Page 69 of Promised Vows

Epilogue

ANNA

Eight weeks later…

Going from having two weeks to plan a wedding to eight made things so much easier. So was going from having a ton of guests at the ceremony to fewer than fifty.

The invitations were much the same, and I still had the shop address all of those bad boys and mail them for me. That sort of tedious work was a hard pass when I could pay someone else to do it. The cake and the flowers—again, the same. I loved what I loved. At least I was consistent.

When it came to the dress, Wren found out what had happened, and she designed another dress for me. She’d already started her next dress line and picking out fabrics. Once she decided what she wanted me in, I let her take the lead. She would be one of the fifty at the ceremony.

“Anna, I think this dress is even better than the last,” Aunt Helen gushed.

I stared at my reflection, pushing away the ghost trying to invade my mind and darken my day. We’d changed churches because I didn’t want that event plaguing me while I was supposed to be the happiest I’d ever been.

The dress was incredible and it fit the style of the wedding: simple, elegant, and easy. It wasn’t the mermaid style this time. It was more princess. It wasn’t only sexy, it was also pretty. Of course, it showed off one of my best features—my bare shoulders—and included pockets.

The new, slightly larger knife that Thea gave me sat heavy against my thigh. The last one was cute, but after what happened, she wanted me to have a real weapon. One that could deliver carnage. She’d even given me a few lessons on how to use it effectively.

In the scuffle of being kidnapped, I’d lost my borrowed and new diamond hairpins. Aunt Helen, Elana, and Marianna had replaced them, but I was still bummed that my father stole those from me too.

The necklace I’d borrowed from Claire wasn’t damaged, but the memory of the last attempt to marry Ari was still very fresh. She’d been kind enough to allow me to pick the one I wanted to wear today. I appreciated that thoughtfulness.

A tap came from the door. “Hey, Anna, it’s me.”

Thea opened the door, allowing him in. “Hey, Jason.”

“Hi, Thea.”

Helen, ever the mother hen, waved her hands, encouraging everyone to give us the room, shutting it as she left.

“You look incredible, Anna,” he said. “And happy.”

“Thank you.” I tilted my head, appraising him.

The eight weeks since he was hospitalized had given the bruises enough time to fade. He didn’t look as tired as he had before. I was glad to see that. His shoulder though—it’d take months for it to fully heal. I was simply thankful he was alive and healthy. It was a bonus that he was strong enough to walk me down the aisle.

“You look very handsome. I bet Cora thinks so too.” I grinned.

He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “That’s complicated.”

I approached him and flattened my hand against his chest. “No, it’s not. Jason, she loves you. A woman doesn’t dodge bullets for some random guy—she’d have to really care about someone to put her neck on the line like that. Whatever the issue is, you’ll figure it out. I have faith.”

“Let’s get you married.”

I understood wanting to avoid the topic, so I quietly slipped my hand through his extended right arm.

The butterflies multiplied during the short walk to the sanctuary. This church was smaller than the last one, and the dressing room was closer to the front.

The instant my eyes locked with Ari’s, the world fell away. I never would have thought it possible to love anyone as deeply as I loved him. Before I knew it, Jason was offering my hand to Ari’s and he was helping me up the few steps to the stage.

“That is one wicked dress, sweetheart.”

My cheeks warmed. That’d been the reaction I’d hoped for. “You look good enough to eat.” I winked.

He shook his head. “That mouth.”

The minister began the ceremony, and when we reached the vows, Ari tugged me flush against him, kissing the back of my hand before flattening it against his rapidly beating heart. He held my gaze. “Every beat is yours and will be yours until my last breath.” He paused and continued, “Anna, I didn’t know what I was missing until I met you. You colored outside my lines and shook up my world. I love your eyes and the way you look at me. I love your lips and the way they lift a little more when you see me. I love the way your hips sway when you’re working your way across a room towards me. I love your humor, your intelligence, and your heart. You’re the most precious thing I’ve ever held. I promise I will honor you and our vows. I promise to keep you safe. I promise my love from now until eternity. I promise all of me will always love all of you.”

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