Chapter 390
Tristan
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She smiled through her tears.
“You’ve given me everything I never knew I needed, Tristan. A home where I can be myself completely. A love that makes me stronger instead of weaker. A partnership where I’m valued and respected and cherished. And now, our babies…” her voice broke, and she placed one hand on her belly. “Our babies, our family, our future.”
I was completely undone, tears streaming down my face, not even trying to hide them anymore.
“I promise you, here in front of everyone who matters to us, that I will love you with everything I have,” she said, her gray eyes locked on
mine.
“I promise to support your dreams, to stand beside you as your equal and your partner. I promise to be your safe harbor in every storm, your biggest cheerleader in every triumph. I promise to make our house a home, to raise our children with you in love and joy.”
She took a deep breath.
“I promise to never take for granted this second chance we’ve been given. To treasure every moment, every laugh, every kiss, every ordinary day. I promise to love you when it’s easy and when it’s hard, when we’re celebrating and when we’re struggling, when we’re young and when we’re old. I promise to choose you, every single day, for the rest of my life.
Her voice dropped to a whisper, but I could hear every word clearly.
“You are my second chance, Tristan. My redemption. My home. My everything. And I will love you with every breath I take, in this life and every life after. This I swear to you, before God and everyone who loves us. I am yours, completely and forever.”
I couldn’t help it–I pulled her into my arms and kissed her, even though we hadn’t gotten to that part yet. The room erupted in laughter and applause, but I barely heard it. All I knew was Athena, her lips on mine, her body pressed against me, our babies between us, our bond singing with happiness.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were grinning through our tears.
“I believe we still have a few more steps, the officiant said, his voice warm with amusement. “But I appreciate the enthusiasm.”
More laughter from the crowd.
“The rings, the officiant prompted.
Liam stood up and handed it to Derek, who stepped forward, and held up out the ring box. The same platinum bands we’d exchanged at the mating ceremony, but wearing them again in front of everyone felt right, felt important.
I took Athena’s ring, my hand surprisingly steady now despite the emotions coursing through me. I slipped it onto her finger, right above the engagement ring I’d given her months ago.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” I said, the traditional words feeling sacred My heart, my life, my love, all that i am and all that I have, I give
to you.
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Chapter 390
you.
she took my ring, her hand trembling slightly as she slipped it onto my finger.
པ ི ༡༡
“With this ring, I thee wed,‘ she said, her voice clear and strong. My heart, my life, my love, all that I am and all that I have, I give to
The rings settled into place, and I felt something shift in our bond, another layer of commitment, another promise made and sealed.
“By the power vested in me, the officiant said, beaming at both of us now pronounce you husband and wife,” he added with a wink, getting another laugh from the crowd. “Tristan, you may now properly–and finally–kiss your bride,
i didn’t need to be told twice.
I pulled Athena into my arms and kissed her with everything I had, all my love, all my gratitude, all my joy. I kissed her like she was the air I breathed, like she was everything that mattered in the world. Because she was.
She kissed me back just as fiercely, her hands in my hair, our babies pressed between us, our bond blazing with happiness and completion.
The room erupted in cheers and applause, people whistling and shouting congratulations. But all I could hear was my heartbeat syncing with Athena’s, all I could feel was the rightness of this moment.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless and grinning, the officiant turned us to face our guests.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his voice ringing with joy, ‘may I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Tristan Hayes!”
The applause was deafening as we walked back down the aisle together, hand in hand, husband and wife in every way that mattered. Our friends were cheering, crying, celebrating.
Lily ran up beside us, still scattering rose petals even though we’d already passed her, making everyone laugh.
Once we were out of the ballroom, in the private hallway designated for us, I pulled Athena into my arms again.
“We did it,” I said, pressing my forehead to hers. “We’re married. Really truly, officially married. In every possible way.”
“Third time’s definitely the charm,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time. ‘I love you so much, Tristan Hayes.”
“I love you too, Athena Hayes,‘ I said, kissing her softly, tenderly, “My wife. My mate. My everything.”
She placed my hand on her belly, and I felt our babies move under my palm, responding to their parents‘ touch.
“Our family,” she whispered.
“Our family,” I agreed, overwhelmed with gratitude for this moment, for this woman, for this life we were building together.
We had a few moments alone before the photographer found us for pictures, and I treasured every second. Just holding her, feeling the bond between us humming with happiness, knowing that we’d just publicly declared our love in front of everyone who mattered.
“Ready for pictures?‘ she asked eventually.
*Ready for anything,” I said, “as long as I have you.”
21:56 Sat, Feb 7 WC
Chapter 390
“That was incredibly cheesy,” she said, but she was smiling.
“I know,” I admitted. “Marriage is making me sappy.”
“I like you sappy,” she said, reaching up to kiss me apa
The photographer called us back for photos, some with
just
118,
some with the wedding party, some with our families.
4.22%
Every time I looked at Athena, I fell in love all over again. The way she laughed at something Kiara said. The way she bent down carefully to adjust Lily’s flower crown. The way her hand kept drifting to her belly, protective gesture that made my heart ache with love.
This was my wife. The mother of my children. My second chance. My everything.
And I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life showing her just how much she meant to me.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
