Page 73 of Corey

They both sniffed then laughed because, hell, the snot was freezing in their noses. Corey wiped a tear from her cheek.

“My dearest Corydon,” Sera said, voice trembling. “You are my beautiful safe place. A steady presence that accepts me for exactly who I am—flaws, scars and all. You never demand my energy but always give me yours. You love me gently, completely and with a quiet consistency that has mended all of my broken pieces. You’re my other half, my soulmate, and my reason. And I love you so very much.”

“Love you, too,” he responded.

With a grin, Jayson continued his part, and then they said their “I do’s” and slipped the wedding bands onto each other’s fingers.

“By the power vested in me by the State of Montana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Jayson declared.

Corey didn’t need to be told twice. Pulling Sera into his arms, he dipped her and kissed her thoroughly. Whistles and cheers erupted in the winter air and sparklers lit the evening as their friends circled and waved them.

“I now present Mr. and Mrs. Corydon Emerson!” Jayson announced.

Straightening back up, they turned to face their friends when Storm lifted his head and released a full blown, welcome-to-the-pack howl. The beautiful moment left everyone speechless and tears filled their eyes. Then Storm looked at Corey and Sera and yipped, his tail wagging. Laughter and clapping filled the frosty air.

Corey and Sera pet Storm’s head and shared a smile. Clasping hands, they turned and hurried down the midnight blue runner with flurries dancing all around them, Storm bounding along at their side. As their friends cheered, it occurred to Corey that life had a funny way of working out. Sometimes, tragedies were balanced out by unimaginable bliss.

And promises? Well, he wasn’t scared to make them anymore. Corey planned to give all his best and most beautiful promises to Sera. Regrets and guilt belonged in the past.

Now was the future.

Corey and Sera stepped into the warm cabin with their friends and fur babies, excited to celebrate their love.

Together, they’d reached the edge of forever, and, damn, it was a perfect view.