Page 90 of The Omega's Secret Baby

Following my example, Matt didn’t bother looking at his notes either. “You know that I’ve always had everything money could buy. People told me that I was lucky, that I should be happy, but I was only ever really happy when I was with you. I’m a fool, though, and it took me too long to see that. But people are right, and I really am lucky, because we got a second chance. I’m not going to waste it. I’m going to treasure you forever, because I have no treasure greater than you. You’re the bearer of my children and the love of my life, and I promise to never leave your side again.”

Deep breath, Eli, not the time for tears yet.

“Who has the rings?” the officiator asked.

“Here!” Jake walked up to us with a super-serious expression on his face. He held up a small black cushion with both rings placed on it. We’d opted for simple rings, because neither of us had wanted them to get stuck on anything, but they had our names engraved on the inside, and I loved them.

The officiator spoke again. “Do you, Matthew Lowell, take Elias Stevens to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Matt met my eyes with a smile. “I do.”

The officiator turned to me. “And do you Elias Stevens take Matthew Lowell to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

It was a no-brainer. “I do.”

“If there be anyone present who may show just and lawful cause why this couple may not be legally wed, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

A second of silence, another.

I smiled at Matt. Nobody could stop us from being married.

“Exchange the rings.”

We did.

“By the authority vested in me by the State of Maine, I hereby pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss.”

Matt leaned in and pressed his lips to mine the moment the officiator stopped speaking. This was it. We were married. From somewhere, I heard barking. Fiona, in the front row. I hoped she was happy now, after getting us together all those years ago. She barked again. And then all the other dogs joined in until the hall was filled with the noise of excited animals.

Hell, even my kid joined the barking after a moment. People were going to be talking about this fordays.

I didn’t care, though. I simply laughed and leaned into my husband.

Let them talk.

I couldn’t have asked for a better start into my new life.