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.

were Rueben, I

bleak. I had a purpose but not a goal. So 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

returns 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 heart

Olivia's eyes fill with tears once more. "What greater thing is there for our souls than 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 be together for all of our days. You have become my lover, my companion, and my best friend. There's no one

tears make me forget everything. I lean

too dark and care for the kids

last line makes

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

"I

Olivia is my

kiss my wife for the first time, when Olivia pulls away and says, "Actually, there's one

turn my attention to him, and he cups my cheeks. "I know this

the five of you, Jasper also loves you." Her gaze goes to Elder Calum. "Jasper and Tyson have my blessing!" The

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

have ever known, and I promise to always be in your corner.

presses his forehead to mine before

He probably thinks more vows will