Page 105 of Everlasting Vows

We get lost in each other’s gaze, holding on with deep affection. Today brings back so many memories for me, and I’m certain it will be the same for Nix. We share a soft smile, and when we return our attention to Prue, she’s watching us, her eyes full of admiration.

She presses her hand over her heart. “I hope Luke and I are still as deeply connected as you guys are when we’ve been married as long as you have.”

I’m pleased Prue has no idea of the turmoil our marriage has experienced, especially over the last several months. Nix and I were on the same page when it came to protecting our kids. I’m sure some would say that we should have been honest with our kids; they’re adults after all. At first, the timing was awful, and I wasn’t prepared to tarnish our daughter’s happiness. Then, Nix started to put in the work, and my hope grew that we’d make it through the darkest parts, so why tell the kids when maybe there would be no reason to. No need to upset them unnecessarily.

I glance at Nix, and he offers me a soft smile that he only reserves for us. My heart skips a beat as it always does, and I return his smile. “You will be,” he answers Prue without taking his eyes from mine. “Just remember all the things I told you.”

“I will,” she breathes.

Nix dips his hand into his pocket and passes the box to me, but I push it back toward him. “You can give it to her.”

“But it’s yours.”

I shake my head. “It’s ours. You gave it to me and now we’re giving it to her.”

He dips his chin and spins toward our daughter, who’s waiting impatiently for her gift. Her grin grows impossibly wider, her eyes glittering with delight. “For me?”

Nix passes the box to her. “For you. I gave this to your mom on our wedding day, and now we’re giving it to you, and one day, you’ll give it to your daughter or daughter-in-law on her wedding day.”

Prue’s been obsessed with traditions for her wedding, so we knew she’d appreciate this.

She covers her mouth with her hand, clearly overcome with emotion when she raises the velvet lid. Her eyes snap up to us and return to the necklace several times. “This is yours. Are you sure you want to give this to me?” She glances up at me. “I can give it back to you after the wedding.”

I start shaking my head before she finishes her offer. “I … we want you to have it.” I wrap my arm around her slim waist. “To pass it down through the generations. Our very own tradition.” I smile at her, swiping away a single tear on her cheek.

She traces the diamond heart with the tip of her finger. “I’ll cherish it and keep it safe,” she breathes. “Always.”

The diamond heart is small, barely the size of a pea, but Nix saved for months to buy it for me, so I’ve always treasured it because I knew how hard he worked to give it to me. I remember the uncertainty in his eyes when he gifted it to me on the eve of our wedding. He asked me to wear it for him and promised that one day he’d buy me a bigger one. It was such a romantic gesture, and I assured him I didn’t need anything more than what he’d given me because it came from his heart. And that was so much more important to me than the size or value of the diamond.

Prue holds it up to Nix. “Can you put it on, please?” He latches the ends together, and she spins to see how it looks in the mirror. “It’s perfect.”

Nix checks his watch. “Are you ladies ready? I know there’s a groom out there getting antsy to see his bride.”

Prue presses her hands to her stomach again. “I’m so ready.”

“Let’s go,” I cheer, mirroring her words from this morning.

36

NIX

My heart feels too big for my chest as I watch my daughter say her vows and Luke return them, while Murphy stands proudly and steadily on his new prosthetic limb. He’s been working toward being able to stand unassisted for this occasion, and I couldn’t be prouder of him if I tried.

Abbi leans into my side, wiping a stray tear from her cheek, and I tighten my hold on her hand, stroking her wedding ring with my thumb. I wasn’t sure we’d truly be together today. The possibility that we’d be faking it for our daughter was such a high probability back in September that I still sometimes have trouble believing that we’re okay. No, we’re stronger than okay. I believe we’re stronger than we’ve ever been. There’s nothing between us now. There’s a level of honesty between us that wasn’t there before under the guise of protecting each other.

No secrets.

No holding back.

No barriers.

No doubts.

I feel free.

And so does Abbi.

It’s more than I could have hoped for.