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But as silence greets us, I sigh a breath of relief. “You both have chosen to write your own words of promise.”
Judah nods and he pulls out a small scrap of paper, and I almost giggle when I notice just how nervous he really is. I thought it would just be me shaking like a leaf, but it seems he’s just as anxious as I am.
“There have been many moments in my life that I had disagreed with my father’s choices. He asked me to do something, and I would refuse, but I also spent my life not wanting to displease him. Even though I challenged him, I knew that one day, I would see life through his eyes.”
Judah stops, then looks at the guests, and offers Jordan a grin. The brothers are so similar, but they’re also so very different in many respects.
“But today, I stand here before you, Brielle Saviatti, and I’m obeying my father without debate. It’s the first time in my life that I agree with him wholeheartedly.”
This makes me laugh, and the guests join in as they chuckle. There is a lightness to the congregation, and it seems happiness has filled the small island church.
“I take your hand today,” Judah continues, “And I promise to hold it through the darkest of times, and the best of times. There will be ups and downs, sickness and health, and I can’t deny there will be times you’ll want me to leave you alone. But, in all those moments we go through, we will still do it together.”
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but his words tug at my heart, and I can feel the tears burning my lashes as I fight them. I don’t want them to fall, not yet because I have my vows to go through.
“When I place the ring on your finger, and when we’re pronounced husband and wife, you’ll have me at your side forever. Not only as your husband, but your best friend, your confidante, your bodyguard, and the father to your future children. I promise you all of me. And I give you my heart. I love you, Brielle.”
I can’t fight the tears, because they fall free, and Judah reaches up to swipe at my cheeks. The smile on his face sets all my worries aside, and I can’t wait to kiss him. I want to do it right now, but I know I have to abide by the proper procedure.
“How am I meant to top that?” I whisper which makes everyone laugh.
“You don’t have to top it, you just have to mean what you say.” Judah’s reassurance has me grinning. Never in my life did I think I’d be here willingly marrying him.
I take my small note card tied to the bouquet, and I open it. I don’t look up at him, because if I do, I’ll burst into tears.
“Judah,” I whisper his name, before I start, “when I was brought to Black Hollow, I didn’t consider it my home. I tried to look at the future, and it never included this small island. It didn’t include you.” The lump in my throat is back, and I have to fight to swallow past it to continue. “But now that I’m standing here, in this beautiful dress, and looking at you, I realise how blinded I was by the anger at the situation we were thrown into.”
Judah takes my hand, and he holds it firmly. It’s as if he can tell I’m too nervous to continue, but he’s my rock.
“I’ve always believed things happened for a reason. Life changes swiftly, and when you least expect it, your eyes are opened to possibilities you didn’t know you would want, or need. And that’s what happened with you. I didn’t know I wanted you, or even that I needed you. But as time passed, and we grew together, it became clear that you’re someone I cannot live without.”
I swallow again, praying I’m not going to puke all over my dress. Lifting my gaze, I quickly flick it over Valen and Kai, and they both offer me a nod. They know I’m talking to them too.
“I’m giving you my heart, as I take yours. I’m giving you my life, as I join with yours. And I promise to love you, no matter what life throws at us, expected, or unexpected. I’m on this roller-coaster ride with you, and I’m not getting off.”
There’s a silence that hangs in the air for a moment before the priest asks, “Do we have the rings?”
“Yes.” Valen steps forward with the ring I have for Jude, along with Kai who has my ring.
“Judah, repeat after me, Brielle Saviatti…” And as we go through the motions of the required vows, and the rings are slipped on I realise that there are some dark days ahead before we can finally find our happiness.
My father will soon be found, and even on this beautiful day as we are pronounced husband and wife, thepresenceof him is still around.
We walk back down the aisle toward the exit with Valen and Kai following close behind. I would gladly run off now and leave the island for a few days, but we have a reception and guests to greet before any of that can happen.
It won’t be the first time people are invited into the Venier mansion, but it is the first time it’s for a wedding. The guys used to have parties there all the time, but that was when they were single. It is rather strange to think I married one man, but I get three instead.
I am a lucky girl.
When we get back to the house, I head up to the bedroom to change into another dress, while Judah follows me to help with the corset.
“I’d much rather we stay here and I can properly undress you and make you my wife.”
I laugh out loud. “I’m already your wife,” I remind him as I turn in his arms and press my lips to his. “But we can’t be rude. We have guests, and they’ve travelled all this way to be here on our special day.”
Judah rolls his eyes, but he nods. “Fine, but tonight, you’re ours and you won’t be leaving the bed until you’re nothing but a pliable mess.” There’s no threat there, only a promise. Another vow on a day when I’m all vowed out.
“I would expect nothing less from you, Kai, and Valen.”
