My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

When they arrived at the spot for the family photos, everything was already

perfectly arranged. It was incredible-what had once been a small family had now grown into a union of three.

At the center stood the newlyweds, happy, smiling, and completely in love. On Alden's side were Katherine and Peter, while on Serenity's side stood Marcus and Valerie. Then, they took another picture with Maximus and Valerie.

Next came a few shots with all three fathers—a slightly odd arrangement, but after everything they had been through, who cared if it was unusual?

Finally, they took a full family photo, capturing every single member. It was incredible to see how, little by little, everyone from the different families found their place. For years, the Palmers had only had one woman in the family-Catherine. But today, there was Martina, Flora, and, though they didn't share the surname, Laura and Adele, who were family by birth.

Watching everyone come together for a family portrait showed just how much their family had expanded.

The Bartzs—a Valentian-Hesperian family settled in Hesperia-stood together: Marcus, Valerie, Serenity, John, Albert, and Caroline.

The Palmers-a Valentian family once known for having no fixed place to call home, which was how they got their surname now had roots and planned to stay for a long time. Leading them were Peter, Alden, Ethan, Martina, and Flora. Soon, Celeste would join them, and, of course, there was Aria, the recently found mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of the Palmers.

The Evanses—a newly formed Valentian-German family-were represented by Magnus, Maximus, Laura, Paul, Maurice, and little Adele. And there was also Diana, who would soon become Maximus's third wife-his third love.

No one could forget those who didn't share the family name but were just as important. The Bennetts, led by Theodore, Fiona, and Alden. Then there was Emma Rosewood, who was like a mother to Maximus. Frederick, Camille, and Camille's daughters—the surprise guests of the day-were also there.

Maximus took in the scene, watching as everyone arranged themselves. He couldn't help but remember old family photos, where Catherine had been the head of the family, with only Leonardo, Peter, and himself by her side.

"Ah, Catherine... If only you could see this... You'd be amazed. You'd be proud. I'm sure that one of the many little girls here today will one day lead PBE Group. We're still working out the details, but I think that's what we'll call it.

"You were always right. That girl would come to change everything," Maximus murmured, glancing toward Valerie as she smiled at little Caroline.

"Just like always, Catherine, time has proven you right. There's no doubt that even though you're gone, you'll always be teaching me something," he said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

Catherine hadn't always been a good person, but she had done good for some people. Maximus didn't hold any resentment toward her. If anything, he often found himself remembering the best parts of her.

"Love... Are you okay?" a sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.

Maximus turned to see the woman who had spoken. He took Diana's hand and pulled her into an embrace.

"Of course! Everything is so much better now... Have I ever told you that I love you?"

"Hmm? No, not lately..."

"I love you! I love you, my little exchange student!"

"That was years ago..."

"Doesn't matter. I'll always remember how we met. And as long as life allows it, I will always love you."

"That's a lot of years..."

"Yeah... A lot of years!" Maximus said, wrapping his arms around his petite wife. "Hey... While everyone is still getting into place, I want to give you something."

"What is it?"

"Give me your hand... You know I love you, right?"

"Yes, and I love you too. I love every member of this family as much as I love you. But... what is this?"

"Open it!"

Maximus placed an envelope in her hands. Diana looked at it with curiosity but opened it and began to read.

One word immediately caught her attention-vasovasostomy. She read the entire document quickly, her eyes widening as she realized what it was.

"Maximus... When did you do this?"

"A couple of weeks ago..."

"But I never noticed... How?"

"Well... Remember those weeks when you were swamped with work, and we barely saw each other?"

"Yeah... But..."

"Relax! Laura is the only one who knows. Now we just have to wait and hope for the best."noveldrama

"Really?" Diana asked, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Hey... There's something else I want to give you."

"What is it, Maximus?" Diana asked, trying to hold back her tears.

"I know this isn't the perfect

moment, but I couldn't wait any longer. Peter helped me get the

stone. I noticed you like big jewelry. Open it," Maximus said, pulling a small box from his jacket.

Diana took the box, opened it, and gasped inside was a stunning

sapphi

ring, cut in a

avele

square. It was enormous-exactly the kind of jewelry she loved to wear.

"Peter asked Katherine to find this stone for us. It took some effort, but we finally

got it," Maximus explained.

Diana was so stunned she could hardly speak. Instead, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Diana... Would you spend the rest of your years with this old man? I know you could just accept the ring, but still want to ask... Will you marry me? I'm a 51-year-old widower with four kids well, five now, but one just got married."

"Maximus..."

"What is it?"

"Yes...! Yes, I accept!" Diana said, her voice shaking.

The moment he heard her say it, Maximus took the ring and slid it onto her finger.

"Now that it's on, you can't take it back."

"Maximus... I would never take it back."

"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that."

"You've already made me happy with this."

"I knew I wouldn't fail..."

"Alright, now let's go. Let's see if they've finally managed to get everyone in place

for the family photo."