Scarlett’s brand-new white heels pressed into the grass as the registrar moved on to the vows. She handed her bouquet to Manon and put her hands in Brayden’s, and his touch steadied her.
“I do solemnly declare that I know of no lawful impediment why I, Scarlett Heroux, may not be joined in matrimony to Brayden Maddox. I take him as my husband and give him this ring as a symbol of my love.”
Brayden smiled softly at her.
She took the gold band she’d bought an hour before their ceremony and slid it onto Brayden’s ring finger as her heart pounded in her chest. Giving him the ring, knowing it meant he was hers, was unlike anything she’d experienced before. It looked so right on his finger, almost like she’d seen it on him before, but she never had.
The registrar led Brayden through his own declaration. Her throat became thick as he spoke.
“I take her as my wife and give her this ring as a symbol of my love.” She’d expected no ring or a simple one, given the minimal time they’d had to prepare, but the elegant ring he slid onto her finger was white gold, with a large marquise diamond in the center. Two trinity knots framed the sides of the diamond and flowed seamlessly into the band of the ring.
Her heart melted at the sight. How had he gotten something so perfect on such short notice?
They were pronounced married, and she braced herself for the kiss, not knowing whether it would be frustrated and passionate like their kiss outside Lachlan’s office or, worse, an emotionlesspeck. At first it was a ghost of a kiss as Brayden leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, but the soft kiss lingered, and his fingers slid into her hair. The love inside Scarlett bubbled over, dominating all other emotion as her hands came up to his face. Her lips parted, and thetasteof him…
Beni whooped and James let out a hoot in the background, and Scarlett pulled back hastily. But Brayden still had his fingers in her hair, and he stared at her for a long moment before dropping his hand.
Like Scarlett, he looked like he was feeling many things, but in this moment he seemed… satisfied. Yet there was something feral in his eyes, making her wonder if he’d be gentle and sweet or rough on their wedding night. The question sent a shiver down her spine. She’d be fine with either.
“Regrettingthisyet?” she asked, unable to stop herself from baiting him.
A glint of the wicked smile she knew so well flashed across his face. “No. You?”
“No.”
Before she could say more, James wrapped Brayden in a bear hug. Manon dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, and Scarlett went over to her and Beni.
“That was lovely,” whispered Manon. “You look so good together.”
Scarlett hugged her grandmother tightly for a long moment. “I think I’ve always loved him.”
“I wish your mother were here. She’d have loved this.” Manon stood back, eyes full of tears.
“I wish she were here too,” said Scarlett. “But I’m glad I have you.” Her life had taught her you never knew when the ones you loved would leave you. In the future, she’d look back on this day and wish to hold this group of people in her arms again, so today she’d do her best to love them with everything she had. Thethought was grim, but it made her love fiercer.
Beni grinned at her. “I can’t believe I have a brother-in-law.” He looked around and then whispered low enough that only Scarlett could hear, “Thank the Goddess it’s Brayden and not Alastair.”
She cracked a smile. “I’m glad you approve.”
Beni threw his arms around her. “Congratulations, Scarlett.”
She squeezed her little brother. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I love you, Beni.”
“I love you too,” he replied in a gruff voice.
“Come now, let’s get your signatures on the certificate,” said the registrar. “Then you can celebrate.”
Brayden and Scarlett both signed. As Scarlett stood, Lachlan appeared at her elbow and pulled her into his arms.
“Welcome to the family. I’m thrilled to have you as a daughter.”
Her heart flooded with warmth at the kind words. Brayden’s father could never replace hers, but having another, different, father in her life was such a comfort.
Scarlett laughed as James hugged her and lifted her off the ground. “You’re my brother now,” she said, her voice bright.
“You know it, sis,” he said as he set her down.
The registrar took a few photos of them with their families in front of the lake, with Mont Noir behind them. Then he took some of Scarlett and Brayden on their own. Scarlett’s stomach fluttered as she stood next to Brayden. The day had been a surprise, but at least they weretogether,the way they belonged. In another life—one where Soleil’s future wasn’t in her hands—she’d stay in Clair de Lune with him and sleep next to him every night for the rest of her life. She wanted that badly, more than almost anything. The longing for it broke her heart a little even as she reveled in being his wife. Maybe eventually, they’d find their way to a future where they could live together forever, buthow or when, she didn’t know.
