Falling into You (Falling Stars 3)

The way her own expression flared and flamed and softened.

Their love so apparent and clear.

When she made it to the end of the aisle, her daddy leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek, whispered something that none of us could hear. She nodded, her smile so soft, and he stepped back, bringing the fingers of both hands to his lips and blowing her a kiss.

Oh goodness. So sweet.

Then he turned and shook Royce’s hand, and then the man reached out for the little girl that he’d just met. Pulled her into his arms. Hugged her tight and carried her over to where Mabel was sitting.

A statement.

A proclamation.

Like they were offering their own vows.

Accepting her into their precious family.

My chest stretched so tight, and that burning at the back of my eyes was at full force.

The minister began, opening in the typical way, talking about marriage and what it really meant. Why it was sacred.

When he finished, Royce fumbled into his pocket to find the vows he and Emily had written. There was no missing the way his hands were shaking as he unfolded the piece of paper. He swallowed hard, shook his head, overcome with emotion.

His voice clogged with the immensity of it.

“Emily. My love. My soulshine. I give you my life. My days. My love. My devotion. My loyalty. Everything I do, I will do for us. For our marriage. For our family. I know you know I’m not perfect, but when I make mistakes, I promise to learn from them. I promise to hear you. To see you. To never forget you in the times when it matters most and in the moments that seem insignificant. Because every second with you is significant. You are my life. And I stand here, offering you mine.”

Emily sniffled, laughed through her joy, and touched her nose with the back of her hand.

Trying to gather herself.

While my mind raced back to that evening seven years ago, to the man who currently stood like a fortress of fidelity behind Royce.

Staring at me.

My mind whirred with the memory of what he’d promised. The way his voice had tremored and shook as he’d read the words he’d written for me.

“It’s funny when you meet someone, and you just know. Funny how your heart instantly recognizes someone who was meant for you. Violet Marin, you opened my eyes to so many things. Our love came on fast, this wedding faster. But I have zero hesitation standing here before you now. Know we talked about this—about what it takes to make a marriage work. We’ve discussed our parents who are still loving each other to this day, wondering how they did it when so many people never seem to get that far. We came to the conclusion that we have to want more joy for each other than we want for ourselves. That a love that lasts is an unselfish love. It’s a giving love. And we know that ideal has to go both ways or it’s just not gonna work. But standing here, Violet, under this tree, I promise every day of my life I will wake up wanting to give you more joy than you had the day before. I will wake up and sacrifice for you, whatever it takes. I will wake up with respect. I will wake up with devotion. Every single day, everything I do, I’ll be doing it for you.”

Emotion tightened my throat, and I swallowed, hoping my knees didn’t start knocking right there.

Richard’s jaw clenched, teeth grinding, and I wondered if he wasn’t reiterating those words all over again.

Emily and Royce’s hands swung between them, their bond unending, moving between them and covering those who had gathered to share this day. Emily attempted to clear the roughness from her voice, but her words were hitched, lumbering with the emphasis.

“Royce. My love. My joy. I give you my life. My days. My love. My devotion. My loyalty. Everything I do, I will do for us. For our marriage. For our family. I know you know I’m not perfect, but when I make mistakes, I promise to learn from them. I promise to hear you. To see you. To never forget you in the times when it matters most and in the moments that seem insignificant. Because every second with you is significant. You are my life. And I stand here, offering you mine.”

The minister pronounced them married, and Royce was sweeping her off her feet and swinging her around and kissing her fierce and hard and soft.

A seal of every promise they had made.

Everyone cheered.

That little girl went running back to him. He hiked her up into his arms, and Emily reached out and took her hand. The three of them walked back down the aisle together. I followed to the spot where I was supposed to meet my escort.