Page 71 of Love Fire

I recognized a slew of Brent’s coworkers. Some of them give me a nod, a wave, or a thumb’s up. Even the SWAT team that helped us joined the occasion. It’s a little weird to see them without their entire getup.

How could I forget about Alessandro? He sits at the very front of the benches. Looking more excited than me.

I look up at the altar. Leanne’s on her side of it as my maid of honor. Brent waits for me, beaming with happiness.

Nate and I stop walking when we get to the altar. He kisses me on the cheek before handing me off to Brent.

We stand before the altar, holding hands. Nate then goes to stand next to Brent as his best man. The priest raises his hands for the crowd to sit.

Everything’s a blur around me. It’s only Brent and I in the room. I don’t even listen to what the priest says. Time goes by slowly but at the same time, it lasts only seconds.

I finally hear the words I’ve been waiting for.

“Do you, Brent Fauquier, take Erin to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”

His smile gets wider. “I do.”

“Do you, Erin Vincent, take Brent to be your lawfully wedded husband—”

I blurt out. “I do.”

Brent and the crowd laughs at my eagerness.

The priest chuckles himself. “I now pronounce husband and wife. Brent, you may now kiss the bride.”

In a second, Brent dips me low. He holds me by my waist and behind my neck. He kisses me deeply. I hold on to him tight and the crowd cheers for us.

The reception came as quickly as the kiss did. Alessandro was the first to make a speech.it was more of a happy announcement. He’s two months sober!

Everyone cheered for him as loud as they did at the ceremony. After taking a few bows for the crowd, Alessandro makes his way to his seat. I barely notice that Maria’s sitting next to him.

They’re bodies are quite close to each other as they converse. There’s a few laughs here and there. A touch to the wrist. Alessandro’s bold enough to caress Maria’s jaw.

My own jaw hurts from the endless happiness I’m feeling right now. When Brent and I sit at the main table, his boss lifts his glass for a toast.

“You’re up for a promotion for all your hard work!” he says.

Another wave of cheers. Brent toast his glass towards his boss. There’s without a doubt that he’s already tipsy.

The cake cutting comes. Brent holds me from behind, guiding both our hands to slice a piece. Even a moment like this feels magical. I’m beaming at my husband and the large piece I’m about to eat.

“I can’t believe how happy I am,” I whisper to him.

He turns to me. “Neither can I.”

We can’t help but share another kiss. His soft lips against mine. His hands holding me preciously. Everything that's ever happened led down to this very perfect moment.

57

ERIN

Today was the perfect day. Now, it’s ending in an even more perfect way. The reception is over, everyone has left the church but Brent, Nate, Leanne, and myself. I’m with my three favorite people. What could be better?

I’m sitting on Brent’s lap while his fingers tantalizingly brush my back. I rest my head on his shoulder and listen to his breathing. I couldn’t be happier. Well, I’ll probably be even happier later tonight when Brent and I are finally alone. But this is nice too, hearing my brother tell an old story from when we were kids.

“So,” Nate says, already laughing. "Erin picks up the frog and immediately shoves it into her mouth.” Leanne, Nate, and Brent all start laughing. I blush, that was not my finest moment.

Brent smirks at me, “Did you really?”

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