Page 64 of Bittersweet Redemption

We’ve been planning slowly. We found this small cabin, and it’s been absolutely perfect. We found someone to marry us and a local photographer who helped us find the perfect location for the ceremony. Willa found a dress, and I found some slacks and a button-down. Roman got some pants and a nice shirt that matches mine. And here we are.

Willa was right, too. This place is magical. We’ve only been here three days, but everything we’ve seen has taken my breath away, from the waterfalls to the vast expanses of open land. All of it is gorgeous.

We stay outside for a few more minutes before heading in. I make breakfast while Willa sits at the table talking to me. Eventually, Roman stumbles out of his room. The time change really messed him up.

After breakfast, Willa gets ready. She curls her hair and does her makeup in the small bathroom. Roman helps her zip her dress, and when she comes out of our room, my jaw nearly drops. I’ve seen the dress before, but not on her. It’s a simple design and isn’t too long since we’re getting married on a black sand beach. The fit of the dress showcases all of her curves, and the lace sleeves covering her arms are classy and stunning.

I’m one lucky motherfucker.

“You look. . .” I can’t even think of the right word. “Magical. Like a fucking queen.”

She tugs on her bottom lip as my eyes rake over her body. “You like it?”

“I love it. And I love you.”

I step forward to kiss her, but she holds up her hand. “No. No kissing until after we say I do.”

I groan. “Where did that rule come from?”

“My head. I just made it up. Now, go get dressed and help Ro with his tie.”

I walk past her, but right before I go, I reach out and wrap my hand around her throat, gently pulling her closer. My obsession with her throat hasn’t gone away over the years. I lower my voice and whisper, “Tonight, when I take this dress off you, I’m going to kiss you in my favorite spot and worship my wife the way she deserves to be worshipped.”

She looks at me from under her hooded eyes. “I’m looking forward to it, husband.”

My eyes dart to her lips. I want to kiss her so badly. But she told me no, so I manage to find a tiny piece of self-control and release her, giving her one more look before I get dressed.

After we’re all ready, we head to the beach our photographer helped us pick. When we get there, the photographer, Steph, puts a flower crown on Willa’s head and hands her a small bouquet.

“You guys picked the perfect day. The weather is gorgeous. We’re going to get some great pictures.”

Willa smiles up at me. Honestly, today would’ve been the perfect day even if it was pouring rain. Marrying her will be the best day of my life. No question.

“Let’s get started,” the officiant says. We follow him down to the spot we picked. He situates us right in front of the water, with Roman standing next to Willa.

I take her hands in mine. There’s no way I can wipe the stupid smile off my face right now. If Kellan were here, he’d definitely be giving me shit about it. But I would, not so gently, remind him how he cried like a fucking baby when Riley walked down the aisle. They were bummed when Willa and I decided to elope, but they came around when we said they could throw us a reception when we’re back in town. Riley has gone crazy planning. My mom is even making the trip for it. I’m hoping when she sees how happy I am now with Willa and Roman, she and Kellan will be able to drop this stupid stalemate they’ve got going on.

But I’m not thinking about that today. It’s just the three of us here because we didn’t want to worry about what anyone else wanted or what would be most convenient. We did what we wanted and didn’t second-guess ourselves. And it’s fucking perfect.

The officiant starts the ceremony with a little speech about how beautiful love is. I try to pay attention, but I can’t keep my eyes off Willa and how perfect she is.

Once he finishes that, we do our letter ceremony, which Willa and I thought would be fun. We each wrote a letter to open on our fifth wedding anniversary. We place our letters in a box with our names and wedding date engraved on the top. It’s like a time capsule for our love.

We recite traditional vows because we both felt like there was something special about saying the same words of commitment that so many other people have said.

“The rings?”

Roman hands him our rings. I take Willa’s diamond band, and she takes my black one.

“Do you, Kai Winters, take Willa Frost to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

I look directly into Willa’s sparkling green eyes. “I do. Absolutely I do.” I slide the dainty band on her finger.

He asks Willa the same question, and she answers with, “Yes, I do,” and slides the band on my finger.

We both laugh at how stupidly happy we are, and tears of joy slide down her face. I reach up and wipe them off.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Kai, you may kiss your bride.”