The Temporary Wife: Chapter 71

I stand at the aisle on the beach, under a gazebo Sierra had constructed for us. It’s beautiful, and it looks similar to the one I first kissed Valentina in. Even I have to admit that my family outdid themselves. For two days straight, they barely slept. They all spent every second organizing this wedding, and it shows. Everything is perfect, right down to the last detail. This beach has been turned into a floral oasis, and I know it’s exactly what Valentina wanted.

“Why are you so nervous?” Zane asks as my brothers take their place by my side. “You know you’re already married, right?”

I glare at him, and he chuckles.

“If you haven’t forgiven us yet, you will when you see Val,” Ares says. “Raven outdid herself with the dress.”

I roll my eyes. “The only reason you’re even saying that is so you can brag about your wife’s design skills. Just shut up.”

Lexington chuckles. “Yeah, tell him. Besides, we all know who really carried this wedding. I’m the one who had to go get your mother-in-law.”

“That’s the only thing you did, you fucker,” Zane says. “You escaped while Sierra and Raven put us to work. Do you have any idea how much we suffered?”

I groan and slip my hand into my pocket. I intended to grab my watch, but my fingers brush over a piece of paper instead. The biggest smile makes its way onto my face when I pull out a pink sticky note. God, I even love her handwriting. I can’t wait to see her. Ever since we said we wanted to get married, Grandma has kept her away from me, saying I couldn’t see my bride until the wedding. It’s been fucking torture.

Luca, the last two days have felt endless, and I miss you more than I thought was possible. I can’t wait to walk down the aisle, but even more so, I can’t wait for the rest of our life together. Thank you for loving every single part of me, especially at times when I didn’t think I was worthy of love. I love you.

“You’re so fucking lucky,” Dion says, a hint of longing in his voice. I snap out of my daze and hide Valentina’s note in my pocket. That wasn’t meant for his eyes at all.

I smile at him and glance at Faye, who is seated next to Grandma, Silas, and Alanna. Valentina asked her to be a bridesmaid, but she declined, probably because she knew she was only asked because we didn’t want to leave her out. I’ve always liked her, and throughout the years, I’ve interacted with her enough to know that she’s a good person. She’s kind and levelheaded, and though Dion might not see it, she’s perfect for him. “You’re just as lucky,” I tell him. “You just don’t see it yet.”

He scoffs, but I pay him no mind, because Sierra and Raven appear at the end of the aisle. They walk toward us hand in hand, and I can’t help but chuckle. They argued endlessly about who got to be Valentina’s maid of honor, until ultimately, she decided to give both of them the joint title.

If this wedding has shown me anything, it’s how loved Valentina and I both are. I understand why she was so quick to forgive now. Everyone here wants the best for us, and there isn’t much they wouldn’t do for us. Perhaps I take them for granted sometimes, but no longer. Valentina won’t let me, after all.

“Fuck,” I murmur when I lay eyes on her. She walks toward me, her arm hooked around her mother’s. Valentina is wearing a beautiful tight wedding dress that hugs her curves and flares out at the bottom, a train behind her. Her hair is loose, just the way I love it, and it envelops her body, hanging down in beautiful waves. “Goddamn.” If there’s one moment I want to remember for the rest of our lives, it’s this one. She looks at me and smiles, her cheeks perfectly rosy. Nothing has ever felt quite this right.

My mother-in-law places her hand in mine, and she smiles up at me with a level of trust she’s never given me before. “I know you’ll make her happy,” Mom says, and I nod. She glances between the two of us, and then she nods once before stepping back.

My siblings and Raven follow her lead, and everyone sits down, leaving Valentina and me standing together, the officiant by our side.

“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Valentina and Luca,” she says, and I can’t help but smirk. I’ve waited for this day longer than Valentina will ever know. Her in a white wedding dress has been a fantasy of mine for longer than it should have been. She’s all I can focus on as the ceremony starts, and the look in her eyes tells me it’s the same for her.

The officiant tells us to exchange our vows, and I grab the ring she hands me, a smile on my face as I place Valentina’s wedding ring on the tip of her finger.

“A minimum of three years is what I asked for,” I tell her, my voice soft. “Because even then, I knew three years with you would never be enough for me. It’s the very least I wanted with you, but now even that seems far too short. If I can, I’d like to spend a minimum of three lifetimes with you, Valentina. I’ll be true to you, and I’ll honor you in every single way. I’ll love you through all the seasons in life, through ups and downs, through joy and hardship, for better or for worse.” She smiles at me shakily, visibly emotional, and I smile back at her as I push her wedding ring onto her finger.

“Luca,” she says, her voice shaky as she places my ring on the tip of my finger. “Three lifetimes, huh? That doesn’t sound like nearly enough time with you. For years, we’ve walked side by side, and I promise that’s where I’ll remain. No matter the trials we might face, I’ll be right by your side, enjoying every step of the journey we walk together. I’ll share your happiness and sorrow, your challenges and victories. I promise to love you, and only you, for who you are, through all the phases of our life together. For better or for worse, Luca, I want it all with you.”

My heart skips a beat when she pushes my ring onto my finger, and I glance at it in satisfaction. I’ve always loved wearing a wedding ring, but it feels even more special now. I can’t believe we’re standing here, after everything we’ve been through. Years of distance, resentment, and countless trials. Yet all of it led me to her. All of it only made us stronger.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I smirk as I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her closer. Cheers erupt around us when my lips meet hers, but everything fades away, until all that remains is my wife. Three lifetimes won’t be nearly enough.