I swallow the lump that formed in my throat and blink back the tears forming freely in my eyes. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to speak after hearing those words. Colt’s grip around my waist tightens, grounding me, and I sniff as I lean in to kiss him softly.
The celebrant clears his throat while the guests chuckle again. At least we’re giving them a good show.
I pull back, and Colt flashes me that smile, the one that always melts my insides.
Clearing my throat, I draw in a shaky breath and begin, pouring every word straight from my soul,
“Colter Slade, I take you to be my husband, lover, and friend.
“In your eyes, I have found my home.
“In your heart, I have found my love.
“In your soul, I have found my mate.
“With you, I am whole, complete, and alive.
“You make me laugh. You let me cry.
“You are my breath, my every heartbeat.
“I am yours.
“You are mine.
“Of this, we are certain.
“You free me to sing my own song.
“You are more of an amazement to me, and each day I rediscover you.
“You are lodged in my heart… until the end of time.”
Colt sniffs and leans in again, kissing me without hesitation, causing the celebrant to groan dramatically. The sound earns another round of laughter from our guests, and I smile against Colt’s lips.
Overhead, the helicopter continues to buzz annoyingly. Another one is on its way. I spot it in the distance, a black dot growing larger against the blue sky. I expected the paps to irritate the hell out of me, to ruin the moment with their intrusion.
But they don’t.
They can’t.
Not today.
I’m not letting anything spoil this—our day. Not them. Not anything.
“Now, we exchange the rings,” the celebrant says, bringing us back to the ceremony.
I frown for a brief second, realizing Colt is going to have to let me go. He steps back just enough, but not for long, as we both instinctively reach out, keeping our hands clasped as tightly as ever.
“Deliah, repeat after me… With this ring, I thee wed.”
A ripple of excitement rolls through me, so intense I almost bounce on the spot. Colt notices, of course, he does, and flashes me that cocky, heart-stopping smile that turns my knees to jelly.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” I repeat, my voice steady, filled with joy.
I take the ring from Anna and slide it gently onto Colt’s finger. It glides on perfectly, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Colt stares at it, his jaw ticking as he grips my hand tighter.
