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“Can’t I just say I do when the time comes?” I asked into his shirt.
“No way,” Felix said with a wink. I tried not to think about the conversation he would have to have with his mother later. “I was promised original vows, and I’m holding you to it.”
I shot him a faux glare before sniffing and standing back up straight. Before I could reach for my own, Wes offered me his handkerchief.
Once I’d gathered my composure, I tucked the linen in my pocket and reached for his hands. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Felix turned to everyone gathered in the rows of wooden folding chairs on the back lawn of the lodge. The sun was still out, warming up the cool winter afternoon enough to make it tolerable for the ceremony.
“Friends and family, we are gathered together today to celebrate forty-five years of the kind of love we all aspire to. We’re here to support and honor these two men, who dared to love each other in a time of great change in our country and despite war, loss, kids, ranching, and late nights on call at the hospital. For forty-five years, Doc and Grandpa, Liam and Weston, remained steadfast to us and to each other. They formed the foundation for our family, the anchor, the true north we could always come home to and rely on. Most of us are here because of their love and commitment to each other, and I especially am a direct result of it.” His voice wobbled and his eyes took a moment to find his husband’s in the front row. What he saw in Lior’s face must have strengthened him because he continued. “So it is both an incredible joy and a true privilege to witness their vow renewal today.”
I seriously wasn’t going to make it through this ceremony. But I kept my eyes glued on Weston’s and let that be my own anchor. Because Felix was wrong. All of those things—the foundation and true north—were because of Wes, not me.
“Doc, would you like to begin?” he asked softly.
I kept my eyes on Wes, whose hands squeezed mine in encouragement.
“Felix was right. Together we gave our family a loving home they could always return to, but it was mostly because of you, Weston. You’re the rock-steady one, the one who watches out for all of us and makes sure we always have what we need to thrive.”
I swallowed. “In 1968 I met a man who impressed me with his strength and poise, his battle-worn patience, and his innate ability to handle anything that was thrown at him. I fell into hero worship back then. I saw how brave and steady you were and let those qualities provide shelter to me long before I even realized that’s what was happening.”
My lower lip began to quiver. “When we got back to Texas and I felt overwhelmed, I didn’t even think. I ran straight to the strongest, smartest man I knew. Because there was no doubt in my mind you’d keep me on the right path. And you did. You stepped in and took care of everything.
“Major, you’ve been keeping me on the right path for over fifty years. And in all that time, you’ve always put me first, always made sure I was happy, and always stood by me patiently. I have never once doubted your love for me or your commitment to me. Because of you, Weston Marian Wilde, I have felt fiercely loved and cherished for over half my life.”
Tears poured down my face. “I promise that I will continue to do my very best to honor your love for me by giving it back to you as fiercely and devotedly as I possibly can. Because you deserve love more than anyone I’ve ever known. And you are worthy of it. Weston, you are the very best of men, and I am honored to call you husband, best friend, and beloved soul mate.”
Wes’s face was tear-streaked too, but his beautiful eyes remained serene and his smile was as tender as always.
Felix’s voice was thick when he turned to Wes. “Top that, Grandpa,” he teased.
Wes’s smile broke wider. “My pleasure.”
Before he began, he brushed tears off my face. When he was done, he held my face in his big hands.
“Liam.” He took a breath and let it out. His grin returned as wide and dimpled as I’d ever seen it. “Don’t misinterpret these tears on my face. Standing up here today exchanging wedding vows with you is like being accepted into the gates of heaven. I cannot think of a gift greater than your love, and my heart overflows with it today and every day.”
His thumbs brushed gently along my cheeks as he spoke, and I almost wanted to close my eyes and lean into him. He was home to me, the personification of comfort and ease, and with him I was able to let go. Always.
