Page 268 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“What’s going on?” I asked Dad.

"These are your mother’s. She wants them back afterward," Dad answered instead, holding out a pair of diamond earrings for me to put on.

“After what?” I asked, humoring him and attaching the pretty earrings to my ears. I’d always liked these growing up.

Dad kissed my forehead and when he pulled back up, there were tears in his eyes.

“You found a good man, Violet. I hope he’s everything you deserve and more.”

“You’re freaking me out, Dad.”

Instead of explaining, Dad moved to my side and placed my arm around his. He looked down at me with an emotional smile on his face and asked, “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?” I squeaked, my nerves spiking.

The doors to the dining room opened and my heart stuttered to a stop for two seconds, before it started back up, hammering against my chest as if it wanted to escape.

All the dining room tables were pushed to the sides. Chairs had been placed near the front of the room, already filled with all of my family and friends. Even Danielle and Kaia were standing next to their parents as they turned to look at me. A white archwas at the front of the room where the alpha tables usually stood. Beneath the arch was a woman I didn't know in front of a small podium. Standing in front of her was Chris, now wearing a tie and suit jacket. Cade and Elim were standing next to him, with big smiles on their faces, while Bells and Areli were across from them wearing pretty gray dresses, with tiny white flowers on them.

“What is this?” I whispered, already knowing the answer, but somehow not believing Chris had done all of this for us.

“Not the wedding you deserve, but the one I know you’d prefer,” Dad whispered back. “You’ve got your something new and something blue with the dress. Your something old is the pair of flats your mother saved from your graduation. The earrings are your something borrowed, sweetheart.” Music started playing from somewhere in the room, and he patted the arm I had around his. “Ready to start your forever with your mate, Princess?”

“So ready,” I whispered, feeling a tear fall from my eye.

“No crying,” Dad warned.

“These are happy tears.”

“Yeah, but if you start crying, I’m not going to make it down the aisle.” His oddly choked voice told me he was serious, so I chuckled and wiped the tear away from my face.

“You got it, old man,” I told him, letting him lead me to where the love of my life was waiting for me.

“I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, Violet. I can’t wait to see where this new life takes you.” Dad kissed my forehead again when we arrived at the front, and I looked up and wiped a tear from his face.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Dad nodded and placed my hand on Chris' waiting hand.

“I'm trusting you with one the most precious things in my life. Treat her well, son.”

“Until my last breath,” Chris promised.

Dad moved back and sat next to Mom, who was beaming at me, tissues already in her hand.

“A heads up would have been nice,” I teased Chris. “Or at least a proposal.”

“And risk you saying no? I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission in this situation,” Chris answered, making people laugh. He slid a beautiful engagement ring with a two-carat, round diamond, set on a twisted vine band made of white gold onto my finger. “Will you marry me, Violet?”

“When?” I asked, cocking my head and making him chuckle.

“Right now.”

“Well, I guess since I’m dressed up and all...”

The officiant started her speech, but I could barely pay attention because my mind was busy wondering what I did to earn this man.

“Do you, Christopher Moises Knight, take Violet Marie Salonen to be your wife?” The officiant called my attention back to the present.

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