Chapter 32 – Cole-Present
Chapter Thirty-Two
GROOM WITH A VIEW
COLE-PRESENT
I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, adjusting my tie for the hundredth time, trying to smooth out every wrinkle.
My heart’s racing, and it’s not because I’m unsure about marrying Kenna.
I know without a doubt that she’s the one I want.
But the thought of everything leading up to this day—the years of being apart, of missing out on Cohen’s whole life, of being locked away in a cell—gives me a knot in my stomach.
I’m not nervous because I’m making the wrong decision.
I’m nervous because I feel like I’m still trying to make up for lost time.
Time.
God, it’s the one thing you can never get back. The one thing prison takes from you the most. Not just minutes and hours, but the milestones. The in-between moments, the quiet mornings, and the “I love you’s.”
The past few years have been a whirlwind of regret, loss, and imprisonment.
I’d spent so much time away from Kenna. So much time away from my son.
I missed his entire first few years. His first steps.
His first words. I wasn’t there to teach him how to ride a bike or how to navigate school or life.
I wasn’t there for any of it, and the guilt claws at me.
It’s a guilt I wear like armor. No matter how many apologies I say, no matter how many nights I’ve stayed awake picturing the moments I missed...it’s never enough. Maybe it never will be.
Kenna, though...she’s been my light through it all.
The moment I first saw her as a kid, I felt an inexplicable spark ignite within me.
But then came the mistakes. The wrong choices.
The mess I made of everything. When I went to prison, I thought it was over.
I thought I’d lost her for good. But Kenna, being the incredible woman she is, never gave up on me.
Even though I wasn’t there, she always believed in me, believed in us.
That’s the love I still don’t feel worthy of. But I’m learning to accept it. Not because I deserve it, but because she wants me to. I’d burn down the universe before I disappoint her again.
And now, here I am, standing in front of a mirror, about to marry the love of my life. After everything. After all the pain and distance.
I can hardly believe it.
I take one last look at myself, run my fingers through my hair, and grab the small bouquet I bought for Kenna. It’s the least I can do. She deserves the world, and I’m still trying to make up for all the years I couldn’t give her anything.
I whisper to my reflection, “Don’t mess this up. Not again.”
When I get to Kenna’s house, my breath catches in my chest when I see her standing in the front doorway.
She’s everything.
Her hair is in a braid, weaving around her head like a crown, with soft tendrils falling loose, perfectly framing her face. Her eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen them, full of excitement and love, but also a quiet intensity. The look that always drives me crazy in the best way.
She’s wearing a short, satin white dress that clings to her in all the right places, showing off the curves I’ve spent years loving. And the combat boots. God, those boots. They’re so her. Bold, unexpected, and completely perfect.
I stop breathing for a second. Not because she looks beautiful. Even though she most certainly is. She looks happy. Free. Safe. It makes my heart flip knowing I helped put that look there. That alone is enough to bring tears to my eyes.
I take a step forward, unable to tear my eyes away from her. I feel a grin spread across my face.
“You look absolutely breathtaking,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
She laughs, a little nervous but happy. “You’re not too bad yourself, Cap.”
I take a few more steps toward her, the bouquet in my hands feeling like a tiny gesture compared to everything I want to give her. “I mean it, Kenna. You look...like a dream.”
She blushes a little, eyes shining as she takes the flowers from my hands. “Thank you.”
I reach out and brush a lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing her soft skin. “Ready to make this official?”
Kenna smiles at me. “More than ready.”
I pull her close, my arms wrapping around her as I press my forehead against hers.
There’s something so simple, yet so incredibly profound about this moment.
I feel the warmth of her body against mine, the beat of her heart, and I can’t help but whisper, “I’m never letting you go again, Kenna. I swear.”
She looks up at me, a soft, teasing smile on her lips. “You sure about that? I’m kind of a lot to handle, you know.”
I laugh. “I’m counting on it.”
She leans in closer, just enough that her lips brush my cheek. “You always were the only one stubborn enough to keep up with me.”
We stand there for a few moments, lost in the quiet of each other’s company, before I take her hand, never wanting to let go.
The car ride is quick, but it feels like it lasts forever.
My thumb brushes over her hand, tracing small patterns on her skin as I drive, and it’s impossible for me to stop smiling.
I can’t believe we’re finally doing this.
Kenna looks over at me, eyes shining. “So, are you ready to never get rid of me again?”
I glance at her, my heart swelling. “I never wanted you out of my life to begin with, Kenna. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I’m just lucky you’ve kept me around.”
She exhales a shaky breath, like she’s been holding something in for days. “I used to dream about this, you know? Just us. Just this. The dress, rings, and location were never a concern for me. I just...I just wanted you to want me back.”
I reach for her hand again and squeeze it. “I never stopped wanting you. Not for one second. Even when I was behind bars. When I hated myself, I still loved you. You were the only thing that made me believe I could be better.”
Her eyes soften, and I see the love in them—so much love, so much trust, so much history. I’ve been through hell and back, but none of that matters because I’ve got her. I’ve got us.
When we get to the courthouse, I park the car and help Kenna out, never once letting go of her hand.
We walk inside, our footsteps echoing on the tile floor, the quiet sound of our footsteps in perfect sync.
I’ve never felt so sure about anything in my life.
This is right. This is the moment. This is our forever.
As we walk, I glance over at her and whisper, “When we say our vows, I want you to know...I mean every word. I’ve been carrying them inside me since I was eighteen.”
Kenna smiles. “I believe you. I’ve always believed you, Cole.”
The officiant smiles at us, and I can see the flicker of recognition in his eyes as he glances between us. It’s a small ceremony. Just the two of us, but it feels like the world. The only thing that matters is that we’re here together.
I can’t help but grin as I slip the ring onto Kenna’s finger. “Kenna Claire Feely,” I say, my voice trembling slightly with emotion, “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. And I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I promise never to leave you, to always choose you, to always be yours.”
I pause. My throat closes up, but I push through it. “You were the first person who ever saw me. Not the version the world wanted, or the guy I pretended to be. You saw me, and you stayed. That’s why I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you know every day how much that means to me.”
Kenna’s eyes glisten as she repeats the words, her voice steady but full of love. “Cole...I promise to love you, to stand by your side, to always be yours, no matter what comes.”
When we exchange rings and the officiant pronounces us husband and wife, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders, but it’s a good weight. The weight of knowing that this is real. That after everything, we’ve finally made it here.
I take Kenna’s face in my hands, kissing her deeply. The kiss is soft at first, then more urgent, more filled with everything we’ve been through, everything we are. It’s a kiss of love, of promise, of finally being home.
As we pull apart, I can’t help but smile. “It’s you and me, Kenna. Forever.”
She smiles, with the same radiant smile I’ve always loved. “Forever,” she agrees. “Always.”
As we walk out into the sunlight, I feel the warmth on my skin and realize—this is what freedom really feels like. Not just being out of a cell. But being with her. Choosing each other. Every day.
We leave the courthouse hand in hand, ready to face whatever comes next together.
The sky has a soft golden hue in the late afternoon, and everything feels quiet. Still. Like even the world knows this moment is sacred.
As we walk to the car, Kenna slips her hand into mine again, and I can’t help but glance over at her, catching the soft curve of her lips as she stares ahead, a little dazed, a little dreamy.
“You good?” I ask, unlocking the car and opening her door like I always do.
She slides in with a grin. “Good? I’m married. To you. I’m freaking great.”
I chuckle and jog around to my side, starting the engine. As we pull onto the road, silence settles for a few moments between us. But it’s not awkward—it’s full. Full of love, full of unspoken things, full of the weight of what just happened.
“Back to your place?” I ask after a beat, glancing at her.
She tilts her head, then slowly turns to me with that look.
“My place?” She repeats, raising an eyebrow.
I nod once, casually. “Yeah. Gotta get you out of that dress eventually.”
She smirks. “Smooth.”
Then she nudges my shoulder, her voice a little softer now. “Cole. It’s not just my place anymore.”
I glance over at her again, not sure I’m following.
“That house...the one you’re driving us back to?” She’s staring out the window now, like she’s thinking through every word. “It never truly felt like a home without you there. But having you there? You and Cohen? That brought it back to life.”