Amusement sparks in his teal eyes.
“You…” I sweep my gaze over his sharply tailored suit that fits every inch of him to perfection. “Take my breath away.”
He curls his fingers around mine and turns us to face Damon.
Damon’s lips quirk, as if he’d heard our brief exchange, and my skin flushes. Thank goodness for all the makeup Serena spackled on me. Hopefully, it’s hiding that my cheeks now match the roses.
“Welcome, everyone,” Damon begins. “I’m honored to be here to celebrate the union of Charlotte and Marcel.”
There’s a rustling behind us as those who had been standing take their seats.
“Love isn’t always perfect,” Damon continues without the aid of any notes. “Love is difficult to find and impossible to live without. There are no fairy tales in life, only harsh reality. Love doesn’t always come easy. When you find love, treasure it, protect it with your entire being. You no longer have to face life’s hardships alone. Hold on to each other and don’t let go. Above all, remember every moment is worth it because you survived together.”
It’s almost as if someone gave Damon a CliffsNotes version of our lives.
TELLER
Charlotte’s glowing. More beautiful than I have a right to spend my life with. The love I have for her and our children that she’s carrying already burns in my chest hotter than the sun.
Damon’s words sound nice. Charlotte seems pleased. I’m too focused on her for anything else to penetrate.
Damon clears his throat and I tear my gaze away from Charlotte. Are we done? Can I kiss my bride now?
“Do you, Marcel John North, take Charlotte Corinne Clark as your wife? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and protect her, in sickness and health, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Charlotte, do you take Marcel as your husband?” Damon turns her way. “Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and protect him, in sickness and health, to be faithful as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?”
“We do.” Charlotte turns, searching for Chance.
Z walks his son to us.
“I do!” Chance holds out two small boxes to us. “I do!”
I pluck one out of his hand. “Thanks, buddy.” I give him a little high five and he grins.
“Thank you,” Charlotte says, smiling down at Chance and nodding to Z.
Baby Bit-bit lets out a scream loud enough to rip open the Earth.
Heidi’s desperate eyes zip from me to Lilly, who’s trying to comfort Bit-bit.
Our guests murmur “Aww,” as Heidi scurries over to collect her daughter from Lilly. She freezes as if she’s scared to return. But Charlotte motions her over to us. Heidi stops next to Charlotte and Charlotte leans in, whispering in Heidi’s ear. She coos at Bit-bit, who’s quiet now that she’s in her mother’s arms. Heidi’s cheeks flush an impossible shade of red.
“It’s okay,” I whisper to her but I’m not sure if she hears me.
Alexa runs up to stand next to Heidi and the crowd titters with laughter.
Blake holds out his hand, encouraging Alexa to come stand next to him.
Charlotte beams at me, not one bit flustered by the brief interruption.
Damon waits with a patient smile. When we’re focused on the ceremony again, he continues. “You may now exchange your rings as a symbol of your endless commitment to and love for one another.”
I slip the thin, gold diamond band out of the box and take Charlotte’s hand. She bites her lip, studying the ring as if she’s worried it won’t fit. We’d picked them out long before she found out she was pregnant.
“With this ring, I pledge my love and loyalty to you for the rest of my life,” I say as I slip it on her finger.
She releases a relieved breath, then takes my hand.
My heart beats impossibly faster as she repeats the same words and slides the ring on my finger.
“By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Damon holds up his hands. “You may kiss the bride.”
Charlotte throws her arms around my neck and I lift her, crushing my mouth against hers.
“I love you,” she whispers against my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Sunshine. Want to spend the rest of my life making you smile.”
I set her down and we turn toward our family and friends, lifting our linked hands in the air.
“Let’s celebrate!” Blake shouts.
People cheer or run up to hug and congratulate us. Through all of the chaos, Charlotte and I hold tight to each other.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Charlotte
As the sun sets, lights twinkle to life overhead and all around us, transforming our backyard into a magical wonderland. I tip my head back, staring up at Marcel. “Can we keep the lights up?”
“We can do anything you want, wife.”
“Thank you, husband.”
He presses his forehead to mine, staring into my eyes with affection. “Is this how you wanted our day to be?”
“Yes.”
Heidi approaches us, wringing her hands. “I’m so sorry—”
“Stop it.” I pull her toward us and hug her to my side. “I loved having both our nieces up there with us. It’s okay.”
Her shoulders drop and she lets out a breath. “Thanks. I know I kept saying how much I wanted another one, but I’m exhausted.”
“You always have us when you need a break.”
Her lips quirk. “You’re going to have your own hands full soon.”
Wrath sneaks up behind Marcel and curls his arm around Marcel’s neck, yanking him closer. “Mom and Dad are looking for you.”
Marcel scowls. Even though things are out in the open, he’s still sensitive about rubbing Heidi’s nose in it. Something Heidi seems to realize.
She rolls her eyes and shoves her brother. “What’d I tell you about those overprotective vibes?”
“What’d I tell you?” he fires back with a smile.
While they bicker, I lift my chin to Wrath. “Were you really uncomfortable with the chairs? Or were you and Grinder worried about a biker shoot-out?” I’m kidding. Sort of.
He frowns.
“You and Grinder were both standing like bouncers worried about a brawl,” I explain, crossing my arms over my chest and flipping on my version of Wrath’s mean bouncer face.
“Oh.” He nods once. “Nothing that dramatic. G was worried about Serena going into labor and wanted to be able to whisk her away if needed.”
“Shoot. Is she okay?” My gaze scans the area and finds them at one of the tables, next to Z and Lilly.
“She’s fine. He’s just overprotective.” He taps his knuckles against the side of Marcel’s head. “You’re familiar with the type.”
I burst into laughter. “Yes, I am.”
Shelby slowly approaches us, holding Grace’s hand to help her navigate over the grass.
“Got yourself a little shadow, huh?” Marcel nods to his little sister.