Page 70 of Always Right

It wasn’t with the right person.

Derek had dressed up, wearing a tie even though I knew he hated them, and I...I’d worn the only white dress that I’d found at a boutique on our way to the courthouse and though my mother would have had a heart attack had she seen me getting married there, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This was perfect because it was us two.

It was perfect because this decision was made out of love and pain, and everything that united us. It was because of everything we had been through, the good and the bad, that I was finally making the decision to be with him forever...with no reservations. We didn’t even have rings, and yet, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Time was a fickle thing—It had slipped through our fingers many times before and I wouldn’t let it happen...not again.

“Mr. Derek Hensley and Ms. Hannah Carson?”

I let out a shaky breath as the judge called our names and my chest bubbled with excitement at the thought of this new life we were about to begin together. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect, I knew there were still many things we needed to work on together, but this...it meant forever. It meant no more turning back.

We had done that enough.

Derek pushed the stroller toward the judge and we walked together into a new life. I didn’t hear much of what the judge said, didn’t pay attention until Derek squeezed my hand, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek.

“Rings?” The judge asked, his soft blue eyes twinkling with amusement. My mouth opened and closed but Derek opened the diaper bag, taking out two small boxes.

He must have seen the confusion on my face but he shrugged, offering me a small wink. “It’s a day of surprises.”

The judge chuckled, and within a few minutes, Derek took my hands in his, his thumb drawing circles over my skin as the time came for our vows.

He cleared his throat, his green eyes so bright...so full of life my heart could barely handle it.

“The last few days have been both the hardest and the best of my life,” he began. “I don’t know what the future brings, I am not sure what will happen in a few days when we go back to New York, or in a few months when the reality of what we’re doing now sets in...but Hannah, my promise to you is that I will be here, for you, with you, standing by your side from this moment on, for the rest of our lives. For however long I am living, for however long I have the blessing of being your husband, I vow to love you, to cherish you and to be there when you need a hand, even when you don’t ask for it.” I laughed, wiping away a tear that managed to escape. Derek’s gaze softened, and he reached up, caressing my face tenderly. “Hannah, I vow to love you beyond my last breath, for the rest of eternity.”

Derek slid a rose gold wedding band on to my finger, several small diamonds surrounding it. My breath caught in my throat at the surprise of it all and though I knew there wouldn’t be enough words to say what I felt, I would try my best.

“This is crazy,” I laughed softly. “But I’ve never been more sure of anything than I am now, standing with you here today. I vow to stand next to you, supporting you in everything you do. I vow to be your best friend, just like you’ve been mine and more than anything, Derek, I vow to love you even when things get hard. I vow to never give up on us and when life knocks us down, I promise to be with you until we get back up and to be the person who carries you whenever you don’t have the strength to keep going. I love you for forever.”

I took a black wedding band from the judge, admiring the rose gold center detail for only a few seconds before sliding it on to Derek’s finger.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

He did, without hesitating, without overthinking. Derek took my face in his hands, whispering a quiet “my wife,” before pressing his lips against mine and in that moment, everything else ceased to exist. The past didn’t matter anymore and in my future, all I saw was him.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“Always,” he replied. “Forever.”

***

“Uncover my eyes,” I laughed, trying to wiggle myself out of Derek’s embrace. We had pulled up to the cabin resort and he’d handed off the babies to Deborah before he covered my eyes with a blindfold.

“Stay still,” he chuckled, his lips brushing the back of my ear, sending shivers down my spine like he did everytime. “You deserve the world, you know that, baby?” I hummed when he pressed another small kiss at the nape of my neck, his arms surrounding my waist and holding me against him. “And I would give it to you, in a heartbeat if I could.”

“Mm...right...” I felt him smile against my skin, but he didn’t pull away. “So what are your plans with this blindfold?”

I heard him laugh behind me, his arm surrounding my body as a door creaked open. “I agreed to an impromptu wedding...and that was ours, for us...you know? But you deserve to have your family with you. To celebrate with everyone you love and I want you to have that. I want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

With a gentle pull the blindfold came off my eyes. The sight in front of me took my breath away—my family, Evie and Nathan, Carter and Deborah and Frank and Dylan and Carina stood in the event room of the resort. Even Blake was there with Lisa, standing to the side, a huge smile on their faces at my shocked expression.

“Congratulations!” everyone exclaimed, clapping for us and if my heart was full before, now it was about to burst with happiness.

“How did...how did you do all this?” I blinked as I turned around in his arms. “How did you even manage to have Lisa and Blake here? I don’t understand.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Derek brushed my hair away from my face, taking my hands in his and kissing the back of them. “They all helped get this ready for you. We love you, baby. All of us. You deserve this. A celebration with your family, with everyone who cares for you and wants your happiness."

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