Page 107 of Freeing Souls

“Ready?” Presley asks as she holds her arm out for me.

I smile and take her arm, and we all head out of our beach house to the waiting SUV.

Stone is in the driver’s seat, and I take a moment to collect my thoughts as I glance around at the women who have become like sisters to me. I couldn’t have gotten through everything without all their support.

A year ago, Ryker made a comment about being married, and we all laughed it off until Cade shocked us by saying he wants to get married. We weren’t sure how it would even work, so we all kind of let it slide to the back burner until one night, Grayson and I came home to a note on the counter. We were to change into the outfits on our beds and head down to the beach. So, I put on the simple black maxi dress and let my hair down before heading outside, where Grayson was waiting in casual slacks and a black button up.

We walked down to the beach and got the shock of a lifetime when Ryker and Cade had flower petals strewn across the sand and our entire family waiting for us.

Ryker proposed to Grayson and Cade proposed to me. They had come up with the idea that we would all pick one last name so it’s all the same and we’d get married to each other but do it all together and have a large commitment ceremony between the four of us. The couples were only for paper.

“Are you nervous?” Bri asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shake my head as I glance at her. “No. I’m excited to take this step with them. These last four years have had so many ups and downs, yet we have made it through. This is just bringing us together officially, showing the world we love each other.”

“Who would’ve thought our hard shelled little Harley would become such a sap?” Raven chuckles, and I roll my eyes but smile.

She’s not wrong, this terrified me more than anything, but I need these guys like I need air to breathe.

“It’s time, my love,” Brielle says as she pulls back the curtain and takes my hand leading me out onto the beach. We decided to get married at Cape Henry on Virginia Beach so the beautiful lighthouse could be our backdrop.

As Brielle guides me towards the beach, I catch sight of Grayson, who has his back to me so he can’t see. Lincoln stands next to him and that’s when the sound of a piano being played begins. I glance at Brielle in confusion, wondering why and how a piano is out here, but as we get closer, I spot Ryker sitting at the front of our set up, playing the piano. The beginning notes ofTurning Pageby Sleeping At Last begin to play as Lincoln takes Grayson’s arm and leads him down the aisle.

My eyes burn as Grayson gets his moment to be the vulnerable man he is. Brielle stops and kisses my cheek before she disappears as Atlas and Colton walk over to me. I glance at Atlas in confusion.

“What, you thought you could do this part without me? Uncle Sugar has to fucking share. You’re my kiddo too.” He grins at me as they each hold out an arm. I hook mine through and laugh.

The only thing that could make this moment more perfect is if my dad was here, but as I look down at the wildflowers in my hands, I see his smiling face in the small picture Bri added to the flowers, alongside a single photo she had of my mom as a teenager.

My mom and dad are with me as I finally get my happy ending with the men who love me more than I could ever imagine. Men who have shown me how worthy I am. The three men who remind me every single day that my past does not define who I am anymore.

The second Grayson gets to the front and takes his place, we start to move, and I glance over at Ryker, who grins widely at me as he continues playing the song. Glancing back to the front, I lock eyes with Cade next, and no words can describe the pure look of love and astonishment on his face as his eyes fill with tears and he allows them to roll down his cheeks freely.

As we get closer, I look over at Grayson, who is wiping at his eyes and staring at me like he can’t quite believe I am real.

Sometimes, I’m not sure if these guys are real, and I fear I will wake up back in the basement, living my worst nightmare all over again.

Atlas and Colton each place a kiss on my cheeks and then move back to take their seats as I move to stand right next to Grayson. Ryker comes back over to us and takes his place next to Cade, directly in front of Gray.

Cayden and Ryker both decided to wear full black tuxedos with red ties while Grayson is in black, but with a red button down dress shirt and a black bow tie. We all match perfectly together.

Noah, who is standing at the head of the arch, clears his throat dramatically. “If we are all done crying now, I’d like to get through this sappy shit so we can all get drunk and party.”

Smiling, I shake my head as I take Cade’s hands and Grayson takes Ryker’s.

And after seven insane years since I met these three, we finally get to take a vow to spend the rest of our lives together.

“Alright y’all, it’s time for some first dances so we can get this party started,” Noah announces, and Ryker and Grayson make their way to the dance floor, taking the first dance as planned.Stand By Me, theFlorence and The Machine edition, begins to play, and they embrace each other as they dance.

I don’t think they could have picked a better song. It fits them perfectly. They’ve built a solid relationship, between the two of them and always make sure to take time together when they need it. It makes my heart so full to see.

Once they’re done, Ryker being Ryker dips Grayson dramatically and kisses the fuck out of him, his cheeks turning pink. Cade holds out his hand for me, and we move to the dance floor for the next dance.It’s Always Been Youby Phil Wickham begins to play as we wrap our arms around each other and sway. I stare into his deep blue eyes as I take in everything he’s saying through this song choice. I didn’t know this was the song he picked.

Tears well in my eyes, and as I try to blink them away, one escapes. Cade bends low enough to kiss it away before resting his forehead against mine. My heart fills with so much warmth as my broody husband embraces this day with us.

He has come so far over the years, but this by far is the biggest moment for him. I think this wedding means more to him than he will ever let on and I am okay with him showing us what it means by being vulnerable today. Especially being vulnerable in front of everyone we love, and not just the guys and I.

It has always been you.

---