Page 166 of Milo

With every step I take, I am walking away from my past and toward my future. Toward an ocean of endless opportunities, infinite love, and boundless faith.

There will be noise. There will be storms. There will be waves. But I'm not scared. Not one bit.

He is my life raft.

And I am his.

Together, we will weather all storms.

Together, we will cause the storms.

We will blow the world away.

We will be remembered.

Forever.

Milo holds out his hand as I step up on the platform, handing Julia my bouquet. He smiles at me, mouthing relax, tesoro as we face the priest.

I nod, my body humming with excitement.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony we will witness the union of Emilio Di Vaio and Kiara Payne,” the priest begins. "If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Milo looks over his shoulder, his eyes hardened. I suppress a chuckle. Not a peep from the guests. I suppose no one wishes to die tonight.

"Good," the priest continues. "You have come together today so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of God—" Milo squeezes my hand as the sermon continues. "The bride and groom have written their own vows. Emilio."

Milo takes a small breath, the moonlight glowing in his eyes. "Kiara, my vow to you is simple. I vow to bring you joy every day of your life. I vow to never make you cry. And I vow to love you, even after death, for death cannot stop me." My eyes well up. "No tears, tesoro.”

"Okay." I sniffle, nodding my head. Breathe. "Milo, I've spent the majority of my life running away. From regrets, from pain, from mistakes. But starting today, I vow to you that the only place I will run is into your arms, nowhere else. I promise."

The priest smiles. "Emilio, do you take Kiara to be your Wife?"

It's instant. No hesitation. No doubt. "I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?"

"I do."

"Kiara, do you take Emilio to be your Hus?—"

"I do," I say, grinning at Milo.

"Okay," the priest chuckles under his breath. "Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?"

"Yes. I do."

"Rings please." Julia hands the priest two rings. "The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken. Repeat after me?—"

And we do.

As golden rings slide on our fingers and bind us together for life, we promise to love each other in joy and in sorrow, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health.

In light and in darkness.

With our fingers linked, we stare up at the priest with hopeful, dreamy eyes, waiting for him to say the words that will launch a new reign.

For Milo, I will be strong. I will be tough.

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