Page 159 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Then, it’s my turn.

“Are you ready?” my dad inquires, his expression a blend of pride and affection as he meets my gaze.

I nod, my voice momentarily escaping me.

My dad takes my arm, and I feel his strong, reassuring presence beside me. With that simple gesture, we begin our walk down the aisle; the path lined with wildflowers leading us closer to the love of my life. My excitement and nervousness build with each step, but the moment my eyes find Alex waiting at the end, all worries disappear. The world narrows down to just the two of us, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of our family and friends.

The ceremony continues, a blur of murmurs and words that barely register. All I can focus on is Alex, his hazel eyes keeping me grounded in this moment of overwhelming emotion. My mind has wandered when the officiant clears his throat and looks at me expectantly.

Alex leans closer, his warm breath brushing against my ear, and he whispers, “Your vows.”

With a sheepish grin, I nod and clear my throat. “Oh, right,” I reply, my words drawing chuckles from our guests.

“Alex,” I begin, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, “From the moment we met, and I saw those dimples, I was done for. And I knew a life with you would be an adventure.”

Alex grins, those dimples making an appearance.

I pause for a moment, locking eyes with him, feeling the depth of our connection.

“But in all seriousness,” I say, my voice softening, “I promise to be your partner in all of life’s adventures, to cherish each day with you, and to make every moment count. I vow to stand by your side through the ups and downs, the sunny days and the rainy ones.” I end with a smile and a heartfelt, “I love you, Alex, today, tomorrow, and always.”

Alex takes a deep breath, his eyes glistening with emotion. He clears his throat before he begins.

“Bella,” he starts, his voice quivering slightly, “I’ll never forget the day fate brought you crashing into my life at that little coffee shop. You bumped into me, and it was like the universe was saying, ‘Hey, pay attention, this is the moment your life changes.’”

Laughter erupts, and I smile up at him, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

He continues, “You’ve shown me that even the simplest, most unexpected moments can turn into something beautiful.” With quivering lips, he concludes, “I love you, Bella, more than words can express. More than I ever thought possible. You are my everything, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

Tears of joy gather at the corners of my eyes, and my chest feels light yet full, as if my heart can barely contain the emotions that are coursing through me.

The officiant asks, “Do you, Alex, take Bella to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Alex looks deeply into my eyes, his voice steady and filled with love as he says, “I do.”

A collective sigh of happiness sweeps through the gathered guests.

My heart races as the officiant asks, “Do you, Bella, take Alex to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”I do. I do. I do.Every day for the rest of my life, I do.

“I now pronounce you...” the officiant begins, but before he can finish the declaration, Alex’s mouth finds mine in a kiss that leaves both of us breathless and sends a wave of cheers and applause through our gathered loved ones.

The clouds overhead, which had been threatening rain all day, finally decide to open up. Raindrops fall gently at first, but within seconds, it’s pouring down, as if the sky itself is showering us with blessings.

The guests gasp and scramble for cover, searching for shelter under the canopy tent and the towering trees. Umbrellas pop open like colorful mushrooms.

Yet, amid the downpour, Alex and I remain locked in our embrace, our kiss unbroken. The warm rain soaks us, matting my hair against my forehead and drenching Alex’s suit. But I don’t care.

Our kiss deepens, a sweet mixture of rain and love, and the world fades into the background.

Alex’s hands cup my face, and he pulls back slightly, his warm breath caressing my lips. “I love you,” he whispers, his eyes filled with tenderness.

I kiss him again, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his lips. Then, still close enough that our words are shared against each other’s mouths, I say, “I love you, husband.”

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through our kiss.

I reach up to brush a strand of his wet hair away from his forehead. “We’re definitely going to have to change.”

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