The Wedding
THE WEDDING
Misty
T he tang of salt is heavy in the air as a breeze floats off Lake Como. I take a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs and slow the rhythm of my heart. There's a floating feeling in my stomach and a giddiness threatens to bubble from my chest as each second brings me closer to walking down the aisle to Damon.
The man I'm about to marry looks at me and sees me for who I am. He's helped me glue the broken pieces of my heart, but he's never once seen them as a flaw. Instead, he's helped fill the seams with gold, appreciating the beauty in them.
"You excited?" Piper squeezes my hand, grinning at me. She's been my closest friend since we were roommates in college. She's wearing the sage green maid of honor dress I picked out for the girls. Not quite my usual style, but perfect for the overall theme of today.
Sidney and Mia have stuck by me all the way. They've shown me a friendship I never thought I could have. One that's survived years. They're the first genuine friends I've had. Ones that know almost everything about me and have never wavered. It took a while for me to confide in them. Old insecurities die hard.
Damon is the one that helped me learn to trust, showed me I'm worthy of love.
Not that the girls know all the crazier things I've done. I doubt they'd understand what I did to that asshole from high school. Torturing someone is a bit out of normal people's comfort zones. That being said, both Mia and Piper may have been happy to hold him down after what he did.
I can't stop my grin. "I don't think excited covers it."
"You look stunning." Lucas says as he wraps his arm around Piper's middle. They've been inseparable since he finally got his head out of his ass back in college and admitted he loved her.
"You outdid yourself with this one." Sidney approaches and gestures to my pale blue dress. The train arched out in a swoop a half a dozen feet behind me.
I sewed the dress myself, leaving the back open to the base of my spine, no longer ashamed of my scars. Damon convinced me to let him pay the exuberant cost of having it hand painted with delicate flowers that adorn the silk fabric. It's something I previously could only dream of.
"You look happy." Jax says, coming up from behind Sidney and resting his chin on her head. "I have to admit, it's hard for me to believe anyone can rival the way I feel about Sidney, but from the way he looks at you, he definitely comes close."
He kisses Sidney's hair, and she squirms under him as if she wants to get away, but she's not fooling anyone since she leans into his touch.
"Sidney's right. That dress is perfect. Not that I'd expect anything different from you," Piper says, fixing the thin silk strap.
"Hey now, don't hog her." Mia pops in between the couples, a wide smile across her face. River and Alex close behind her.
I stare at the three couples in front of me, and warmth fills my chest. They've shown me repeatedly that relationships are worth fighting for, no matter how many turns they take.
River nods to me, always the quiet one of the bunch, and Alex leans over and places a kiss on his jaw, causing the dark, broody hockey player to blush a pretty pink. Mia grins at the two of them. There's a promise in her eyes that I don't want to spend too much time thinking about.
Soft violins fill the air, signaling the start. Even though Damon and I are technically already married, I can't help the overwhelming feeling of joy taking over me.
My friends line up in front of the double wooden doors adorned with intricate carvings that document stories from the past. The wood has lightened with age, and I can almost feel the centuries it has witnessed just by looking at it.
Two men dressed in black suits with long coattails hold the doors open wide, and murmurs of the crowd filter in.
Sidney and Jax are the first to walk through, taking their time up the aisle.
Alex and River don't leave Mia's side as they follow next.
Piper squeezes my hand. "I'm so happy for you, Misty."
"Thank you." I squeeze her hand back and hope she knows it's for more than just her help with the wedding.
Lucas winks at me. We've been partners in crime for the last few years. "We'll see you after. That's if Damon doesn't whisk you off."
I shrug. "Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him. He's a little possessive."
Lucas and Piper both laugh, the latter saying, "A little?"
Piper squeezes my hand one last time before helping lift my veil in place until it covers my face and fixing my train.
"See you up there." Piper says as she walks through the archway, hand through Lucas's arm.
Tingles spark from my fingertips to my shoulders as I wait.
Finally, the music transitions to the familiar cadence of the wedding march. The guests rise from their seats, eyes fixed on the aisle where I'll come out.
The venue had taken my breath away when we'd first chosen it. The ceiling arches high above, adorned with intricate paintings of angels and gods in celestial poses. On one side, tall stone archways, covered in vines, frame a breathtaking view of the lake where the golden light from the setting sun spills into the room, casting everything in a warm, ethereal glow. Flowers, vividly colored ranunculus mixed with delicate sprigs of baby's breath, adorn the pews. Piper and I dedicated countless hours to planning every detail and seeing it all come together fills me with a profound sense of satisfaction.
Scanning the crowd, I realize I don't recognize most of the attendees; they are members of the Order of Saints, here to pay homage to Damon, their revered leader. Still, there are pockets of familiarity—a few cherished faces that stand out amidst the sea of strangers.
I can't look at Damon yet. I know I'll cry, so I take slow steps and let my gaze travel over his three brothers flanking his left side. All of them look handsome in their matching tuxes. Matthias at Damon's side, his full attention on someone in the crowd. The temptation to follow his gaze is almost too much to resist.
Piper's warm, encouraging smile has me taking a long, slow breath before I can face Damon.
He's already watching me, his gray eyes drinking in every detail of my appearance. With each step I take, I notice how his broad shoulders grow a little tense, as if he's fighting the urge to steal me away. But he wouldn't spoil this moment for me; he's made it clear through countless actions that he wants to fulfill my every wish. Even when I'm too stubborn to acknowledge it. Even when I push his boundaries to their limits. His love remains steadfast and unconditional.
What truly undoes me are the glistening tears in his eyes and the way his jaw tightens with emotion. I swipe at my own tears as I take the last step towards him, closing the distance between us.
The second I do, Damon wraps his powerful arms around me, pulling me against him, and lifts the veil over my head. His mouth is on mine in an all-consuming kiss. My knees go weak, and I clutch his jacket as the room swirls until there's no one but us. He doesn't release me until my lungs burn and I'm gasping for air. Still, it's too soon, and I lift on my toes to kiss him again.
It's the crowd cheering that has us pulling apart. I can feel the heat of my blush crawling up my neck and pinkening my cheeks, but nothing could embarrass me at this moment. Not when Damon's staring down at me, awe and wonder in his eyes.
"I love you," he says it like it's his absolute truth, like there's no possible other reality.
"I love you too."
The officiant clears his throat. "Are you ready to begin?"
Damon glances sideways at him, unhappy about being interrupted, and the man startles.
I cut in, trying to reassure the man he's not actually going to be flayed alive. "We're ready."
The officiant takes a calming breath and starts the proceedings. I barely make out his words, my attention too focused on my husband.
"Misty Everette, as I understand it, you have something prepared to say to Damon."
I give Damon a watery smile and recite from memory. "Your love has filled my life with joy, warmth, and a sense of belonging I never knew before. Today, I'm choosing you to be my husband, my partner in all our adventures, and the person I lean on when things get tough. I promise to always cherish and respect you, to support and encourage you, and to love you no matter what we face together. With you, I feel whole. Your presence gives me a deep sense of peace and happiness. I'm so grateful for your love. I'll treasure every morning and evening with you by my side, ready to take on whatever comes our way. I love you more than words can say, and I'll keep loving you for all the days ahead."
My husband wipes away the tears pooling in my eyes and the officiant continues.
"Damon, you may recite your vows."
"Misty, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you, you ensnared my soul. You were a blazing sun that scorched away the shadows lurking in the depths of my heart. I know I am unworthy of your brilliance, but I'll be damned if I ever let you go. The mere thought of living in a world devoid of your smile is unbearable. I will chase you to the ends of the earth; no force in this universe can sever our bond. You are the missing fragment of my soul, the catalyst that has irrevocably transformed my existence. My love for you permeates every atom of my being. You have infused my life with vibrant hues I never knew were missing, while embracing me wholly and without reservation. I vow to spend eternity proving the depths of my devotion to you; not even death itself will tear us apart."
My heart's pounding wildly, tears overflow and stream down my cheeks. Damon leans in, his lips grazing mine.
"Don't cry." He kisses me softly. "I don't think I can bear it."
Damon
I find my wife standing on the balcony looking out over the lake. I pause in the doorway to watch. There are lights floating on the water, but all I can see is her. She's stunning, small strands of her hair falling around her face, loose from hours of dancing. She's been radiant all night, standing tall by my side. Where she's always belonged. She sighs, leaning against the railing. I can't see her eyes, but her shoulders pull in and pain radiates through my chest. I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her, resting my head into the crook of her neck, breathing in a comforting scent. Each breath relaxes me until I'm completely lost to her. She turns to me, arms traveling around my back, beneath my jacket, and I tilt her chin up to look at me.
I swipe my thumb over her cheek. "What's wrong?"
"I... It feels like it can't be real. After everything, how can I deserve this?"
I drop my forehead to hers and kiss her softly before pulling back. "You deserve so much more than I can give you. You deserve to be happy, and I will dedicate my life to ensuring it. There isn't a single thing about you I would change. Even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth. I will remind you every day that you are worth every ounce of love I have to give. I love you, Misty." I lean back so she can see the truth in my eyes. "Your darkness matches my darkness."
This story features the cast of the Twisted Vows series as well as the Rule Breaker series