She exhales a shaky breath, like she’s been holding something in for days. “I used to dream about this, you know? Just us. Just this. The dress, rings, and location were never a concern for me. I just...I just wanted you to want me back.”
I reach for her hand again and squeeze it. “I never stopped wanting you. Not for one second. Even when I was behind bars. When I hated myself, I still loved you. You were the only thing that made me believe I could be better.”
Her eyes soften, and I see the love in them—so much love, so much trust, so much history. I’ve been through hell and back, but none of that matters because I’ve got her. I’ve got us.
When we get to the courthouse, I park the car and help Kenna out, never once letting go of her hand. We walk inside, our footsteps echoing on the tile floor, the quiet sound of our footsteps in perfect sync. I’ve never felt so sure about anything in my life. This is right. This is the moment. This is our forever.
As we walk, I glance over at her and whisper, “When we say our vows, I want you to know...I mean every word. I’ve been carrying them inside me since I was eighteen.”
Kenna smiles. “I believe you. I’ve always believed you, Cole.”
The officiant smiles at us, and I can see the flicker of recognition in his eyes as he glances between us. It’s a small ceremony. Just the two of us, but it feels like the world. The only thing that matters is that we’re here together.
I can’t help but grin as I slip the ring onto Kenna’s finger. “Kenna Claire Feely,” I say, my voice trembling slightly with emotion, “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. And I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I promise never to leave you, to always choose you, to always be yours.”
I pause. My throat closes up, but I push through it. “You were the first person who ever saw me. Not the version the world wanted, or the guy I pretended to be. You sawme, and you stayed.That’s why I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you know every day how much that means to me.”
Kenna’s eyes glisten as she repeats the words, her voice steady but full of love. “Cole...I promise to love you, to stand by your side, to always be yours, no matter what comes.”
When we exchange rings and the officiant pronounces us husband and wife, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders, but it’s a good weight. The weight of knowing that this is real. That after everything, we’ve finally made it here.
I take Kenna’s face in my hands, kissing her deeply. The kiss is soft at first, then more urgent, more filled with everything we’ve been through, everything we are. It’s a kiss of love, of promise, of finally being home.
As we pull apart, I can’t help but smile. “It’s you and me, Kenna. Forever.”
She smiles, with the same radiant smile I’ve always loved. “Forever,” she agrees. “Always.”
As we walk out into the sunlight, I feel the warmth on my skin and realize—this is what freedom really feels like. Not just being out of a cell. But being with her. Choosing each other. Every day.
We leave the courthouse hand in hand, ready to face whatever comes next together.
The sky has a soft golden hue in the late afternoon, and everything feels quiet. Still. Like even the world knows this moment is sacred.
As we walk to the car, Kenna slips her hand into mine again, and I can’t help but glance over at her, catching the soft curve of her lips as she stares ahead, a little dazed, a little dreamy.
“You good?” I ask, unlocking the car and opening her door like I always do.
She slides in with a grin. “Good? I’m married. Toyou. I’m freakinggreat.”
I chuckle and jog around to my side, starting the engine. As we pull onto the road, silence settles for a few moments betweenus. But it’s not awkward—it’s full. Full of love, full of unspoken things, full of the weight of what just happened.
“Back to your place?” I ask after a beat, glancing at her.
She tilts her head, then slowly turns to me with that look.
“Myplace?” She repeats, raising an eyebrow.
I nod once, casually. “Yeah. Gotta get you out of that dress eventually.”
She smirks. “Smooth.”
Then she nudges my shoulder, her voice a little softer now. “Cole. It’s not justmyplace anymore.”
I glance over at her again, not sure I’m following.
“That house...the one you’re driving us back to?” She’s staring out the window now, like she’s thinking through every word. “It never truly felt like a home without you there. But having you there? You and Cohen? That brought it back to life.”
She looks at me then, eyes shining. “Home isn’t that house, Cole. It’syou. It’s Cohen. Sitting on the couch eating cold pizza. It’s Cohen trying to convince us he doesn’t need a bedtime. Your boots by the door and your arms around me when I fall asleep. Home iswherever you are.”
