“I now pronounce you husband and-”
Pulling my wife into my arms, I slam my lips to hers. Heather throws her arms around my neck and pushes her tongue into my mouth as a sweet little moan escapes from her mouth into mine.
Killian clears his throat.
“Carter. We aren’t done yet.”
I pull back from Heather and gaze at her as she giggles while wiping lipstick from my lips. Her cheeks blush beautifully as Knox moves to her side, and Killian stands in front, facing us.
Our minister steps back, allowing us to conduct the rest of our ceremony. Finding someone who would legally marry Heather and I, but also allow a ceremony with my brothers, was challenging. This one agreed but would not take part in anything other than our legal marriage. People are so fucking closed-minded. I’ve never understood why people worry about who’s fucking who.
Killian clears his throat nervously, which is surprising to me because I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with shaky hands before today. He holds the ring we had made for her to the end of her finger and speaks, his voice filled with emotion, something I’ve rarely seen from Kill.
“Heather, I love every part of you. Your kind heart, your ferocious spirit, even the disobedient little brat. There is no part of you I would change if I could. We call you perfect, not because you’re a human being without flaws, but because you're perfect to us. For us. Wear this ring as a symbol of our undying love for you.”
A tear falls down her cheek as she says the words we’ve all heard her say before.
“A love like ours never dies.”
Knox moves the ring to the middle of her finger, his eyes stare into hers, also filled with the love we all have for our woman.
“Tesoro, you came into our lives like a storm threatening to destroy everything, but instead, you calmed our world. Made it better. Healed the broken parts inside us. It wasn’t calculated, it wasn’t planned. You do it by simply being you. I call you Tesoro, but it’s not just a nickname. It’s the fucking truth. You are a goddamn treasure. And we will always treat you like the gift you are. Wear this ring as a symbol of our undying love for you.”
I push the ring the rest of the way onto her finger, and gaze at her as I speak to her, my wife.
“Wear this ring as a symbol of our undying love for you. You are ours and we are yours. Not for a lifetime but eternity.”
She smiles softly as she takes us in, one by one.
“Because a lifetime would never be enough.”
Heather breathes out a slow breath as Bones steps to her and hands her the small box holding our rings.
She takes the first one out and hands the box to Bones.
Holding my left hand in hers, she stares into my eyes, as she speaks heartfelt words.
“Carter, I see you—all of you. Our trauma bonded us but we became so much more than that. You don’t simply have my heart and soul—youaremy heart and soul. Wear this ring as a symbol of my undying love for you.”
She pushes the ring on my finger and I press my forehead to hers, breathing in her scent, giving myself permission to selfishly take this moment and commit it to memory. I kiss her on the forehead and release her as she turns to Knox.
Taking his hand she stares into his eyes and Bones hands her another ring. She places the ring over the tip of his finger and speaks to him.
“Knox, you are my safe space. Somehow you always know what I need. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how you always seem to know the right thing to say. I will always tesoro you. Is that how you say it?”
My brother laughs, “No, Tesoro, it’s not yet, somehow it’s perfect, like you.”
She blushes as she pushes the ring the rest of the way onto his finger and closes hers around the titanium.
“You don’t simply have my heart and soul—youaremy heart and soul. Wear this ring as a symbol of my undying love for you.”
Heather turns back around facing Killian and Bones hands her the ring. Tears stream down her face as she whispers.
“I need a minute.”
Knox rubs circles on her back as I speak low, my words only meant for her.
“Take all the time you need. We have an entire lifetime.”
