"For us," she corrects softly. "To celebrate what we built."
My thoughts drift to the day everything changed. The confrontation with Marc at The Velvet Antler. Judith's declaration of love that caught us both by surprise with its intensity. The weeks that followed as we figured out what we wanted together.
"Still thinking about Marc?" Judith asks, reading my expression with the ease of long intimacy.
"Thinking about how we handled him." I pull her closer, appreciating how perfectly she fits against me. "How you handled him."
The memory brings a satisfied smile to my face. After our confrontation at The Velvet Antler, Marc hadn't given up easily. He'd filed his complaints as threatened, trying to invalidate both our marriage and my land transfer.
But he'd underestimated us. Underestimated Silas's legal expertise. Underestimated Micah's investigative skills. Mostly, he'd underestimated Judith's resolve.
"Remember his face when you presented those financial records?" I chuckle at the memory.
"Hard to forget." Judith's smile turns wicked. "Almost as good as when Silas presented the evidence that he'd been working with Northstar all along."
That had been the turning point. Micah's team had uncovered communications proving Marc had been collaborating with Northstar Development weeks before he showed up in Crimson Hollow. Had taken payments to try to secure my land through Judith. Corporate espionage, clear as day.
"Your testimony sealed it." I press a kiss to her forehead. "The judge never questioned our marriage after that."
"Because it wasn't a lie anymore." Her eyes soften. "Hadn't been for a while."
The legal battle had ended abruptly. Marc's father, horrified by the evidence of his son's dealings, had intervened. The complaints were withdrawn. Marc was sent to the family's European office, effectively exiled from Toronto's business circles. Last we heard, he was in Geneva, rebuilding a career far from us.
"He did us a favor, in a way." Judith's fingers toy with a button on my shirt. "Forced us to admit what we were really feeling."
"I would have gotten there eventually." I defend myself with mock indignation.
"Really? When?" She raises an eyebrow. "After another month of brooding silently by the fire? After another week of pretending December 26th wasn't approaching?"
"I don't brood." The familiar argument brings matching smiles to both our faces.
"You absolutely do." She rises on tiptoe, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. "It's still very sexy."
A knock at the door interrupts us. Silas pokes his head in, expression amused as he takes in our embrace.
"If you two can untangle yourselves, there's a town waiting to celebrate your vow renewal." He checks his watch. "Ceremony starts in twenty minutes."
"We'll be there." I promise, not releasing Judith.
When the door closes, she laughs against my chest. "We really should go."
"One more minute." I tilt her face up, studying features I know better than my own now. "Need to remember this."
"Remember what?"
"How happy you make me." The admission comes easily now, where once it would have felt like weakness. "How right this feels."
Her expression softens, those dark eyes warming. "Who knew a classified ad for a temporary wife could lead to this?"
"Best business decision I ever made." I bend to kiss her properly, tasting her smile.
The past year has transformed us both in ways neither of us expected. I've learned to share decisions, to consider her in plans that once would have been mine alone. She's flourished here, launching a successful marketing consultancy that serves clients from Crimson Hollow to Vancouver, while maintaining her independence.
We've found balance. In the bedroom, she still surrenders to my dominance, finding freedom in submission. Outside it, we're partners in every sense, each bringing strength to complement the other.
"Okay, really time to go." She pulls back reluctantly. "Before they send a search party."
Hand in hand, we leave the preparation room in the community center, stepping into the cool spring air. Crimson Hollow's main square has been transformed for today'sceremony. Flowers spill from every available surface. Twinkling lights hang between buildings though it's still daylight. Rows of chairs face a simple arch where Silas waits to officiate.
