Page 89 of Forever Mine

Walking to stand in front of so many family and friends was kind of surreal and a little nerve-wracking. Cole took his place in the center and I stood off to his left with Oscar, Kyle, Chase, and Patrick lined up beside me. Music started playing and Jessica Moore walked down the aisle first, looking lovely in a light-purple dress. She was ready to explode at any second, but being Maddie's first true friend, of course aside from Lily, in San Marco, she had insisted she could make it. Elise came next in pale-blue that made her teary eyes shine brightly, followed by Shelby in some peach colored dressed. Finally, Lily made her appearance. I rolled my eyes and grinned at her pink dress with matching pink highlights. It was just so Lily!

At last the piano and harp strummed along with “Here Comes the Bride” as Maddie began walking towards me. I heard the oohs and aahs as she got closer, obscured from my view by all the standing guests. Finally, she reached the aisle and I had a clear view of the most gorgeous woman I'd ever seen. My mouth dropped open and I gawked at the vision in white gliding towards me. She was stronger, and more confident, yet still my Maddie in every way.

“Isn't she beautiful?” Oscar whispered, and all I could do was nod.

“Dude, close your mouth. You're embarrassing yourself,” Chase chided in good humor.

Suddenly I got it. I understood why human men would go through all the wedding planning shit just to have this one moment. As Maddie finally reached my side, I grabbed her and kissed her as the guests around us hooted and hollered.

Cole cleared his throat, pretending to look annoyed. “Liam, that part comes at the end.”

The crowd chuckled, but I didn't care. In that moment it was just me and Maddie . . . and Oscar, who wedged himself between us, giving me a stern look that said I better pull it together. Maddie bit her bottom lip, trying to hide a smile, and blushed.

“Dearly beloved, you all know I have no clue what I'm doing here, so please bear with me,” Cole started, inciting more laughter. “And you all know why we're here today, to join this family in adoption and holy matrimony. Oscar,” he started, sounding very official, “it has been petitioned and signed by the court for the legal adoption of you by none other than Liam Michael Westin. Technically it's already a done deal, but in light of the festivities, Oscar Jacob Winthrop, do you hereby take Liam Michael Westin to be your dad?”

“I do,” Oscar said excitedly.

“You agree to listen and obey, respect, and love this guy?”

“Yes, I do,” he said, more seriously this time.

“And Liam, do you take Oscar to be your son, to love and cherish and raise as your own for the rest of your life?”

“I do,” I said, picking him up as his arms wrapped tightly around me.

“Well, then, by no power vested in me, ?cause like I said, it's already been filed with the courts and a done deal, I present Mr. Oscar Jacob Winthrop Westin.”

Those present rose and clapped. Oscar glowed in the cheers. It was official. I was a father. My heart expanded just a little more at the thought.

“Now, now, calm down. Everyone take a seat so we can get this show over with. I hear there's a buffet with a carving station that's calling my name,” Cole announced.

I looked back at Maddie, whose nose was pink, and her perfectly done makeup was starting to streak just a little. I didn't think she'd ever looked more beautiful, so I kissed her again. Cheers went up all around. This time Kyle chimed in.

“Might as well simmer down. This could take awhile at this rate.” To me he added, “There's a thing called a honeymoon for a reason, so keep your lips to yourself until Cole tells you otherwise.”

I grinned sheepishly. Nothing and no one was going to ruin this day for me.

Cole cleared his throat. “Are we ready to proceed?”

I shrugged and kissed her one more time. It was a quick, playful kiss and she was thoroughly embarrassed by the end of it, when I announced he could proceed . . . but to make it quick.

“Man, I rehearsed this part and everything,” he said in exaggeration as he threw his notes into the air behind him. “I'll just wing it to speed things along. Maddie, do you take Liam to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, and keep in line as best you can, yadda yada yada, as long as you both shall live?”

She giggled. “Yes, I mean, I do.”

“Right answer,” Cole praised. “Now Liam, you gonna love this girl with all your heart for the rest of your life? Protect and respect her, and even try not to complain too much when Lily tries to get her involved in one of her no-good plans?”

I laughed, glancing passed my mate to my twin who was easily three shades pinker than her dress. Cole winked at her and I saw her stumble—swoon, I think Maddie would call it. I tried not to laugh as I said, “I do.”

He called for the rings next. Maddie raised a shaky hand that calmed instantly as I took it and placed the ring she had chosen on her finger. I lifted it to my mouth and kissed her hand, hearing her heart rate increase.

“Dude, keep those lips to yourself, we're almost in the end zone,” Chase announced, loudly enough for everyone to hear. I just grinned back at him.

Maddie placed the ring she had picked out for me on my left ring finger and the possessive feeling that washed over me had my canines elongating.

“Mine,” I growled, pulling her toward me as I captured her mouth in mine and really kissed her this time.

“Close enough!” Cole announced. “Keep on kissing your bride. I now present Mr. and Mrs. Liam Westin.” To Kyle he added, “I really hope this doesn't start a trend. I think he's a prime example of why shifters never caught on to the wedding trend.”

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