Page 89 of Vow To The Devil

The justice begins, his voice distant. My focus stays on Talia. The woman who fought her way into my heart. The one who makes me want to be better.

"Do you, Dare, take Talia..."

"I do," I say firmly.

Her eyes glisten as she echoes the vows. We speak the traditional words, but for us they carry new meaning. In this moment, we create our own family. Our own future.

I slide the ring that Aunt Minnie gave Talia onto Talia's finger. Looking at her, thinking how this moment symbolizes our stories coming together. It's not just about us anymore. It's about the life growing inside of her. It's about Solana. I swear to protect and love them all with everything I have.

"You may kiss the bride," the justice intones.

I cup her face in my hands and kiss her deeply, sealing our promise. Applause erupts around us. Solana skips over, hugging our legs.

I bend down and scoop Solana up, lifting her so that she too can share an embrace.

We are Mrs. and Mrs. Morgan again. But we're so much more than that. And it feels so damn right.

Talia pulls back, laughing through her tears.

"We're really doing this," she says.

I smooth a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "No backing out now."

My thumb brushes her cheek, and she leans into my touch. A tender moment before the reception sweeps us up.

"Can I have cake?" Solana inquires.

Talia laughs and nods. "You certainly can, honey."

A server appears with a tray of champagne flutes, her broad smile creasing her wrinkled face. Standing right behind the server are Magda and Clive, watching the server with rapt attention.

Clive stands ramrod straight, dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. Magda takes several flutes off the tray and offers them to us.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. Everyone gets sparkling cider, out of respect for the baby." Magda presses glasses into our hands. "Let us all drink to new beginnings."

We clink glasses and drink. The bubbly liquid stings my throat. Makes me feel alive.

Rob weaves through the crowd toward us, phone glued to his ear as always. But his grin is genuine. He covers the speaker and whispers.

"I've got Felix's lawyers on the line."

I huff a laugh. "You should just hang up on them. Tell them they've got a loser of a case."

Rob nods and turns away, still listening to the speaker.

Talia slips her arm through mine. "Shall we mingle, husband?"

The word sends a thrill through me. I squeeze her hand.

"Lead the way, wife."

We descend the steps into the gardens and a shower of rose petals. Solana dances around us, her flower girl duties done.

As we make the rounds, my thoughts linger on Talia beside me. Her inner strength. Her compassion.

Talia's arm loops through mine as we make our way through the well-wishers. I catch glimpses of the ornate diamond on her finger, glinting in the sunlight. Aunt Minnie's ring, passed down through generations and now resting on Talia's hand. A Chance family treasure.

Beside it, the impressive rock I presented her glimmers. Overkill, Tristen called it. He's not wrong. But Talia deserves the best and deserves to feel how much she means to me.

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