Page 40 of Keeping My Wife
I laughed and cupped his face. “I love you, Cameron Murdock.”
His eyes went red. “Say it again.”
“I love you. So very much. Not just because you came up here like an avenging angel, but because you really see me. No one ever has believed in me like you do.”
“Every single day, honey. Not for just a year, but I want a whole lifetime.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
He bent down and Gus rushed up the steps. “Hang on. Vows first.”
Cam peered around me. “I’ve kissed her before you know.”
“I know, but those were like vows man.” He waved everyone up. “We’re all here.”
I laughed. “I guess we are.”
Gus straightened his tie. “El?”
“Coming! Excuse me.” She shifted through the sea of Murdocks waving a little box. “We need the rings.”
I pressed my lips against the sob that was ready to come out. All these people were here for us. I’d never get over it.
Gus maneuvered us to the middle of the steps. “This is a better backdrop than the winter pergola we had going on back at Mom and Dad’s house.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know I got up there and cleaned off all the ice,” Cash yelled from the patio.
“I appreciate that,” I shouted back.
“Fine. Saves me from having to do it before the storm next week anyway.”
Everyone laughed.
“Let’s get this going. It’s cold out here.” Kai grabbed Lexi and hugged her close.
I looked out at the Murdocks and their respective partners. They all showed up for me just because Cam asked them to. Not once, but in two different locations.
I only cried a little as Gus had us recite our vows.
These were just the formal ones. I still carried everything he’d said before in my heart. When Eloise handed up the ring box to him, he flipped it open and instead of just the two simple bands, there was something far flashier inside with them.
“I didn’t get to ask properly. I was too focused on getting you here.” Cam pulled out the diamond solitaire nestled inside the velvet box. “The minute you asked me to marry you and the freaking dowry was furniture, I was sunk.”
I laughed and the whole crowd of witnesses snickered as well. “How do you even know that word?”
“I read. I’m more than saws and varnish, honey.”
“Call me that again.”
He laughed and slid the princess cut diamond over my knuckle. “Honey,” he said softly, then grinned. “I’m saying wife next.” He held the box out to me to take the band for him and took the other for me.
Our hands were shaking a little from cold and nerves as we both slid the bands onto one another’s finger.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.Nowyou can kiss the bride!”
“Finally.” Cam cupped my face, and I covered his hands as he kissed me in front of his family and our future.
This house that brought me loneliness now would have a new life. The Murdock family and a husband and a whole new legacy.
