I know it’s my turn to say my vows, but I’m afraid the ugly crying will worsen if I open my mouth.
Rand must sense my distress. He hands me a tissue from a pocket in his ultra-sexy pirate outfit. I wipe my eyes. The tissue becomes soggy. Rand hands me two more. I laugh.
This guy.
My guy knows me so well.
I turn to the officiant. “I can do this.”
He gives me a watery smile.
I squeeze Rand’s hands. “There’s nothing sexier than a man with a huge… brain.”
The audience chuckles. I wink at Rand. His smile grows wider.
“I am in awe of how your mind and heart work. You always seem to find connections in things that no one else on Earth would think. You create clever inventions to keep people safe. You say funny things that put people at ease. And you always find a way to make Faylor - and me - feel loved.
“Most men would have heard my terrible origin story and ran away. Or tried to coddle me, treat me with kid gloves, like a fragile thing. But not you. You knew I would hate that. You knew I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life wallowing in one ugly moment in time. I want to be strong, but know that I don’thaveto be strong. And with you, you boost my strength. My past doesn’t define me any more than losing your sister defines who you are today. It explains where you came from. But that’s it.
“I had the uniquepleasureof talking about Fate with a complete lunatic recently. She yammered on about destiny and meant to be, but she failed to take into account one thing. Fate and destiny aren’t complicated. They point you in the right direction. They guide you to where you need to be. It’s up to you to pick up on the signs, put on your big girl panties, and get moving.”
Rand snort-laughs and wipes the tears from his eyes.
“Before I met you, I sailed along with a general heading, but with no real direction for where I needed to go. Then, you came into my life, and like the North Star, became a beacon pulling me to where I wanted to spend the rest of my days. Polaris may only be the 50th brightest star in the night sky, but you’re hands down the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.
“Rand, I promise to be open to any and all firsts that come our way. I pledge to battle any villains who try to keep our family apart. And I vow to love you and Faylor with all my heart, mind, body, and soul. Times infinity.”
Rand squeezes my hands harder.
“The rings?” The officiant turns to Faylor, who hands them over.
Rand slips an antique ring of Celtic knots on my finger. I raise an eyebrow.
“I told you,” he whispers. “Family heirloom. Needed to be sized.”
Shit. More tears as I slide his ring made from meteorites on his finger. We vow eternity to each other. And just like that, it’s over.
“By the power vested in me, by the great state of Nevada….”
I look at my newly-minted husband. “You’re not my Imaginary Fiancé anymore.”
“Nope,” his eyes shine at me.
“You wanna seal it with anot-suitable-for-workkiss?”
His arms thread around my waist. He pulls me as close as he can, leans in, and looks me in the eye.
“As you wish, Mrs. Kestrel.”
Chapter 53
From the text messages of the Saber-Kestrel family
Carolina: So, Rand and I did this thing…
Luke: WHAT DID KESTREL DO NOW?
Papa: Do I need to get my shotgun?
