“I literally could not love you more, Lioreo.”
“You say that every time.”
It was true. Every day he came through the door of our place in the city or our place at the museum was a special day. He bought me flowers, special dinners, took me out dancing, and once a month, we spent a night at the hotel in the city where we relived the night we met.
He also walked around barefoot wearing nothing but gray sweatpants and never complained when I jumped him. He let me cuddle him when we watched TV, and better than anything,he let me be myself. He loved me for the crazy that I was and never asked me to change.
A tear slipped unchecked down my cheek.
“Hey, you’re not supposed to cry until the vows,” he said, cleaning my wet cheek.
“I only ever dreamed of having the same kind of marriage I grew up watching with my parents. I never believed I was good enough to deserve it. Every day with you is a gift, Lior.”
The celebrant coughed. “You’re not supposed to say the vows before we start.”
“How about if I recite the ode I wrote to my husband’s butt? I bet everyone would love to hear that.”
The sound of laughter surrounded us.
“Let’s leave the odes for the speeches.” She turned to everyone. “We are gathered here today to join Noah Van Stern and Lior Van Stern as they renew the vows they promised each other on the day of their wedding…”
My gaze moved from Lior to our group of family and friends. Everyone was smiling. Okay, Victoria looked like she was about to puke, but nothing today would make it less than perfect, down to the fake kidnapping.
When the ceremony ended, everyone congratulated us, and then we had a buffet and celebration in the museum’s gardens.
I learned later that Lior had closed the museum for the day to make sure our family could enjoy the celebration in private.
Pierce came over just before we were due to cut the cake.
“The ceremony was beautiful. I’m really happy for you two.”
“We’ve come a long way, Pish. I’m having some squishy feelings toward you right now. You should probably go,” I said.
He laughed and shook Lior’s hand. “I think you’re right. I heard it’s a free bar. See you around.”
I turned to Lior, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Let’s cut the cake and then throw everyone out. You promised I could eat cake off your abs, and now that’s all I can think about.”
He kissed my nose. “Don’t be impatient, my sweet husband. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
I grinned. “Oh my god, how many orgasms do you think we can have until one of us dies? Do you think we should start keeping a record?”
He shook his head.
“You are something else, Noah.”
“A good something else, right?”
He captured my lips with his. “The most perfect something else there has ever been.”
Lior
Noah slept soundly against my chest, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get back to sleep.
Jetlag was a bitch even after flying first class.
I sighed. The perks of getting older.
