Page 16 of Until You

“Olivia Grace Walsh, do you come here freely and give yourself without hesitation to Lucian in marriage?”

Olivia’s smile was wide as she nodded. “I do.”

“Lucian and Olivia, having heard your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows. Please face each other and join hands.”

They did and the officiant moved closer, dropping his voice to a whisper so that only the vows of the couple could be heard and not his prompts. Lucian’s voice was clear and strong as he spoke.

“I, Lucian Gabriel Prescott, take you, Olivia Grace Walsh, to be my wife. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together. I will support you through times of trouble, and celebrate with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and my undying loyalty. I will protect you and cherish you all the days of my life. Until my last breath, everything I am and everything I have is yours.”

Olivia reached into the front of her dress and pulled out a tissue, eliciting a soft round of laughter from the guests. She dabbed at her eyes and then slipped it back in, rejoining hands with Lucian.

“I, Olivia Grace Walsh, take you, Lucian Gabriel Prescott, to be my husband. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together. I will support you through times of trouble, and celebrate with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and my undying loyalty. I will honor you and love you all the days of my life but not obey because I think we both know I’m in charge.” More laughter, including from Lucian. “Until my last breath, everything I am and everything I have is yours.” Her voice shook slightly on the last word, betraying the intense emotion she was doing her best to conceal.

They exchanged rings, the hired photographers madly snapping pictures, and then suddenly, the ceremony was coming to a close.

“And so now, by the power vested in me by the state of New York, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Lucian slid his arms around Olivia’s waist and slowly lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly and thoroughly in front of everyone, and a loud cheer went up from the guests. When they broke apart, the officiant spoke into the microphone one last time.

“Let’s have a round of applause for the newlyweds, Lucian and Olivia Prescott!”

Kayla dabbed at her eyes as Lucian and Olivia made their way back down the aisle, followed by the wedding party. They were glowing with happiness. Transcendent. Her heart was so full of hope and love for them that it felt as though it were overflowing, radiating out of her.

This. This was what she wanted with Sebastian. Not necessarily the fancy wedding—although that might be fun—but the promise of forever. The ability to declare and share their love in front of everyone who mattered to them.

She just hoped he wanted the same thing.

* * *

Sebastian strode down the hall at the reception venue, a fancy hall decorated to the nines, his phone in his hand. After the ceremony, everyone had decamped for photos and then met up here for a cocktail hour before the seated dinner reception. Between photos, he’d pulled out his phone multiple times to go over his best man’s speech, his nerves starting to ramp up.

Just then, his phone dinged with a text. He frowned when he saw that it was from Olivia.

I need to talk to you. Meet me in the back hallway.

He hurried his pace, wondering what she’d want to talk to him about. He’d be happy to help her in any way she needed—he was just surprised she’d texted him at all.

When he reached the back hallway, he found her pressed up against the wall, Lucian caging her in with his mouth against her throat. When she saw Sebastian, she giggled and pushed at Lucian’s shoulders. He lifted his head, his eyes slightly glazed.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt,” he said, glancing back over his shoulder. “You said you wanted to talk to me?”

Lucian and Olivia exchanged a look and she nodded, pushing off of the wall. “I heard that your proposal last night was thwarted.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows crept up his forehead. “Oh, uh. Yeah.”

“Do you have the ring with you?” she asked. He shook his head. “Then you need to go get it, because I have an idea.”

* * *

“Where did Sebastian go?” asked Theo as he plunked down at a table where Kayla was sitting with Lauren, Willa, and Aerin, enjoying a glass of sparkling water and the lively jazz music floating through the air. The reception venue was absolutely stunning, with dozens of yards of swagged fabric hanging from the ceiling, lit up with soft pink lights that matched the bridesmaids’ dresses. Globes made entirely of white roses dangled from the ceiling, mixed in with the twinkly pendant lights casting a soft glow below. Candles in glass hurricane vases sat on every single table, lending a flickering light to the space and making it feel intimate and romantic despite its size. Beyond the round tables was a gleaming white dancefloor, along with a stage where the band—and Lauren—would perform later.

“He said he had a best man errand to do and that he’d be back shortly,” said Kayla, sipping her drink and taking in the scenery.

Max and Willa exchanged a look, but before she could ask them what that was about, a new couple joined them.

“Hey!” said Max, standing up and clapping his cousin Noah on the shoulder. “Good to see you!”

Noah grinned, flashing his dimples, and Kayla had to admit that he looked like he was glowing. Normally, Noah was tense and quiet, all controlled composure and sad eyes. But this Noah was loose and happy, vibrant, almost.

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