Page 133 of The Obvious Check

I take a slow breath, clasping my hands together in a useless attempt to stop the trembling. My heart pounds harder with each step she takes toward me, but even through the haze of nerves, this feels absolutely right.

It might not be perfect, but it's ours. It's real, and it's happening right fucking now.

When she reaches me, I extend my hand, and she takes it without hesitation. I feel her fingers trembling slightly, so I squeeze gently, my way of telling her we're in this together.

“Hey, Pretty Girl,” I whisper, just for her.

She lets out a breathy laugh that's barely audible, but it settles something deep in my chest.

Erik clears his throat, and Savannah's head whips toward him. Her mouth falls open as she takes in his purple suit for the first time.

“If it's all right with you two, I think we should get this show on the road.”

I nod, squeezing Savannah's hand again.

“We're here today to witness Cade and Savannah say 'I do.'” He glances between us with that trademark grin.

Someone, definitely Scotty, snorts.

Erik continues, completely unbothered. “Now, I got ordained online when I was eighteen as a joke. Never thought that little piece of paper would actually matter, but I'm glad it does because there's no other couple I'd rather marry than these two.”

He looks at Savannah with a playful expression. “You know he's completely obsessed with you, right?”

The question breaks through her nerves for a second, but her grip tightens around mine, and I know that no matter what happens next, we're in this together.

Savannah responds with a laugh before looking directly at me. “Not as obsessed as I am.”

I thought it was low enough for only us to hear, but when Chloe, Madison, Adley and Briar coo, I realize our love for each other is out there wide in the open.

“All right, let's get this party started.”

The ceremony moves quickly, though Erik can't help himself from throwing in some commentary. He reads through the legal requirements with surprising efficiency, stumbling only slightly over some of the jargon, but then he grins at us.

“You know, marriage is a lot like hockey,” Erik says, clearly pleased with himself. “You've got to work as a team, defend each other's goals, and sometimes you end up in the penalty box together.”

I shake my head, trying not to laugh, while Savannah looks like she's not sure whether to be amused or horrified.

“And Cade,” Erik continues, “I hope you're ready to assist Savannah for the rest of your life, because this relationship is definitely going into overtime.”

“Get on with it!” Scotty yells from his seat, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

Erik chuckles but mercifully moves on, reading the actual vows we need to exchange. Each step is simple, almost mechanical, but none of that matters. This isn't about grand gestures ortraditions, it's about us and securing the future we're fighting for.

When it comes time for vows, Savannah hesitates. I feel it in the way her fingers flex against mine, in the way her chest rises with a deep breath.

“I didn't prepare anything,” she admits quietly.

I smirk. “Neither did I.”

She bites her lip, then lets out a small, shaky laugh. “Okay.” A pause. “Cade… when I met you, I didn't know what it meant to belong to someone. I didn't know what it felt like to be safe. To be loved.” Her voice wavers, but she pushes through, her gaze locked on mine. “But you've shown me that in a million ways, big and small. You've made me feel like I matter, like I'm not alone.” She swallows hard, blinking against the emotion. “I guess what I'm trying to say is… I love you. And I promise to love you in every way I know how. For as long as we have.”

Fuck me.

I blink hard, my throat closing up as her words sink into the deepest parts of me.

Erik turns to me. “And Cade?”

I nod, exhaling slowly before speaking. “Savannah, I think I knew from the first moment I saw you that I was completely fucked.” She huffs out a tiny laugh, and I grin, my heart hammering against my ribs. “I was yours before I even realized it, and I know this isn't the perfect wedding you deserve, but I promise you, this is just the beginning. I promise you forever.”

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