Page 244 of Beast and Remedy
“Together,” I agree as we exchange gifts and open them.
My heart and soul erupt at the small box, this one with a long red rose painted across the lid. A new crate for me. Immense love and awe of how lucky and blessed I am to have her here with me radiate through me.
Vi lets out a gleeful giggle at her own box, but her elation halts when she opens the latch and unopened notes pop out.
“I put all my correspondence that never reached you in there,” I clarify.
She takes a few unopened ones, clutching them to her chest. “B, thank you.”
“And now we have all of each other’s letters.” I smile.
She lifts one not part of her gift and offers it, her cheeks reddening. “With a new addition.”
I pull her in for a quick peck and slip her my note. “Will you read mine, too, then?”
She nods excitedly, opening hers faster than me.
I admire every tic in her features as emotions swirl across her face, our love infinite and eternal.
I take my time reading over mine, her words tightening my chest. My throat.
My eyes swell as much as my heart does when I finish her letter and peer up at her tear-stained cheeks and radiant, illuminating smile.
Her intellect, stubbornness, compassion, and beauty steal the air from my lungs. And I get rewarded with a new breath at the knowledge that she loves me as much as I love her.
I rest our foreheads together, utter awe and bewilderment clutching my heart at the woman before me.
The woman who knows me better than I know myself.
The woman who I lost and fought like Oblivion to get back.
The woman I choose and will forever hope to be and remain hers.
“Forever and endlessly,” I whisper in a vow along her lips. “I will love you, Rosebud.”
She cups my cheeks, the depths of greenery in her eyes warm and inviting as she caresses my skin.
“Deeply, passionately, and endlessly, I will love you, B,” she promises and brushes her nose along mine. “Always.”
“Always,” I echo, drawing her in for a kiss and reveling in the knowledge I will have and hold her forevermore.
My dearest wife,
There is nothing in this life that will ever bring me such joy than having the privilege and honor of calling you mine. Every morning for the rest of our lives, I get to wake up to your beautiful smile, your hypnotic green eyes, and lose my breath at how lucky I am.
You’ve been my shelter, my harbor, my safe place to fall back on during so many pivotal parts of my life, Vi. And I… I don’t know what I did to the Makers to be granted such a gift as you.
First your friendship, then your knowledge, your passion, and your kindness. And then your heart. Your soul.
Vivienne, there will never be enough time in our lives for me to tell you how much I love you, but I promise to do my best every chance or moment we share. Because I never want you to go without knowing. Never want you to doubt or second-guess that. I love you endlessly and will always love you for our entire existence. Even when we meet the Makers and venture onward, I will forever remain by your side.
You have every part of me.
I vow to always be your friend. I vow to always be your love. And I vow to always be yours.
Forever,
Your husband,
