“Marriage is a sacred relationship that requires submission from both parties. It’s a rock on which you stand. Therefore, as you stand here before your friends and family, I ask you both to remember the promise you are making today. To love and to cherish. To support. To care and to heal and to stand firm through all phases of your life. Love will always be the foundation of a happy home, and today, you are here to profess that love.”
My fucking hands trembled with Daisy’s, and she was watching me with those eyes that could see so many things.
Right through to the depths of me.
This woman, who had always known me better than anyone else, yet still stood there in the veil of my lies.
I knew the judge was only reciting some generic script I picked, one I hadn’t read but had randomly selected ‘Option 2’ when I’d been making the arrangements.
It didn’t fucking matter.
I felt like the words had been written for us.
“You’re committing to respect your spouse. To communicate your needs and welcome the needs of your partner. You’re committing to sacrifice for one another because relationships only work when that dedication, sacrifice, and compromise is mutual.”
I inhaled an unsteady breath, or maybe I was just inhaling everything that was Daisy.
Those eyes and that mouth and her soul that shouted so loud.
The woman the blood in my veins.
The shadow that had clung so profoundly to my heart that it had always belonged to her.
“Now for your vows.” The judge began to read again. “Cash Cunningham, do you take Daisy Adair to be your lawful wedded wife, and do you solemnly promise that you will love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, in prosperity andadversity, for better or worse, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
The words penetrated. Seeped into my flesh, uniting with that darkened spot hidden so deep inside me.
“I do.” It was gruff and hard. And I was terrified it was the truth.
He turned to Daisy while I clung to her hands like I wouldn’t ever let her get away.
“Daisy Adair, do you take Cash Cunningham to be your lawful wedded husband, and do you solemnly promise that you will love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, for better or worse, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
Moisture bleared those blue, blue eyes. Though they were bright and shining with the affinity that we’d always shared.
That thing that tied us together.
Knitted us in a way that I never knew possible.
“I do,” she whispered.
Those words nearly bowled me over.
But I stood firm. Staring down at her as the judge continued. “Are we exchanging rings today?”
“Yes,” I grunted, refusing to look away from Daisy as she stood beneath my shadow.
I pulled the simple band that would match my mother’s ring from my pocket. One I’d shopped for this morning with my brothers at my side since they would never have me go this alone.
Whatever I was up against, they were in it with me.
Didn’t think I had ever fully accepted that before.
Maybe not until right then as this overwhelming rush of understanding came over me.
The truth that even if I tried to block it or dodge it, no matter how much I believed I wasn’t worthy of it, my family loved me anyway.
I held the ring between two fingers as the judge began to speak, “Daisy, do you accept this ring as a symbol of Cash’s love and commitment to you?”
