“Yes, let’s do it. Let’s get married.”

My lips crushed against hers, claiming her, owning her. Our turbulent love nearly killed us both, but she was giving me a second chance to make her mine, and I wouldn’t let her slip out of my grasp this time.

“Are you ready?” I asked as I laced my fingers with Emma’s. She took several deep breaths before responding.

“Yes,” she whispered as Stephen stepped closer to us, a stack of papers in his hands. He smiled at me knowingly, and I smirked.

“Emma,” he greeted her, inclining his head toward her.

“Good to see you again,” she laughed with excitement. Stephen’s gaze fell to me, and I nodded. I knew he was concerned, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I couldn’t live without Emma, and this was the only option.

“We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, by acknowledging the wedding of William and Emma.” His eyes locked on mine. “William, do you take Emma to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, and protect her? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her in sickness and in sorrow and be faithful to her forevermore?”

I looked down into Emma’s bright green eyes and smiled. “I do.”

Emma looked to Stephen, but I kept my eyes locked on her as he began to speak.

“Emma, do you take William to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, and protect him? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep him in sickness and in sorrow and be faithful to him forevermore?”

“I do.” The pressure left my chest as she promised to be mine for the rest of her life. I looked to Stephen who nodded, and my gaze fell back on Emma.

“I give you this ring in token and pledge as a symbol of all that we share, with my constant faith and abiding love.” I slid her ring onto her finger, marking her as mine.

“Now that you have joined yourself in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed, and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names: husband and wife. May God bless this union. You may kiss the bride.”

I wrapped my arms around Emma’s waist as I pulled her body against mine. My mouth found hers hungrily as I kissed my new bride.

“I love you,” she whispered against my lips. I couldn’t help but smile.

“I love you, Emma Honor. Now you are mine forever.”

THE END