Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 51744 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51744 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“You’re going to do it, aren’t you?” Sadie sniffles. “Avery’s right. You’re going to make us all cry.”
“All of you stop it.” Brenda looks at her watch. “Linda is right. You’ll smudge your makeup. And it’s time, ladies. It’s time.”
We gather ourselves together and leave the master suite, where we’ve been getting ready, and walk through the massive house to the French doors leading outside.
A string quartet is playing Mozart, and I peek out at the ornate altar that our mothers put together. The officiant stands ready, and Miles, Austin, Chance, and Grady walk up and take their places.
They’re all wearing black pants and white button-downs, no ties. Grady is nearly as tall as Chance, and if possible, his hair is redder.
I close my eyes, holding back tears. I know I’ll be crying buckets once I’m saying my vows, but I have to at least get down the aisle.
Darla opens the French doors, where Rick stands to meet her. Together, they take Carly’s arms and lead her toward the altar. And Austin.
Brenda and Sadie are next.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” Mom asks.
I link my arm through hers. “I’ve been ready for this moment for fifteen years, Mom.”
She gives me a sad smile, then nods. “It was meant to be.”
With that, I walk toward my new brothers, my son, and the love of my life.
Fifteen years fades away in an instant, and I’m with Chance at the spring, giving myself to him. That’s when I truly gave myself to him. When we made Grady.
Today is simply a formality.
Chance takes my arm from my mother, leans down and kisses my cheek. “You look beautiful, kitten.”
I don’t trust myself to reply without starting to bawl. I take my place, and I listen as first Austin and Carly, and then Miles and Sadie, recite their vows and exchange rings.
Then the officiant turns to Chance and me.
“Chance and Avery have also decided to write their own vows for today. Chance?”
Chance takes my hand and meets my gaze. “Avery, I dedicated my life to you fifteen years ago. There’s never been anyone else for me, kitten, and I bless the fates that brought you back into my life. Thank you for your love, and for my beautiful son.”
He glances over his shoulder at Grady, gives him a smile.
“Today I make these vows to both of you—to be there for you, to stand beside you through the good and the bad, to be your light when it’s dark, to be your comfort when it’s cold, to be your rock when you need support. You and Grady are all that I’ll ever need. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours.” He places the gold wedding band on my ring finger.
Tears fill my eyes and I swallow, hoping like hell my voice will work.
“Chance.” I pause, drawing in a breath. “I chose you all those years ago, and I never stopped loving you. You complete me in a way I can’t describe, and today I invite you to share my life, our son’s life. I—” I choke back a sob.
Chance squeezes my hand.
“I love you, Chance. I’ve always loved you. You are strong and compassionate and so pure of heart.” I pause a moment as Mom hands me the wedding band. “I give you this ring as a symbol of our eternity together. You’re my love, my light, my soul.” I place the ring on Chance’s finger. “Our love is never ending, like the circle of this ring.”
Tears flow down my cheeks, but it’s okay. I’m finished.
“Lovely,” the officiant says. “I now pronounce all of you husband and wives. You may kiss!”
Chance grabs me, crushes his lips to mine.
And everyone else fades away as I kiss my husband for the first time.