Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Gideon
“Nervous?” Henry asked a few hours later, his voice low enough that no one else could hear.
He looked as composed as ever as he stood beside me in front of the makeshift altar, despite being forced to wear a suit.
“Not the way you’re thinking,” I admitted, shifting my weight.
My eyes swept over the people gathered to celebrate with us, their faces lit up by the soft glow from the lanterns swaying gently from the trees.
“It’s more…anticipation. Excitement.”
He smirked. “You’re really doing it.”
“I am,” I said, glancing toward the farmhouse.
My pulse increased like it used to whenever I was about to be shoved into that cage to fight.
This time, it wasn’t out of fear. This was out of pure joy. Although that seemed like too simple of a word to fully describe how it felt to finally be here. To finally marry Imogene.
It still felt surreal, like I might wake up back in the cell that had become my home for years. The outcome could have been so different if Henry didn’t put the pieces together when he did. If he didn’t follow his gut.
“I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for you,” I told him, meeting his eyes. “Imogene, either. I’ll never be able to repay you for that, Henry.”
“You don’t have to repay me,” he replied, his tone softer than usual. “But if we’re keeping score, we’re probably even after all the times you saved my ass back in the day.”
“That was different.”
“Not really.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “You’ve always had my back, Sam. And now I get to stand here and watch you marry the woman of your dreams with nothing standing in your way.”
“Thanks, Henry.”
“I love you, brother,” he said, though his voice cracked ever so slightly.
Before I could respond, the first notes of the processional music floated through the air. I flexed my hands, trying to channel the restless energy humming inside me.
The soft murmur of our guests and the rustling leaves faded into the background as I focused on the aisle that Imogene would soon walk down on her way to become my wife.
“Breathe, Gideon,” Henry reminded me in a low voice. “I could be wrong, but most brides prefer their grooms to remain conscious for the ceremony.”
I released a laugh, grateful for his grounding presence. But my attention snapped back to the farmhouse as the back door opened.
My heart leapt into my throat as Melanie appeared in a yellow dress, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders in loose waves. She carried a small bouquet of white roses, her smile radiating joy for her best friend.
She took her time as she made her way from the back porch and down the aisle. When she reached me, she threw her arms around me in a tight embrace.
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mel.”
She didn’t immediately release me, as if wanting to stay in this moment that’s been a decade in the making. When she finally let go, she dabbed at her cheeks before taking her place across the aisle from me.
Once she was in position, the music swelled, a subtle change in the melody that made my chest tighten.
I reminded myself to breathe, every muscle in my body taut as I waited. My vision tunneled, the farmhouse door the only thing I could see.
Then Imogene stepped onto the porch, her mother and stepfather on either side of her. Her dress was simple yet stunning, flowing around her in soft waves of ivory. Instead of a veil, delicate flowers were woven into her blonde curls.
For a moment, it felt like I couldn’t breathe. Like my heart wasn’t big enough to contain everything I was feeling. Like I had too much love inside of me.
There was a time I thought I’d never see her again. When every day was a battle just to survive. Back then, a future like this felt impossible. And yet, here she was, walking toward me, about to become my wife.
The seconds seemed to stretch as her parents slowly walked her down the aisle, all eyes focused on the stunning woman in white. I wanted to give her this moment, but at the same time, I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms. Promise to love and cherish her for the rest of my life. Listen to our officiant declare us husband and wife.
“Gideon,” her step-father said once they reached me, forcing my eyes from Imogene. He gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Take care of her.”
I nodded, meeting his gaze. “Always,” I promised before shifting my attention to her mother.
“We couldn’t ask for a better man to love her.”
“Thank you,” I managed as I touched a chaste kiss to her cheek, my voice thick.
Imogene gave them both a kiss before facing me. I grabbed her hand in mine and steered her toward the altar, where her uncle Wes stood waiting with a kind smile.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice rich with emotion, “we are here today to witness the union of two people whose love has withstood every test imaginable, Imogene Grace Prescott and Samuel Gideon Tate. Their story isn’t just about love. It’s about resilience, forgiveness, and the power of hope. And today, they’re starting a new chapter together.”
Imogene squeezed my hand, and I glanced down at her, meeting her sparkling eyes.
That was precisely where they stayed as Wes spoke about love and what a rare and special gift it was.
Finally, he looked my way and gave me the go ahead to share the vows I’d written.
“Imogene Grace Prescott,” I began, losing myself in the depths of her eyes. “For years, I lived in the dark, believing there was no way out. No chance for anything good to survive inside me. But I didn’t take into account one very important thing. From the moment I met you, you became my light.
“Even when I lost everything, the thought of you kept me going. You are my hope, my heart, and my future. I promise to love you, to protect you, and to never let go of the joy we’ve found in each other. You’ve given me more than I ever deserved, and I vow to spend the rest of my life proving I’m worthy of it.”
“You asshole,” she choked out, which elicited polite laughter from our guests. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry. And now I have to try to come up with something as good as that?”
“It’s not a competition. Plus, I don’t expect you to say anything, considering I sprang this wedding on you.”
She swiped at her cheeks. “Oh ye of little faith. What do you think I did while Melanie worked on my hair?”
She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. When she returned her gaze to me, it was soft and filled with more love than I thought I deserved.
“Gideon.” She treated me to a soft smile. “Samuel. You’ve always been my anchor. Even when life was at its hardest, even when I thought I’d lost you forever, you were still with me. You’ve shown me what it means to fight for love, to never give up, and to trust that some things are worth the risk. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for us, but I know this. You are my past, my present, and my future. I plan on loving you every day for the rest of my life. Completely. Unequivocally.” She smiled through her tears. “Unconditionally.”
I smiled back, my heart so full it felt like it might burst. Then I repeated the only vow that would ever matter between us.
“Unconditionally.”
In The Count of Monte Cristo , Alexandre Dumas wrote, “All human wisdom is contained in these two words —wait and hope.”
I never put much stock into that famous last line. I never had to.
Now I understood them.
Hell, I lived them.
Hope kept me alive in my darkest of times. I didn’t give up, even when I wanted to.
Now, I was able to live the life I always dreamed of.
With Imogene all my side.
All because I never lost hope.