“They’re really not.” She smiled through her tears. “But I love you anyway. I love all of you. The good, the bad, and the catastrophically burnt chicken. I promise to spend the rest of my life annoying you, stealing your hoodies, and making you watch rom-coms you claim to hate but secretly love.”
She laughed, the sound bright and perfect, and squeezed my hands. “I promise to be your partner, your best friend, and your biggest fan. I promise to support your dreams, even when they scare me. I promise to fight fair, forgive quickly, and never, ever go to bed angry.” She paused, her expression softening. “And I promise to love you, every single day, for the rest of my life. No matter what.”
The tears I was fighting spilled over. I didn’t even try to stop them.
“Damn it,” I said. “How am I supposed to follow that?”
“You’re not.” She grinned. “I win at vows.”
“This isn’t a competition.”
“Everything’s a competition.”
Elvis cleared his throat. “Your turn, son.”
I took a breath, trying to pull myself together. When I spoke, my voice was rougher than I wanted it to be, thick with emotion I couldn’t hide.
“Harlow,” I started. “Soon to be Harlow Taylor. I’m not great at words. That’s more your thing. But I’m going to try.”
She nodded encouragingly, tears streaming freely down her face now.
“You asked me once what my favorite part of having you in my life was, and I said everything. I meant it. I love waking up next to you. I love the way you steal all the blankets and manage to roll them around you. I love how you steal all my hoodies. I love that you sing off-key in the shower.”
A quiet laugh from Syn.
“I love how you make me want to be better,” I continued. “Not because you ask me to, but because being with you makes me believe I actually can be. You make me want to wake up early and make you coffee. You make me want to learn how to cook something other than eggs. You make me want to build a life worth living.”
“I’m terrified,” I admitted. “I’m terrified of letting you down. Of not being enough. Of making mistakes that hurt you. But I’m more terrified of a life without you in it. So I promise to show up. Every day. Even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard. I promise to fight for us. To choose you over and over again. I promise to make you laugh when you’re sad, hold you when you’re scared, and remind you how incredible you are when you forget.”
Harlow was openly crying now, not even trying to stop the tears.
“I promise to be your partner in everything,” I said. “The adventures and the boring Tuesday nights. The highs and the lows. All of it. Because there’s no version of my future thatdoesn’t have you in it. You’re it for me, Harlow. You’re my person. My best friend. My whole damn world.”
I paused, then smiled, “And I promise to at least try not to burn the bacon. No guarantees, but I’ll try.”
She laughed through her tears, a sound that was half sob, half joy.
Elvis sniffed loudly behind us. When I glanced back, I could swear his eyes were wet behind those ridiculous sunglasses.
“Well,” he said, “that was... those were some fine vows, kids. Real fine.” He cleared his throat. “Now, the rings?”
Jax stepped forward, producing two simple gold bands from his pocket. He handed one to me, then placed the other in Harlow’s palm. His eyes met mine for a brief moment, and he gave a small nod.
We’re good. That’s what the nod said. We’re going to be okay.
I turned back to Harlow, taking the ring between my fingers. My hands were shaking slightly as I slid it onto her finger, watching it settle into place.
“With this ring,” I said, “I thee wed.”
She took my hand, her fingers gentle as she slid the band onto my finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Elvis beamed at us. “Well then, by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada and the spirit of rock and roll, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He paused dramatically. “You may kiss your bride, son.”
I didn’t need to be told twice.
My hands came up to cup Harlow’s face, thumbs brushing away the tears on her cheeks. She looked up at me, her eyes bright and full of love, and I felt something in my chest expand so much it almost hurt.
“Hi, wife,” I whispered.
