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At the altar is the man I love, waiting in a tuxedo, and I thank my lucky stars that this man is mine.
I join Gabriel, ready to say my vows to the man I will forever be with.
“I’m glad you decided to come,” Gabriel says with a smirk, causing a swell of longing that I doubt will ever go away.
I smile. “I’m glad too.”
The preacher recites the words that will bind us together and I am giddy with happiness. When it’s time to say our vows, Gabriel looks at me with enough fire in his eyes to burn down the world.
“Clementine, you’re my fortune. I never thought this kind of life would be the one for me. But, it is. You and Tennyson are my life.”
A tear trickles down my cheek. He thumbs it away.
“Reading my grandfather’s letter made me realize two things. One, he was proud of me. Proud of the man I’ve become and it made me appreciate the ol’ bastard. And two, I’d give up everything to make you happy.”
And then he kisses me. Full of promises.
“You’re not supposed to kiss me yet,” I whisper against his lips.
“I do what I want,” he says with a grin.
“Well, I don’t know if I can top what you said. I love you, Gabriel. You’ve taught me so many things. You’ve taught me that I can swim in a world of sharks and never be afraid. And you taught me that as long as you’re flying your drones I should always duck. I will love you today, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”
“I love you too.”
And then we’re man and wife. And this time he can kiss me. And he does, deep and consuming.
And then I have my own special surprise for my groom. Kites. A rainbow of kites release into the sky, and Gabriel wraps an arm around me.
“Just like the kite, my love knows no bounds and can fly freely because I know my string is always tethered to you on the ground,” I whisper to him as we watch them soar.
He pulls me in, kissing me until I’m breathless.
Later that evening, Ronin makes a speech, happy we’re all together, and thanking his brother for everything.
I can’t even look at Gabriel without wanting to thank him for everything too. He even still offered me the ten million dollars, told me it was the right thing to do, and I told him absolutely not. This wedding was because I love him. And then, an idea strikes. Maybe I can get him alone on the island and thank him for everything in my own special way.
Maybe on the beach, in the red string bikini I packed, I can show him exactly what he means to me.
“I’m so happy for you,” Savannah tells me as we grab another bottle of champagne from the kitchen. “You’re the greatest sister anyone could ever have. And I’m so lucky I get to have you.”
I fan my face, keeping the tears at bay. “Don’t make me cry.” I glance up, and then give my older sister a hug. “I love you,” I tell her as the floodgates open.
We head back through the house and onto the patio, where Gabriel sits with Tenny in his lap. My husband smiles at me, vowing with his eyes to make our wedding night one I’ll never forget. As if I could.
And I vow back with my gaze that I will give him a life he will never forget.
From this day forward, nothing will ever take me away from him.
Not until death do us part.
Epilogue
Gabriel
Here comes the bride, all dressed in . . . holy fuck . . .nothing. Inside my bathroom, there’s a goddess slipping into a steaming tub filled to the brim with bubbles. Now, the bathroom alone to most adoring eyes would be captivating enough. I know, seems weird to say about a bathroom, but mine costs more than most people’s entire estatesandit has more amenities.
I built it custom for my wife, completely decked out with all the lavish and luxury touches a woman of her caliber is deserving of. I want Clementine to have the best because—quite simply—sheisthe best thing that has ever happened to me.
