Page 97 of Rescued By Four Alphas
"I promise to respect your independence while protecting our family with everything I possess. I promise to listen when you speak, and hear what remains unsaid. I promise to support your work, your dreams, and your needs with the same dedication Ionce reserved only for my business pursuits. Most importantly, I promise to love you, our children, and our family with everything I am for all my days."
Tears fill Dahlia's eyes, but her smile remains radiant. Leo steps forward next, his expression solemn as he takes her hands.
"Dahlia," he says, "when we first met, I tried to maintain my distance from you, and I failed spectacularly. You broke through every defense with your brilliance, your resilience, and your heart. I fell in love with you not just for who you are, but for who you help me become."
"I promise to be your calm in trouble, your support in challenge, your partner in joy. I promise to stand beside you, not in front of you, as we raise our children and build our lives together. I promise to protect you without confining you to love, without possessing you, and to cherish every moment we create together."
Axl takes his place next.
"Dahlia," he starts, then clears his throat. "I used to live for the spotlight, for the crowd's energy, and for the next rush. Then you happened, and suddenly no applause could match the sound of your laugh. No sold-out arena could compete with a moment in your presence."
He squeezes her hands. "I promise to bring joy into our family every day. I promise to embrace the chaos of parenting with the same enthusiasm I bring to the stage. I promise to show ourchildren how to live passionately. And I promise to love you through every bridge of our life together."
Finally, Onyx steps forward, and he takes Dahlia's hands from Axl.
"Dahlia," he says, his deep voice unusually soft. "My life before you consisted of just my strength and power. You gave me a reason to be more than just the strongest in the room. You challenged me to use my strength to protect rather than dominate, to build rather than destroy."
"I promise to be your shield against anything that threatens our family. I promise to channel my strength into building the home our children deserve. I promise to show our sons and daughter what true masculinity means. And I promise to love you, fiercely and completely, until my final breath."
Now it's Dahlia's turn. She looks at each of us in turn, her face luminous with love.
"Evan, Leo, Axl, Onyx," she begins, "You found me when I was lost, saved me when I was broken, loved me when I felt unlovable. Each of you brings something unique to our family, something essential that makes us complete."
“I promise to respect what makes each of you unique while celebrating what binds us together. I promise to create a home where our children learn that love knows no boundaries or limitations. I promise to fight for our family against any obstacle, any prejudice, any threat. And I promise to love each of you, completely and equally, for all my days."
The minister smiles. "May I have the rings?"
Emily steps forward with a custom-made diamond band for Dahlia and one for each of us.
We wear our rings, and the minister continues.
"By the power of love that binds you, and in the presence of those who support you, I now pronounce you a family, united in marriage of the heart if not of law. You may seal your commitment with a kiss."
Our small gathering bursts into applause after Dahlia kisses each of us.
"I present to you," the minister announces, "Dahlia, Evan, Leo, Axl, and Onyx, united in marriage."
Chapter 29- Axl
Ijolt awake to the sound of birds outside our window. I can barely remember last night after all the champagne, laughter, and stolen kisses after we put the babies down to sleep. My head throbs with a dull hangover, but I don't regret a single second of our wedding celebration.
The bed feels emptier than usual. I roll over and find only Dahlia beside me, her curls spread across the pillow like a dark halo. The other guys must have slipped out early.
I put a gentle kiss on Dahlia's forehead and slide out of bed. The floor feels cool beneath my feet as I check the baby monitor on the nightstand. The screen shows Emily and two nannies in the nursery with all four babies. Knox waves his tiny arms while one of the nannies changes him.
My bladder won't wait any longer after all the champagne. I pad across the bedroom floor and push open the door.
Married. The word bounces around in my brain as I turn on the shower. I am a fucking married man. I check my reflection in the mirror. My lips curve into a smile I can't control. Happiness bubbles up inside me like the fizz in champagne. For the first time in my life, I want family dinners, quiet nights, and a house full of laughter. Things I didn't know I needed until Dahlia and the babies came along.
The shower feels incredible, and I step out and wrap a towel around my waist soon after.
The bathroom door opens, and Dahlia steps in. She wears one of my old band shirts, the fabric stopping just under her ass—the sight of her punches all the air from my lungs.
"Good morning, wife," I say with a grin.
Dahlia smiles back, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Morning, husband."
I drop a quick kiss on her lips, but she pulls me closer and deepens it. Her tongue slides against mine, and her hands slip around my waist. The towel threatens to fall as she presses against me.
