Real.
“Beast,” I said softly, “I promise to love you even when you pretend a fence needs fixing just because you don’t know what to do with your hands.”
The chapel laughed again.
His mouth twitched.
“I promise to remind you that you don’t have to carry everything alone. I promise to stand beside you. To make you laugh. To tell you when you are being stubborn.”
“That might be often,” Trigger muttered.
Wolf elbowed him.
Everyone laughed.
Even Beast.
Then I looked back at him.
My voice softened.
“I promise to be your home too. I promise to choose you every day. And I promise that whatever comes next, I will face it with you.”
The preacher smiled.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
My breath caught.
Beast’s hand tightened around mine.
“You may kiss your bride.”
Beast didn’t hesitate.
He pulled me into his arms.
Kissed me slowly.
Deeply.
Like he had waited his entire life for this moment.
The chapel erupted.
The Magnolia Ladies cheered.
Wolf whistled.
Trigger shouted, “Finally!”
Dad laughed.
And when Beast pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.
“My wife,” he whispered.
My heart filled so completely I thought it might burst.
