Chapter Thirty-Two

Our alarm clock blares, jolting me awake. My arm's trapped beneath Durango's warm body while his bare skin remains a comforting reminder of what I get to wake up to every morning. I try to reach for the snooze button, but he stirs before I can.

"Babe, would you get that?" I mumble sleepily.

He reaches over, his fingers fumbling in the darkness until the alarm falls silent. I feel rested, completely at peace. I brush my hand against his cheek, feeling his comforting stubble. The scent of his skin is warm, slightly musky, and it brings a smile to my lips.

When our eyes meet, the morning light filters through the blinds that casts a soft glow on his face. There's a quiet intensity in his gaze, a depth of emotion that speaks volumes. It's a look that reminds me of the love we share and the forgiveness we've found. Today's our wedding day. And he's making me the happiest man on the planet all over again.

"Happy wedding day, my love," Durango whispers softly, his hand gently caressing my back.

The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the love that's bloomed from the ashes of pain. I turn to face him, overflowing with emotion.

"Happy wedding day, babe," I whisper back, biting his bottom lip. "I am the luckiest man in the world."

Mom and Melanie transformed our backyard into a fairytale scene filled with tables, chairs, twinkling lights, and a stage set for a live band. The two of them bustle around, energetically directing the caterers. So long as the neighbor doesn't fire off a gun to ward off a swarm of birds from his tree, or Durango's best guy pals haven't hung condom balloons, today's starting out effortlessly.

In a few scant hours, guests will start arriving from all corners of the globe to witness my wedding to the man who not only captured my heart, but the man who fate brought into my life to help me care for Lily and myself. Durango Adam Walters. We're putting the final touches on our appearance when Josiah Baxter appears in the doorway with a small black velvet box in his grasp. I turn to greet him warmly.

"Mr. Baxter," I say with gratitude. "It means so much to me having you and Yael here today."

He places his comforting hand on my shoulder. "You're like a son to us, Max," he assures me. "I'm so grateful we've grown so close. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Me too," I nod. "Brogan would be so happy." I glance at my reflection, straightening my gold bowtie.

Josiah scans the room. "Speaking of, where's Durango?"

I fuss with a stray hair at the crown of my head. "He's down the hallway in one of the guest rooms," I reply, hoping he hasn't disappeared on me. Not likely. His warm heart couldn't possibly have cold feet.

"Fantastic," Josiah replies, turning to leave. He pauses in the doorframe with a smile spreading across his face. "I'm so proud of you, Maxwell."

A surge of warmth fills my chest. The approval of Brogan's parents means more to me than I ever thought possible. Their acceptance, their love, has been a huge miracle in the aftermath of loss. I brush a speck of lint off my burgundy shirt, a mirror image of the one Brogan wore the day we first met. It feels like a subtle connection, a sign that he's still with me, watching over me.

"Thank you for being such a substantial part of my life," I whisper into the empty room with an emotional choke. "And for continuing to grace me with your eternal protection."

I catch my reflection in the mirror, admiring the tuxedo I chose. This is no longer a dark apparition staring back at me. It's a figure of strength and love. The gold accents a touch of warmth, a sign of the love that's blossomed between Durango and me. And our white tuxedos are a symbol of new beginnings, a fresh start for a love that's defied all odds.