Chapter 9 - THE UNBROKEN CIRCLE
Two years later. Late summer.
The estate grounds were decorated with hundreds of blooming white roses—Maren’s favorite flowers—filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
Under a grand white canopy set up on the cliffside overlooking the ocean, an intimate wedding ceremony was coming to a close.
Nadia sat in the front row beside June, Marcus Vance, and Owen, all dressed in formal attire, their faces filled with pure, unadulterated joy.
I stood under the floral archway, wearing a sharp black tuxedo. Beside me stood Nora, looking breathtakingly beautiful in an ivory silk gown that caught the soft golden light of the setting sun.
A local judge, an old friend of Arthur Donovan, stood before us, holding his ceremonial book.
"Do you, Damon Vane," the judge spoke, his voice echoing warmly over the sound of the ocean waves, "take Nora Mercer to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and protect her in truth and devotion, for as long as you both shall live?"
I looked into Nora's eyes—eyes that had brought truth to my dark world, eyes that had held my daughter when I couldn't, eyes that held my entire future—and spoke with absolute certainty:
"I do."
"And do you, Nora Mercer," the judge continued, "take Damon Vane to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand beside him in strength, truth, and love, for as long as you both shall live?"
Nora smiled, a tear of pure happiness glistening on her cheek. "I do."
"By the authority vested in me," the judge declared with a wide smile, "I now pronounce you husband and wife! Damon, you may kiss your bride!"
I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around Nora's waist, pulling her close, and kissing her with all the love, devotion, and passion in my soul, while the crowd burst into wild applause, cheers echoing out over the vast, sparkling ocean!
When we parted, Bria—now seven years old, wearing a beautiful white flower girl dress—ran up the aisle carrying a small silver box.
"The rings!" Bria squealed happily.
I took the small platinum band, sliding it onto Nora's finger. Then Nora took my band, sliding it onto mine.
Bria looked up at both of us, her big hazel eyes shining with total, unshakeable peace. She reached out and took my left hand in her right, and Nora’s right hand in her left.
"Now we're real," Bria whispered softly.
May you like
I dropped to one knee, pulling Nora down with me, so we were both at eye level with our daughter.
"We were always real, baby," I whispered, kissing Bria's cheek. "Because we were built on truth."
