Page 189 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“You’ll be waiting a long time for that one, buddy,” Luke said.

Vera spun around. “We’ll see about that. You boys are full of surprises.”

“Okay, it’s set. Let’s say a few words so you guys can kiss, I’ll take a picture, then we can party.”

We moved in front of the cliffside, and Luke handed me my bouquet—a flurry of fluffy peonies and wildflowers—while Zach helped me put on my flower crown and veil. I couldn’t take my eyes off Aaron as he hugged his mom and whispered something that made her laugh just so she’d stop crying.

I’d never thought someone like him could exist. His hands found mine, and he pulled me close to him at the edge of our natural altar. The sounds of birds and the buzz of the insects was a dull roar in my ears as Presley came up from behind us and took his stance. The twins stood at the side of the aisle with their arms around their mother.

“We gather here today . . .”

“Keep it short, Pres,” Aaron said.

“Do I seem like the kinda guy that would drone on?”

There was a brief silence, and I tried to hide my laughter. I’d never felt so light and utterly empty of all negative emotion. It was like living on a cloud. Nothing could touch me.

“Damn. I had this whole bit about how you guys met and how it was love at first bite—”

Aaron shook his head with a wide smile. “Don’t do it.”

“Fine. Family, we gather today to celebrate the love of two star-crossed lovers whose love was doomed by the fates for tragedy and despite all odds have come together in the most glorious, amazing, spectacular, out-of-this-world love story.”

Aaron and I shared a look of amusement at Presley’s exaggeration. His golden hair glimmered in the sun’s rays, and his skin was nearly glowing.

“Aaron, do you promise to love Kimberly for the rest of eternity and vow to never let anything separate you?”

Our gaze stayed fixed. I wanted to etch it all into my brain so I could replay it forever. The way his hair laid across his forehead, the affectionate smirk on his lips, and the love and adoration in his eyes.

“I do.”

“And do you Kimberly, promise to love my brother for the rest of eternity and vow to never let anything separate you?”

“I do.” My cheeks hurt from smiling.

“Do we have rings?”

“We do!” Zach and Luke each handed us our rings. Simple little things we’d been able to afford.

“Please exchange rings as a symbol of your everlasting love and commitment.”

Aaron took his time to open my hand and place the ring on my finger. I’d stared at his hands many hours of the night and had memorized the lines in his palms and the veins in his forearms. I placed the ring on his finger with thankfulness brimming in my eyes. All of our dreams had come true. Will would have loved to see it. Skylar too.

“By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your wife again.”

Aaron pulled me to his lips, wrapped his hands in my hair, and dipped me.

It already felt official. I hadn’t needed a wedding, but the sight of our family overlooking the cliffside felt like it might be the highest, most perfect moment of my life.

“God, I missed that.” Aaron pressed his forehead to mine.

“Wait! Stay there.” Presley bolted to the camera, then back to the edge of the altar, which was just a patch of dirt.

The flash caught in my eye, and I turned around to admire the ones I held dear. I had a family for photos. We’d already taken so many in a short amount of time, but it would grow and grow. Somehow, I knew there would be scrapbook after scrapbook of our memories. Quilts would be made and videos taken.

Our world had ended, yet we’d survived.

Vera handed me a fistful of primrose as we waited by the waterfall’s edge.