Page 17 of Hidden Vows (Love in Ashford Falls #3)

Do you remember the day we got married? Of course you do. Maybe the better question is, do you wish you could forget it?

I don’t.

Even with everything we went through after, I wouldn’t change marrying you for anything. I hate that we’re not celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary today. I hate that instead of spending the day with you, I spent it wallowing in self-pity.

We’re living in a world I forced upon us, and ten years later, I still don’t know if it was the right call.

When you walked into the courthouse, you took my breath away.

We were both so young.

We may have been adults in the eyes of the law, but we were still children—we were teenagers getting married.

I know our wedding was nothing like you ever imagined, but it was ours, and my love for you was unyielding.

I know you don’t believe that, but it’s the truth. My love for you has never wavered, and it never will.

The look in your eyes when we exchanged our vows—I’ll never forget it. If I ever doubted your love for me, all of it was wiped from my memory when you looked at me standing before that judge.

I know how badly you wanted your mom and my dad there, but it was the right call leaving them in the dark the way we did. It kept them safe.

You gave me my wish for traditional Irish vows, and in return I broke your heart. I wish I’d done better. I wish I’d been better.

Ten years later, these vows are still true, no matter what you might think.

I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine, from this day it shall only be your name I cry out in the night and into your eyes that I smile each morning; I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine, never shall a grievous word be spoken about us, for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.

Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life and into the next.