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The waterside gazebo on the sprawling estate, just outside of Malcesine, that Vaughn had so extravagantly gifted to me as a wedding gift is wreathed in purple flowers that match the tie my groom had so graciously agreed to wear instead of his usual black-on-black.
I slip Vaughn’s platinum band onto his ring finger, breathing deeply through my nose as the gathering of our loved ones smiles on.
My voice quivers when I speak, but I rapidly gain confidence seeing how Vaughn’s eyes light up in pure joy at my softly spoken vows.
“I’ve heard it said that the heart knows when the search is over. The search to find its partner, to find its other half. But my heart never searched, never needed to seek for something it was missing because my heart was made to be wholly and entirely yours. And so, I carried it within me, ready…waiting to give it to youcompletelywhen the timing was right.”
My eyes fill with tears as I take a deep, soothing breath, and Vaughn steps slightly closer, as though to shield me from the gazes of the gathered crowd. He palms my cheek, holding my eyes while lending me his silent strength, enough to get my next words out.
“And in giving you my heart, I’ve found myself in so many ways. My art. Our daughter. Our found family at Rogue and Haven. And that’s because of you, Vaughn Burton. Because you’re the best man I’ve ever known.”
Vaughn inhales sharply, emotion shrouding us both as I press myself against him, holding his gaze, willing him to feel my truth.
“Loving you and receiving your love in return is a privilege that I will be forever grateful for. One I will never take for granted.Ever. And I can’t wait to step into our next chapter by your side. As your wife.”
Silence surrounds us for a long beat as the world fades into the background. Vaughn blinks heavily before pressing a kiss to my brow and then reaches between us to take my hands in his once again.
“And now, Vaughn,” the celebrant murmurs, her words breaking the spell around us. “If you’d like to recite your vows.”
My eyes lock onto Vaughn’s, finding him smiling softly as he slides a diamond-encrusted wedding band onto my ring finger. When he brushes the pad of his thumb over it, my heart swells in my chest, but when he speaks his vows, it stops entirely.
“This ring tells the world you’re my wife.” He stops, and his nostrils flare. And when he repeats those glorious words for my ears alone, his voice has dropped an octave. “You’remywife.My wife.”
Those midnight eyes deepen in their intensity, flickering between mine as the meaning of his declaration floods my entire system with delight.
I lightly squeeze his hand, and his mouth lifts in a slow smile that awakens a myriad of butterflies within my abdomen.
“This ring is also a circle that, like my love for you, has no beginning…and no end. Let it be a reminder to you, each time you look at it, that I will love you more than anyone else could for every lifetime to come."
A single tear streaks down my cheek, and Vaughn raises his hand to brush it away with his thumb before sliding his palm around the nape of my neck. He brings our brows together, his eyes speaking straight to my soul.
“Before you, I walked a dark path. Lost. Alone. Veiled in self-loathing. And when you appeared, I was scared. Afraid my demons would hurt you if I let you get too close. That you would be taken from me. That you’d see the truth and realize I was nothing but a monster. And so, I chased you away with hateful words and callous actions.”
His lips twitch. “But my Wren is persistent. Her light would not be dimmed. Her glow would not be diminished. My Wren knows her own mind, and once she’d decided that I was worth saving, she wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He chuckles lowly, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Not even turning her into Smurfette could dissuade her.”
Our loved ones laugh then, everyone having heard the stories of our prank war long before now, and Vaughn sobers.
“And save me, you did. Before I knew it, that lonely path was illuminated, and my lost soul found purpose once more. That endless night lit by a constellation of stars bearing your name.”
My breath hitches on a sob, and Vaughn swallows harshly, his next words husky with unconcealed emotion. “And it was in the presence of that guiding light I was able to find my way home to you, little bird. And there’s nowhere else I ever want to be.”
Silence radiates around us as I absorb the power of this man’s vows until Vaughn’s best man, Ford—standing beside my teary-eyed bridesmaid, Elodie—sighs heavily.
We whip our heads around to find him smirking before blessing himself as he deadpans, “With words like that, it’s safe to say Cactus is well and truly dead. May he rest in ornery peace.”
* * *
VAUGHN
The sun sparkles on the waters of Lake Garda at Wren’s back, but nothing shines so bright as the smile of my bride as she clinks her champagne flute against her mother’s.
Both women are laughing at something Jo has said, and he loops his arm around Sara’s waist, pulling her closer to press a kiss to her flushed cheek.
My wife of a mere three hours catches my eyes, and a myriad of emotions flow wordlessly between us.
I extend my right hand with a smile that she returns tenfold, and our feet bring us closer to one another until she steps into my embrace. As my arms encircle her, she sighs in contentment before leaning up on her tiptoes to brush her lips across mine.
