Page 122 of Scarlet Sins

The music starts. A lone cellist on a special platform plays and I look up.

Sasha walks down the little sandy aisle in his bright-blue tuxedo and bare feet. His face is a scrunch of concentration as he holds a velvet black cushion with two rings on it.

He takes his time, like his little life depends on getting this right.

When Sasha reaches me, he looks up. “Daddy?”

I grin and go down on my knees and kiss his cheek. “You did great, Sasha. Perfect.”

And he beams.

I rise.

Next, Kara and Alina walk down that sandy aisle in their lavender dresses, looking stunning.

And then I see Erin.

Holy shit.

My mouth goes dry and my knees shake.

Erin smiles shyly at me, her blond hair swept up in a simple twist and she’s so fucking gorgeous, so utterly breathtaking I’m not sure I’ll be able to breathe again.

How is this woman mine?

The dress is a tight ivory satin number that’s covered with delicate lace, and she glides, barefoot along the sand, simple red roses in her hands, fresh, like they’d been plucked that morning.

I hold out my hand. And she takes it, letting me pull her close so I can kiss her cheek. “You look fucking amazing. So beautiful,Lyubimaya.”

And her cheeks turn pink.

The celebrant begins, simple, to the point.

It’s my turn for my vows.

“Erin, when I met you, I knew you were different. It took us a minute to let fate bring us back together, but it did so with precious cargo. Sasha. And I know I’m blessed. I love you. With everything I am and ever could be. You’ve helped me grow to be a father I hope our children will be proud of. But it’s you. Always you, Erin. MyLyubimaya. You’re the sun and my stars. I love you.”

She blinks back tears as I slip on the ring.

“Demyan, I love you more than I can say. I’ve made mistakes in my life, but you were never one of them. You gave me Sasha, and more importantly, you’ve given me a family. Best of all, you’ve given me you. The secret you. The man inside. I will follow you anywhere. You are my life, you’re Sasha’s life, and you’ll be our baby’s life, too.”

“I’m naming the baby!” Sasha breathes.

Erin half laughs, and then she sobers, looking at me and the rest of the world fades. It’s just her and me.

“You’re everything, Demyan. Everything I never knew I wanted, everything I knew I did.” Then she motions me close. I step forward. Her voice drops so only I can hear. “Last night you said you loved me more than life itself. That’s private. But I wanted it in our vows. You told me that. And I wanted you to know I love you more than life itself. You, Demyan. You’re the best man I’ll ever know, and I’m humbled by your love.”

I kiss her softly. “I’m humbled by you. The best woman I’ll ever know.”

Then I step back. And she raises her voice. “Through the good times, the bad, through everything, Demyan, I promise I’ll always be there. Every step of the way.”

“Congratulations,” the celebrant says, “you’re officially husband and wife.”

Everyone cheers and claps and hollers. It’s a lot of noise for a small, intimate crowd.

And I’m so close to fucking tears it’s not funny.

Her last words said to everyone, I know what they were about. She’s letting me know I’ll never miss another moment of her life, of our children’s. Ever.

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