Page 324 of When a Soul Cries

Roman smiled before turning toward Sugga. She was already holding out both arms.

“Come to Sugga, baby.”

He passed Halo to her, and Sugga settled her against her hip.

“Your mama and daddy busy right now.”

Daddy.

The word settled over me differently this time.

I looked at Roman.

He was already looking at me.

I knew he'd felt it too.

The pastor began speaking, welcoming everyone and saying a few words about love, commitment and the family gathered around us.

I tried to listen.

I really did.

But Roman's thumbs kept moving gently over the backs of my hands, and every few seconds his eyes traveled over my face like he still couldn't believe I was standing there.

When it was time for our vows, the pastor stepped slightly aside.

Roman exhaled.

“I didn't write anything,” he admitted.

A soft laugh moved through our little group.

“Of course you didn't,” Kai muttered.

Sugga elbowed him.

Roman laughed quietly, but when he looked back at me, the humor faded from his expression.

“I didn't know I was getting married today,” he said. “But I know what I want to say.”

His hands tightened around mine.

“Soleia, before you, I thought I understood what building a life meant. I thought it was money. Property. Taking care of my family. Making sure we never went backward.”

His voice grew rough.

“Then I met you.”

My bottom lip trembled.

“You didn't need me to save you. Even when you were struggling, you were still fighting. Still getting up. Still being a mother. Still finding a way. And loving you taught me that being needed ain't the same thing as being chosen.”

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Roman immediately lifted one hand and wiped it away with his thumb before taking my hand again.

“So that's what I'm asking you to keep doing. Choose me. Not because of what I can give you. Not because I can make things easier. Choose me because I'm the man you want beside you.”