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He stands near the altar in a dark suit, shifting nervously with his wrist cuffs and adjusting his suit jacket. Such a gorgeous, large man normally looks intimidating at a glance. But like this, he looks soft. Sort of fuzzy around the edges. Then he looks up and our eyes meet.

Nothing else matters in this moment.

Ren’s mouth parts and he gapes at me with wide eyes, glancing up and down my body then looking me right in the eye. From there, we never look away. It takes most of my concentration to make sure I don’t trip down the aisle, and before I know it, Catherine is passing my hand into his. His touch is warm and trembles just as much as my own racing heart. But the moment his fingers weave with mine, the nerves and the fear melt away.

“Hi,” Ren says softly under the beginning speech from the celebrant who will marry us.

“Hi.”

“You look …stunning.”

“Like you haven’t seen it before.”

“It looks ten times better,” he whispers. “But the skirt…you changed your mind?”

“For Mom.”

Ren nods knowingly and still refuses to break eye contact. “Wow.”

“What?”

“I can’t stop staring.”

“Me either. You look incredibly handsome.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean it. You look really good and it’s not just the suit.”

“I think it’s this person I’ve met.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I’m sort of seeing someone.”

“Oh really? What’s she like?”

“A little sharp. Maybe a little crazy but I like it. She’s hot as fuck too.”

“Oh.” It’s challenging to keep my amusement quiet. “You should marry that girl.”

“Working on it.”

Our quiet whispered conversation goes unnoticed, and soon all attention is on us as we exchange vows. It flows like music between us as if we’ve spent months rehearsing every line, but in the end it’s just easy because this is exactly where we’re supposed to be.

My vows are short but honest; Ren’s changed my life and after everything we’ve been through, I don’t want to waste a single second. I love him, and I’m going to embrace that loveevery single day while working to be the better person he deserves.

Ren’s vows bring me to tears. He talks about his years of being alone and driven by what he considered to be the end. He didn’t ever see a future until he met me and I turned his world upside down. Suddenly he has a reason to live again, a reason to survive, and that is scary, but it’s a fear he embraces and will cling to for the rest of his days. Because it makes him want to live and be the man I deserve, be the father our baby deserves. He swears to keep us safe until his last breath, which he will ensure we take together when we’re both old and gray.

I’ve given up on protecting my makeup when the gold band rings are exchanged because nothing can keep my tears at bay. The overwhelming emotions just flood forward, and I’m torn between rolling swells of love, adoration, and excitement.

Ren’s hands tremble as I slip the ring onto his finger, but mine are just as bad when it’s my turn. The ring is heavy on my finger and radiates like a beacon as I curl my hand into a fist and stroke the edge with my thumb.

“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Falzone. You may kiss the bride,” the celebrant says with a wide smile.

Cheers and claps rise up from the seats, and my mother’s sobbing reaches comical levels. Ren slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close with a soft smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Falzone has a nice ring to it.”

“Right?” I tilt my head to the side and study his face. “It’s our name now.”