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Alec turns to me and smiles, my hands in his. “Elena, every day you help me see the good in life. You brighten my days, you uplift me, and you do it all without even trying. I didn’t know what happiness was until you walked into my life, forcing emotions out of me I thought were long lost. You’ve shown me what true love is, and I vow to return that love tenfold every day, for as long as I shall live. I promise you forever, Buttercup. I promise you all of me, forever.”
I smile up at him, my eyes filling with tears. It still feels surreal to hear him promising me forever, when for so long, he was adamant that it didn’t exist.
“Alec, I was lost before you found me. You were light in a world that was filled with darkness, and you will always be my saving grace. You’re so easy to love, and you don’t even know it. Every single day I look at you, and I count my blessings. When we ran into each other after so many years, I asked you what you’d wish for if you had one single wish. I can honestly tell you I have no wishes left, because you’ve made them all come true. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you have nothing to wish for either. I will love you forever, Alec.”
He blinks, and I’m surprised to find his eyes shimmering with tears. Alec looks away and bites down on his lip, a smile on his face. When he looks back at me, his eyes are filled with wonder, as though he, too, is counting his blessings.
The priest smiles at us, and Lucian hands us our wedding rings, his hands trembling. He’s just as emotional as we are.
“Alexander, do you take Elena to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”
He smiles at me and nods. “I do.”
The priest nods at him, and he slides my wedding ring onto my finger, grinning all the while.
“Elena, do you take Alexander to be your wedded husband?Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” I say, my voice loud and clear.
My heart races as I slide Alec’s ring onto his finger, and the priest smiles at us.
“Inowsolemnly declareyou husband and wife.You may kiss the bride.”
Alec pulls me closer and sweeps me off my feet as he kisses me, loud cheers erupting around us. He drops his forehead to mine and grins. “Finally,” he says, and I giggle, my happiness overflowing.
Our family walks up to us, and Grandpa is the first to reach us. “Congratulations, kids,” he says, wrapping his arms around the both of us. Both our moms have tears streaming down their faces, and even Grandpa looks suspiciously emotional. He clears his throat and pulls back, straightening his clothes. “Come on,” he says. “I’m excited for this feast we’re having.”
I laugh, and Alec shakes his head. “I’m pretty sure most of our family is really only here to get a taste of your vegetables, Grandpa,” he says.
I glance around at everyone that’s surrounding us, still partially in disbelief. I can’t believe how lucky I am, how happy I am. My mother is smiling at me, and Alec’s hand is wrapped around my waist.
I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted, my mother by my side, a husband that truly loves me, and a family of my own choosing.
Alec leans into me, his lips brushing against my ear. “I love you, Mrs. Kennedy,” he whispers, making my heart skip a beat.
I rise to my tiptoes and wrap my arms around him, pulling him in for a kiss. “I love you, too,” I say, breathlessly.
Alec grins at me. “Forever?” he asks, and I nod.
“Forever.”
The End
Epilogue
Elena
My heart squeezes painfully as I stare at my brother on the stand, the judge passing a life sentence, his punishment the same as Jade’s and my father’s.
Their trial took almost four whole years, and they nearly got away with what they did—until Alec revealed the last judge’s corruption, and a new judge was assigned, putting us back at square one. My mother’s case was practically unheard of, and that delayed their judgment even longer than I would’ve liked, but it didn’t prevent it.
I glance at my husband, my heart overflowing with gratitude. Without him, my family would have gone unpunished. My mother would have died.
And I? I’d have lost my reason to live.
He looks at me as though he can read my mind and wraps his arm around my shoulder, offering me silent support. I drop my head to his shoulder, a bittersweet smile on my face.
Mom grabs my hand and squeezes tightly, her eyes on Matthew. He’s led away, and I don’t see an ounce of remorse in his eyes. There wasn’t any in my father’s eyes either.
