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KAI

T he alarm blares from the nightstand and, sleepily, I roll over and hit the button to turn it off. It’s my five a.m. alarm for conditioning.

I already called Coach last night and let him know I was getting married this morning so I would be in a little later than usual.

No issues whatsoever. Just congratulations and his wishes for a happy marriage.

Isla is still saying she doesn’t want to do the whole big wedding thing, but I think it would be fun to see her in the big dress with all her friends and me in a tux with my guys.

Maybe she’ll change her mind in the future.

Isla’s back is to me, so I snuggle into her, wrapping my arms around her waist and breathing her in.

My woman.

Today she’ll be my wife.

Soon, Isla will be the mother of our babies.

“I can feel you thinking.” She mumbles, arching her back into a stretch. “You okay?”

“I’m better than okay, Princess. Today is the best day of my life. I get to marry you.” I kiss her bare shoulder and up her neck to her cheek. “Thank you. ”

“You don’t have to thank me, Kai. I love you. I’ve always loved you. It’s finally just all falling into place. Maybe I should be the one saying thank you.” She shifts, turning to face me.

“Why’s that, baby?” I push the hair from her face, leaning in for a kiss.

“Because you waited for me.” A tear runs down her nose and I wipe it away with my thumb, waiting to kiss her.

“You kept loving me even when you could’ve found someone better than me.

Someone you could eat normal food with and not worry about them having a reaction.

Someone who wouldn’t complicate your life with doctor’s appointments. ”

I press my lips to hers and pull her into me, my hands tangling in her hair, kissing her like she’s the very reason I’m alive.

“You.” Kiss. “Are.” Kiss. “The reason.” Maneuvering to where Isla is underneath me, I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, and down her naked body.

“Your medical conditions don’t define your worth to me.

I would gladly give it all up again, in every lifetime… just so I could have you.”

The alarm beeps again. Five-thirty.

“How about we take a shower and then have some breakfast before we promise to spend the rest of our lives together?” Isla strokes my face, her soft hand brushes my rough stubble, and I lean into her touch.

“Sounds like a plan to me, Mrs. Vaughn.”

The four of us sit in the crowded vital records office waiting for our number to be called.

Isla and I pre-filled out the online form last night, so all we have to do now is wait our turn for the little ceremony room and the officiant.

In my hand is a small black velvet box that holds my father’s and mother’s wedding bands.

My mother’s ring fits Isla perfectly, while my dad’s is slightly big on me.

Which is fine because after this I’m headed straight to get one tattooed on.

“Vaughn and Donahue,” our names get called over a speaker and we head to the little room at the back.

“That’s us.” I grab Isla’s hand. “Let’s do this, Princess.”

We stop in front of the podium and I take her hands in mine.

This is happening.

Isla is going to be my wife.

I get to be her husband.

Holy fucking shit, I get to marry the love of my life. Am I dreaming?

“Baby, pinch me.” I whisper as the officiant gets set up behind the podium.

“Why?”

“Just… please.” I stare at her. She laughs silently and pinches my ass.

“Ow. Okay, not a dream.” I’m not dreaming. I really am marrying Isla, with our parents okay with everything.

Life is so fucking good right now.

I’m so busy staring at Isla in her white linen summer dress that I completely miss the officiant asking me to repeat after them.

“Malakai.” My mother whispers, pulling my attention to her.

“Hmm?”

“You need to repeat after them.” Isla snickers, trying so hard to hold in her laughter.

“Right. Sorry. I just have the most beautiful woman standing in front of me and I think my brain just short-circuited.” My throat gets tight. “Go ahead.”

I repeat the regurgitated lines about Isla being my lawful, wedded spouse, and it just seems so plain. “Can I say my own vows?”

“Of course,” they nod, and I turn to Isla.

“Isla Mae, there’s no doubt in my heart that you’re my person, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

I look forward to falling in love with you over and over and over again each day.

I vow to risk everything for you—to give over my life for you—to be the man you love.

” I slide my mother’s ring on her finger.

Isla repeats the vows from the officiant and turns to me.

Fuck, I’m gonna cry.

“Malakai James. The first time I saw you, my heart whispered, “He’s the one.” My heart was so right, even if I was only fourteen years old.

You are the reason I believe in love. I look forward to all our firsts—our first home, our first child, our first time hosting holidays—all the firsts that come with being together.

To me, you are first above all things—my husband, my best friend, and my only love.

” My father’s ring slides up my finger and I really let the tears go.

I sniffle and Mom hands me a tissue, and I dry my eyes and tuck it in my pocket. We look at the officiant and they say a few more things about marriage, then we all get ready for the big moment.

“Congratulations, by the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

My bride.

My beautiful Isla.

My wife.

I frame her face and lean my forehead on hers. “You are my reason, Isla. Someday soon, our children will be our reason. But you will always be mine.” I press my lips to hers and I drown out the sound of our parents and focus solely on her.

Unfortunately, I don’t get the luxury of taking the day off because I have an away game and we have to practice before we leave. Leaving the building, we stop at our parents’ car, giving them hugs and setting up a night where we can come by for a family dinner.

Gene pulls me aside and hugs me again. “Take care of my baby, Malakai.”

I squeeze him a little tighter and nod. “You know I will. She’s everything to me. She has been since that first day.” He pulls back and wipes his eyes, then pats me on the back.

“Good. Love you, kid.”

“Love you too, Dad.” I catch Isla watching us, so I give her a wink and she smiles. “Okay, I’ve got to get to practice. I’m going to get her home so she can get ready for classes. We’ll see you guys after I get home.”

We walk back to Isla and my mom, giving my mother a hug and a kiss before we leave. My wife and I walk to the SUV hand in hand.

Wife.

She’s my fucking wife.

“So, Princess, how do you feel now that you’re Mrs. Vaughn?” I help her into the passenger seat and buckle her.

“Like life is finally falling into place and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” She grabs me by the collar and pulls my mouth to hers.

“Hopefully a baby.” I press my hand to her belly. “Who knows, maybe they’re already in there.”

“Could be.” She smirks, kissing my nose. “Okay, we need to hurry. I’ve got class in an hour.”

Next up on the life to-do list: Get her pregnant and buy a house.

Half an hour in traffic gets us home and hustling out the door to practice and class. In the parking garage, I help her into the SUV and kiss her goodbye, situating myself on the motorcycle. The photo on my screensaver is our first kiss as husband and wife.

I pull up my Instagram profile and post the photo with the caption: Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn coming in hot. #justmarried #youarethereason

Our social media manager is going to love me today. Then I send Isla a quick text before I take off.

Kai

Have a great day today, wife. I’ll be home first, so I’ll take care of dinner.