I cover the shock with a crooked smirk. “You know it’s bad luck to see the groom before the wedding.”
“I already have the best luck in the world,” she says simply. “Seeing you only makes me feel luckier.”
My chest tightens.
She steps forward, takes my hand, and guides it gently to her stomach. Our child pushes beneath my palm, a small kick, strong and sure. I inhale sharply.
Savannah watches my reaction, her eyes softening. “He’s excited. I think he knows it’s our wedding day.”
I stare down at her belly, then back at her. “So this is why you came to find me?”
“Not the only reason.” She swallows, then continues, voice quiet but steady. “I know I’m supposed to walk out there alone and reach you at the end of the aisle. But I don’t want that.”
I lift her chin with my finger. “What do you want?”
“I want you,” she whispers. “I want us to walk together. I don’t have a dad to give me away, but… I don’t need one. I just don’t want to take another step today without you.”
The words hit hard against my chest. She doesn’t say things like this often. Not because she doesn’t feel them, but because she’s spent her whole life learning to survive quietly. But whenever I hear it, my heart always melts.
I cup her cheek with my hand, my thumb brushing her skin. “Then we walk together.”
Her eyes shine with emotion. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I say.
I offer her my arm. She slips her hand through it, resting lightly against my side. I feel her calm as soon as she touches me. Or maybe it’s my own calm settling in her presence.
We walk out of the room like that—side by side, matched steps, steady breaths. Every head turns when we appear at the garden entrance. Gasps, soft murmurs. Her mother lifts a hand to her mouth, already crying. All the bridesmaids are a mess of shiny eyes. Erin wipes her tears dramatically, and Luca hands her a tissue with an exasperated sigh. Valerio is grinning like an idiot.
But Savannah only looks at me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom,” the officiant announces with pride in her voice.
We step forward together, arm in arm, exactly the way she wanted.
The ceremony begins. The vows are simple, spoken slowly. Savannah’s voice is sincere as she promises to stand by me.
When I speak mine, she looks up at me with the same expression she had in that hallway the night I proposed. Like she can’t believe any of this is happening, like she finally understands it’s real.
“I choose you,” I declare boldly. “Today, tomorrow, every day after. You’re my family. My wife. The one I will protect above all else.”
Savannah’s eyes fill, but she doesn’t look away.
We exchange rings. Hers slides onto her finger with ease. She brushes her thumb across mine like she’s memorizing the shape of the moment.
When we’re told we may kiss, Savannah steps forward before I do. She grabs my lapel, pulls me down, and kisses me with a confidence she didn’t have months ago. I hold her waist gently—careful with her, careful with our son—and kiss her back until I feel her exhale against my mouth.
Applause breaks out around us. Luca whistles. Valerio mutters something that sounds suspiciously likefinally, and Mary wipes her eyes again.
Savannah buries her face against my shoulder for a moment. I feel her smile.
“You’re my husband,” she whispers.
“Yes,” I murmur into her hair. “And you’re my wife. Finally.”
She pulls back and places my hand on her belly, guiding it there with both of hers. “We’re a family now,” she says softly.
“We were the moment you stepped into my life,” I answer. “This just makes it official.”
