Page 43 of Loving Roman
I laugh humorlessly. “You handled the situation better than I would have.”
He tips his head to the side in deference. “Maybe. But I know my initial reaction disappointed Mom.” He looks down at the table. “Something I never want to do. She’s been everything to me, and I’m probably more protective of her than I should be.”
I can’t let him think he was wrong to react the way he did, so I butt in. “After everything the two of you have experienced, I would expect you to be close and for you to be protective ofyour mom. I think it’s admirable, Noah. You were being a good son to watch out for her when it’s only been the two of you for such a long time.”
He smiles a little, and the stiffness in his body reduces minimally. “Thanks. I’m glad you understand.” Leaning back in his chair, he relaxes further. “I’ve never seen Mom so happy. I mean, I’m sure she was happy with Dad, but I was so young, I really don’t remember. Growing up, she never dated, or if she did, she kept it from me.”
“She told me she had never dated. I doubt your mom would keep something like that from you,” I tell him. “You’re too important to her.”
He blows out a long breath and leans forward, resting his forearms on the table and linking his fingers together. “When Heather and I got home after our visit to check on Mom, she sat me down and made me realize some things. The first being that Mom deserves happiness and the second being that she deserves to be loved fully and deeply.” He looks me in the eye, and I shift in my seat. “I know you give her all of that. You make her happy,andyou love her deeply. Watching the two of you together takes some of my worry for her from my shoulders.”
Leaning forward in my seat, I hold his gaze. “I’ve got her, Noah. I know it’s been fast, and that must be shocking to you, but I love your mom with everything I am. She is one hundred percent safe with me. I will treasure her like the precious treasure she is. You have my word.”
Noah slides his fingers through his hair and huffs out a laugh. “That’s the thing. Heather and I married fast, and Mom didn’t blink an eye. She said,the heart knows what it wants. I’m ashamed that I didn’t give her the same support from the get-go.”
I lift and drop a shoulder. “You were caught off-guard. It happens to the best of us.”
“Thanks for being understanding.” He stands and pushes the chair back under the table, so I mirror his actions. “As long as she’s happy and you love her the way she deserves, you’ll always have my support.” He holds out his hand, the veiled threat lingering in the air between us, and I slide mine into it.
We shake. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But you need to realize one thing. I will never stop loving your mom and ensuring her happiness. She deserves nothing less than my everything.”
He grins. “Good to know.” Clapping his hands together, he looks outside at the waiting guests in the tent. “I believe we have a wedding to attend.”
I pat him on the back. “That we do. I can’t wait.”
We go our separate ways, and I make my way to the front of the tent to await my bride. I can’t wait to have her with me every day and in my bed every single night. The kids are eager to have her become a permanent fixture, too. They love having her around as much as I do.
I’m brought back to the moment when an excited murmur washes through the small group of people gathered within the see-through tent set up in Kate and Oliver’s garden, overlooking the river. Looking up, I spot Alice and Noah walking along the path toward me.
She’s all I see.
My love.
My future.
An angel sent especially for me.
She stops in front of me, and I take both her hands in mine. She’s practically glowing, her cornflower eyes sparkling in the afternoon light. I lean forward and kiss her glossy lips, vaguely aware we have an audience and I shouldn’t be kissing heryet.
I can’t resist. I don’t want to.
Our friends and family snicker, and the celebrant clears her throat—I don’t care—I needed to have my lips on hers.
The celebrant begins speaking about the purpose of today, and I can’t focus on a single word because I’m too busy tracing Alice’s features with my eyes, planning all the things I’m going to do to her body tonight and every night until the end of time.
Alice smiles at me and squeezes my hands with hers, raising her eyebrows. I squeeze back and smile at her, mirroring her actions. She tilts her head toward the celebrant and chuckles lightly. It’s then that I realize it’s my turn to speak.
Clearing my throat and working to gain my focus, I begin, “Alice. Thank you for taking a chance on me. On us. I know it was difficult for you, and I know you didn’t make the decision to join your life to mine in haste. I want you to know that my heart, my soul, and my life are yours from this day forward. There is nothing on this earth I wouldn’t do for you and your family. You are my love, my life, myeverything.” My throat tightens as I bring her hands up and kiss them tenderly, then slide the dainty diamond-encrusted band on her slim finger. She didn’t want to bother with an engagement ring, so I decided she needed diamonds on her wedding band.
“Thank you, Roman.” The celebrant turns to my almost-wife. “Alice. Would you kindly share your thoughts with us?”
She nods at the celebrant and then turns to face me. All the sounds around me cease to exist as I focus on Alice’s measured tone. “Roman. I believe we were meant to find each other on that beach a mere ten weeks ago. You were meant to come into my life to break down my walls and open my heart to love once again. I thought I’d had my one chance at happiness, but I was wrong because you bring me so much joy. I thought I’d lost my opportunity to love, but you’ve shown me it’s okay to love again. Today, I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of our days. I’m dedicated to giving you the care and dedication you give to others daily and to value you for the man you are.”
Alice presses up on her toes to kiss my lips softly before sliding a plain sterling silver band on my finger. Feeling the cool metal wrapped around my skin grounds me in a way I wasn’t expecting. The simple jewelry reinforces our commitment to one another, reminding us of our promises going forward. Looking at my wife’s hand and seeing the band resting there gives me a sense of peace.
I am hers and she ismine.
I smile as I dip my head to seal our promises with a kiss. “I love you, Mrs. Armstrong,” I murmur against her mouth before teasing her lips open and sliding my tongue inside to seal our promises. She tastes like forever. A future full of mutual goals, long conversations, busy days, and intimate nights.
Alice’s fingers tease the hair at my nape as I dip her low to loud cheers and applause from our small audience. The kids surround us, as do Noah and Heather, Marcus and Celia, and Oliver and Kate.
I can’t wait to get my wife alone!
