Page 113 of Our Broken Pieces
Both of the women wrap their arms around me. “I’m so happy for you, Gigi. That man loves you. I hope you know that deep down inside,” Audrey assures me.
“I know. And I love him, too. I feel so lucky right now.”
Melonie glances at the clock on the nightstand. “We need to get moving, ladies.”
Audrey loops her arm through mine. “Let’s go get you married.”
The girls give me one last hug before the music starts, and they walk through the doors to join our men where they stand at the front of the room. The attendant motions for me to start walking once the music changes, and I smile, placing one foot in front of the other.
I walk through the door and see my best friends across the room from me. Jax has a goofy smile on his face. Linc, Melonie, and Audrey are all wiping their eyes. And then there’s my prince. He looks like heaven in a dark gray suit, black shirt, and dark red tie. I gave it to him once I found my dress and told him to wear it.
I feel the weight of this ritual as I step toward him. It’s almost a beautiful burden, though. I want him in my life. I want to commit fully to him, and I know he feels the same way. I don’t feel nervous or worried. I feel calm and loved. I focus on him. His eyes are soft, and he has a smile just for me on his face. As I approach, he moves to the center, in front of the officiant. I hand my bouquet to Melonie and face him. He reaches for my hands and mouths, “Ready?”
I raise his hand to my lips, and I nod.
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Marcus
The warmth of her hand in mine eases my nerves. When she walked into the room in that deep red dress, it felt like the air had been knocked from my lungs. That’s my Gigi—bold, untamed, beautifully unconventional. She embodies everything I lack. She knows the darkest parts of me, and yet still, she found a way to love me. I used to feel unworthy of her, but she illuminated those shadows, making me believe I am deserving of love. I don’t know when it happened, but I am profoundly grateful that it did.
We turn to the officiant as he leads us through the traditional vows, but soon it’s time for our own. I had written mine nearly a month ago, filled with all the things I needed her to hear, whether or not she chose to be mine. Jax nudges my elbow,offering the card I gave him in case I forgot, but my mind is clear. I want my words to be from the heart. So, I shake my head and look into Gigi’s eyes.
“Gigi,” I begin, clearing my throat as she gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “You’ve worked your way into my heart slowly, steadily, like you knew exactly how to make me believe in love. I want to wake up to your green eyes every morning. I want your wildness, your beauty, your chaos. I promise to hold you through the tough times and to celebrate with you in the good. My only goal is that you never doubt my love or my devotion to you. I vow to love you deeply, to grow with you, to laugh with you, and to choose us every single day.” I slide the delicate gold band onto her finger. “This ring symbolizes my promises to you.”
Audrey hands Gigi my ring, and her eyes fill with emotion as she looks at me. “Marcus,” she says softly. “I couldn’t feel luckier, standing here with my best friend. You accept all of me, my quirks, my sadness, and you give me the freedom to be myself. I can never thank you enough for that. I promise to love you in the way you need to be loved. I vow to bring a smile to your face every day, to be your place of peace. I will give you space when you need it and acceptance always. No matter what life brings, I will stand by your side through everything—the good and the bad. I promise to love you fiercely and proudly.”
She carefully slips the gold band, lined with emeralds, onto my finger. “This ring symbolizes my promises to you,” she adds, her smile wide and her eyes shining with unshed tears.
I bring her wrist to my lips, then lower her hand, and we look at the officiant.
“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may seal your promises with a kiss.”
My hand finds the soft skin of her neck, feeling the steady rhythm of her pulse beneath my fingertips. As I lower my lips to hers, I close my eyes and silently pray that I can always bethe man she deserves. Our kiss is slow, filled with a sense of meaning that I’ve never felt before. I want that feeling, her skin, her eyes, her smile, every part of her, forever. When it ends, I open my eyes to find her gazing up at me with a radiant smile. “I love you, princess,” I whisper.
“Love you so much, prince,” she replies, her voice soft and full of affection.
Our friends gather around us, filling the air with hugs, laughter, and fist bumps. Linc, misty-eyed, pulls out a tissue and dabs at his face. “That was beautiful,” he says.
Gigi rises on her toes, her breath warm against my ear as she whispers, “Do they know?”
“About us?” I ask, and she nods.
“Yeah, I told them,” I admit with a grin. “Do the girls know?”
“I couldn’t keep it a secret,” she confesses, guilt flashing in her eyes.
“I couldn’t, either. I want everyone to know you’re mine, G.”
I turn to the group, keeping my arm around her waist. “Thank you for being here with us for this.”
“You’re all the best friends in the world,” Gigi adds.
Jax wraps his arms around Audrey’s shoulders as she stands in front of him. “I’m so glad I went over to Audrey at that lobby bar in Jamaica.”
Linc points at him. “You sir, are lucky I made you go talk to her.”
Melonie puts her hand on her hip. “None of that would’ve mattered if G and I hadn’t sent her there in the first place.”
