Chapter 23

Harlow

My heart raced with excitement as I clutched the small velvet box in my hands. I glanced over at Griiq, his eyes shining with love and anticipation. We stood in the living room of my parents' Florida home, the air thick with emotion.

"We wanted to surprise you both," Mom said, her voice trembling slightly. "These rings have been in our family for generations, passed down from your great-grandparents, Harlow."

Dad placed a hand on Griiq's shoulder, a gesture of acceptance and welcome. "We couldn't think of a more perfect couple to continue the tradition."

Griiq's hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. "Thank you," he said, his voice deep and sincere. "This means more to us than you could ever know."

I opened the box, revealing two stunning vintage rings. The diamond encrusted bands sparkled in the light. Tears welled in my eyes as I imagined slipping the ring onto Griiq's finger, solidifying our love and commitment to each other.

"They're beautiful," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

Mom wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "We're so happy for you both," she said, her own tears flowing freely. "We can't wait to see what the future holds for you."

Dad slapped Griiq on the back, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Welcome to the family, son."

Griiq's eyes met mine, and in that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Our love had already conquered so much, and these rings were a symbol of the unbreakable bond we shared.

We spent several hours having a meal and enjoying the time as my mom and dad got to know Griiq better. All too soon, the time for us to catch the red-eye flight back to Vermont came.

"Let's get you two to the airport," Dad said, grabbing our bags. "You have a wedding to plan!"

As we made our way to the car, Griiq's hand never left mine. The weight of the ring box in my pocket was a constant reminder of the incredible journey we were about to embark on together.

"I love you," Griiq whispered, his lips brushing against my ear as we settled into our seats on the plane.

"I love you too," I replied, resting my head on his shoulder. "More than anything."

The plane took off, carrying us back to Vermont and the next chapter of our lives.

As the plane touched down in Vermont, my mind was already swirling with thoughts of our upcoming wedding. Griiq and I had decided on a fall wedding, set for early October, just three months away. The crisp autumn air and the vibrant colors of the changing leaves would provide the perfect backdrop for our special day.

The first order of business was to ask my cousin Janie to be my maid of honor. She lived in New York, so we took a trip to see her. I couldn't imagine anyone else standing by my side on such an important day. Janie squealed with delight when I asked her, immediately pulling me into a tight hug.

"Of course, I'll be your maid of honor!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm so happy for you, Harlow. You and Griiq are perfect for each other."

Griiq asked his butler and friend, Mason, to be his best man. The two had been through so much together, and I knew that having Mason by his side would mean the world to Griiq.

With our wedding party in place, I turned my attention to planning the details of the ceremony and reception. I envisioned a simple, intimate outdoor wedding, surrounded by the natural beauty of Vermont. The people of Grimsby, who had welcomed me into their community and now supported Griiq through his struggles, would be our honored guests.

I spent countless hours poring over wedding magazines and websites, searching for inspiration and ideas. I wanted every detail to be perfect, from the flowers to the music to the menu. Griiq was incredibly supportive, offering his input and opinions whenever I asked, but mostly letting me take the lead in the planning process.

As the weeks flew by, I grew overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions that needed to be made. That's when I hired a wedding planner to help bring my vision to life. After several interviews, I settled on Ellie Macintire, a bubbly and enthusiastic woman with a keen eye for detail.

"So, tell me about your dream wedding," Ellie said, leaning forward in her chair as we sat in her cozy office. "What do you envision for your special day?"

I took a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words. "I want it to be simple and elegant, with a focus on the natural beauty of the setting. We're having an outdoor ceremony at the gazebo, with the reception in the ballroom of the castle. I want the colors to be warm and inviting, with lots of candles and twinkling lights."

Ellie nodded, jotting down notes in her planner. "That sounds absolutely lovely, Harlow. I can already picture it in my mind. Now, let's talk about the details. What kind of flowers were you thinking? And have you given any thought to the menu?"

As Ellie and I delved into the specifics of the wedding planning, a sense of excitement and anticipation built within me. In just a few short months, I would marry the love of my life, surrounded by the people who meant the most to us. I couldn't wait to see how it all came together.

On the day before our wedding, Griiq and I were alone in the ballroom, in the place of our wedding reception. The transformed space had twinkling lights strung from the rafters and delicate floral arrangements adorning the tables. The air filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion as I looked around.

Griiq pulled me close, his muscular arms wrapping around my waist. "Can you believe it?" he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "Tomorrow, we'll be husband and wife."

I leaned into his embrace, savoring the feeling of his body against mine. "It feels like a dream," I murmured, my fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "I never thought I could be this happy."

Griiq pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his eyes shining with love and adoration. "You've changed my life, Harlow. Before I met you, I was lost and alone, convinced that I would never find someone who could see past my scars and love me for who I am. But you've shown me that anything is possible."

I smiled up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "You've changed my life too, Griiq. You've taught me what it means to love unconditionally, to fight for what I believe in, and to never give up on the people I care about."

We stood in silence for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms, both lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Griiq spoke, his voice soft and hesitant. "Harlow, have you ever thought about... about children?"

I pulled back slightly, my eyes searching his face. "Children? With you?"

Griiq nodded, his expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. "I know it might not be possible, given our... differences. But I can't help but wonder what it would be like to start a family with you."

A warmth spread through my chest at his words. The thought of having children with Griiq had crossed my mind before, but I had never dared to voice it out loud. "I've thought about it too," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if it's possible, but if it is... I can't imagine anything more beautiful than creating a life together."

Griiq's face broke into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Can you imagine what our child would look like? Your eyes, my hair... or maybe the other way around."

I laughed, the sound echoing through the ballroom. "They would be perfect, no matter what. Because they would be ours."

Griiq pulled me close again, his lips capturing mine in a deep, passionate kiss. When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless and flushed. "I love you, Harlow Adams," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. "More than anything in this world."

"I love you too, Griiq," I whispered back, my heart so full it felt like it might burst. "Forever and always."

We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms, our hearts beating in sync. The future stretched out before us, full of possibility and promise.

The evening setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows as Griiq and I reluctantly pulled apart. "We should probably get some rest," he said, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "Big day tomorrow."

I nodded, my eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to be your wife."

Griiq grinned, his expression mirroring my own. "And I can't wait to be your husband."

Hand in hand, we made our way out of the barn and into the cool autumn air, our hearts filled with love and anticipation of the future that awaited us.