Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

411. Tyson - Wedding day II

Juniper's high-pitched bleat cuts Elder Calum short, making all the guests laugh. She's at the end of the aisle, eating from the decorations. "I thought we locked her up!" Rueben snarls.

Olivia giggles. "Juniper will always find a way to be with you. You know how much she loves you. She even crashed the wedding for you." Rueben's cheeks turn slightly red. "I swear I'm going to turn that goat into kebab. Elder Calum, please continue."

After chuckling at Rueben's expense, Elder Calum says, "Ready to exchange vows?"

Last night's dinner travels up my throat. Not wanting to embarrass myself by vomiting all over Olivia's pretty dress, I nod.

Mose is the first one to say the vows. He didn't write them down, so he takes her hands into his and says, "I love you wholeheartedly with a passion that cannot be expressed in words, only in kisses, stolen glances, moments of happiness, and years spent by your side. I vow to love you and only you forever."

While short, Mose's vow expresses what all of us feel for Olivia.

Rueben is next. "I love you, Olivia. Not for what you are but for what I am when I'm with you. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to give you everything. I vow to put you before everything. Including days of football and nights of poker."

"Before COD tournaments, too?" Olivia flutters her long eyelashes.

Rueben grits his teeth. "No, ye-no. Tournaments are the only time we get to have guys' night."

"It's fine. I won't put you above girls' night either," Olivia huffs.

boy. If I were Rueben, I

searched for one. Even if I didn't know back then, I longed to love one person with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my body. I needed a forever friend to trust with my intimacies, who wouldn't hold them against me, who would love me when I'm unlikable, who would look

the smile

nervous all over again. I try to find the paper with the vows, but my hands tremble, and I give up. I've read the vows so many times that I should know them by

to feel that they are joined for life-to strengthen each other in sorrow or happiness, to rest on each other in all misery, to help each other in all things, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? Whatever souls are made of, ours is the same." I brush my knuckles against her soft cheek. "Do you remember the very first day that we met? I knew the very first moment I saw you. I knew we were meant

to her, but her tears make me forget everything. I lean forward and kiss her wet

to take your hand when it's too dark and

line

cherish you as my husbands today and every day. I promise to be your guiding light in the darkness, a warming comfort in the cold, and a shoulder to lean on when life is too much to bear on your own. You all are loved more than any metaphor can ever try to express my feelings. I vow to always protect you from harm, to stand with you against your troubles, and to look to you when I need protection. Give me your hands, and

Calum says, "I pronounce you husbands and wife. You may kiss the

is

the first time, when Olivia pulls away and says, "Actually, there's one more

the moment Jasper speaks. "Tyson." I turn my attention to him, and he cups my cheeks.

that unites us. Just as I love the five of you, Jasper also loves you." Her gaze goes to Elder Calum. "Jasper and Tyson have my blessing!" The Elder nods, letting her know he has

a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Little Love, for accepting me the way I am." To me, he says, "Olivia is not the only one who has captured my heart. I love you just as much as I love her. That's why I want to make a vow to you today as well." This takes me by surprise completely and I feel like a total jerk because I haven't written anything for Jasper. It doesn't matter. I can still tell him what's in my heart. "Today, surrounded by all of our loved ones, I choose you to be my husband. I am proud to be yours and to join my life with yours. I vow to support you, inspire you, and love you always. For as long as

with more love for Jasper. "My husband, I invite you to share my life. You are one of the most loving, clever, and kind individuals I have ever known, and

his forehead to mine before letting

silent. He probably