Dustin’s eyebrows shot up. “What about the dress? Isn’t that important to you?”
“I’ve actually dreamed of wearing a beautiful gown surrounded by friends and family on the day I married you two, but it is more important for us to be together. More than anything, I want to be your wife.”
* * * *
Dustin stood next to Paris, who was between Mick and him in Ethel’s judge’s chambers with his and Mick’s parents and Paris’s dad.
His mom was already wiping her eyes, standing between his dads.
Dr. Cottrell sent him a wink of approval, which made this fantastic day just a little better.
Ethel stood in front of them, wearing her robes. “We are here because the three of you have decided to join your lives. You come here with precious gifts—mature understanding, your love, your hopes and dreams, your trust in one another, and your faith in life’s meaning and purpose, resolved to share life’s experiences in enduring love and loyalty. The decision has been made in your hearts and minds, and we are here to witness the public expression of the commitments you have made privately to each other. Marriage is a relationship not to be entered into lightly or thoughtlessly, but reverently, soberly, with deep purposes and in the spirit of enduring love. Much is required of you three. Knowing this, does each of you wish to proceed with this marriage?”
“Yes,” they all said together, but hearing her sweet whisper thrilled Dustin.
We’re finally here. She’s mine and Mick’s.
“Dustin and Mick, will you take Paris as your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and will you live for her, before all others, as long as you all shall live?”
“We will,” he and Mick said in unison.
“Paris, will you take Dustin and Mick as your husbands? Will you love them, comfort them, honor and keep them in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and will you live for them, before all others, as long as you all shall live?”
“I will,” she said softly.
He couldn’t help but smile because she’d already taken care of him, performing surgery on him. How many brides can say that?
“Please face each other, joining hands as a symbol of your union.”
He took her hand and Mick took her other hand.
“Dustin and Mick, will you then repeat after me? I…”
As they repeated the rest of the vow, pledging their undying love to her, Dustin realized their dreams were finally coming true.
“…so long as we shall live.”
“Paris, will you then repeat after me?”
Every word sealed her to them forever. “I, Paris, take Dustin and Mick to be my husbands. To live with you from this day forward. For better, for worse. In plenty and in want. In strength and in weakness. To love and to cherish. So long as we shall live.”
Like something mystical, he felt the invisible bond they shared tighten around them.
“Dustin, Mick, and Paris, having declared your vows in the presence of these witnesses and by the joining of hands, now therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of Colorado, I do now declare in the presence of these gathered that you are husbands and wife. Gentlemen, you may kiss your bride.”
Dustin kissed her. “You’re mine, baby.”
His brother did the same. “And mine. Always.”
She smiled. “Always and forever. As it was meant to be.”
“I can’t believe my boys are finally married.” His mom gave Paris a hug. “Thank you for being patient, sweetheart. You’re finally my daughter.”
Dr. Cottrell and his and Mick’s two dads surrounded them all.
Everyone hugged.
He looked at his wife. This is the happiest day of my life.