JAX
Istand on the white sand under the gazebo.
The sun is beginning to set. Don Baskin stands before me, an ordained officiant.
He smiles. “Congratulations,” he says for the millionth time since we arrived.
Elijah and Caleb stand to my right. Gabriel declined, saying two speeches were enough and is sitting with his mother and father-in-law, helping out with the twins. Callum is with Kat and Leah.
Leah and April appear. April grins, blowing Caleb a kiss, which he catches and pockets.
“Just you wait, you and Kat will be as soppy,” he grumbles.
“I can only hope,” I admit, making him smile.
The music starts, and I draw in a breath as I turn to find Kat making her way across the sand with her mother.
Gabriel leaves his chair to join them. She smiles at him as he offers her his arm. He bends down and kisses both their cheeks, her Mum leaving her and coming to the front. She stops before rushing over and pulling me in for a watery hug.
I return it. “Thank you for letting me marry your daughter,” I say.
She smiles and gives my hand a squeeze before moving to her seat.
I look up. Kat is standing where the chairs end, her arm through that of her brother’s.
Her gaze finds mine and she smiles.
A smile that hits me in the centre of my chest. There is a pressure, as if something snaps into place. I know I have found my person, the one I will do anything for and I know he will be there for me in return.
Kat walks towards me, stealing my breath.
Elijah places a hand on my shoulder, whispering to Cal. “He’s a goner.”
I ignore him as I watch the woman who has plagued my dreams for nearly nineteen years make her way towards me, a kitten lace bodice and the loose chiffon material of her skirt floating around her legs.
Gabriel places her hand in mine, shooting me a grin.
My eyes lock on Kat’s.
“You look…” I say, suddenly overcome.
I swallow against the lump in my throat.
“So do you.”
Kat squeezes my hands, her eyes glistening.
“Shall we do this?”
We turn to Don, who smiles brightly at us both, like a proud father figure.
When Don turns to me, I squeeze Kat’s hands in mine, turning to face her, our eyes locking.
“I, Jaxson Lockwood, take you, Kathryn Frazer, to be my lawfully wedded wife.” I grin at her, my eyes filling. “You’re the love of my life, my soul-mate. Without you I’m only half a man. I stand here today, before our friends and family and choose you, because, beautiful woman, it’s only ever been you. You’re my best friend, and my heart’s partner. My one true love. Andwith these vows, I promise to love you, cherish you, and support you, every day. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until we move on from this life, to the next.”
Kat bites her lip, a single tear tracking its way down her cheeks.
“I, Kathryn Frazer, take you, Jaxson Lockwood, to be my lawfully wedded husband.” Pen jumps up, placing a tissue in Kat’s hand. She takes it wiping her eyes, with a glistening smile. Her eyes lock on mine. “They call me an ice queen, but I think I’ve well and truly melted, and it’s all because of you. I think I fell in love with you the moment you stumbled awkwardly into the room when I was playing piano. People have tried to drive a wedge between us, but love has won out. You are my best friend, my one true love. You are the other half of my soul. I vow to love you, cherish you, support you. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until I leave this earth and then I’m going to find you and ensure we do this all over again in another life.”
