderfully surreal.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad that you still believe in fairy tale romances.”
I stared up at him and smiled contentedly. “Of course I do,” I said. “I am in one.”
And with one happy smile, Ryder said, “I love you very, very much, my sweet Princess. Thank you for choosing me to make your ‘ever after’ come true… I promise to make you happy… now and for the rest of our lives.” Then he leaned forward gave me a thorough kiss on the lips.
I closed my eyes and kissed him back. I thought that if this were what was in store for me from the very beginning, I would gladly go through all those heartbreaks again. Because I know I would never trade my life with Ryder for anything else. What I had with Bryan was a good thing for a while, but what I have with Ryder now… is a blessing, a reward, a present… a miracle that I would treasure forever.
Had I known this at the time I found out Bryan was cheating on me or when Ryder lost his memories of me… I would not have cried rivers of tears… I would not have lost hope. I would have had the courage because this man in my arms now… my Prince, my Knight in Shining Armor… is absolutely worth everything I have been through.
And I will thank God every day that this time… there will be no more heartaches, no more pains. This time, I get to spend the rest of my life with Ryder Van Woodsen. This time I truly get to keep him in my ‘ever after’.