“I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?”
“We do.” Charlotte turns, searching for Chance.
Z walks his son to us.
“I do!” Chance holds out two small boxes to us. “I do!”
I pluck one out of his hand. “Thanks, buddy.” I give him a little high five and he grins.
“Thank you,” Charlotte says, smiling down at Chance and nodding to Z.
Baby Bit-bit lets out a scream loud enough to rip open the Earth.
Heidi’s desperate eyes zip from me to Lilly, who’s trying to comfort Bit-bit.
Our guests murmur “Aww,” as Heidi scurries over to collect her daughter from Lilly. She freezes as if she’s scared to return. But Charlotte motions her over to us. Heidi stops next to Charlotte and Charlotte leans in, whispering in Heidi’s ear. She coos at Bit-bit, who’s quiet now that she’s in her mother’s arms. Heidi’s cheeks flush an impossible shade of red.
“It’s okay,” I whisper to her but I’m not sure if she hears me.
Alexa runs up to stand next to Heidi and the crowd titters with laughter.
Blake holds out his hand, encouraging Alexa to come stand next to him.
Charlotte beams at me, not one bit flustered by the brief interruption.
Damon waits with a patient smile. When we’re focused on the ceremony again, he continues. “You may now exchange your rings as a symbol of your endless commitment to and love for one another.”
I slip the thin, gold diamond band out of the box and take Charlotte’s hand. She bites her lip, studying the ring as if she’s worried it won’t fit. We’d picked them out long before she found out she was pregnant.
“With this ring, I pledge my love and loyalty to you for the rest of my life,” I say as I slip it on her finger.
She releases a relieved breath, then takes my hand.
My heart beats impossibly faster as she repeats the same words and slides the ring on my finger.
“By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Damon holds up his hands. “You may kiss the bride.”
Charlotte throws her arms around my neck and I lift her, crushing my mouth against hers.
“I love you,” she whispers against my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Sunshine. Want to spend the rest of my life making you smile.”
I set her down and we turn toward our family and friends, lifting our linked hands in the air.
“Let’s celebrate!” Blake shouts.
People cheer or run up to hug and congratulate us. Through all of the chaos, Charlotte and I hold tight to each other.