Page 22 of Forever Oblivion

Maybe that was for me, not her, but as I lifted it and took in her beloved face, I knew I’d never forget a moment of this day.

Her pink lips turned up in a soft smile.

“How are you today, about-to-be-Mrs. Porter?” I asked.

“Better now that I’ve seen you, Superstar.”

“I missed you last night. Slept like shit.”

Her gaze darted to the minister before she lowered her voice. “I missed you, too.”

I stepped forward and hugged Steve, pounding him on the back. No, we weren’t strong, but we’d get there—especially since I’d realized he was one of the only people I’d let touch my kid.

I put Aya’s hand in the crook of my arm and turned her toward the minister. “From now on, you’re in my bed.”

She giggled. “That’ll be hard to do since you tour.”

“I’m putting it in the vows.”

The minister had begun the ceremony so she couldn’t reply.

“And now for the exchanging of vows,” he said after a few moments. “I understand you wrote your own?”

“Sure did,” I said, turning to Aya.

“Aya Jane Aldringham, you make me whole, which is why I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you happy. I’m going to support your dreams and help you fight your demons. Help you, not do it for you.”

She smiled even as she shook her head.

“I’m going to sleep next to you every night I can, and I refuse to go more than a couple of days without seeing your face, hearing your voice, kissing your lips. Because I’m better, stronger, more grounded when you’re nearby. And I intend to make sure you always know that.”

She blinked back tears.

“Also, if you get sick or we go broke, I’ll still love you, but I’m going to be seriously pissed if you die. Because I won’t make it without you.”

Cam managed to turn his chuckle into a cough. The minister glowered, but fuck him. This was my life with Aya. She needed the words.

“And I promise I’ll do my best to be a good father, a present one, one our kids know cares so much more about them than any money or any record.”

Her smile dazzled me, taking my breath. So I nodded to the minister.

“Well, after those…interesting vows, would you like to say yours?”

“Yes.” Aya’s voice rang clear. “Nash Syad Porter, we’ve been through some tough times, and they’ve taught me to love fiercer and fight harder for what matters. That’s you. I’ll put you first. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you know you’re loved. I’ll fight with you to stay sober.”

She swallowed, and I followed suit, fighting the emotions rising in my throat.

“I look forward to listening to you hum your way through your days, and I want to hold you in my arms every night. But I’ll give you three days to get back in case you’re too far away.”

“Not happening,” I muttered.

Her lips twitched, and her eyes gleamed. “And I promise to love you, cherish you, and show you every day that you’re my hero.”

Damn. She knew how to get me. I inhaled, trying to stem the tears now burning in my eyes.

She squeezed my hands. “I’ll never let you drown. I’ll never leave you. And I’ll always communicate, no matter how scared I am.”

I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to hers. “Those were good vows.”

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