It’s elegant, but not overdone. It’s definitely Effa’s style, and it screams Effervescent. I’m sure she had it designed especially for her, and it’s fucking perfect. My cock twitches in my pants while my eyes glance up and down her body. Her eyes catch mine, andwe smile at each other. I feel like every part of me is going to explode if I don’t touch my woman soon.
Alana hands her a small bouquet of daisies with wisps of baby’s breath, and Kristy starts the walk toward me. I don’t even look at her… my eyes stay focused only on Effa. Donny steps up to Effa’s side and links his arm with hers.
Tank leans into me with a slight chuckle. “You should see your face right now, bro. Fucking priceless,” he whispers.
I shake my head, but keep my eyes locked on my girl.
Alana walks down the aisle behind Kristy, and then Effa and Donny make their way toward me. I’m anxious to touch her. She looks so fucking good I can’t stand it. I can’t focus on what song’s playing while she gets closer and closer to me.
I feel alive, so fucking alive as my breaths start to become shallow. My woman is fucking radiant, and everyone here is staring at my bride, just like I am, in awe of how utterly perfect she looks today.
Donny walks her to me. I take the last step toward them, and he places her hand in mine. A spark so intense shoots through my hand when she touches me that I fucking shudder from the shock.
She ignites me.
She makes it so fucking hard to breathe.
But fuck if I don’t love that she’s the one to take my breath away.
Donny leans in to kiss her cheek, then walks off to stand with Lettie.
Effa smiles at me, the energy between us intensifying. I feel it bouncing between us in waves. She takes both my hands in hers and glances at me in the eyes. “You look so good,” she murmurs.
“You, my bride, look better than good. I have no fucking words.”
She giggles as the marriage officiant smiles. “We’re gathered here today to witness the eternal joining of Vespa Marie Carrington and Kaden Edward Mercury, to be bonded together in a sacred union. The coming together of these two blessed souls is divine and extraordinary. And they call upon you all to bear witness.”
I grin at Effa, knowing she’s chosen every word spoken today with careful precision, with her charm and character. It has her flair, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The officiant grabs a box from the table beside her and looks at Alana with a smile. “Vespa and Kaden are choosing to symbolize their love and commitment in a handfasting ceremony. Vespa and Kaden, please join your hands.”
We’re already holding hands, but we let go and take hold in the way we’re supposed to, as if each hand is shaking the other, but holding at the wrist, almost as if we’re in a knot with all of our four hands.
“For the ceremony today, Vespa and Kaden have chosen a specific colored ribbon representing each quality they will bring into their marriage, depicting their important values based on the color symbology of the chakras. Vespa’s step-sister, Alana, will place the ribbons over Vespa and Kaden’s joined hands as I share the blessings.”
Red for strength, orange for open hearts, green for compassion, yellow for equality, light blue for honesty, and purple for wisdom—each color a thread weaving us together.
The officiant looks at me with a slight nod, and I take a deep breath, preparing to say my vows to Effa. Tightening my grip on her wrists, I smile. “I promise to encourage your passion because that’s what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams because through them, your soul shines brightly. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we can’t face if we stand together. I promise to be yourpartner in all things, not possessing you but workingwith youas a part of the whole. I promise to encourage your ideals, your gifts, and talents because even though you’re a little eccentric, it’s what I love themostabout you.”
Everyone chuckles as she grins, tilting her head in agreement.
“I want to acknowledge that because of you, the light within my sister continues to shine brightly, and I’m eternally grateful. And lastly, I promise youperfectlove andperfecttrust, for one lifetime with you couldneverbe enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal inallthings.”
Effa smiles wide and grips her hands tighter on my wrists as her eyes twinkle, but she does well to hold her tears in. “I promise to enrich your days with love and laughter because that’s nothing less than you deserve. I promise to complement your dreams because, through them, your talent is endless. I promise to help carry your burdens, for the weight of them is mine to shoulder, too. I promise to be your partner, your confidant, your rock, and your solitude, always. I promise to love and cherish your family because their light shines so bright inside you. I promise to love yousofiercely, withsomuch passion that you willalwaysknow how deep my love runs for you, even if we are miles apart. Lastly, I promise youperfectlove andperfecttrust, for one lifetime with you couldneverbe enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal inallthings.”
My body quivers with the surge of love flowing through me. She always knows exactly what to say, and I couldn’t love her anymore if I tried.
“Zach, the rings,” the officiant asks, and for a second, I furrow my brows, wondering who the hell she’s talking about, before Tank steps forward, places his hand in his pocket, and pulls out the rings. I grin,finallyknowing his real name. He shakes his head as if to tell me to ‘shut the hell up,’and I chuckle while he hands the officiant the rings. Effa and I let our hands go, andEffa takes my ring from her as she looks me in the eyes with the brightest of smiles before we exchange our rings.
When I slide the ring onto her finger, something in me settles permanently.
She ismine.
Officially.
Completely.
And when the officiant says I may kiss her, I don’t wait.
