Chapter Thirty-Four

My backyard is a sea of smiling faces, lush with colors under the fading sunset. The breeze blows through, offering me some ease as I shuffle down the patio to the cadence of our pianist playing his soft melodies. Mom links her arm in mine. And to my right, Durango stands tall with a nervous look etched on his visage. Josiah Baxter, beaming with pride, stands at his side. Music flounders from all corners of the yard, filling guests with the shared love we're all celebrating today.

As we glide down the aisle, I'm greeted by gads of faces. Friends from Indiana, Colorado, and former colleagues from places like Paris, Milan, and even Argentina. Their smiles are the sunbeams, the genuine heroes this evening, warming me and Durango. I beam back at them with gratitude, waving gently as I pass by each row of chairs.

This is it, the moment I've been dreaming of for months. The moment I get to marry Durango, a man who's shown me how to blossom a love from the darkness. My soul ignited with a certain fiery passion, I approach the front of the aisle as Durango's stare locks with mine. Calum Scott's song, "You Are the Reason" boasts from large speakers surrounding us at the altar. The lyrics express a depth I hadn't completely realized until this very moment. It's as if the song's specifically for us—a soundtrack to our unconventional love story. Beneath the archway of tiger lilies, Rabbi Frankel stands with his smile flashing wide.

He speaks of love, commitment, and the sanctity of marriage. Durango's voice trembles slightly as he begins his vows. "Max, I didn't know what true love was until I met you. For years, I ached, wondering if the concept of soulmates truly existed. And then last year, the universe answered my prayers—" he chokes. "It brought me you."

His eyes are filled with a deeper love that could melt the coldest heart, and they search mine. "That morning I learned how our paths intertwined—I knew you were my soulmate. Maxwell, I promise to care for you in sickness and health, through trials and tribulations. Into eternity."

I unfold the worn piece of paper in my grasp while I feel the thud of my heart beating fast. A gentle murmur of the crowd fades as I speak through quivering lips.

"Durango, when I lost Brogan, my world shattered completely. I thought my life was ending, slowly and painfully." I pause, wiping a tear already forming. "But something inside me whispered to keep fighting, to find a new path forward."

My stare meets his, the gravity of his affection giving me strength. "Destiny led me to Seattle, to you. I knew I was taking on an immense responsibility with Lily, and I needed to make sure she got the best care possible," my words choke out. "But I didn't realize until that fateful weekend before Christmas that I hadn't truly lost Brogan Baxter—" my voice creaks, covering Durango's left breast with my palm. "He's within you, a reincarnated version of himself, right here beneath these ribs."

Tears sting my eyes as I continue. "You're kind, intelligent, gentle, and yes—even a little stubborn." A ripple of laughter passes through the crowd, easing my tension. "But most importantly," I say, my tone evolving to more conviction. "You're my soulmate. You've shown me that love can blossom in the darkness, that healing is possible, and that a new chapter can be written—" my words falter.

For a fleeting moment, I see a bright light shimmering in the back row. It looks like—Brogan? But as quickly as it appears, it vanishes, leaving me blinking in disbelief. The crowd hums, their heads turning to follow my gaze off in the distance. But the light's gone, replaced by the faces of those I love and care for. I shake my head, clearing the cobwebs. I have vows to finish. A future to embrace.

"—And helped me grow into a stronger, better man. I'm so grateful to have you and Gage in my life, to finally have a complete family." My tone quakes as I continue. "I'm honored to take this next step, this journey, with you by my side. I promise to be everything you need, to cherish and protect your heart, and to show you a fierce love—always."

Finishing my vows brings a wave of relief. The words aren't just promises. They're not even empty gestures, either. They're a declaration of my love for Durango Adam Walters—my staunch belief in our future as a family.

Rabbi Frankel begins the Sheva Brachot, the seven blessings, his tone offering a soothing melody that fills the backyard while the Pacific tides crash ashore in the distance. Substituting wine with grape juice acknowledges my sobriety, yet the symbolic sweetness of our love remains unchanged.

My hands clasp with Durango's, our fingers entwining like the fibers of our lives. I find myself lost in his gaze, the adoration I see bouncing back at me, mirror how I feel exactly. A hush falls over the crowd as Yael nudges Gage up to the front, looking dapper in his tiny suit. He holds a satin bag containing a single blue glass. While I appreciate the tradition, the symbolism is clear—a fragile container, a reminder of love's delicate nature, and the need to cherish it completely.

The blue glass shatters beneath our feet with a satisfying crunch that echoes the breaking of a new dawn. As the crowd erupts in cheers and applause, I squeeze my husband's hand, our stares locked in a silent vow.

"Mazel tov!" Rabbi Frankel shouts, booming across the backyard.

Durango leans in closer while his breath tickles my ear. "That's the last thing you get to break on purpose, mister," he whispers jokingly.

I chuckle, a genuine laugh that bubbles up from the depths of my soul. He's right, of course. I've broken enough things in my life. But today, I'm not breaking anything. I'm building something new, something stronger, and something that can withstand any storm. Today, I'm marrying the second love of my life, and that's a promise I intend to keep. Forever.