“Yes.”
She nods seriously. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Natalie laughs softly beside me.
I glance at her.
She looks beautiful.
Not in some dramatic, sweeping gown way.
Simple cream dress. Hair down. Minimal makeup.
Clean.
Intentional.
Exactly her.
“You look beautiful,” I say quietly, leaning closer so only she hears it.
A faint blush rises in her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself,” she murmurs back, eyes flicking over my suit. “Very responsible husband energy.”
I huff a soft laugh. “High praise.”
I glance at her again, lowering my voice. “You ready for this?”
She holds my gaze. No nerves in it now. Just resolve.
“Yeah,” she says softly. “I’m ready.”
The clerk clears her throat and begins. The words are standard. Legal. Efficient.
I’ve heard wedding vows before. I’ve said them too. It was a long time ago.
The first time, they felt like fireworks.
This time, they feel like gravity. Not explosive. Not bright and reckless. Solid. Inevitable. Like something settling into place and holding me there on purpose. Like if I step into this, it won’t burn out. It will anchor.
“Do you, Gabriel—”
“I do.”
No hesitation.
Natalie turns her head toward me when I say it. Not surprised. Just checking.
The clerk continues.
“Do you, Natalie—”
She looks at me.
Just a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
“I do.”
It’s quiet.
