Page 121 of All Your Firsts

“I’m glad.”

“Me too, baby.”

Pulling away, she gives me a reassuring smile before grabbing Alexa and Gage and walking around the house.

“You look amazing, sis,” Marco says from the door. He looks handsome in his all-black suit.

“You like it?” I do a twirl.

“You look like a princess on her fairy-tale day,” he says as he steps closer and hugs me. “I’m proud of you. I don’t think I’ll ever get the vision of you climbing down the side of the house out of my mind.”

“You saw?”

“Who do you think kept our father busy while you ran from the grounds? I had a feeling you’d try to run that night after dinner.”

“Thank you,” I say.

We all tried our best to stay out of our father’s way unless necessary, so for him to seek our father out and distract him for me to run warms my heart.

We part as the music changes. Marco looks around the corner of the house. “As soon as I walk around, wait thirty seconds, then start walking.”

“Okay,” I tell him as my stomach drops.

My breath catches in my throat as I round the corner. Vic stands at the end of the dock, right in front of a huge floral archway. As I approach, I’m overwhelmed by the sight of thousands of roses, ranunculus, peonies, and hydrangea in different hues of white, creating a breathtaking display that perfectly complements my bouquet.

The black tuxedo clings to Vic’s body in all the right places, but it’s his face that commands my gaze. Even from afar, I see his huge smile across his handsome face.

White chairs are situated on either side of the dock as I move along the rose-petal pathway. I catch glimpses of our closestfamily and friends standing, but Vic’s presence consumes my sight.

Our hands interlock, and a wave of pure bliss washes over me. Filling every fiber of my being with a profound sense of contentment.

Home.

He is my home.

Vic leans in. “You’re beautiful, baby.”

As someone clears their throat, our attention shifts to Trey. He stands there, dressed in a suit, with a mischievous smile, ready to officiate our wedding.

“Ready to get married, fuckers?” he whispers to us, and I can’t help but feel torn between laughter and tears at the sheer hilarity of the situation. Who the hell let him get his license to officiate this wedding?

“Rush, I’ve fallen in love with you countless times over the years as your words danced across the pages and worked their way into my heart. I promise to love you endlessly and with every ounce of love that lives within me. My heart will forever choose you today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.”

When it’s Vic’s turn, he pulls out a little paper. As I watch him, my eyes widen in astonishment as he unfolds the paper, its edges frayed and creased just like the picture of me he had.

“Rosie,”—his voice trembles as he clears his throat of emotion while tears rim his eyes—“I want all your firsts, your lasts, and everything in between. You were my endless sunshine in eternal darkness, and I want to feel your warmth for an eternity. In exchange, I will give you all of me. You own me. You always have and always will. I love you. Now, and forever.”

A tear runs down my cheek. Vic’s eyes soften further.

“You may kiss your bride.” Vic leans down, and before I know it, he sweeps me off my feet. I let out a surprised squeak before his lips are on mine. He’s giving me the ultimate fairy-tale kiss, stealing the breath from my lungs and leaving me weak in his arms.

THE END

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