Page 57 of Claiming Bennett
“Hi, baby,” I whisper back, smiling just as wide as I grasp her hands in my own. “You look so perfect. How’d I get so lucky?”
Her eyes crinkle at the corners, and I’m so tempted to kiss her here and now. The thought of waiting through an entire ceremony is torturous, but I lose myself in her eyes until I’m prompted by the minister to give my vows.
We told each other private vows last night, curled up in bed with each other, promises for our ears only. These ones will be short and sweet, just like we decided.
Maggie doesn’t want to bawl like a baby in front of everyone.
“To hold and to cherish, from now until the world ends,” I promise, my voice choked with emotion as I slide the ring wepicked out together onto her finger. It sparkles just as prettily as the other one. “You have me. I’ll give you everything, and all I ask in return is you, my sweet Magnolia.”
She holds her tears at bay as she looks between the ring and my face, and I can see the love mirrored in her eyes.
“To hold and to cherish, from now until the world ends,” she repeats. “You have me. I’ll give you everything, and all I ask in return is you, Bennett.”
My heart flips in my chest as she slides the simple gold band with her name engraved inside of it over my finger.
I don’t wait for the officiant to give me permission to kiss her, tugging her close the second the ring is in place. It feels the same as every other kiss she gives me—like the greatest gift I could ever ask for, something I could never deserve.
It’s perfect.
She’s perfect.
“I love you,” I mumble against her lips.
She laughs, bright and bubbly, and tugs me in closer with a hand around my shoulders. “I loveyou.”
The racket of our families slowly filters back in, cheers and shouts of congratulations, and I grin at the thought that this is allreal. I get to have this forever.
I get to havemy sweet Magnoliaforever.
Cameras flash as Hailey passes Sean over to us, and I look down at mysonand my fuckingwife, and I can’t imagine anything better. Every day we spend together will be even more perfect, even when Maggie is grumpy and Sean breaks rules when he’s older. This is all I’ve ever wanted.
“My wife,” I whisper softly, kissing her forehead before bending to kiss Sean’s chubby cheek. “My boy. You’re perfect. I love you.”
Maggie shifts Sean in her arms, and they both look up at me at the same time, twin grins spreading across their faces.
“We love you, handsome. You ready to go do this?”
“For the rest of my life?” I ask, beaming. “I sure fucking am, baby.”