Page 23 of Zin and Celeste: A Fortis Family Christmas

He who never cried was reduced to an emotional mess by this tiny human. “Hey, I’m your daddy, and I love you so much. I vow to you that nobody will hurt you while I’m around to stop it. I’ll protect you and your mummy and love you until I die.”

He caught a sniff beside him and saw Celeste wiping a tear away. He lifted his arm, and she snuggled close as he held his world in his arms.

Chapter 11

Settledin the great room back at the cabin, Celeste watched Zin as he paraded his son around the room to meet everyone. She was tired beyond what she could endure, but the nap they’d taken when they got back from the hospital had taken the edge off, and she’d never been happier.

She was sore, and sitting wasn’t exactly comfortable, but Ava had given her a vee style cushion which helped. Her son had latched on and fed from her as if he’d been doing it for months like a pro, and she was content.

Christmas Eve had always been her favourite part of the holidays. There was so much excitement and magic in the air; the possibilities seemed endless. It was four in the afternoon, and she could feel the excitement from the children, both old and young.

The look on Zin’s face as he knelt so the younger kids could see Maddox was priceless, and one she knew she’d remember when she was old and grey. The couch dipped, and she felt her brother sit down beside her.

“I’m proud of you, kid. From the day you were born, you never failed to amaze me with your kindness and strength. Even when I wasn’t there, I was proud of you and loved you.”

Celeste leaned in as her brother lifted his arm and hugged her. “I know why you did what you did, and I understand it more now. That instinct to protect is primal.”

“It is, but mine cost us, and for that, I’ll always be sorry.”

“Don’t be, it all worked out. I have Zin and Maddox and you have Roz and the girls with another on the way. We’re lucky in so many ways.”

“We are.” Kanan was watching Roz with Natalie and Katarina as the girls cooed over Maddox. Seeing the siblings together brought it home how much they had and how far they had come.

“Did you ever think for one second we’d be here?”

K chuckled. “Not for a single one, but I couldn’t be happier. He loves you like I love Roz, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. He asked me while we were out there if I’d help him arrange for you to get married as soon as possible.” He looked down at her. “Is that what you want too?”

Celeste didn’t hesitate for a minute. “Absolutely. We had the party and what matters is us being married now and starting our life together.”

“How would you feel if I married you?”

Celeste frowned. “What?”

“I could marry you here tonight in front of your friends and family. One of the perks of working undercover as a spy was that you had to do jobs sometimes that involved you getting registered for certain things. I can legally marry people. It’s a long and boring story that I’ll tell you one day.”

Celeste sat up. “You’d do that?”

“Yes, of course if you want to and there’s no pressure at all. Someone else can do it if you prefer. Perhaps Zack?”

“No, I want you to do it tonight.”

“Okay, speak to Zin and let me know before I rally the troops.”

Zin lifted his head and smiled, and she knew in her heart he’d say yes.

Three hours later, Celeste stood in front of the huge Christmas tree where they’d decided to marry and faced the man she loved. Roz was holding Maddox like he was as precious to her as he was to them. Celeste was wearing the red jersey maternity dress she’d been saving for Christmas day that crossed over her breasts at the bodice in a vee and then flowed over her still prominent bump to mid-calf.

Zin looked gorgeous in black trousers, and a dark grey shirt open at the neck. Everyone else had donned their Christmas best for the wedding. It was perfect, and just as she’d hoped it would be, full of promise and magic.

Zin held her hands, and she smiled up at him with joy. It had been a long road, but she wouldn’t change a single thing if it meant she ended up here with him.

“Zin and Celeste, it’s no secret that I’m overprotective, so nobody is more surprised than I am to be here today. I believed that no man would ever be worthy of you, but in Zin, you’ve found a man who’ll love and protect you until the day you die.”

K turned to Zin. “Zin, I believe you have your own vows.”

Zin nodded and looked at her with tears in his eyes. “Celeste, I never believed in love, at least not the love people talk about, but in you, I’ve found a miracle I could never have dreamed of. You make me want to be a better man, to strive every day to make me worthy of the eternal love you give me. The belief you have in me still astounds me day after day, and I know as long as I live, I will treasure you in every way. With my body, I will worship and protect you. With my heart I will love and adore you. When you are sick, I will hold you. When you are sad, I will make you smile, and I will always be by your side no matter what we do or what life throws at us.” He slid a Haribo ring on her finger to chuckles from those around them.

Celeste was openly crying at his beautiful words and she could hear sniffs from those around her as his words touched everyone. Her Viper, who thought he was unlovable, was loved and precious.