ATHENA

"In holy matrimony to witness and celebrate the union of Alexander King and Athena Dawson. Marriage is a sacred bond, one not entered into lightly but with love, respect, and the deepestmitment two people can give to each other."

He turns slightly toward us.

"The couple has chosen to speak their own vows. We will start with the bride." He nods at me in encouragement.

Sloane passes me the paper where I wrote my vows and helps me hold the microphone,

"Alex," I begin, my hands shaking a little, "I always wished for this day since I met you, but I never imagined it would be possible. You were sharp edges and storm clouds, and I was just... trying to survive. But somehow, even through all the chaos, I found safety in you."

His eyes are fixed on me in a heated gaze. I feel it wrap around me.

"You drive me crazy. You make me angry. You make me feel everything,

everything I once thought I couldn''t feel again. But most of all, you make me feel loved. Completely. Deeply. Undeniably."

I pause, blinking through the tears building behind myshes.

"I promise to always understand you. Even when the world chooses to

misunderstand you, I''ll always be on your side. I promise to remind you every day that you are worthy of love. I promise to be your peace, even in your worst storms.

I may not be the best cook, so you''ll have to overlook that.”

Everyoneughs.

Except him.

He keeps looking at me in that deep way that makes butterflies explode in my stomach and spread all the way to my chest.

"I love you, Alexander King. I loved you when I wasn''t supposed to, and I''ll keep loving you long after I''m gone.".

The officiant nods gently at him.

He takes a breath and stares down at our joined hands before looking back up with that heated gaze he''s had in his eyes since I walked in.

Luca walks over to the side and passes him his own vows. Alex takes them as Luca holds up the mic for him.

Alex looks at me, a smile on his lips.

"I was supposed to read what I wrote for you, but I''ve chosen to speak from the heart." He tucks the paper away, making a heated blush flush my cheeks a deep shade of pink.

"I never believed in soulmates. Or fate. Or even love, really."

His voice is low and rough.

"I was thefn05da Read full story at /fn05da

kind of man who built

walls so high, not even I

remembered what they were meant

to keep out. And then you

walked

in. Soft. Loud. Annoying as hell and extremely beautiful."

belongs to s

Laughter ripples through the room gently.

"You broke those damn walls and walked right in before I even knew it. You challenged me. You saw through every mask. You never ran, even when I gave you every reason to."

He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles.

"You are the light I didn''t know I was looking for. You are the calm in my chaos and the fire in my blood. You''re my greatest risk and my only certainty."

He pauses,

"I vow to protect you with everything I am. I vow to never let go, even when I''m angry, even when I''m stubborn. I vow to spend every day earning the love you''ve given me."

I bite my lip, trying to keep from sobbing.

He adds, "And if I ever mess up, which I will... I''ll always crawl back to you, because you''re my home and you''re stuck with me baby."

Laughter and sniffles echo around us.

We exchange the rings, and I gasp at what I see. Alex refused to show me the rings beforehand. He did, however, say I could change it if hated what I saw, but there is

nothing would change''s

ring.  s

about

The center diamond is huge, easily the size of a marble, and perfectly cut into an oval shape. It''s clear and bright, with tiny diamonds covering the thin tinum band all the way around.

The way it shines under the lights is

almost blinding. It looks like it costs more than a house. Maybe even

enough to buy

small jet it''s

definitely something only Alex would choose without thinking twice about

it.  s

"By the power vested in me, and in front of all your loved ones, Alex and Athena, I

now pronounce you husband and wife."

Alex pulls me into his arms and kisses me like it''s the first andst time all at once.

The guests cheer.

Rayen ps louder than anyone, while smiling from ear to ear.

Men whistle as women p even louder making me smile.

As we turn to face the guests, somewhere deep in my soul, I know. This time, we got it right.