Chapter 40 #2
Iris is standing on the bow of the first boat, his arms wide as he yells, “Surprise!”
Him being here isn’t the surprise. It’s who I can see sitting on the open decks of the boats.
Scout, Trav, Rogue—we were expecting. Zeus, Callie, Angel, Proxy, Domino, and all of their families … everyone.
Decaf and I turn to each other, eyes wide.
“What is going on? I thought …” I thought we would never see everyone again. Maybe one-on-one, here and there, and small catch-ups, but this …
The first boat approaches, and Iris jumps off straight onto the dock without helping anyone tie it off. Of course.
“It took some planning and a hell of a lot of convincing, but we did it. We got everyone here.”
We’re still stunned as we watch them start to pile out of the boat. Lemon runs down the dock and tackles Callie in his arms.
“What … is … happening?” I ask, louder this time.
Iris shakes his head at me. “Can’t have a wedding ceremony without everyone here. Duh.”
“Wedding? Whose wedding?”
Iris mock gasps. “I’m offended you even had to ask that.”
In his defense, the signs were there.
Decaf wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Guess we’re going to a wedding today. Want to be my date?”
“Your forever date,” I say. Because no matter where we end up, it’s going to be me and him. Forever.
Turns out, Iris and Saint had been planning this for a while. Like, it had to be the minute they got to this island. Either that, or they have resources that were able to put together this wedding so last minute.
It’s on the eastern side of the island, the higher side with cliffs and the most aqua water I’ve ever seen. There aren’t any wedding chairs or anything, but we all have a view from where we’re standing in our own bubbles of couples and families.
With Domino’s connection to the boy band Eleven by marrying the mother of one of the artist’s children, the entire band is here for a post-tour vacation. They serenade Iris and Saint as they walk down the invisible aisle toward Trav standing on the edge of the cliff, waiting to officiate for them.
It’s only the ceremony, not legally binding, and all that because in the eyes of the world, their new identities are already married.
Their suits aren’t like the fancy ones from the tux store they were trying on, just the plain black business suit with black tie that we’re all wearing.
I’m not complaining about the free suit, but Trav pretty much bought in bulk for all of our new wardrobes.
There’s no personality to it, but for right now, we don’t need that extra flair.
These are starter clothes, only the essentials, and if we really are going to move to Bali, I’ll be living in shorts and Bintang singlets for the rest of my life. Bring it on.
Iris and Saint hold each other’s hands as they look into each other’s eyes and say their vows.
Iris goes first. “I bet the you from basic training never thought you’d be standing here with the class clown, tying your life to his forever.
The me from basic training never could have imagined it.
But I know deep in my heart that I was supposed to rescue you that day you came barreling back into my life.
Or, more specifically, I came barreling back into yours.
I didn’t know you back then, when we were fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds trying to make an impression, but since letting you in, learning every dark corner of your soul, I know without a doubt that we were made for each other. That this moment was inevitable.”
I lean closer to Decaf. “Who knew Iris was such a romantic?”
Iris continues. “I also love the fact I get to gloat about saving your life for eternity.”
“Never mind,” I whisper. “There he is.”
Saint laughs. “You might not have known me back then, but I had you pegged from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Iris goes to open his mouth, but Saint cuts him off.
“Do not make a sex joke in the middle of our vows.”
“Damn it. You know me so well.”
“I do. Which is why I knew from the moment I met you that you were everything I wanted to be. Carefree, relaxed, your honest, true self. It took a lot of work for me to accept myself, let alone allow anyone else to accept me, but you … you were so open to hearing my story that it was impossible not to open up. You’re my heart.
You’re my soul. And taking this leap with you isn’t really a leap.
It’s just another step on our long journey together. ”
“Aww,” I let out. I lay my head on Decaf’s shoulder, and he pulls me close, but I can feel his frown. It’s not technically possible to feel someone frowning, but inexplicably, I can. I lift my gaze to meet his. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just … thinking. About what you need.”
“Need?”
“From me.”
“I only need one thing from you. Love.”
“And you have that. But this whole thing.” He lifts his arm to gesture to the group of people whose attention is all on the couple in front. “Do you need a proper wedding or ceremony?”
“Is it really proper if it’s not even legal? I mean, it’s a nice gesture, but no. I don’t need it.”
“Not even if it represents a promise of never abandoning you, never leaving, and being with you forever?”
My heart skips a beat as my whole body warms. “I don’t need a public declaration to know those things.
You’re here. You’re not pushing me away by pretending to be an asshole.
You remake your promise to me every single day you wake up next to me, and that’s everything I ever could have dreamed of in a partner. ”
He kisses the top of my head. “If you ever change your mind, let me know.”
“Will do. I’ll know where to find you.” Right by my side.