Page 160 of Until I Have You

Bonnie clings to me, allowing me my tears of joy and pride.

I cradle her face in my hands.“You sure?”

“Yes!”She nods.

“You’re really, really sure?”

I think of all the time I’ve spent away from them when I’ve had to be on research assignments and trips for work.All the moments I’ve missed.The few times I’ve had to reprimand her or caused her to cry because she didn’t like the rules.

I’m not perfect.But she wants methisway?

Bonnie doesn’t answer with words.She hugs me again, burying her face in my neck.

“She’s really, really sure,” Theo says, stepping forward.

People are crying around us.I’m not sure there’s a dry eye in the house.

“And you?Are you sure?”I ask, looking up at him.

Theo leans down and touches my chin tenderly.“Of course, I’m sure.You’re the love of our lives.”

People wait years for one love like this, but I have two.Two of the biggest hearts welcoming me in without inhibitions.

“Okay, now.”Bonnie pulls back, grabbing my shoulders.“Marry my dad so we can make it official!”

She skips off to her seat.

Now, Theo and I are alone at the altar as I thought it was going to be from the beginning.We join hands before the priest, ready to start living the rest of our lives together.

Everything goes by in a blur until Theo is instructed to kiss the bride, and he embraces me, scooping a hand through my hair and kissing me as deep as he can without giving anyone a show they aren’t ready for.

Bonnie runs up with the document and a pen for me to sign the petition.

I do so immediately, my signature flourishing across the document.

And then, together, hand in hand with Bonnie between us, we walk down the aisle and into the light of day as a family.