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This was my second marriage. My first one nearly broke me. But it was nothing compared to how I felt when I thought I wasn’t good enough for Val and Xaiden. Or how Xaiden felt when he thought he would be too much for us. Or the doubts Val had that he didn’t have the same to offer us as we did him. Fuck, we were a mess at times but each and every one of those times, we came back together. We fixed what was broken, mended every crack, and made sure not to make the same mistakes again.
JJ finished his speech and began the vows we would each recite. We decided not to write our own. The words we said to each other in private, those were for us and us alone. What we said out here was for us, as well as everyone else.
One by one we repeated after JJ and pledged ourselves to the others. We spoke the words that, while not legally binding, would still join us as one. We weren’t whole unless we were together.
“Val, Xaiden, and Corbin will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love, commitment, and devotion,” JJ said.
Val put a ring on me, the warm metal sliding easily over my finger to rest at the base. I did the same to Xaiden. And Xaiden placed one on Val’s. The rings were black titanium. We decided together on the bands, partially because the jeweler could get them in stock in each of our sizes by early this morning. The other reason we chose them was because Val wanted to feel equal to us. He didn’t want Xaiden or me paying more for the rings. This kept them more affordable, though Val acquiesced when Xaiden paid the rush fee to get them ready in time.
Once the rings were exchanged, we held hands, connecting us together as JJ finished the ceremony by declaring us joined in love, laughter, and life. We kissed, not separately, but together at the same time.
The small crowd cheered behind us. We turned and headed back up the aisle to the patio where our family and friends came to congratulate us before we moved to the tent to eat. There was no dancing or a deejay. Music played softly through the outdoor speakers I hadn’t realized were there until Xaiden mentioned them. What looked like planters had speakers inside them.
Cody and Olivia sat at the table with us. We tried to keep things light due to them still struggling with the loss of their parents. Some days were better than others. I was relieved to see them smiling and laughing now that the serious part of the ceremony was over. Their health and happiness were important to us.
Dana outdid himself with the food. We had various entree choices and sides. I took a little bit of everything and piled it on my plate. I had to taste it all.
It was a large family gathering, just how we wanted it. No speeches, no best men, simply everyone together.
As the night wore on, people started leaving. Luckily, the yard on either side of the driveway was able to hold the vehicles. Tall trees were there but there was enough space to fit everyone. The same with the tent behind the house. I’d caught myself looking around, taking everything in, more than once. The setting, the people, the men I loved.
I spent a lot of the night sitting, resting my leg, even propping it up on a chair next to me. Xaiden doted on me, getting me drinks or whatever I wanted. The three of us didn’t have any alcohol, not that we were big drinkers normally.
There were a lot of emotional hugs and words of love as our family and friends left. My parents were staying at Xaiden’s parents’ house, which was very nice of them to offer. The four of them left together after hugging and kissing us. Dexen, Greer, and JJ offered to take Cody and Olivia for the night, but we didn’t want them to feel like we were pushing them out of the house again when we just had a night alone.
Almost everyone was gone when Olivia came up beside me. “Corbin?”
“Yes?”
“Would you come inside with me?” For fourteen, she was mature though she kept to herself often. We gave her the space to find her way, while also making sure her support system included a therapist to work with her.
“Sure.”
I was surprised when she held her hand out for mine. I stood and readily took it. It could have been because she saw how my leg was bothering me. Whatever the reason, I welcomed the gesture. We went into the house, and she took me into her bedroom, which was slowly becoming more and more hers. She wasn’t ready to change the furniture yet but knew she could when she wanted to. There were pieces of her all over it from her art supplies to photos of her with Cody and their parents.
Olivia stopped at her dresser and picked up a framed picture she had face down. She handed it to me. It was me in my scrubs at the hospital, next to a bed with a woman sitting in it, done completely in pastels. The woman was smiling. I knew instantly who it was because she looked a bit like the girl standing before me. I had to fight not to let emotion overtake me.
“Livy,” I whispered.
“She would have been grateful for all you’ve done. Xaiden and Val too. Cody told me you tried to save her. I…” I glanced up and saw her brush away tears from her eyes. “I’m glad you were there, even if things didn’t turn out for the best. She loved everyone, Corbin. She was always kind, always ready to help. You’re a lot like her. I know things haven’t been easy and I don’t talk a lot, but I appreciate you. And I like to think my mom’s watching over us.”
“I’m sure she is.” I held the picture like the precious gift it was. “Thank you. This is beautiful. I will cherish it.” I wanted to hug her but held back. I wasn’t sure if she’d be open to it.
She took the decision away and stepped forward to wrap her arms around me. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Thank you, Livy.”
The hug only lasted a few seconds before she leaned away. “I made pictures for Xaiden and Val too. Would you like to see them?”
“No, I’ll let them be the first. They can show me after they receive them.”
She nodded and gave me another quick hug.
It was the best way to end the best day. I had my men. We were in love. We provided a loving, safe home for Olivia and Cody. This was just the beginning.
EPILOGUE
VAL
