“Cecilia María, from the first moment I saw you, concussed and lying in my arms, I knew I wanted you. All too quickly, I fell in love with you. I mean, how could I not? You’re the sun, brightening my every day. I would do anything for you. I know I didn’t always make the right moves, so I want to make some vows to you.
I vow to never lie to you again. You deserve only honesty, and a foundation built on lies will crumble at the slightest wind.
I vow to protect you every day. You will always be the most important part of my life. You will always be safe with me.
I vow to be the best husband to you. I’ll take care of you and provide for you. You’ll never know a day without love.
I vow to be the best father to our daughters and all the other children to come. They’re already a priority to me, and I haven’t even met them yet. I love them like I love their mother.
I vow to be the best man I can be, because you make me want to be a better man for you. Every day, I will work hard to earn you. Because you’re too good for me, but instead of letting that keep me from you, I’ll let it drive me to be better.
I love you with everything that I am. You are my heart outside my body. You will forever be mine, just as I am yours. Because, sunshine, you own me. Mind, body, and soul. It all belongs to you. I’d do anything for you, and I will do everything for you.”
I stare into her eyes as I profess my love. I almost feel bad about the pregnancy hormones causing her to sob at my words, but I know she’d be emotional even without them. She hiccups, then pulls out a sheet of paper delicately folded.
“Roman Montclair, when I first met you, you were my héroe. You saved me countless times. Even when I found out about the unconventional methods you used, the core sentiment was to help me. You’ll always be my hero. My savior. And I know you’ll do the same for our children. I’m honored that our daughters get to call you ‘Dad’. I couldn’t hope for a better man to have a family with.
I vow to always hear you out. I’ll listen before coming to any conclusions. I’ll trust in you as my husband and as my héroe.
I vow to come to you when I’m in need. And to trust that you’ll take care of me, as you’ve done countless times.
I vow to raise our daughters and all to come in agreement with you. I’ll be patient and hear you out. However, they will be allowed to date before they’re thirty,” she says teasingly, bringing up a conversation we’ve had many times.
I growl in disagreement. Meanwhile, Margot and Gracie snicker behind her. The crowd cheers. But my brothers, to my surprise, make noises of disapproval, clearly as rationally protective over their nieces as I am.
“I vow to be your perfect wife. I’ll be whatever you need me to be. Your friend, your confidant, your calm, your ally, your wife… I’ll always be here to support you.
And I vow to lead you to the light. No matter what you do in the darkness, I vow to always be your sunshine. Your peace. Your happiness. I won’t let you succumb to the night, because I’ll be your sun always lifting you to the daylight.
I love you. And I will always love you. You’re my héroe. I’ll never take you for granted, nor all you do for me. I love you greatly. Please know, you’re my life. And I wouldn’t be happy without you.”
She smiles at me through her tears, and I have to swipe my palms over my eyes to see through my own. I don’t care who sees the ferocious Roman Montclair cry. I’ll do as I damn well please for my wife. And they’ll take this as a warning of how much she means to me. Of how far I’ll go to protect her.
When the officiant finally lets me kiss my bride, I don’t even wait for him to finish. I pull her towards me and lean over her belly. I thread my hand through her hair and kiss her fiercely. It’s not as innocent as it should be for this setting. But my wife just married me, so I can’t help it. She’s irresistible.
***
We’re sitting at our table at the reception. After the first dance and the father-daughter dance, my pregnant wife needed to get off her feet.
In fact, I grab her feet, take off her shoes, and start rubbing them under the table. She shouldn’t be in pain carrying our children.
“Roman,” she moans out, and I shift as my cock hardens. “That feels so good.”
I curse under my breath and continue the task at hand.
All I can see is her. My sunshine. She’s my life. We didn’t need a wedding to prove it, but she deserved one. And I know from her smile, she’s happy she got it. Pride fills my chest as I look at that brilliant smile.
“Do you think Dom and Katerina will survive each other?” Cecilia asks worriedly, nodding to a corner.
Katerina is talking to one of Cecilia’s male cousins. They’re a respectable distance apart. Nothing seems amiss. But the furious Dom striding across the room towards them doesn’t seem to agree.
Dom pulls Katerina even further away from Mateo and against his chest. Dom then says something to Mateo that has him paling and scurrying off to the other side of the room.
Katerina breaks free of Dom’s grasp, the fury on his face reflected in her own. They get into a heated discussion, and for a second, it looks like she might stab him. I see her eyeing the cake knife on the table next to her. He intercepts her hand as it sneaks out to grab it and uses it to pull her into him. She huffs and rolls her eyes.
I hear Cecilia’s swift inhale, matching my own worried anticipation. I’ve never seen someone act so disrespectfully and defiantly towards Dom. I’ve seen him enact violence on his own men for much less.
I sit up in my seat, ready to intervene if needed, but Dom just grits his teeth and pulls her back into his chest. She fights him, but I suspect she could get out of his hold if she wanted.
