Page 100 of Monstrosity
Even Emil looks suspiciously glossy-eyed, though he'd probably deny it.
"That was beautiful, girls," Runes says, voice rough. "Now then, Rio and Dasha have written their own vows."
Rio goes first, pulling a paper from his pocket with shaking hands.
He unfolds it, looks at it, then folds it back up and speaks from the heart.
"Dasha," he begins, then has to clear his throat. "Years ago, you walked into my life with coffee and kindness. I was broken, angry, convinced I'd never find happiness again. But you saw past all that. You saw the man I could be, the father I was trying to be, and you loved us anyway."
He looks down at our joined hands, then back up at me.
"You gave my daughters a mother. You gave me a reason to smile again. You stood by us through violence and threats, never wavering. You've seen me at my worst—covered in blood, consumed by rage—and somehow you still look at me like I'm worthy of you.
You are the strongest, bravest, most loving woman I know, and I promise to spend every day showing you how grateful I am that you chose us. I promise to love you, protect you, and build a life with you that's worthy of the second chance you've given me. I promise to always make your coffee exactly how you like it, to dance with you on our porch, and to never take for granted the miracle of you saying yes. I love you, Dasha. Forever."
I'm crying, not even trying to hide it.
Meghan hands me a tissue while I pull out my own vows, though the paper is shaking so badly I can barely read it.
"Rio," I start, voice shaky. "I thought I knew what love was. Then I met you and realized I'd only been scratching the surface.You showed me what it means to be cherished, protected, truly seen. You gave me not just your heart, but your daughters, your family, your whole world."
I look at the girls, including them in this moment.
"Florencia and Cali, you two have given me the greatest gift—the chance to be your mom. I promise to love you both as fiercely as if I'd carried you myself. To be there for every milestone, every heartbreak, every joy. To make sure you always know how special you are and how proud I am to be your Mommy-Dasha."
Back to Rio, who's openly crying now, not even trying to be the tough biker we all know he is.
"Rio, I promise to stand beside you through whatever comes. To be your partner, your best friend, your safe place. To love the man you are—father, protector, provider, and yes, even the darker parts that keep us safe. I promise to always have coffee ready in the morning, to slow dance with you even when there's no music, and to remind you every day that you deserve all the happiness in the world. You're my everything, and I choose you today and always."
"Beautiful," Runes says, wiping his own eyes. "Now, the rings. Emil?"
Emil steps forward with the rings while Meghan hands mine to me.
I notice his hands are perfectly steady even with the emotion of this moment.
He murmurs something to Rio that sounds like "Don't fuck this up" but could have been "Don't drop the ring."
"Rio, place the ring on Dasha's finger and repeat after me," Runes instructs.
Rio slides the band onto my finger, his voice strong as he repeats the traditional words. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"Dasha, same for you."
I take Rio's hand, sliding on the band that matches mine. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"By the power vested in me by the state of Florida and the Raiders of Valhalla," Runes says with a grin, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rio, kiss your bride like you mean it."
Rio doesn't need to be told twice.
He pulls me close, kissing me deeply while the crowd erupts in cheers.
The girls attach themselves to our legs, making it a family hug that has everyone awwing.
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Rio Rojas!" Runes announces. "Now let's eat!"
More cheers as we make our way back down the aisle as a family, the girls holding our hands.
The reception is set up on the other side of the yard—picnic tables decorated with mason jars full of wildflowers, string lights creating a canopy, and most importantly, the cake table.
