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readyforthegarden · 10 months

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Ever After - A Bubblegum Short

A/N: Eden and Jake have been on my mind for quite a while, and I've missed them so much. So I've put together a few blurbs for them about their lives post-Bubblegum, and how their little family in the epilogue came to be.

WC: 3600

🌙🌙🌙

It had been a whirlwind of a month in Michigan, Jake carting Eden everywhere, taking her to his family's cabin after a quick visit home, then to a few different places he had been dreaming of taking her since they had become official.

He planned everything perfectly, the cool autumn air rustling the bright yellow and orange leaves in the trees around them. Today was going to be gorgeous, their roadtrip would be long, but definitely worth it. Currently he was enjoying the heat of Eden's body tucked into his side, sleeping away peacefully in the chilly morning. He held her close, letting his callused thumb graze the soft, tanned skin of her upper arm. Her hair still smelled vaguely of her shampoo and campfire, the two of them having spent most of the night out at the fire pit, quietly enjoying each others company before coming inside and recreating their first night together, just as passionately as it was a few years prior.

Eventually, his awakened body became restless, and he untangled himself and gently left his love in the bed, smiling to himself as Eden burrowed into his pillow, inhaling deeply and humming in her sleep. He pulled on his boxer-briefs and his old white t-shirt, running a hand through his hair as he left the bedroom quietly.

Padding into the kitchen, he began brewing a pot of coffee. Checking the time on the oven clock, he realized they'd slept in a little later than he wanted, and started preparing breakfast for them.

"I smell bacon." Jake looked up a while later, seeing a frumpled Eden shuffling into the room. She rubbed her eyes with one hand, reaching down to scratch a mosquito bite on her calf with the other. She was wearing an oversized shirt, the logo faded from washing a few moth holes were worn into it.

"Good morning, darlin'." Jake greeted her, feeling her arms circle his waist. She mumbled a soft 'guh mornin' back into his shoulder. "Coffee's ready, go grab a cup, we've got to get moving."

"Where are we going today?" Eden asked through a yawn, grabbing the mug Jake had set out for her and pouring the coffee in. She moved to the fridge to grab the bottle of creamer.

"I've got a little trip to Mackinaw City planned for us." Jake smiled. "Super touristy, but we're gonna have fun."

"That's like, up here, right?" Eden set her mug down, holding up her palm, making Jake proud as she used her hand as a map.

"Yeah, thereabouts." Jake laughed, moving away from the stove and giving her lips a sweet kiss. "It's about a four hour drive."

"Oh that's all?" Eden sniffed, sipping her coffee. "Do I have time to shower after breakfast? Or is this a hit the road as soon as the plates are washed kind of deal?"

"Oh, we have time for a shower." Jake gave her a little wink. "There's always time for that."

“Who said you were invited?” Eden smirked at Jake from over the rim of her mug. “I’m still tired from last night.”

“Yeah? That just means I’ve done my job well.” Jake waggled his eyebrows, making Eden laugh.

“Alright lover boy, give me some of that bacon and we’ll see about that shower later.”

🌙🌙🌙

The ride up north was long, but worth it. Eden’s gasps at the foliage that zipped by as they drove up the interstate was worth every minute. It was a bright, beautiful Michigan day, the air crisp and the smell of fall weaving through the branches of the trees themselves.

They’d arrived in Mackinaw City in the mid-afternoon, and Jake took Eden around the town, in and out of touristy shops, buying fudge and silly airbrushed t-shirts with their names on them for fun. The afternoon wore on into the evening, and they found a small diner to have dinner in.

“Are we driving back to the cabin tonight?” Eden asked, dunking her french fry in the honey mustard on her plate.

“No, I got us a room at one of the hotels here in town for the night.”

“Good, it’s not a bad drive, but I know I’ll fall asleep and I don’t want to leave you driving by yourself.” Eden smiled.

“I have one more place I want to take us before we turn in for the night.” Jake told her, piquing her interest. “Ah, it’s a surprise.”

Eden slumped back against the diner booth, squinting at Jake though a cheeky smirk tugged at her lips. Once the bill was paid, Jake ushered Eden into the car, and they started their drive. The sun began to set as Jake drove out of the city, and Eden curiously looked at every sign along the way, seeing if she could figure out where exactly he was taking her.

“Ooh, are we going to see the giant Paul Bunyon statue?!” Eden glanced over to Jake. He shook his head.

“No, that’s across the bridge.” he replied. “But maybe tomorrow.” Eden pursed her lips and kept thinking. The sun had completely set when they pulled down a gravel road, Eden could barely see the sign.

“A state park? Don’t they close at night? What are we doing here?”

“You’ll see.” Jake parked his car near a few others, getting out. Eden confusedly followed suit, taking the hand he offered her when they met at the front of his car.

They walked a little ways into the park, coming to a lakeshore. Before Jake could say anything, Eden gasped, looking up at the sky.

"Jake, that's the aurora borealis!" Eden turned to him wide-eyed. "Oh my god! We're seeing it!"

"I know!" Jake grinned, watching as Eden walked forward a few steps, staring up at the sky, the vibrant colors reflecting upon her face. "This is a dark sky park, there's no light pollution for miles. You can see everything so clearly." Eden felt a pricking at her eyes, a few tears escaped down her cheek as she watched the waves of colored lights. Jake wanted to look up at the lights, but he couldn't take his eyes off Eden.

"I almost wish Sam was here to tell us all the science-y crap about how this happens." Eden airly chuckled.

"About that," Jake caught Eden's attention. When she turned around again, Eden looked behind him, seeing the aforementioned brother standing a few feet away, grinning, one of his fancy cameras in hand.

"Sam!" Eden grinned. "I didn't know you were going to be here!"

"I asked him to come, so we could have some photos." Jake cut in before Sam could answer, his nerves starting to set in.

"Photos?" Eden's forehead wrinkled in confusion as Jake stepped towards her. He reached into his pocket, wrapping his hand around the velvet box. "For what?"

"Eden, since that first date we were set up on, I knew that you were going to change my life." Jake smiled crookedly at the memory of feeling less than enthused, sitting across the table from Eden, who then looked like a disco ball shattered over her dress. "Through our journey together, I've only fallen more madly, deeply in love with you, and I want you to know that I'm undeniably yours. Forever." Jake knelt down on one knee as Eden raised her hands to her mouth, covering them in surprise. They had talked many, many times about the next step, but always left the conversation at 'when it feels right' and never put any expectations on it.

Jake finally pulled the velvet box from his pocket, it weighing heavy in his hand as he propped the lid open, showing Eden one of the most gorgeous rings she'd ever seen. A deep green, hexagon shaped emerald rested between two small diamonds glimmered under the lights. Small flashes from Sam's camera were going off out of the corner of their eyes, but they paid it no mind. "Eden, will you please make me the most exuberantly happy man, and marry me?"

"Yes!" Eden nearly shrieked, pulling her hands away from her face. "Oh my god, yes!" the wide grin on her face made Jake match it, a few tears welling up in his own eyes as he plucked the ring from it's cushion, taking Eden's shaking hand in his and sliding it upon her finger. Within seconds, he was on his back, Eden wrapped around him, crying into his neck. Jake wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him.

"This is going in the scrapbook," Sam murmured under his breath, snapping away still, his own heart swelling for his older brother and best friend. After a few moments of Eden and Jake peppering each other with kisses, they got up, and embraced more, Sam getting a few more shots of them under the lights before departing.

"Jake, this is so...." Eden looked up at him, to the lights and back to him. "Did you plan this whole trip around this?"

"I've had the ring for six months but I knew I was going to do this for a long time." Jake smiled, pecking her lips. "I wanted to make sure everything was perfect, and when the lights aligned with our trip, I knew it was the right time."

"I love you, so much." Eden sniffled. "Jake I've been yours since the moment you gave me those potatoes." Jake couldn't help but toss his head back and laugh.

"Oh, those potatoes are what did it, huh?"

"When a man shares his potatoes, that's love." Eden giggled. She couldn't keep her hands off of him, hugging him, cupping his face, fisting his shirt like he would disappear in a puff of smoke if she let go. "I'm so lucky."

"I'm the lucky one," Jake hummed, rubbing his hand up and down her back. "So damn lucky."

🌙🌙🌙

Eden stood in the bridal suite of the large, rustic cabin, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The photos were all done, the photographers getting ready at the ceremony space to capture those images. Her hair was loosely curled, cascading over her shoulders. The veil that adorned her, fastened by a comb at the crown of her head, was embroidered along the edges with colorful flowers and a special nod to her soon-to-be husband. A few flowers hid small taurus symbols, the same, beautiful blue that matched his suit and her award show outfit all those years ago.

"It's almost time, are you ready?" Eden looked up, seeing Sam standing in the doorway. He had only checked in on her a few times, but seemed taken back by her completed look. "God, Eden...you look breathtaking."

"Really?" Eden felt a few tears stinging her eyes as Sam stepped towards her, pulling a small pack of tissues from his pocket and immediately dabbing at her eyes.

"You're an absolute vision." Sam assured her. "I don't think there will ever be a bride that looks half as beautiful as you."

"You're such a flatterer, Sam." Eden laughed. "Is my makeup okay?" Sam dabbed at her eyes a little bit more, nodding. Music began playing outside, and Eden felt a flutter in her stomach, fidgeting a bit in front of the tall man.

"Nervous?"

"Not at all." Eden shook her head. "I'm excited. I just wanna see him already." Eden had spent the night in the cabin with Jake's mom, sister, and a few female friends. It took his brothers dragging him through the front door to get Jake to leave for the hotel a few miles away, him stopping and kissing Eden every few steps, holding onto her hand and nearly dragging her with him outside. If it hadn't been for his sister tugging Eden back, she was sure she would have woken up in the hotel bed next to Jake, risking the bad luck of him seeing her before the wedding.

A knock on the door sounded through the room, and they both turned to see the wedding planner smiling at them.

"Jake is already down the aisle, it's time to take your place." Sam turned, offering Eden his arm. Sam had been Eden’s choice to walk her down the aisle, her own father having passed, and no siblings of her own. Sam had been her first true friend in so long, it only felt right to give him the role. He was playing double duty, being your man of honor as well, another job he swelled with pride at getting.

Sam led Eden to the patio doors. Through the gauzy curtains, she could see the smoky mountains, surrounded by the beautiful fall foliage. The sun was just beginning to lower in the sky, a perfect dusk wedding.

“Hey,” Eden turned to look at Sam, who was grinning down at her. “I love you. I’m so happy that you’re gonna be my sister.”

“I love you too, Sam.” Eden let go of her bouquet, squeezing Sam’s hand. The wedding planner’s walkie went off, and the music changed, a lilting piano rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Songbird’ echoed as the doors swung open, revealing Sam and Eden to the guests. They all stood, beaming up at her but as soon as she they found him, her eyes were trained on Jake. He had glanced back to Josh, saying something to his brother and best man, before turning back. As Sam carefully led her down the steps, Jake brought a hand up, he eyes already brimming with tears, seeing Eden moving toward him and the rest of their lives together.

Sam chuckled under his breath, feeling Eden tugging on his arm in her haste to get to the altar and to Jake.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get there.” Sam whispered to her. “You gotta have some nice photos of your walk down though, so pull back a little.” Eden giggled, her grin wide as she nodded, evening out her pace with the taller man.

After what felt like an eternity, Sam handed her off to Jake, who helped her up onto the small platform, kissing her one hand as she used the other to hand her bouquet to Sam.

“You look…there are no words for how beautiful you are.” Jake murmured, taking in her bridal form. Jake also wore white, a suit custom made for the big day.

As Eden stood before him, her eyes scanned him, bouncing around and taking him in, from the low bun his hair was tied back in under his white, wide-brimmed hat, to the one delicate chain he wore against his chest under the open dress shirt under his suit jacket. Her eyes were sparkling, and her smile grew wider when she noticed the subtle markings of his taurus suit done in a matching white thread so as not to be completely obvious. She grabbed her veil, tugging it slightly to show him the matching blue detail on the train of it. Jake grinned, feeling a swelling in his chest at her excitement for their surprises for each other.

“My something blue,” Eden whispered. Jake’s eyes danced with a proud laugh as Danny stood before them a journal in hand.

“Friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Eden Beckett and Jacob Kiszka. A love that started out unconventionally, but has become one of the great love stories of our time.” Danny spoke into the microphone after everyone was seated again. “As someone who has the honor of being their friend, I got a front row seat to watching their relationship go from set-up, to friendship, and blossom into a beautiful love.” Eden was already sniffling, a tear running down her cheek. Jake reached into his pocket, taking out a tissue and reaching across the small space, dabbing at the trail, earning a small chorus of 'aww's'. Danny continued with his speech before giving way to Jake and Eden, letting them recite their vows.

Jake took a piece of paper from a pocket inside his suit jacket, unfolding it, his hands shaking a bit as one of them reached for the microphone Danny held out. Eden turned away for a second, grabbing more tissues from Sam before Jake started speaking.

"Eden, I've written and re-written these words so many times over the last year, because there are simply no words that can perfectly describe how I feel about you. All words fail in comparison to the actual feelings I get when I see you. I fall asleep excited that I get to wake up next to you, and I spend all day feeling lucky I get to come home and fall asleep next to you. You challenge me every day, in art, music, random facts and trivia. My family loves you, you're the sister Ronnie always wanted, for sure." a small 'woo!' echoed out from Ronnie in the seats, making everyone laugh and Eden shoot her a wide smile. "I love you in every way imaginable, and I will love you for the rest of my life, and in the hereafter."

"Eden, you may recite your vows." Danny nodded to her. In true Eden fashion, she had memorized her vows, clearing her throat as she took the mic.

"Jake, I also struggled with writing my vows, because it's nearly impossible to put into words how deeply I love and care for you. You are my home and adventure, all at once. You push me to try new things and are there to catch me when I fall, and I am forever grateful for the mishaps that led to our meeting. I used to look back on all the things I'd done wrong before I met you, but they've led me to you, and I don't think they were ever mistakes. They were meant to happen so we could come together. I wish I could more eloquently say my vows, but all I have to say is that I'm so in love with you, and I can't imagine any other future than one with you."

Eden handed back the microphone to Danny, who continued in the ceremony, having them recite the typical vows so they could say 'I Do'.

"With the power vested in me by the state of Tennessee, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Danny grinned. "Jake, you may now kiss your bride." Jake turned to Eden, stepping forward and sliding his hands around her waist, tugging her into him. She placed her hands on his shoulders, thumbs grazing his neck softly. Jake gazed down at Eden, memorizing her face before leaning down, planting a kiss on her mauvey-pink lips. "I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Kiskza!" Eden and Jake parted briefly to giddily laugh before exchanging a few more kisses as their friends and family cheered.

🌙🌙🌙

Jake watched across the room as Danny twirled Eden around the dance floor of their reception, the fairy lights hung up in the trees picking up every sparkle in her eyes, glinting off the rings that adorned her left hand. It was well into the night, her hair was starting to frizz from the heat of dancing, but she just couldn't stop. She told Jake she was so happy her body just couldn't stop moving. He would slide in for a few slower paced songs, his hair falling from it's bun, wisps framing his face until he took it out altogether.

"Who would've thought one of the worlds best rock guitarists would've ended up married to a princess of pop?" Jake glanced to his left, seeing Josh leaning against the bar next to him. The older twin smiled at the younger, his cheeks red from dancing and drinking.

"I went soft, huh?" Jake chuckled.

"You've always been soft." Josh rolled his eyes. "Just took meeting the right person to let you show it." they both turned to watch their friends and family dance around, Sam having cut in Eden's dance with Danny, making her laugh. Even above the music, Jake could hear the peels of her laughter. "I'm really happy for you, Jake."

"Thanks, Josh." Jake smiled at Josh, sharing a sincere moment of silence. Josh took a sip of his drink, and the music changed, a funky disco beat thumping through the soundsystem.

"That's my cue." Josh sniffed, rolling his neck before dancing his way through the small crowd to the floor. Jake laughed and grabbed his own drink, taking a swig as Eden approached.

"Hi baby!" she grinned. Jake smiled, wrapping an arm around her as she took the glass in his hand, downing the drink. "Ooh, that was not water."

"Noo it wasn't." Jake laughed at his tipsy bride, turning and asking the bartender for two bottles of water. "Are you having fun, Mrs. Kiszka?"

"I'm having the time of my life, Mr. Kiszka." Eden leaned her body against his, smiling up at him dreamily.

"Good," Jake leaned down and kissed her for the millionth time that night, knowing he would never get his true fill of her for as long as he lived. He would always be hungry for another kiss, another touch from her. "We're going to have to head out soon, it's already nearly two."

"Ugh, I don't want to leave yet." Eden frowned. "I wanna stay and dance with our friends!" Jake brushed her hair back, now placing a kiss to her forehead.

"I know, but we have to get some sleep and make sure we finish packing." Jake reminded her. "Tomorrow night, we leave for Europe."

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