Page 85 of Xavier

My arms wrapped around him again when he collapsed on top of me. He panted against my neck, sending a shiver skating down my spine.

“So good...” I mumbled.

Xavier kissed my sweat-slicked skin, flashing me a grin. “Happy New Year.”

I laughed and held up my hand up in the light to admire my ring again, my heart filling with so much love that I felt my eyes beginning to water once more.

God, I loved this man.

And what an amazing year this one was going to be.

EPILOGUE

Gage

I stoodin front of the mirror, trying to adjust my tie for the tenth time. My fingers trembled slightly, making the task more difficult than it should have been. The room was filled with the hum of nervous energy, and I could hear Greyson and Asher chatting animatedly behind me.

The evening was surprisingly chilly, with a crisp, cool breeze that seemed to seep through the windows and had chased away the usual humidity. The sky outside was a deep, twilight blue, and I could feel the excitement of the coming evening pressing down on me. I’d looked forward to this day for three damn years and I couldn’t believe it was finally here.

“I hate these things,” I growled.

“Gage, you’ve got to calm down. You’re going to strangle yourself with that tie,” Greyson said, his voice filled with amusement as he stepped up beside me. His easygoing nature was a stark contrast to my current state and helped me breathe a littlebetter. Right now, I needed all the help I could get to calm my jangling nerves.

“Here, let me help,” Asher chimed in, already reaching out to take over, flitting his fingers at Greyson in a gesture that told his twin to move out of the way. He deftly undid my sloppy knot and started over, his fingers moving with surprising skill.

“Hey, I had it,” Greyson whined, punching his brother in the shoulder even as he stepped back to let Asher take over.

How was it my brothers managed to have a knack for being both annoying and endearing at the same time?

Both grown men in their own right now, both with relationships, careers, and homes of their own, Grayson settled in Texas and Asher in Georgia, they still remained the same mischievous twins they’d always been to me. Don’t get me wrong, their happiness made my heart soar, but seeing that little bit of the old rivalry tugged at my heartstrings, too. They were finally grown. I’d done it. Now it was my turn for a happy future and they were both here to support me. Nothing could’ve made me happier.

“Thanks, Ash,” I muttered, sniffling back the tears that threatened behind my eyes and trying to muster a smile. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the nerves settling in my stomach like a lead weight. “I just... I want everything to be perfect.”

“It will be,” Greyson said firmly, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Xavier loves you, Gage. Nothing else matters.”

I nodded, trying to take comfort in his words.

Xavier.

Just thinking about him brought a rush of emotions. Love, excitement, and a hint of fear all swirled together, making it hard to breathe. We had been through so much together, and tonight was the culmination of it all.

Our wedding.

The thought of seeing him as I walked down the aisle, of finally pledging our lives to each other, was almost overwhelming.

“You look good, Gage,” Asher said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. The tie was now perfectly knotted, sitting neatly against the collar of my crisp, white dress shirt. “Xavier’s going to be blown away.”

“Yeah, well, let’s hope I don’t pass out before he gets the chance,” I joked weakly, earning a laugh from both of them. Their presence was grounding, a reminder that I was never alone in this.

There was a knock at the door, and Ellie poked her head in, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Gage, it’s almost time,” she said softly. “Are you ready?”

I sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I glanced at myself once more in the mirror. The sharp, tapered lines of my suit fit over me like a glove, the dark material soft against my skin and the burgundy pocket square providing a splash of color. For a firefighter, I had actually managed to clean up pretty well tonight. Not half bad if I did say so myself.

“Yeah, El. I think I am.”

Xavier

As I mademy way to the ceremony, Dexter by my side and standing in as my best man, the cool December air hit me, calming my nerves slightly. The garden was beautifully lit, with fairy lights twinkling in the trees and candles flickering along the path.

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