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When she reached the altar, Colt met her and swept her into his arms. She giggled in his ear, and he whispered, “I love you.”

“Love you too.” She kissed his cheek sweetly before he set her on her feet. She took her place on the other side of the pastor with confidence and waited until Ben walked down the aisle.

Ben watched the toes of his boots as he walked a little too quickly to the front of the church. He marched up the step to stand next to Colt.

Colt leaned over. “Psst.”

Ben looked up.

“Thanks for being my best man.”

Ben held up a fist for Colt to bump, and they both turned toward the doors where Remi would hopefully appear soon.

And appear she did. Wow. Colt had seen her less than ten minutes ago, but Remi knew how to make an entrance. Her auburn hair was a little wavy, and her dress showed off the figure that would soon be changing with the pregnancy.

Remi was an amazing mom, and a montage of the perfect months they’d spent together as a family flashed through his mind. There had been a point in time when she’d sworn she wasn’t made for motherhood. She’d thought she wouldn’t be a good wife.

Oh, how wrong she’d been. The woman knew how to set her mind to something and excel.

Remi’s smile beamed, and he swallowed the rising emotions. He needed to make it through the vows without blubbering like a baby.

When Remi stopped in front of him, he offered her his hand. She took it, but it wasn’t the graceful, soft motion of a princess or a queen. She took his hand the way she’d taken his heart–with assurance and determination.

Unable to resist, he pulled her in for a hug. Unable to speak, he just held her for uncounted seconds. If their friendship had been strong before, it was unbreakable now.

They took their places in front of Brother Higgins and faced each other hand in hand.

“We’re gathered together to witness the renewal of vows between Colt and Remi Walker. They have pledged their devotion before God, but it is my understanding that Remi wanted a do-over.”

Their friends laughed. Most of them had heard of Remi’s “Thank you” vows. She turned and grinned at them, comfortable laughing at herself.

When it was Colt’s turn to recite his vows, he squeezed Remi’s hands.

“I stand by my original promises to you. I intend to love you and care for you until the day I die. In sickness, health, joy, and sadness, I’ll be right beside you. Remi, I’ve loved you since day one. How could I see you every day and be with you all the time and not be completely head over heels for you?”

Remi bowed her head and laughed, but they both knew it was the truth. He’d decided a long time ago that Remi was his other half–crafted by the great Creator to be his partner in life.

He looked down at their joined hands. “I knew you would break me before I could earn your love, but you were worth all the waiting. I love you, and I’m grateful to be your husband. I give you and our family my loyalty forever.”

Remi’s shoulders tensed, and she bit her lips between her teeth. She was holding back tears, and it was nice to know Colt wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by the ceremony.

Brother Higgins gave Remi the go-ahead, and she nodded, still staring at Colt.

She released a deep breath and whispered, “Hey.”

“Hey,” Colt whispered back.

“I love you.”

Her words were still quiet, so Colt adopted the same tone. “I love you too.”

When she spoke again, her volume was bolder. “I’m late to the game, but I know where I’m meant to be now. You showed me how to love myself, and through that, I knew I loved you too. Thank you for loving me patiently and giving me the room to grow in my own time.”

Her shoulders swelled with a gasping breath, and she let it out through rounded lips. “I’m hard to love, but you didn’t give up on me. My trust was broken by others, and you paid the price for that. I shouldn’t have done that to you, but if trust is earned, you’ve earned mine a hundred times over. I give you my trust, my heart, and my devotion. I’ll gladly stand beside you for the rest of my life.” Her chin shook as she let out a ragged breath. “Thank you for giving me the love and family I never thought I would have.”

Colt wrapped her in his arms and let her cry on his chest. She was everything he’d hoped for and more. His life wasn’t complete–they still had a baby on the way and who knew what else–but he was whole, and he always would be.

Brother Higgins rushed through the rest of his planned service. “You may now kiss the bride.”