Page 76 of Eternal Pieces

Reginald begins the ceremony, and it all comes so easily. There are no interruptions other than mine and Maddox’s sobs, and a few cute baby noises that have all our hearts melting.

When it’s time for the vows, Maddox goes first.

He takes hold of my hands and gives me a look that is nothing but pure pride and certainty. “Violet, baby, you had already given me everything I wanted when you chose to be ours, but you’ve kept on giving me things I didn’t know I needed. Now it’s my turn to do the same for you.” He slips off my engagement rings and replaces them with a brand-new wedding band. It’s a simple yet perfect design of a vivid yellow triangular diamond set into a golden ring.

“Every part of me is yours. Always has been. Always will be. I vow to always care for you no matter what. You have all of me forever.” He plants a gentle kiss on my forehead before Max steals my attention by turning me to face him.

I’m trapped in his warm, golden gaze as he vows his love to me. “Mad is right. You own us. We’ll do whatever you want of us, no questions asked. And we’ll do it all with a smile because you’re so perfect and you’re all ours. We’ll love you forever, sweetheart, you and our beautiful children.” He looks over at the triplets, and my heart soars as his gaze softens on them. Love and joy shimmering in his eyes. It’s been a wonder to watch him become a father. He’s so patient with them, not once getting angry from their constant crying and need for attention. He’s never complained about all the poopy diapers or the lack of sleep. He and Maddox have given us the safest home. A home that I will always be grateful for.

“Gold to match your eyes,” Max says, sliding the second ring onto my finger. I sob as I see the shape of the diamond and the way it connects on top of Maddox’s ring. Together they form a heart. My two loves filling one heart.

“It’s perfect.”

“Violet, is there anything you’d like to say?” Reginald asks.

“I know this is last minute, so you don’t have to say anything if you’re not up to it,” Max adds.

“I want to. Do we have the rings?” I look around, and Sarah comes over with a bright smile on her face and tears on her lashes. She’s cradling Tobias, and in his lap is a ring box. I take it and pop the lid open. They’re the ones I picked out for the last time we tried to do this. Two golden bands engraved on the inside. One saysForever,and the otherAlways.

I had prepared vows for the last time as well, rewrote them over and over until they felt right. But I don’t need them. The words I want to say come straight from my heart.

“Max, you’ve always been our strength, and I feel like you’ve passed some of that on to me. With it and your constant protection, I’ve been able to let go of the things that were hurting me and forge our life together. I wouldn’t want to do any of this without you, and I’ll never have to. You swear I’ll be yours forever, and I promise I will.” I put the ring on his finger, then look to Maddox. “Always. Maddox, you keep me sane on the darkest days. Make me laugh when I don’t even realize I need to. You hold me so close I can barely breathe. And it’s perfect. I don’t need to worry about breathing when I’m with you two. Because I know you’ll always protect me and our children. All I’ve ever wanted is a home, and I finally have it.”

After I slip Maddox’s ring onto his finger, Reginald announces our marriage.

I’m curious who I’ll get to kiss first. Did they have another contest between themselves to figure it out?

Everything becomes a blur as I’m suddenly squashed between the two of them, their hands hold me in place as they kiss me at the same time. It’s messy and a little awkward in front of our family, but I’m so lost in our love that I don’t care. This is who we are. All our messy, broken pieces fit perfectly together, and it’s our never-ending love that will keep us eternally bound to one another.

EPILOGUE

VIOLET

When I pull up to Maddox’s garage at midday, he and Max are outside chatting happily together. They’re both wearing tight jeans and t-shirts, their abs visible through the fabric. I’m such a lucky girl to get to see that every day.

Max makes a swinging motion with his arms and laughs, probably demonstrating what one of his Little League kids did this morning at practice. He laughs a lot these days.

During his time being a stay-at-home dad, while Maddox was finishing getting his garage ready and I started an internship at the local newspaper, he spent a lot of time at the park with the triplets. They’d watch baseball games held by a local charity, and Max would tell the triplets all about his days on the field. I haven’t seen him so engaged with the sport for a long time. It took Maddox and me by surprise when Max said he wanted to try out being a coach for the charity. Now, every weekend, he spends his time at the park teaching kids how to play baseball. I always told him I’d support him in whatever he chose to do, but seeing him find the joy he had once lost feels right.

He and Maddox come over when I get out of the car and help to unload the triplets. They’re wide awake after the bumpy drive down from home and are very excited to see their daddies.

“Dada, Dada!” Tobias babbles, reaching his arms up for Maddox to lift him. Maddox scoops him up and turns him upside down to blow raspberries on his tummy.

They’re two peas in a pod, just as cheeky as each other.

“Did you miss me, little man?”

“Dada! Stop!” Tobias giggles uncontrollably.

Olive and Evie crowd around his feet, wanting the next go on the Daddy Maddox ride. Max sneaks up behind them and lifts them both onto his shoulders, making them squeal in delight.

I grab my purse and lean against the side of the car with my hands in the pockets of my dress as I watch them. It’s gone so quickly since we brought them home from the hospital. I can’t believe they’ll be two soon.

Maddox looks my way and says, “I think it’s Mama’s turn next, don’t you, Tobi?”

“No! My turn!” he cries.

“Oh, what a shame, guess I’ll have to miss out,” I laugh.

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