"Julia." I cupped her face. "I don't care about any of that. I care about you. About making this legal so no one can force you to testify against me. About protecting you." I paused. "About being your husband."
A tear escaped, tracking down her cheek. "You're really good at this."
"At what?"
"Making courthouse weddings feel romantic."
"It's a gift."
Stone cleared his throat. "As touching as this is, we're on a schedule. Judge Martinez has a full docket."
"Right. Yes. Wedding." I straightened my tie—I'd at least worn a decent suit. Julia had changed into a simple ivory dress, elegant and understated. She looked beautiful.
She always looked beautiful.
Serenity knocked on the door to 3B. A voice called out, "Come in."
Inside, Judge Martinez sat behind a desk cluttered with files and a coffee mug that read "World's Okayest Judge." She was fiftyish, reading glasses perched on her nose, with the efficient air of someone who'd married hundreds of couples and didn't waste time on sentiment.
"Mr. Vanetti. Ms. Russo." She gestured to two chairs in front of her desk. "Please, sit."
We sat.
Stone and Serenity positioned themselves behind us, ready to serve as witnesses.
Judge Martinez pulled out a form. "I understand this is a somewhat expedited situation. Ms. Kane—your attorney—explained the circumstances." She looked up, her expression neutral. "I want to be clear: I don't marry people who are being coerced. Are you both entering this marriage of your own free will?"
"Yes," I said immediately.
"Absolutely," Julia added.
"Good." The judge made a note. "Do you have the marriage license?"
Serenity handed it forward. "All signed and notarized."
Judge Martinez reviewed it, nodded, set it aside. "Do you have rings?"
I froze. In all the chaos, the planning, the strategy—we'd forgotten rings.
Julia's face fell. "We don't—"
"Here." Serenity stepped forward, pulled off a simple silver band from her right hand. "Use this for now. You can get real ones later."
I stared at her. "Serenity—"
"Just take it. I'll want it back after you get proper rings." Her eyes twinkled with humor. "Consider it a loan."
"Thank you," Julia said softly.
Serenity nodded once and stepped back.
Judge Martinez checked her watch. "Shall we begin? I have another couple at three-thirty."
Romance. Truly, this was the stuff of fairy tales.
But then Julia took my hands and suddenly none of it mattered—not the institutional setting, the borrowed ring, the rushed timeline. Just her. Just us.
Judge Martinez stood. "Please rise."
