Page 108 of Guarded from Havoc

“Tate.” A low chuckle rumbles up. “That’s not why I asked you to marry me. But.” His smile grows wider. “I’ll never complain about cookies.”

As we look at each other, a peace settles over me. And along with it, the most incredible joy.

It reallywasthe most important decision of my life.

And I’m so thankful I trusted my heart.

EPILOGUE

3 MONTHS LATER

ERIK

I’m married.

For years, I never thought it would happen.

But here I am. Officially married for—I take a quick glance at my watch—forty-three minutes.

The best forty-three minutes of my life.

I’m not single Erik anymore. No. I’m ahusband. And not just anyone’s husband. Tate’s.

After Tate said yes, I didn’t think the wedding would happen this soon. Only three months later, rather than the year-plus I read about online as the bare necessity to get everything ready in time. I would have been fine waiting for a year or more—whatever Tate wanted, really—although, if she’d said she wanted to elope the next day, I would have gladly agreed.

The Point does elopements. I checked just in case. Not thinking it would happen, but… life’s taught me it’s best to always be prepared.

But Tate didn’t want to elope during our vacation to the Adirondacks. She wanted to get married right here, in Texas. At the Blade and Arrow ranch, where her new life was beginning.

Another thing she didn’t want? To wait a year to get married. As we sat in bed that morning, joy buzzing through us and sparkles from her engagement ring dancing across her face, she told me, “I don’t want to wait, Erik. IknowI want to marry you. That’s not going to change in a week or a month or a year. Following my heart brought me to you. And my heart says it wants to be married. Soon.”

So we decided to set a date for the first weekend in February to give everyone a chance to get settled after the holidays. A pre-Valentine’s Day wedding, so to speak. And with the amount of pink decorating the barn, where we held the ceremony and now the reception, it definitely fits the occasion.

Lush bouquets of pink roses are set at each table, surrounded by the flickering glow of tiny tealights in glass holders. Rose petals are still scattered down the aisle that runs through the center of the barn, reminding me of a memory I’ll carry for the rest of my life.

Tatum—mywife—beaming with joy and anticipation as she walked down the aisle, breathtakingly gorgeous in a white gown with pink accents, her hair falling around her shoulders in loose, golden waves, even more beautiful than any fairy tale princess.

Tatum gazing at me with so much love in her eyes, I couldn’t stop myself from tearing up as my emotions crashed over me.

And then.

That moment.

When we exchanged our vows. When I vowed to be Tate’s for the rest of her life, and she pledged herself to me.

I thought I knew what happiness felt like after meeting Tate. But hearing Cole—our officiant for the ceremony—proclaim me and Tate as husband and wife? That brought a joy beyond anything I ever imagined.

Mywife.

Shit. I love the sound of it. My wife.

She’s standing across the barn right now, gesturing at the rafters as she talks to Ally and Julia. Probably explaining how we took down all the white lights already hung up there and replaced them with pink ones.

I wasn’t sure about the idea at first. Considering the thousands of lights in the barn, I worried it might make the place look like a giant pink disco. Not like I would have said no, regardless. Whatever Tate wanted for the wedding, I was happy to do it.

But actually, it looks really nice. Not a cotton candy explosion, like Tate’s dad used to joke about, but soft and romantic.

A quiet chuckle escapes. Six months ago, I never would have used the word romantic to describe anything I was involved with. And now I’m sitting here, looking around the expansive barn as I think about how romantic it all is.

---