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I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him so vulnerable. “I’ll always be honest with you, because you don’t need to be protected, though I’ll never stop trying. I promise to always provide cheesecake and chocolate milk, and should the coffee machine ever die, I’ll have a new machine installed immediately.” I cry and laugh at the same time. “I’ll always respect you, baby. I’ll always encourage you. I want to be your partner in parenthood, and your ally when they try to divide and conquer. I’ll be your loudest supporter and your front line. And contradicting the whole ‘you don’t need to be protected thing,’ although I know you’re strong enough and capable enough, I’ll always protect you, too. I promise to hold you every night for the rest of our lives, I’ll never let us lose the magic that we have. I promise to love you more than Romeo loved Juliet, more than that idiot Darcy loved Elizabeth, even more than Jamie loves Claire. I’ll be more loyal than Rourke is to Eve, more than Noah is to Allie. I love you with my whole heart and soul, because without you, I have neither.”
I drop my eyes and attempt to swallow back the sobs that climb up my throat. Never in my life has anyone said something so romantic to me.
“Catherine.” Our celebrant nods toward me. “Please, go ahead.”
“I’m not sure I can compete with that,” I giggle nervously. Looking up, I swallow when he looks down at me with emotional eyes. “You make me so unbelievably happy, Bobby. That’s the truth of it right down to the bare basics. You make me happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” Copying his words, I add, “I promise to love you forever. I promise to let you love me in return. I won’t fight you anymore, on anything. Except maybe the last… of anything; cake, chocolate, milk.”
That gets a few watery chuckles from our friends. “I promise to always cheer you on – in the cage, or on the couch when GSP is fighting. I promise to care for you when you’re sick, or whenever the Padres lose. I promise to make you perfect little babies, because how could I not? They’ll be perfect, simply because they’re yours. I promise to honor you, and to be loyal to you. I’ll be patient, even when you make us late. I promise to be your accomplice in mischief, and your solid alibi whenever you need it. I promise to communicate with you, fully and fearlessly. My only wish is that we had more than this lifetime together, because one isn’t nearly enough.”
“Robert Kincaid,” the celebrant’s voice moves to the same beat of Bobby’s shaking hands, “do you take Catherine Maree Reilly to be your wife? To be her constant friend, her partner in life, and her true love. To love her without reservation. To honor and respect her. Will you protect her from harm and comfort her in times of distress? Will you grow with her in mind and spirit?”
With burning eyes, Bobby nods reverently. “I will.”
“And do you, Catherine Reilly, take Robert Kincaid to be your husband?” Bobby’s hands tighten on mine nervously. “To be his constant friend, his partner in life, his true love. Do you promise to love him without reservation? To honor and respect him. Will you protect him from harm and comfort him in times of distress? Will you grow with him in mind and spirit?”
My entire body breaks out in nervous shaking. “I will… I do.” My heart hammers in my chest. “I love you, Bobby.”
He pulls me forward before we’re given permission, and with our friends and family prematurely clapping, he presses his lips to mine and seals our promises with a kiss.
With a huff, the celebrant clears his throat, again. “Do you have the rings?” I step back from Bobby with the blush that refuses to leave me today. Letting the man’s question slowly roll through my foggy brain, I nod and turn to Tink at the same time Bobby turns to Jon.
We both turn back at the same time, and the tiny diamonds in mine, the shiny gold of his, glitters in the summer sun high above us. “May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your union,” the celebrant murmurs. “May you look at them often and be reminded of the promises you made today.”
With shaking hands and a boyish grin, Bobby slides mine on until it touches the very base of my finger and refuses to go any higher. With a watery laugh at his determination, I pinch his between my fingers and slide it onto his.
My stomach tumbles with heady power as I slide his to the very base of his finger. Is this how he felt each day that I wore my engagement ring?
“Please repeat after me,” the celebrant instructs with a deep and dignified voice. “We swear by peace and love to stand.” Bobby and I repeat the man’s words back. “Heart to heart and hand to hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now. Confirming thus our Sacred Vow.”
We smile when the celebrant finishes feeding us words. We’re so close now. I can taste it.
“Go now in peace, live in love, and share the most precious of gifts – the gift of your lives united. May your days be long on this earth.” His deep voice booms with finality. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Robert…” Finally, he smiles. “You may kiss your bride.”
I don’t get time to blink before Bobby has me in his arms. His lips fuse to mine, his hands securely hold my waist, and his chest presses against mine.
He is mine. And I am his.
