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Zander nodded vigorously and Gyth put him back on the ground where he stood next to his mother as she and I faced each other.
I grabbed both her hands in mine as Gyth started the ceremony.
“It wasn’t that long ago that I told Rowan things had a way of working out. And here we are.” He looked at me and smirked. “I told you so by the way.”
I shook my head. He just couldn’t pass up the chance to throw in a jab.
“Both Brinley and Rowan told me they wanted to say a few things to each other so I am turning the floor over to them. Brinley, ladies first,” Gyth told her.
Brin took a deep breath to get her emotions under control.
“I have to make this quick because I’ve been waiting for you for so long. I never imagined you would ever feel the same or I would become your wife but I had always dreamed of it.” She swallowed and her voice shook. Everything about her was beautiful.
She collected herself a bit and then continued. “You were one of my best friends, but also so much more, and while I wish Luke could be here with us, I know he would be happy that the two of us found each other again. You gave me the most precious gift in the world. Our son. And now you’re giving me yourself for the rest of our lives.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I love you, Rowan. Always have and always will.”
How was I supposed to follow that? I would say what was in my heart.
“For your benefit and mine, I will also make this short and sweet because I want nothing more than to make you my wife. I’m not as good with words as you are so bear with me.” Shit, I was nervous. This gorgeous woman did that to me. “I was an idiot.”
I didn’t get any more out because everyone laughed and Kace yelled, “We already know that, now get on with it!” That just caused more laughter. I glared at him and he just chuckled. I don’t know who was worse sometimes, him or Gyth.
Once the noise died down, I started again.
“I always had feelings for you, Brin. I was just too scared to admit it and ran. You also were my best friend, and while you always will be, you are also the only woman I have ever loved. Our son and you are the best gifts you can ever give me. I don’t need anything else.” Like Brin had done, I took a deep breath. “I love you, Buttercup. I don’t even have the right words to express how much.”
The smile she gave me lit up the room. She glanced down at the ring already on her finger.
“I didn’t want to take it off and we don’t have one for you yet with all of this done so spontaneously,” she said, “but I promise we will get one.”
Without hesitation, she pounced. And although she was careful not to hurt me, she was quick. Closing the space and going up on her toes, she wrapped her arms around my neck and locked her lips with mine. The tip of my tongue licked the seam of her mouth and she opened as I took the kiss deeper.
“Let’s keep this PG, there are kids present,” Kace called out.
We broke apart as everyone cheered. Then Gyth’s booming voice echoed around the room.
“I guess since the kiss is out of the way already, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Rowan Caddel. If you want, you may kiss the bride again.”
And I did just that.
When we broke apart, Zander was hugging our legs and Brin whispered, “We made it.”
“Yeah we did, Buttercup.” I winked at her and she smiled.
Everyone gathered around, congratulating us. The feeling of my wife next to me and my son by my side was the most amazing thing in the world.
My heart was complete.
EPILOGUE
Brinley
TWO MONTHS LATER
I hadthe most amazing valentine’s gift.
Who knew we could fit so much in just a few months.
Rowan had healed, we had our first Christmas and New Year’s together as a family, which we celebrated with all our friends. Brinley’s Books was doing amazing and I was still helping Alley. Capri had become one of my closest friends and was close with all the other ladies as well. And another change was that Ruby and I kept in touch. It was only here and there, but I owed her so much and told her that when we talked.
