Chapter 28
Vulcan
Today’s the big day, and I’m pacing grooves into the church floor, anxiously ensuring every detail is just as it should be.
The guest list is small, just my mom, sister, and Harry, but even so, I’m determined to make it unforgettable.
The air hums with anticipation as I take in the beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The colors Karina chose are stunning. We settled on a dusty blue, sage green, and gray, and these simple hues have come together in an unexpectedly elegant tapestry that fills the room with calm.
Each shade mingles softly together. A testament to her quiet but vibrant presence. I smile, thinking about how little I expected this day just a few months ago, and how quickly things have changed.
Today, I am marrying the woman I have fallen deeply in love with.
“Can’t believe this is really happening.” I look up to see Harry walking down the aisle in his tux. “You’re really getting married today.”
“I really am.”
“Nervous? Excited?”
“Happy. I’m so damn happy to be marrying my other half.” I smile, fixing a flowerpot that is slightly askew.
“I pray this love never finds me,” he jokes. “I love my women wild, free, and with no attachments. The day I fall in love to the point I’m talking marriage…? Hell probably froze over.”
“And I can’t wait to see that day.”
“That won’t—”
Loud chatter catches our attention, and I look down the aisle to see my mother walking into the church with Val. But what really has me in shock is the horde of relatives following behind her. Oh, this is not going to go over well.
I rush over to them, trying to keep my composure even as panic rises in my chest.
“Val, Mom, what’s going on?” I whisper, watching as more relatives pour through the doors—aunts, uncles, and some cousins I haven’t even seen in years.
My mother beams at me, oblivious to my distress. “Talk to your sister; she’s the one who invited them.” She waves me off and continues walking with my stepfather, who gives me a polite nod.
Valkyrie offers nothing more than a shrug and an easy smile.
“What did you do? Shit.” I hiss, grabbing her elbow and pulling her aside. “Karina specifically wanted a small wedding. You knew that.”
“And then she changed her mind. She wanted them to be here, Vul.” Val smiles. “She loves you and knows that you might regret not having the family here one day. So, this was her surprise for you.”
I search her face for any sign of deception, finding nothing but honesty. Something warm spreads through my chest at the thought of Karina going out of her way to do this. I know we talked about this no longer being a marriage of convenience, but for her to do something like this…
“This doesn’t sound like her at all,” I say, still skeptical.
She doesn’t falter. “I swear. We planned it all at our girls’ night. You know I wouldn’t do anything to ruin your wedding.”
A wave of overwhelming emotions crashes over me, leaving me stunned. That unpredictable, endlessly fascinating woman.
“Congratulations, brother, you’ve found the one,” she continues.
“Valkyrie,” I murmur, unable to find more words.
She nudges my arm. “Don’t get all mushy on me. Go take your spot, and I’ll check on the bride.”
I head to the altar, my heart drumming against my ribs.
Every step feels significant, weighted with the knowledge that today marks the start of something new despite the secret I’m holding in.
The one that’s slowly killing me. The goal is to tell her after tonight; which day precisely is still up in the air.
“You okay, man? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Harry says, and gives me a knowing look as I take my place.
“Better than okay,” I manage, straightening my tie. “She invited my entire family. Behind my back.”
Harry’s eyebrows shoot up. “The same woman who said, and I quote, ‘I don’t give a damn about centerpieces’?”
“That’s the one.” I smirk.
The church continues to fill with familiar faces, each one a welcome gift from my soon-to-be wife.
My cousins wave enthusiastically. My uncle Leo, who taught me to fish when I was seven, gives me a thumbs-up from the third row.
My mother and stepfather are up front, and I see Valkyrie’s friends—now also Karina’s friends—sitting in the audience.
Sharon and Naomi are huddled together, whispering to one another.
Then there’s Tasha, snapping pictures like she’s on a mission to document every second while Kaylor watching her, grinning.
I even catch Minji dabbing discreetly at her eyes with a tissue.
There are a few doctors and nurses from Karina’s job, and my crew from the station—my brothers and sisters in arms—are here too.
The music changes suddenly and everything else fades away.
The doors at the back creak open, and there she is.
Karina’s standing there with Cassie and Valkyrie flanking her like loyal guards.
My heart jumps into my throat. She’s fucking breathtaking, a vision in white.
The soft lace of her dress clings to her curves like it was made just for her, and I suppose it was.
Her long, wavy hair is pulled away from her face in a complicated-looking twist, and her eyes are locked on mine.
Her beauty could rival that of the goddess Aphrodite.
She steps forward, and with each step, my pulse quickens.
It’s like watching my dreams take form—except she’s real.
More real than anything I’ve ever known.
My tough-as-nails facade is cracking, and damn if tears aren’t welling up.
Memories flood in—late-night talks, shared meals, her head resting on my shoulder as we watched the city lights from the living room window.
Today, among friends and family who have seen me through hell and back, I will marry this incredible woman.
We still have plenty left to talk about, plenty for me to tell her, but all that matters is I will fight for her every day for the next 1095 days.
And I’ll continue fighting every day after, if she’ll have me.
As Karina approaches, I offer my hand, helping her up the steps. She hands her bouquet to Cassie and turns to me.
“You invited my family,” I rasp.
A faint blush colors her cheeks. “Don’t make a big deal of it,” she murmurs, but I can see the pleased smile tugging at her lips.
“Thank you,” I say, taking her hands in mine, giving them a squeeze. “For someone who claims to hate surprises, you’ve certainly mastered dishing them out.”
“Well,” she says softly, “I figured if I’m going to be stuck with you for at least the next three years, I might as well make sure your family is here to bear witness.”
As we turn to face the officiant, her fingers intertwined with mine, I whisper, “Ready?”
She looks up at me. “I’ve never been more ready for anything,” she says, and I believe her.
The officiant, Pastor Adams, begins to speak. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” His words float around us, but I’m too caught up in Karina’s eyes to pay them much heed. Her thumb lightly strokes the back of my hand, a simple gesture steadying my racing heart.
“I invite the bride and groom to exchange their vows,” [Pastor Adams prompts, his gentle voice pulling me back to the reality of this moment—our moment.
Karina takes a deep breath, her eyes never leaving mine, and begins. Her voice is clear and strong yet imbued with a vulnerability that only adds to her beauty.
“Vulcan Montgomery,” she echoes, her words wrapping around us like a protective shroud, “you are the unexpected flame that lit up the darkness of my world. You’ve shown me strength in vulnerability, courage, compassion, and love in places I never thought to look.”
Her expression softens even more, if that’s possible.
“Today, I vow to walk beside you through whatever trials may come. To support you, challenge you, and cherish the quiet strength that defines you. I promise to see you—the man beneath the shield—and to honor the sacrifices you make every day. Your love has become my beacon, guiding me through the chaos of this life.”
“And so,” she finishes, “I pledge to be your sanctuary, confidant, and partner in all things. Through the heat of battle and the calm of peace, I am yours. Always.”
The church is utterly silent, everyone moved by her words. A lump forms in my throat as I take in every ounce of her sincerity.
I swallow hard against the tightness in my throat, giving the crowd a “Yeah, yeah” as they chuckle at my obvious display of nerves.
“Karina, I’ve faced many fires in my life, but none burned as bright or as warm as my love for you.
You’re my calm amid chaos, my hope during despair.
” My words flow more freely, carrying the weight of everything she has come to mean to me.
“Your spirit, your compassion—they’ve been my salvation.
In this life of unpredictability, you have become my constant.
And so, I vow to build a life with you that honors both the woman you are and the partnership we’ve forged.
I vow to keep our flames of passion alive.
” I reach up to wipe a tear escaping down her cheek with my thumb.
“I promise to be yours every single day, ‘til death do us part.”
The officiant nods approvingly before turning to gather the rings from Harry, who’s wiping his own eyes discreetly. “Vulcan and Karina will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.”
As we slip the rings onto each other’s fingers, I feel a sense of completeness.
“By the power vested in me,” he declares. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The room bursts into applause as I step closer to Karina, lifting her chin gently with my finger. Our kiss is the perfect seal on our vows. When we part, her eyes are gleaming and she looks genuinely happy.