Page 285 of Fame & Chaos

Taking Indi’s left hand, I slide it gently onto her finger. “I, Caleb McCormack-Slade, take you, Indica Caitlyn Malone, to be my wedded wife. With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you today, tomorrow, and always.”

A soft sob escapes her.

Mum steps forward and hands my wedding band to Indi.

Indi’s hands tremble as she slips it onto my finger. “I, Indica Caitlyn Malone, take you, Caleb McCormack-Slade, to be my wedded husband. With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you today, tomorrow, and always.”

The band settles into place.

Perfect.

Like it has always belonged there.

Like the last missing piece of me has finally been found.

“You may kiss your bride.”

I don’t need to be told twice.

Wrapping my arms around Indi, I dip her backward like we’re in some over-the-top Hollywood romance before kissing her with everything I’ve got.

Mum and Dad cheer.

Indi laughs against my mouth before kissing me back just as fiercely.

When I finally pull away, we’re both breathless, and I rest my forehead against hers.

“I love you, husband,” she whispers.

The words hit me like a goddamn freight train, and joy explodes through every part of me.

“Woo hoo! Fuck yeah! I married my sweet pixie!” I scoop her into my arms and spin her around while she squeals with laughter.

Everyone joins in, and somewhere between the cheering, the laughter, and the woman in my arms…

I realize I’ve never been happier than I am in this moment.

***

We spend the evening enjoying a quiet, romantic dinner before leaving Mum and Dad to themselves and retreating to the honeymoon suite.

I spend the entire night making love to my wife.

Slowly.

Tenderly.

Showing her, with every touch, exactly how much I love her.

She looked breathtaking in her wedding dress, but nothing compares to the feeling of holding her bare against me as we moved together, unhurried, with nowhere else to be.

Making love to Indi has always been incredible.

Making love to my wife…

That’s something else entirely.

The emotion threatens to overwhelm me more than once, but I somehow keep it together. I want Indi to see the man she married, not the hopeless idiot who still gets overwhelmed every time she looks at me.