“Hey, Papa.” I turned to Dad. “Hey, Dad.”
Dad walked over and pulled me into a hug. “Hey, Son. Proud of you. Your Randy’s a good man.”
I grinned. “Thanks. He’s amazing.”
“And this venue,” Papa gushed. “I know it’s a Thursday, but even before we moved away, Heartspring was on the pricier end. How did you get it?”
I smiled. “The location portion was a gift. Randy is friends with the resort owners. They said as long as it wasn’t already booked, we could pick a day.”
“And you picked a Thursday?” Dad asked.
I nodded. “It was my idea.”
“Why’s that?” Joey asked.
I smiled. “Today is the one-year anniversary of the day I met Randy.”
There was a beat of silence before Joey said “Awww” at the same time as Papa pulled me into a crushing hug.
I laughed. “We still had to pay for other things—like the food. But they gave us a lot of discounts. It would have probably cost twice as much otherwise.”
“Remembering the date you met your omega is the sweetest,” Papa said.
“Oh…” I chuckled. “Yeah… but it helps that he could look up what day he shopped at the mill on his banking app.”
Dad roared with laughter. “That sounds more like you.”
I grinned. “I can do romantic things, as long as I know the details.”
There was a knock on the door. I turned to see the resort coordinator, Ollie, stick his head in. “They’re ready.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“Is that your planner?” Papa asked.
Ollie laughed. “Naw, I’m the resort’s coordinator. Usually, we require outside planners so that I can focus on the resortlogistics of an event. But for something this small, I can bend the rules for. Besides… Randy’s a friend.”
“If he’s a friend, then you should be on the guest list,” Papa objected.
Ollie laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll sit down and enjoy the ceremony, and I’ll have a bit of dinner. But I’ll play emcee as well.”
“Well, let me know if you need help,” Papa demanded.
“We’re good. Enjoy your son’s wedding,” Ollie said, then he ducked out.
Papa kissed my cheek, and Dad gave me a hug, then they escorted me down to where the ceremony space had been set out on the lawn.
It was perfect. A few rows of chairs—all that was needed for the thirty people in attendance. Then the arch was perfectly placed so that the roof of our cabin was framed in it.
I turned as the music started. Kerry was the Man of Honor. Then there was Randy—resplendent in a cream-colored tux that just showed off his developing baby bump—walking down the aisle.
I couldn’t focus on anything but the man I loved, and only remembered to repeat the vows after somebody cleared their throat.
My true promise to him had been made in a snow-covered clearing while fireworks exploded over the lake.
The vows were for everybody else.
Then we were kissing—as husbands and mates.
