CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kye
I’D NEVER SEEN A MORE BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING. NO, THAT WAS wrong. I’d never seen a creation in this universe more stunning than Fallon. No work of art or breathtaking landscape. Nothing could compare to her as she walked down the aisle Rhodes had created.
I knew I should’ve taken a moment to appreciate everyone present. All the energy they’d put into this day. Arden singing. Trace standing at my side, ready to officiate. The endless blooms adorning the pathway.
But I couldn’t.
I only saw Fallon.
Her pale-blond hair had been woven into an intricate braid around her crown, left to tumble over her shoulders and down her back in loose waves.
Her eyes were lined in something that made them burn brighter blue as they connected with mine.
And the dress hugged her willowy curves, making my fingers twitch at my sides.
Some part of me was aware that Nora and Lolli guided her down the aisle, but as Arden sang about being there for one another no matter what came your way, everything that wasn’t the connection between Fal and me simply fell away. Suddenly, it was just the two of us. My favorite place to be.
My throat constricted as if a woven rope was around it, winding tighter and tighter. Because all I wanted was for this to be real. To have earned this woman walking toward me.
But I’d cherish the gift she was giving me anyway. The mercy. And I’d protect it with everything I had.
As she approached, Nora released her and moved to me, pulling me to her. “I love you, Kye. There’s nothing more I want for you than a big, beautiful life.”
“Thank you, Nora. For everything.” She might not like me very much when this all came apart, but if Fal and I handled it the way we planned, it would all be okay.
Lolli gave me a wink. “I knew my girl could tame you.”
Our friends and family laughed at that.
But then it was time. I stepped forward and held out my hands to Fallon. Her slender fingers trembled as she took mine, and I felt like the world’s worst asshole. But then I wrapped my pinkies around hers, reminding her it was the same me she’d always known.
Fallon exhaled, her eyes finding mine as she smiled. “Hi.”
One corner of my mouth kicked up. “You’re beautiful.”
A hint of sadness swept through those deep blues, but it was followed by something that looked a lot like peace. “You don’t look half-bad yourself.”
“Friends, family,” Trace began, “we’re here today to join Fallon and Kye in an everlasting bond.”
My throat twisted tighter, but I didn’t lose sight of Fal.
“Marriage is more than just saying ‘I do.’ It’s a promise to be there for one another, in good times and bad. It’s a vow that you can bring anything to the other, and they will help you carry the load. Your joys are higher, and your lows are never as heavy.”
Fallon gripped my hands harder, her pinkies nearly strangling mine.
“Can we have the rings?” Trace asked.
Luca beamed as he carried the little pillow up to us, the wedding rings dangling from delicate ribbons.
“Thanks, little dude,” I said as I forced myself to release Fallon and untie a ring.
She did the same, but I didn’t miss how her hands trembled again. I hated that. Hated anything that made Fal scared or uncertain.
Trace opened his mouth to speak, but my gaze cut to him, making him pause.
“Actually, could we say our own vows?” I asked.
We’d decided to go with the simple, standard ones, but that suddenly felt all sorts of wrong.
I didn’t want to lie to Fallon. Couldn’t.
The only lie I’d ever let her believe was that I didn’t love her, that I’d moved on, when she was everything I wanted and all I could see.
Trace looked between us, a small smile tugging at his mouth as he stepped back. “Of course.”
Fallon’s eyes widened, and a slightly panicked expression crossed her face.
“I didn’t want someone else’s promises on my lips.” I hooked my pinky with hers again. “I want to give you my own.”
I took a deep breath, and the scents of jasmine and coconut washed over me, reminding me of all Fallon was to me. “You are light, breath. Air. In my darkest moments, it’s always been you who lit my way.”
Those dark blue eyes glistened, and I saw Fal’s breath hitch.
“I promise to honor you with every step I take. To protect you with everything I have. To listen to your triumphs and your sorrows. To make sure you know you’re never alone.
To bring you endless packs of strawberry Sour Patch Kids and make sure you always have a dose of caffeine on standby when you get a headache. ”
Fallon’s pinky squeezed mine even harder.
I gently tugged our joined fingers to lift her hand, mine poised to slide the diamond band into place. “I promise to be your partner and friend for all my days.”
I slid the ring onto her finger, and as it clinked against the engagement ring, a sense of rightness filled every last part of me. As if this was what should’ve been all along.
Fallon’s chest rose as she sucked in air, then she brought her gaze to mine. “You’ve been my safe place from the moment I met you. Safe to feel whatever I needed and give it voice. Safe to be exactly who I was without fear or anxiety. Safe in body and mind.”
She swallowed hard. “But more than that. You’ve been my home. My resting place. Whenever the world spins too fast or things get too hard, I know I can count on you to pause it.”
Fallon lifted the black band to my ring finger. “I promise to always be your defender and biggest cheerleader. I promise to bring you double-chocolate Oreo shakes after long days and make your coffee black like tar after long nights in the studio.”
I couldn’t help the small chuckle that slipped free.
“I promise to help you make the best home imaginable for your sisters and be with you every step of the way.”
Tears pressed against the backs of my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall.
“I promise to be your partner and your friend for all my days,” Fallon whispered as she slid the ring onto my finger.
The moment the metal band was in place, I knew I’d made a mistake. Because I never wanted it to move. Not now, not in a few months, not ever.
Trace cleared his throat. “Well, that’s a hell of a lot better than I could’ve done.”
Everyone laughed.
“But there is one more thing I have to say.” Trace grinned as he looked at me. “Kye, you may kiss your bride.”
Fuck.
But there was nothing to be done. I moved in, one hand sliding along the small of Fallon’s back, the other along her jaw. I leaned forward, closer and closer, stopping just shy of her pink bow lips, the ones I knew tasted like spearmint and freedom.
I didn’t want to miss this moment. Not a single piece of this memory. If I was going to hell, I might as well enjoy the ride.
So, I closed the distance, my mouth meeting hers as my tongue slid in. And there she was. My sparrow. Her taste exploded on my tongue, and I drank down every drop. Because I refused to miss a single second of the time I had with her.
Fresh, clean air swirled around me, inside me, through me. And I could breathe.
Music sifted through the speakers as Keely and Luca did some ridiculous dance across what they’d decided was a makeshift dance floor. Whatever their creation was, it didn’t have much rhythm. But they looked like they were having a hell of a lot of fun.
Arden pressed a hand to Linc’s chest. “Luca definitely gets his moves from Cope.”
My brother scowled at her. “I have incredible rhythm. Tell her, Sutton.”
His fiancée burrowed into his side. “I am partial to slow dances with you.”
Arden’s lips twitched. “Does he do the dick propeller move?”
Trace choked on a sip of his beer, and Ellie thumped him on the back, trying not to laugh.
“Did I hear someone say dick propeller?” Lolli piped up as she hurried over to our huddle, Walter trailing behind as he struggled with a giant, paper-wrapped parcel.
Rhodes handed a ginger beer to Anson. “I swear you have the hearing of a bat when it comes to anything phallic.”
One corner of Anson’s mouth kicked up. “We could really dig into the meaning behind that, Lolli.”
She made a pssh noise and waved him off. “I am at one with my sexuality. I celebrate it—unlike some of you prudes.”
“Damn right, you do,” Walter said with a growl.
Shep’s face screwed up. “I really don’t need that sort of reminder.”
Thea patted him on the arm, but her shoulders shook with silent laughter. “I think it’s sweet that they’re in love.”
Lolli straightened. “I am not in love. I am just using Walter for his hot bod.”
Walter beamed at her like she hung the moon. “Happy to be used until you say yes to marrying me.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Lolli muttered as she grabbed the parcel from him. “For my favorite lovebirds.”
Fallon glanced up at me as she pressed deeper into my side. “You open it. I’m scared.”
I chuckled, reaching for the gift. “We’ll do it together.”
Our gazes met for a beat, and then we ripped the paper. It fell to the floor, revealing a canvas covered in countless glittering gemstones. Just Married was spelled out above and below two wedding bells with hearts and arrows scattered around.
“Lolli,” Fallon began. “This is beautiful. Did you actually make us appropriate diamond art?”
“Wait,” Cope interjected. “Look at what’s coming out of the bells.”
Thea choked on a laugh. “That’s definitely a dick.”
“She made you a dick dinger,” Linc said with a triumphant smile. “I gotta admit, I’m a little jealous.”
“Don’t give her any ideas for our wedding,” Arden warned.
“Look at the hearts,” Rhodes said, her voice strangled. “The arrows have very distinctive … tips.”
Damn if she wasn’t right. There were tiny dicks everywhere. In the letters of just married, the hearts, the bells.
Lolli beamed at me and Fallon. “Gotta get craftier around you lot.”
“Jesus,” I muttered.
“That is something,” Rose said as she strode up, a tablet tucked under her arm.
Fallon winced as she turned to greet her friend and mentor. “Please tell me you won’t fail us over this …gift.”