Page 142 of Broken Souls

“Oh God,” I breathe out. “Our lives are going to be hectic.”

***

Axe and I are in a fancy restaurant. Dash and Ryleigh were happy to babysit Cash. They see it as practice. Axe said we should have some romantic time since we'll be run off our feet when the babies come. No one knows we're having twins yet. We decided to keep it to ourselves for a week. Family time is the most important thing to us right now. Romance comes in at a close second. Axe and I order so much food to divulge in. We need to take advantage of everything now before our lives become chaotic.

“How's the food?” Axe asks, licking the sauce off his lips.

“Great now but I'm going to be in a food coma by the end of the night.” I sit back in my seat, glad I wore a flowy dress so nothing is pressed against my belly.

“So no sex?” Axe has a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Shut up. That's what got us into this predicament,” I say, and he chuckles.

“It's kind of tradition for a couple to have sex on the night they get engaged.”

My eyes shoot up to him and his face is serious.

“What?” I say shakily.

Axe moves from his chair onto his knee, making my eyes bulge out of their sockets. Oh my God. This is happening. He takes my hands in his.

“Elora, when I met you, I never thought anything would come of it. I just saw you as someone who was as broken as I was. But I couldn't help the soft spot in my heart that you pulled on. I couldn't seem to let you go. I love you so much. I think my love became even deeper when you gave me Cash. Now with the twins, my love for you is just getting stronger. We are mates in every way so a marriage certificate isn't necessary, but I want everyone to know you're mine and I'm yours.”

The tears are pouring from my eyes at this point. Axe reaches into his jacket and pulls out a black box. He opens it and I see the most beautiful ring I've ever laid my eyes on. A large diamond in the middle with a gold band.

“Will you marry me, Elora?” Axe has a smile on his face but I can see the uncertainty behind his eyes, like he's scared I'll say no.

“Yes,” I gasp, and he breaks into the biggest and most beautiful smile.

He slides the ring on my finger and I hear a round of applause around the restaurant. Axe kisses me sweetly before wrapping me in the most comforting hug. I rest my head on his shoulder, a few tears falling out of happiness. I know Axe and I have been through some turmoil, but the good always outweighed the bad. This man who helped me in every way, I'll get to call my husband. The word husband is more appealing to me than mate. And that's what Axe feels like. Our relationship has been a loving connection yet we've worked hard on our relationship like a real married couple do. We didn't have the strength of the mate bond to keep things perfect. We had the strength from within each of us to fight for each other. I'm glad my love story was natural and not forced like mates are.

Epilogue

TWO YEARS LATER

Oh my God”, I shakily breathe out. My hands feel clammy and I can't seem to stop fidgeting around.

“Come on, you're already two minutes late.” Ryleigh tries to usher me out the door.

“Shut up. I need to cool my shit,” I say, shaking out my sweaty hands.

“Elora, you've already had three of Axe's kids. This wedding will be a breeze.” Lizzy smiles.

“Doesn't make this any easier,” I mumble.

“You're backwards.” Olly chuckles. “Most women are thrilled to get married and nervous about having kids. You literally did everything the other way around.”

The women in the room chuckle while I glare at them all. I don't know why I'm nervous. I think it's just the common anticipation everyone feels before their wedding. I turn to the mirror and look at my princess-like appearance. The pure white dress highlights my small waist, or in other words, squishes all my organs to make my waist small. The neckline is beautiful and classy, slightly accentuating my larger breasts since having children. The straps are pretty. The bottom of the dress is wide. It's like a ball gown. My veil is gold with a big train. My tiara is gold and made of rhinestones. Axe wanted the theme of the wedding to be black and gold so Ryleigh suggested the gold veil and tiara. I have never felt more beautiful than in this moment.

“Are you ready?” Amelia asks.

“Is it hot or is it just me? I'm glad my hair is up.”

The women end up pulling me out of the room because the wedding is already running late. We go down the hall of the fancy wedding location. When we arrive at the double doors, Dash, Brian and Cash are waiting there.

“Finally,” Brian says.

“Damn, Elora. Now that's a dress for a luna,” Dash compliments.