Picture Perfect - Page 173

“Adelaide,” Saint begins, his voice a steady thrum of conviction, “I didn’t know love could be more than just a word until I met you.” He lifts a sheet of paper, worn at the edges from being folded and unfolded countless times. “These aren’t just vows. They’re my truths. My promises to you.

I vow to protect you, to lift you up when you falter, to cherish every moment we steal from the darkness of our pasts. I vow to be your sanctuary, your confidant, your partner in every wild adventure life throws our way.”

Saint pauses, his dark curls falling into his eyes as a breeze whispers through the leaves above us. “And I promise to love you, Princess, with a ferocity that defies understanding. With every beat of my heart, for every day of my life.” He glances at the beautiful men behind him. “I promise that you will be drowning in love every day for the rest of your life.”

Tears breach the walls I’ve built so carefully, spilling over in silent testimony to the depth of his words. Before they can trail down my cheeks, Saint’s thumb is there, gentle and wiping them away.

“Hey, no tears,” he says softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “This is just the beginning.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nod, my bare feet grounded against the earth. My hands tremble slightly—whether from nerves or the sheer intensity of the moment, I can’t tell. But as I look to Chess and Dre, standing beside Saint with expressions of unwavering support, I realize I don’t need prepared words. I have the truth.

“Saint… Dre, Chess,” I start, my voice a whisper that carries far in the stillness. “I never imagined a life where I’d stand here, surrounded by such fierce love. You’ve given me strength, laughter, and a sense of belonging I thought was forever out of reach.”

I meet each of their gazes in turn, imprinting this moment, this feeling, onto my soul. “I may not have vows written down, but I promise you this—I’ll fight for us, for the life we’re building together. I’ll honor the trust you’ve placed in me and cherish the love we share. And I vow to be yours, in every way that matters, now and always.”

There’s a collective breath—a shared heartbeat among us—as the weight of our promises hangs in the air, ripe with possibility. Our future, once obscured by shadows, now shines bright with the promise of days filled with more than just survival, but with living—truly living—in the light of the love we’ve forged against all odds.

The officiant’s final words echo softly through the lush greenery of the greenhouse, “You may now kiss the bride.” My heart hammers in my chest as Saint steps closer, his gaze a molten mix of love and desire. It’s a look that promises more than just a kiss—it speaks of endless nights and intertwined futures.

“Finally,” he murmurs before his lips crash against mine. The world falls away; there is only his mouth moving over mine with a hunger that mirrors my own. Saint devours me, his hands cradling my face, then tangling in the loose strands of my braided hair. I melt into him, every nerve ending alight with the fire that he ignites within me. We are oblivious to the quiet cheers and whistles from our closest friends.

“Ahem, you two,” Gen’s teasing voice cuts through the haze of passion. “I hate to break up the love fest, but we can’t let you sneak away without some cake and photos.”

I laugh against Saint’s lips, pulling back only far enough to see the playful chiding in Gen’s eyes. Saint groans, his forehead resting against mine. “You’re killing me, Gen.”

“Consider it practice for all the interruptions you’ll face as a married man.” She winks, and I can’t help but smile at her antics.

“Fine, but make it quick.” Saint’s voice is rough with unspent emotion, or maybe it’s need—it’s hard to tell.

We turn together, hands still clasped, to face the small assembly of people who mean the most to us. Mason is there with a grin wider than I’ve ever seen, Chess and Dre clapping Saint on the back with matching smirks of approval.

“Let’s cut the cake, then,” I say, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach.

Saint wraps an arm around my waist, the heat of his body a solid reassurance as we approach the simple, elegant cake that Gen had insisted on ordering. Saint picks up the knife, but his hand covers mine, guiding it along with his. Together, we slice through the white frosting, the first act of unity in what will be a lifetime of shared moments.

“Perfect,” he whispers, and I know he’s not talking about the cake.

Cameras flash, capturing smiles and the light in our eyes. Gen orchestrates the entire affair like a maestro, ensuring each moment is immortalized. With every snapshot, she’s preserving this day, this feeling, for whenever we might need to remember the joy amidst any future chaos.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Saint finally says, his patience wearing thin. “We’ve got a lifetime for pictures. Right now, I just want to be with my wife.”

“Alright, alright,” Gen concedes with a dramatic sigh, though her eyes twinkle with mirth. “Go on then. You’ve earned some alone time.”

Saint doesn’t need to be told twice. He sweeps me up in his arms, a delighted laugh bubbling from my throat at the surprise. Our friends cheer again, their voices fading into the background as Saint carries me away, my fingers threaded through those dark curls I love so much.

“Ready for forever?” he asks, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

“More than ready,” I reply, knowing that with Saint, Chess, and Dre by my side, ‘forever’ isn’t just a promise—it’s a certainty.

The echo of Dre and Chess’s footsteps follows closely, a steady rhythm that matches my racing heart.

“Where do you think you’re taking me so fast?” I tease, my voice a whisper against the shell of his ear.

“Somewhere we won’t be interrupted,” Saint replies, his voice low and determined. The glint in his eyes promises everything but restraint.

We burst through the door of my room. As soon as the bedroom door clicks shut, Saint’s arms tighten around me, and I’m swept into the warmth of his embrace. His lips find mine in a fervent kiss that sets my soul alight, a promise of forever sealed with the taste of champagne and joy. Dre and Chess aren’t far behind, their presence an electric charge in the air that buzzes against my skin.

“God, I love you,” I breathe out between kisses, my hands tangling in Saint’s dark curls while Dre’s fingers trace the outline of my shoulder with a reverence that sends shivers down my spine. Chess’s hazel gaze is filled with mischief and adoration as he leans in, pressing his lips to mine in turn, stealing my breath away.