Page 278 of Quinlan

The four black boxes from the bedside table lie in her lap.

“Do we…” In comparison to what we just did, this is nothing. It makes Quinlan’s flustered state even more adorable. “Say our vows? Or should we skip it?”

“Fuck no.” I grab her box. The one with a small gold Q engraved on it.

We haven’t written our vows. Preferred it to be spontaneous. Original. Us.

That’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Since she’s been Damien’s first, I pop the box open for him. He plucks out the first thin gold band out of three. His smile wavers, the emotions cracking his well-constructed veneer.

His chin quivers, and that’s when Liam pulls her into his arms. She has to see this. His heart. His devotion. How much he loves her.

“Darling.” Her hand is in his, and he holds her firmly, his undivided attention fixed on her. “For the longest time, I considered the moment you were born the best one of my life. You saved me. You saved my foster siblings. You did it when no one else would or could. You were so special that my monster fell for you and kicked us out. You were pure and wonderful and perfect, and that was enough for me to know you’re the best thing to ever happen to me. That was everything. Ilovedyou for it. I adored you even when I knew I’d use you to get back at him. I loved you as my savior. I loved you as the little sister I could never talk to or hug or play with. I was content with loving you from afar. Then my love grew alongside you. It evolved, and when I got to have you all to myself… When you became ours… Fuck.”

He shakes his head. Once. Wipes a tear from Quinlan’s cheek. Smiles. “I never loved anything more. I’m obsessed and desperate and fucking insane for you. You’re everywhere, darling. Flowing through my veins. All the thoughts running through my head. You’re the air I breathe, do you understand? I’d die without you. They won’t need to burn me for my body to turn to ashes. I’d be nothing if I can’t have you. I won’t ever fail you for as long as I live. If I die before you, I’ll just come backagain in another form. I’ll be your husband for an eternity. I’ll always love you. Always protect you. Be the man you need.”

“Damien.” Quinlan’s chin wobbles. Her hand quivers in his as he slips the ring on her.

He sucks in a breath. I can hardly catch one myself.

“My wife.” When he brings her knuckles to his lips, Damien’s the most serious I’ve ever seen him. “My forever.”

The gold band on her delicate finger shines just as bright as her diamond. Liam puts Damien’s in her hand.

“Damien. You psychotic, sweet, caring man. You’ve owned me from that day you stalked me home. Your sapphire eyes talked before your mouth ever did. I saw you through them. The real you.” He nods. He knows. The three of us know how wise beyond her years Quinlan is. How perceptive. “Thank you for being my guardian angel. For waiting. For accepting me the way I am. I’m no savior, but I hope—fuck, I wish with everything in me—that I’ll always be the person you turn to. You’re one third of my entire world and I love you. I love you, Damien Black.”

“I love you, wife.” He grins as the gold band slides down his finger. His second ring finger to be marked by her.

This isn’t my turn to tell her everything. I want to. My lips crave to move. My heart to slice itself open for her.

But it’s because I’m that desperate for it that I take her so she’s facing Liam.

The embers in his eyes are shimmering, and he looks part relieved, part grateful. He shifts on the bed, holds her ring in his hand and her fingers clutched in his other palm.

It’s beautiful to watch. Makes my heart warm and, fuck, that’s okay. I can be soft around these people and it’s perfectly fine.

“Loving you is the most uncomplicated emotion I’ve ever felt.” His mouth twitches. His lungs expand with a deep breath. “You take up every available space in my heart. Have been there for years. A healing wildfire. A nurturing force of nature. You bringlife. You shine a light so bright the sun has nothing on you. Little flame, I’ve always figured that if I controlled the fire—if I just kept flicking my Zippo—I’d be okay. I’d be in control. I don’t need it anymore. I have a fire of my own…”

His hand clutches hers, and he lifts both their hands so his knuckles graze her cheek. Stroking her. “And it’s the kind of fire that I don’t need to tame. I’ll be the happiest man to burn alongside you. With you. Always.”

“Liam.” Quinlan’s cheeks glisten with tears. So many of them.

He slips the second wedding ring on her finger.

Waiting for her to wear mine is agony. I hug her, my lips resting on her shoulder. That’s all I’ll have until it’s my turn.

“Go on, sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear. “I don’t want to punish a pregnant woman, but I would if you don’t hurry.”

“I’m crying, damn it.” She scoffs.

Fucking scoffs at me. And that’s the most adorable sound I’ve ever heard. Especially when Damien and Liam crack a smile at her.

“I love you, Liam.” Damien places Liam’s ring in Quinlan’s palm, and she holds on to it. “You are so easy to love. Except…that’s not why I love you. I love you for how you give me everything and ask for nothing in return. I love that you do talk to me. That you’re harsh and soft and just…yourself. Your heart, baby.” She leans forward while I grip her hips for balance, kissing his chest. I help her sit back, and Liam wipes a tear off her cheeks. Not like it matters. They won’t stop pouring. “You have such a beautiful soul. Even when you’re quiet. Even when you’re at work. My soul is with you wherever you go. I’ll be your fire. I’ll be your ice. I’ll be your wife for eternity. There’ll never be a day I’ll be willing to spend without you.”

“My wife.” He cups her cheeks as soon as the ring settles on his ring finger, his thumb tracing along Quinlan’s tattoo.

“My husband.” Her palms find his cheeks. Her hand caresses his scar reverently. Adoringly.

---