Page 73 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

"Alex, when we first met, I thought it was by chance, but now I know without doubt that the Universe put you in my path because we're meant to spend our lives together.

Today I make the sincerest promise my heart can make to yours.

I vow to be your constant love and support, your devoted life partner. "

Her face seems to glow brighter with each word, her eyes suspiciously wet.

"I vow to be your home; to be your place of comfort and calm.

To have faith when our journey is effortless and when it's challenging.

And when we face adversity, we will never do so alone.

Because today I promise you, my true love, that I will never give up, that I will always believe in us, and that I will love you for the rest of my life. "

Taking the ring from the minister, I place it at the tip of her finger. "This ring I give you is my personal gift. It's my promise of love and trust and pride that you are my wife. By wearing these rings, the world will know that I'm yours, and you are mine."

She lets out a shaky breath, one hand drifting briefly to her stomach before she speaks. "Cole, from the moment our paths crossed, everything changed. Every day you surprise me, distract me, captivate me, and challenge me. But most importantly, you love me in a way that no man ever has."

Her voice catches slightly. "I still can't believe that I'm the lucky girl who gets to marry you.

I promise to be true to you, to uplift and support you, to frustrate and challenge you, and to share with you the fine moments of life.

" Her lips curl into that sassy smile I love.

"And someday, if the stars align - sooner than you might think - I might even let you win an argument. "

I snort at her sass, and our guests laugh. Her eyes hold a secret sparkle as she continues.

"No matter what trials we encounter together or how much time has passed, I know that our love will never fade.

We will always find strength in one another as we continue to grow side by side.

I believe in the truth of what we are, and I will love you always with every beat of my heart - all of our hearts. "

She takes the ring from the minister, sliding it onto my finger with slightly trembling hands.

"Cole, this ring I give you is my personal gift.

It's my promise of love and trust and pride that you are my husband.

By wearing these rings, the world will know that I'm yours, and you are mine forever and always. "

The minister beams at us both. "By the power vested in me, it's my greatest pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Cole, you may kiss your bride."

Before I can move, my passionate woman takes charge, stepping forward. I chuckle and open my arms as she plants her hands on my chest. When she pushes up onto her toes, I seize back control, claiming those ruby lips. We both moan as they connect. Finally!

"Hello, husband."

"Hello, my gorgeous wife." Her eyes sparkle with that same secret light. "Let's get this show on the road; I can't wait to get out of here and celebrate privately."

She chuckles, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Sounds good to me." We turn to our guests, who erupt in applause and cheers.

The day flies by in a blur of joy. During the photoshoot in Six-Pack's garden, I notice Alex needs frequent breaks, though she tries to hide it.

Brian and the wedding planner have outdone themselves - the place is perfect.

By nightfall, they've transformed the main area back into the gorgeous nightclub it always was.

This place has an allure, and standing here with my wife at my side feels like a dream come true.

Both our heads turn as Samantha's voice flows through the speakers. She's standing on stage with a microphone, looking nervous but determined.

"Um, I wanted to say something to the happy couple." I take my wife's hand and walk toward the stage.

"Hey, Dad." My throat tightens when our eyes meet. "Thank you for being the most amazing father you are. You showed up in L.A. after Mom died, and you didn't care that you didn't know me. The moment you realized I was your daughter, you took me under your wing."

She brushes back her blonde hair, scratching her jaw just like I do. "Our relationship was rocky at first. I gave you a hard time, and we encountered multiple communication issues."

I chuckle, remembering the flying package of tampons.

"But everything changed when Alisha came into our lives.

" Her eyes move to my bride, who squeezes my hand harder.

"Thank you, Alisha. The way you helped me feel at home and bond with Dad was exactly what I needed.

You didn't give up on us. I love your straightforwardness and colorful personality.

But most of all, I love how you two give me a family, and I can't imagine the rest of my life without both of you in it. "

Alex wipes at her eyes, and I notice her other hand resting protectively on her stomach. Before I can process that, Samantha's eyes travel sideways. "Okay, I'm ready."

The curtains slide open, revealing a black piano. My mom walks onto the stage, stopping beside Samantha, and hands her what looks like sheet music, whispering something in her ear. Sam smiles and kisses her grandmother's cheek before turning back to address the room.

"I'm proud to say that I'm the third generation in the Walker family who can play the piano." She pauses, a mysterious smile touching her lips. "Though maybe not the last."

My heart pounds as she continues. "Finding out I inherited the gift of playing and composing from my father and grandfather changed my life.

I love every single moment Dad and I spend together behind this instrument, and I hope we have many more.

Because learning from a gifted musician who's also your dad is the best. I'm going to play something as a thank you to you, Dad, and in honor of my grandfather. I hope you like it."

As she takes her place at the piano, my heart drums against my ribs. The lights dim, and the moment her fingers touch the keys, I recognize the piece - the one my father conducted for me that night at the symphony hall.

Alisha moves in front of me when she sees my tears, pressing her back against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, one hand settling over hers where it rests on her stomach.

The way Sam plays is breathtaking, her fingers dancing over the keys like a hummingbird's wings.

When she finishes, thunderous applause erupts.

I release my wife to rush onto stage and pull my daughter into a tight hug.

"I love you so much, Sam. And I know without doubt your grandfather heard it. It was magnificent."

"Thanks for loving me, Dad."

I kiss her forehead. "You make it easy. Are you ready for me to return the favor?"

"Are you for real?"

I nod, grabbing the microphone from the piano. "Could my wife please come on stage?"

Alisha approaches, brow furrowed. When she reaches us, Sam moves to stand beside her, and I turn to face them both.

"I thank the universe every day for bringing you two girls into my path. Your arrival brought this bachelor mindless nights of headaches, trying to figure out how to communicate without causing you to slam doors in my face or walk away upset."

Our guests laugh, and I notice Alisha's hand drift to her stomach again.

"Thanks for not giving up on me. I promise you both that I'll try to be the best father and husband I can be." Something in Alisha's eyes makes my heart skip. "You two helped me heal a part of me I thought would never return, and to show you this, I'm going to play."

Alisha's eyes widen as I take my seat at the piano. "This is a cover from The Greatest Showman called 'Never Enough,' a song both my daughter and my wife adore." I catch my mother's eye as she holds Jeremy's hand, wiping tears away. "This one is also for you, Mom."

When I look back at Alex, her green eyes overflow with love and something else - something that makes her seem to glow from within.

It strengthens my resolve to perform in front of this crowd.

The moment I begin, everything else fades away.

I become one with the music, lost in that secret space I create whenever I play.

Applause breaks through my musical trance. Nick and Brian whistle loudly as my wife and daughter throw their arms around me. A satisfying sense of completeness fills me.

"Dad! That was amazing!"

"Thank you. Not bad for a rusty old piano player, is it?"

When Sam steps back, Alex grabs my hands, her eyes shining. "I'm so goddamn proud of you."

She gives me such a searingly passionate kiss that I'm tempted to scoop her up and abandon this party. But Brian's voice interrupts.

"Okay, lovebirds, hold the dirtiness in for a few more hours because it's time to open the dancefloor and have fun."

With my arm around Alex, we turn to face our guests as Brian continues. "The bar is open, and drinks are free. Let's celebrate that this piano boy is off the market!" Cheers and applause fill the air as people move toward the bar or find seats at the scattered tables.

"Piano boy?" I mutter to Brian, who grins.

"Yep, it's my new nickname for you." Darius calls him from the bar. "Okay, I'm needed. See you later, piano boy."

"Want to dance?" Alex asks, an odd nervousness in her voice.

"With you, always."

Before we can move, my mother throws her arms around me, sniffling. "I presume this is an 'I liked your performance' hug?"

"Oh, Cole! It was beautiful."

I hug her back. "It felt good, maybe even worth repeating," I whisper. She tightens her embrace.

When she releases me, I glance at Jeremy with a raised brow. "And?"

His eyebrows lift, but then he smiles. "Next Saturday."

Mom's cheeks flush as she realizes what I'm asking.

"Where are you taking my mom?" I ask, only half-joking.

"Cole Walker!" Mom protests, embarrassed, while Jeremy chuckles.

"I'm teasing. You deserve to go out and have fun. It's been a long time since you've been with a man."

Another wave of blush covers Mom's face.

"Cole!" Alex slaps my chest. "Excuse us," she says, taking my hand. "I'm going to punish my husband for that inappropriate remark. He'll be dancing with me all night."

I laugh, following my wife's delicious curves toward the dance floor. I catch the DJ's eye and give him a thumbs up - our signal.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to announce that Mr. and Mrs. Walker will open the dancefloor with this special song."

Alex turns to face me as the first notes of the song I played during my proposal fill the air. My arms pull her close, and with our bodies connected, we slow dance while I whisper the lyrics against her ear.

"I'm yours, Alex."

She presses closer, and I notice she's trembling slightly. "Cole," she whispers, "I need to tell you something."

"What is it, baby?"

Let's create a strong ending here, focusing on the impact of both revelations - their marriage and the baby. Here's how we could wrap up this chapter powerfully:

She presses closer, guiding my hand to her stomach. "Cole," she whispers, "I need to tell you something."

"What is it, baby?"

Her eyes meet mine, filled with joy and nerves. "Remember that night after you proposed? When we decided to enhance our chances?"

The world stops spinning as understanding dawns. "Alex... are you?"

She nods, tears spilling down her cheeks. "We're having a baby, Cole. Samantha's getting a little brother or sister."

Pure joy explodes through me. I lift her off her feet, spinning us both as our guests cheer, thinking it's just part of the dance. But I see Samantha watching us, and something in her expression tells me she's figured it out.

"I love you," I whisper against Alex's hair. "Both of you."

"Both of us love you too," she says, then adds with a smirk, "Though your son or daughter has your terrible timing - making me throw up on my wedding day."

I laugh, pulling her closer. "That's my kid."

She reaches up to wipe a tear from my cheek. "You know what this means, right?"

"What's that?"

"The fourth generation of Walker musicians is already on the way."

My heart nearly bursts. Looking around the room at our gathered loved ones - my mother and Jeremy, Sam beaming at us knowingly, our friends celebrating - I realize how perfectly everything has fallen into place.

"Thank you," I whisper against Alex's temple.

"For what?"

"For making all my dreams come true. Even the ones I didn't know I had."

She kisses me softly, tasting of promises and forever. "We're just getting started, Bulldozer. Just getting started."