Page 92 of Fourth Wall

This was actually happening. I would marry the guy who once came bounding into my life as my fake boyfriend. We were now going to be very married and have a baby together. Wasn't it crazy how life worked, sometimes?

After spending a half an hour applying makeup and curling hair, I slipped into the white dress. It was perfect and everything I could have imagined today would be.

Julian and James had taken Christian over to his house so he wouldn't notice everyone trying to adjust the house, and they were on their way back over. I walked down the steps, and Gianna and Elio had set up the backyard so the candles and the flowers provided a glowing backdrop to get married. Tatum had grabbed her cameras, and my parents set up some chairs to sit.

Suddenly, I turned around just as I rounded the last step, and the door opened. Julian and James slipped past me quickly, and Julian made his way to the front of the aisle.

“What is this?” Christian asked.

“Well, you like to surprise me, so it’s my turn to surprise you.” I gestured around us. “I figured, why wait to get married?”

“W-Wait you mean like right now?”

I shrugged. It was very rarely that I ever heard Christian stumble over his words like he was right now.

“I mean, if that is what you want?” I hesitated because somehow I expected a different reaction, but he closed the gap between us.

“What I want is to spend every living day breathing the same air that you do, so yes, firecracker, I would be absolutely honored to marry you tonight.” He smiled, and I leaned in, kissing him.

“Let's do it,” he said as he grabbed my hand.

“Wait.” I stopped him before answering the front door. Stephen stood on the doorstep.

“I couldn't miss this.” He came in and hugged Christian.

“Hey, Maeve,” Tyler sheepishly offered from around the corner. Christian shot me a look.

I simply shrugged. “They’re family too, and I knew how much it would mean for Stephen to be here for you.”

He leaned in to give me a kiss on the shell of my ear. “Are you sure this is okay?”

I nodded. “It was my idea.” We both walked out toward where everyone already waited.

"This was unexpected," Julian began. "But I’m so grateful that with all of your friends and family here, we can celebrate the union of Christian and Maeve." As Julian continued his speech, which I was sure he had practiced just minutes ago from an internet checklist, my focus remained solely on the person standing before me at the aisle.

It was the one person who had been there for me when I needed someone the most. The one who showed me that I didn't have to keep running myself ragged, that I deserved happiness, and who promised to stand by my side and give me everything I could ever ask for. My handsome, blue-eyed, rugged bodyguard was truly everything I ever wanted. We were both embarking on our second marriages, but with him, it felt like I was starting anew, walking a path I had never trodden before because of the way he genuinely knew how to love me.

"Hey, firecracker," Christian whispered, just audible enough for me to hear as Julian continued his speech.

"Hey, you.” I smiled back at him.

"I love you." His words might have been simple and short, but they meant the world to me. Sometimes saying "I love you" was more than enough. The love we shared, the love that had brought us here, mattered most.

As Julian reached the end of his speech, he smiled warmly at both of us and said, "Now, if you two are ready to embark on this beautiful journey together, please join hands and exchange your vows."

Christian took my hand in his, and I felt an overwhelming surge of love and happiness. I gazed into his eyes, and the world around us faded away. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment when I could officially call him my husband.

With tears of joy in my eyes, I began to speak my vows. "Christian, from the moment we met, you showed me what true love means. You've been my rock, my protector, and my confidant. You've taught me that love isn't about grand gestures, but about being there for each other every step of the way. I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin, to cherish and love you with all my heart, and to never take our love for granted."

Christian's voice was filled with emotion as he replied. "Maeve, you've brought light into the shadows and laughter into my life when I needed it the most. You've shown me what it means to be truly loved and supported me, even if the journey wavers. I promise to be your equal partner, to love you fiercely and unconditionally, and to stand beside you in all of life's ups and downs. I’m grateful for every moment we share, and I can't wait to build a beautiful future together."

As we exchanged our vows, the love and happiness was palpable. Julian looked at us and said, "It's time to seal this bond with a kiss."

Christian gently cupped my face in his hands without hesitation, and our lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss. At that moment, I knew I had found my soulmate, the person I wanted to share my life with forever.

As we pulled away, cheers erupted from our friends and family. The room filled with joy and celebration, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected journey that led me to this beautiful moment of saying "I do" to the love of my life.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating. My mom and dad packed up to take the girls to their house for a little sleepover.

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