AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s the one part of the whole event Tatum left up to us. I was more than willing to go along with her ideas, but I had to shut down her well-meaning suggestions on what I should say.
“Bianca, ladies first.”
I turn to Callum, placing my hands in his. He’s smiling at me, love radiating from his eyes, eyes which seem to stare into my soul. It’s almost enough to make me forget what I planned to say.
“You know something?” I begin. “Until a few seconds ago, my hands were shaking. Not out of fear or anything like that. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life as I am right here and now standing in front of you. I guess I’m just excited. And I’m not used to people staring at me the way they are now.” I look around, smiling at our small crowd of witnesses. “But you know what? You touched my hands, and the shaking stopped. Like it never happened. All of a sudden, I remembered I had nothing to be nervous about. Nothing to fear. You have given me everything I could ask for, as well as a few things I didn’t even know I needed. You’ve taught me to be strong and brave. You taught me to have faith in love. You’ve shown me I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought possible, and that I should never, ever settle for second best. I’m glad I didn’t, or else I wouldn’t have you now. Because you are the best, and even through our challenges, I have never doubted your love. All I can do now is hope to love you as much as you love me. I promise I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying my best to be the wife you deserve.”
I can’t believe I got all of that out without shedding a tear. I didn’t plan on starting off the way I did, but the general message was always going to be the same. Every time I’ve tried to run through it, I ended up bawling my eyes out.
Callum’s staring at me, his eyes widening, before he finally releases a gentle laugh. “How am I supposed to follow that?” The rest of us laugh along with him, though I’m pretty sure I hear Tatum sniffling behind me. “Bianca, you honor me beyond words. With your love, your gentleness, your patience.” We both have to chuckle at that one. “I won’t pretend I’ve always made things easy, but for some reason, you’re here. And I am never, not for one minute of my life, going to take that for granted. You are everything to me, and you have already made me the happiest man alive. I’m sure I don’t deserve you, but I don’t want you to ever doubt for a moment that I plan on spending the rest of my life earning you. And even then, when I take my final breath, it could never be enough. Thank you for helping me believe in love. I was in a dark place when we found each other, and you showed me the light.”
Well, just when I thought I could make it out of this without crying my eyes out… Tatum’s sniffling has gotten louder, too. Callum pulls out a handkerchief and dabs at my eyes and cheeks. All I can do is accept his gesture and smile through my tears.
“Do we have the rings?” the judge asks.
That’s Romero’s cue. “I knew better than to misplace these,” he murmurs. “I didn’t want Tatum to kill me.”
“I can hear you,” she whispers back.
I’m fighting giggles as Callum extends his left hand for me to slide the titanium band over his third finger. He said he wanted the titanium as a symbol of how unbreakable our bond is. All I know is as I place it on his hand, I’m almost swept off my feet by a wave of pure love. It’s the most profound thing I’ve ever felt except for the first rush of joy that ran through me when we saw the baby together during the ultrasound.
I switched my engagement ring to my right hand for the ceremony, leaving my ring finger free for the exquisite platinum band set with tiny diamonds. It sparkles like the sun, catching the light no matter how I turn my hand. “Like this ring,” Callum murmurs, “there is no beginning or end of my love for you. It goes on forever.”
“I had no idea you were so good with words,” I whisper.
“I guess you bring it out in me.” Once the ring is in place, he kisses my hand. “Mine forever.”
“Always,” I whisper.
“Then, by the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife. Callum, you may kiss your bride.”
Not just yet. Give me a second. Let me be in this moment just a little while longer, this last moment before we seal it with a kiss. Let me savor this just a moment more.
I could swear he hears my thoughts, taking his time, holding my face between his hands and staring deep into my eyes. “Are you ready?” he murmurs, and I don’t think he’s talking about the kiss. He’s asking whether I’m ready for everything life has in store for us.
There’s only one answer. The only answer. “Yes.” And I mean it with all my heart.
EPILOGUE
BIANCA
I’m pretty sure we’re in paradise.
I’m not sure what part of the resort I love the most. The staff falls over themselves to make sure we’re happy. I wouldn’t complain if I had to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean every night for the rest of my life. The weather is absolutely perfect. There’s a gentle warmth in the air, absolutely no humidity, sunny skies, and balmy breezes.
Like the breeze that stirs the sheer white curtains that hang on each side of the sliding door that leads out to the private pool. After a morning of swimming together—among other things I’m glad nobody else could see, thanks to the discrete walls between our suite and the ones adjoining—we managed to climb our way out of the pool, rinse off in the shower, then collapse into bed for a nap.
I’m smiling when Callum’s gentle kisses against my temple bring me back to reality. A reality sweeter than any dream. “Can we just move here permanently?” I murmur, drowsy and happy.
“You know you’ve asked me that at least twice daily since we arrived.”
“I guess I keep hoping the answer will change.”
He pulls me closer, the big spoon to my little spoon, and I fit my body against his. “It’s a very tempting idea,” he finally admits, his lips grazing my ear when he speaks. “But somebody’s got to run things back home.”
My impulse is to tell him to leave it to Romero. I guess it’s going to take a little more time to remember he and Tatum are... wherever they are. It’s safer that I don’t know, and I understand that, but I don’t have to like remembering them leaving the morning after the wedding without so much as a hint to their whereabouts. This is my best friend’s life, her safety. I’m worried for her, but if even Callum thinks it’s for the best that she not be with us for a little while, that’s gotta mean something. I know he hates her being gone as much as I do.
“What’s the point of being the boss if you can’t say fuck it and take off to parts unknown?”
