Page 78 of Break Me

"I don't have a speech," I admit with a quiet laugh. "You know I'm no good at those."

Raven smiles through her tears. "You don't need one."

I take her left hand in mine.

"This ring belonged to the two people who taught me what forever looks like." My voice catches. "I promise to spend the rest of my life giving you the same kind of love they gave each other."

I slide the rings onto her finger. They settle into place as though they always belonged there.

A shaky breath leaves both of us.

"They fit," I whisper.

She laughs through her tears. "Perfectly."

Raven reaches into the box for my father's wedding band. "My turn."

She takes my hand, her fingers trembling as much as mine.

"I can't promise we'll always have easy days," she says softly. "But I can promise you'll never face one alone."

She slides the band onto my finger. It fits perfectly. She lets out a watery laugh. "I guess they always knew."

I lace our fingers together, and for a long moment, neither of us says a word. We simply stare at our hands, the worn gold catching the afternoon light.

The justice clears his throat, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "By the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

I don't hesitate. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her, slow enough to memorize the moment.

When I finally pull back, she's smiling at me through tears.

"My husband."

The words settle somewhere deep inside me.

Outside, I reach for her hand as we step onto the courthouse steps. Then, somewhere across town, church bells begin to ring.

Raven looks at me and smiles. "I don't think that's a coincidence."

“Neither do I.”

The ache of missing my parents is still there. It just doesn't feel quite so heavy.

I lift her hand, turning it just enough for the afternoon sun to catch the ring.

"My wife."

She smiles. "I like the sound of that."

"So do I."

Before I can say anything else, she reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone. "Wait."

"What?"

"We need proof."

I laugh. "Proof?"