Page 111 of Sins of Innocence

Not going to happen.

"We're at a theme park, aren't we?" Ellie asks. "Of course we're going on rides."

I nod my agreement.

"Yay!" Joy's yell is expected.

Neeve's nearly as loud, "Cool!" is not.

Áine's hand turns in mine so our fingers can lace together and she relaxes, like she really was worried I was going to deny our girls the chance to enjoy Disneyland fully.

I wouldn't do that. I'm not an asshole.

To them.

"We are gathered here to bring Áine Gallagher and Kieran Lleshi together in the bond of marriage," Celeste says, unbothered by the minor interruption. "Sadie, Neeve and Joy, will you please step forward?"

What is she doing? I look at McLaren, sure she knows, but her focus is on Celeste and the girls coming to stand beside us so Áine and I are sandwiched between them and the officiant.

"Do you Sadie, Neeve and Joy offer your support and approval for your mother to marry this man?"

"We do," Sadie says with conviction while both the younger girls say, "Yes."

This had to be Ellie's idea. But how could she know the girls would agree? I've claimed them as my daughters, but even I thought it would take them longer to accept that claim.

They want a dad though.

They need me.

Just like Áine does, even if she doesn't realize it.

Without telling the girls to return to their spots, Celeste turns her attention on me. "Do you, Kieran, agree to take Sadie, Neeve and Joy as your daughters."

"I do," I say without hesitation.

"Do you, Áine, agree to allow Kieran to become your daughters' father?" Celeste asks.

Áine's hold on my hand constricts tightly. It takes her a second, but she says, "I do."

Celeste nods. "Do you, Kieran, agree to marry Áine?"

"I do," I say with the same alacrity as before.

"Do you, Áine, agree to marry Kieran, committing yourselves for a lifetime?"

How does Celeste know that it's Áine who has reservations about this marriage? I appreciate the wording of commitment pledge though. I will never let Áine go.

The pause before Áine's I do is shorter than the last one, but it's there. Still, she said it.

I do.

Now we speak our vows.

"Repeat after me," Celeste turns a look of benevolent seriousness on me and recites the vows I am supposed to say.

I lock eyes with Áine and repeat them. "I, Kieran Lleshi, take you, Áine Gallagher, to be my wife. I promise to respect you, to support you, and to share my life with you."

"Now, Áine—"