Page 269 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“I do,” Chris answered, making my heart skip a beat.

“Do you Violet Marie Salonen, take Christopher Moises Knight as—”

“I do,” I answered, blushing when I realized I cut her off, making people chuckle, and I could swear that was Miguel whooping from his seat.

“Chris has chosen to write his own vows,” the officiant let everyone know.

Chris looked a little nervous, not used to speaking in front of so many people, but he squeezed my hand before he brought out a wedding band, and slipped it over the engagement ring.

“Some people will think I’m an asshole for keeping someone like you to myself, Violet,” he started, making me want to interrupt, but he smiled when he saw my frown and continued,“I’m okay with that, Little Warrior. Because, no matter what anyone else says, I know no one is going to love you as much as I do, and no one is going to work so hard to protect you and our pups like I will. You are my light. My heart, my soul and my body belong to you, as do my shitty jokes.” He brought up my hand and kissed it. “I’ve never been more honored to witness the rebirth of a person as strong as you, and I will forever be in awe of being allowed to be by your side.”

“Violet, would you like to say something or recite the standard vows?” the officiant asked.

I swallowed hard and nodded at her, then I looked up at the love of my life.

“I’ve never heard more dad jokes in my life than when you came into it,” I started, making a few of my family chuckle. “You keep thinking you don’t deserve me, but you have no idea how much strength and comfort I pulled from you. Your silent presence and constant encouragement, helped me push up from a hole I didn’t know if I could get out off or the longest time. Everything I do from this point forward, every personal or professional triumph is only possible because you were the steady guiding hand in the darkness.” I took the ring from the hand offering it to me, and slid it onto Chris’ finger. “You say I’m your light, but you’re the one who changed the light bulb when it was going out."

Even the officiant sniffled and cleared her throat when I was done, but all I could see was the man of my dreams looking down at me with love, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

“Having pledged your love and promise to one another today, in front of all of your friends and family, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Chris bent down to kiss me, and I met him halfway, but pouted up to him when he pulled back too soon.

“That’s not a proper marriage kiss. Another,” I demanded.

He pulled me into his arms and dipped me, kissing me with all the love a girl could ever want or need. I barely registered the burst of cheers exploding from my family. The only person who existed at this moment was my husband.

Chris pulled me back upright when he finished and cleared his throat, making everyone quiet.

“Knock, knock,” he started, making some people chuckle and others groan, but I grinned.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

“Frank.”

“Frank who?”

“Frank you for loving me,” Chris finished, love shining through his eyes.

I ignored all the groans at the punchline, and buried my face in his chest, giggling.

“Goddess, she’s laughing at it. They really do belong together,” I heard James hollering from somewhere behind me.

As everyone chuckled, people started coming up to us, hugging and giving congratulations. All I could feel was happiness.

“Alright, let's go eat before we start the full moon celebration,” Mom called out after a few minutes.

“How did you guys get the dining room empty during dinner time?” I asked.

“They’re having a catered dinner over at Guardian Moon,” Evie answered, coming forward and hugging me. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you,” I answered, smiling wide before Chris pulled me to his side, and he started leading us to the private dining room.

We stopped when we walked in, seeing a beautiful woman with long raven black hair standing at the head of the table.

“Hello, Chris, Violet,” she greeted us as if she knew us.

Something about her voice made my heart feel light, almost as if I was getting one of Mom’s hugs.

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