AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I look into his eyes and smile. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Carter chuckles. “It’s the best Tristan could do on short notice.”
I let my eyes fall over him, taking in the dark suit, and I linger on his shoes. “You could probably fit another person in there.”
Carter’s smile turns wicked. “Are you offering?”
I shove his arm away. “That’s not how two people are supposed to get married. Where is Paul, by the way?”
“He’s trying to find a minister.” Carter straightens his back and checks his watch. “Maybe I should send Tristan to find him.”
I lace my fingers through Carter’s and squeeze. “We’ve got time.”
Carter looks back at me, and his expression turns serious. “Last chance to back out.”
“Not a chance in the world.”
Carter gives me a sweet kiss. “Good.”
Before he can kiss me again, someone clears their throat. Together, we spin around to find Paul in the doorway, sweat shining on his forehead, and a sandy-haired priest next to him, a Bible clutched to his chest. The priest pushes his glasses up his nose and stumbles forward, making apologies as he does. He stands near the window, in full view of the rest of the floor, and clears his throat.
“When we’re all ready, we can begin.”
Carter gives everyone in the room a pointed look. Anita sets the baby down in her crib and stands up, pausing to smooth out the folds of her dress. Then she goes to stand next to Sam, who gives my free hand a squeeze on her way past. Tristan, Ernesto, and Paul squeeze in next to Carter, wearing identical sheepish expressions.
The priest stands up straighter and clears his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and all these people to celebrate the love between…”
“Isabella Julis and Carter Blackthorne,” Tristan offers, with a quick wink in Sam’s direction.
“Isabella Julis and Carter Blackthorne. These two wish to honor and love one another and be joined together in holy matrimony.” He gestures to the two of us, and Carter shifts so he’s looking directly at me. My heart is hammering unsteadily the entire time. I tune out the rest of the priest’s monotonous voice until Carter holds his hand out, and Tristan hands him two ring boxes.
He takes mine out and looks into my eyes. “All my life, I’ve always felt like something was missing. When the Blackthornes adopted me, I felt less alone, like I’d finally found a place in the world, but it wasn’t until I met you that I realized what I’d been missing all along. A home. A warm and safe space to land, no matter what. You’ve given me all that and more, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I blink them back.
“I promise to love, cherish, honor, and protect you, and I promise to be a good father to our daughter and to protect you both, come what may.” Carter is still looking into my eyes, but his voice catches a little toward the end. He pauses to clear his throat. “I love you so fucking much, dove.”
The priest coughs. “Isabella, would you like to say a few words?”
“When my dad got sick, I thought I was never going to be happy again. I spent my days barely surviving and floating from one day to the next, praying for a miracle. It wasn’t until I met you that I realized I was finally getting what I hoped for. You’ve opened up my eyes to what life can be like, and you’ve given me the most precious gift of all… a way back to myself. When I see myself through your eyes, I feel strong and confident and beautiful.”
Carter swallows and says nothing.
“You make me feel most like myself,” I continue in a softer voice. “And I will love you until the end of our days. I can’t wait to raise our daughter with you, Carter. And whatever life has in store for us, whatever we have to face next, I know we’re going to be okay as long as we have each other.”
“By the power vested in me by the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you man and wife.” The priest makes a gesture with his hands and takes a step back. “You may now kiss the bride.”
“Fucking finally.” Carter pulls me into his arms and dips me back. When our lips touch, stars explode behind my eyes, and I can’t breathe. Everyone in the room cheers, but I’m only vaguely aware of them. Carter sets me back on my feet, and I’m still breathless when we begin to sway.
Little by little, after a chorus of congratulations, everyone trickles out of the room.
Carter and I continue to sway to music only we can hear until my feet begin to ache. Wordlessly, Carter sweeps me into his arms and carries me over to the bed. After setting me down, he pulls the covers back and climbs in, tucking me into his side. With a sigh, I place my hand over his chest and admire the way my ring catches the light.
“So, how does it feel?”
“Surreal,” I whisper, with a quick look at our sleeping daughter. “I was thinking of Julis-Blackthorne as my last name.”
Carter squeezes my shoulders. “You can do whatever the fuck you want, dove.”
