Chapter 190 One Hundred & Ninety

Chapter 190 One Hundred & Ninety
EMMA POV

The officiant started talking about love and commitment and the journey we'd been on. He talked about how we'd found each other in darkness. How we'd chosen each other despite everything trying to pull us apart.

He talked about our story.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the officiant asked.

"Her mother and I do," my dad said from the front row, and his voice was thick with emotion.

The officiant asked if we had written our own vows.

We had. I'd written and rewritten mine a hundred times. Ryan had written his months ago and never showed me.

"Ryan," the officiant said, "would you like to go first?"

He nodded. He pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket. His hands were shaking as he unfolded it.

"Emma Carter, my love," he started, and his voice was thick with tears. "I don't even know where to start. When I met you, I was broken. I was addicted. I was angry at the world. I was someone who didn't believe in happy endings. I was a mess"

He paused to wipe at his eyes.

"And then you walked into my life," he continued. "And you were so awesome. You were so kind. You were so beautiful. And you saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. You saw someone worth saving."

I was crying now. Full-on ugly crying. My mascara was definitely running.

"Every day, I wake up grateful," he said. "Grateful that you didn't give up on me. Grateful that you believe in me. Grateful that you're willing to build a life with me even when it's hard. Even when we're apart. Even when everything seems impossible."

He took my hands.

"I promise to love you fiercely," he said. "I promise to support your dreams. I promise to be your biggest cheerleader. I promise to show up for you in every way. I promise to choose you. Every single day, I promise to choose you always. I love you, Emma. With everything I am. Always and Forever."

I couldn't breathe.

The crowd was crying. Even my dad was crying.

"Emma," the officiant said, "would you like to share your vows?"

I took a deep breath and pulled out my own piece of paper. My hands were shaking so badly that I almost dropped it.

"Ryan," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "When I first met you, I was terrified. Terrified of everything I thought you stood for. Terrified of being hurt.

I looked up at him.

"But you were the odds in my well-thought-out life," I continued. "You held me while I fell apart. You told me that broken wasn't the same as worthless. You showed me what real love looks like."

My voice cracked.

"You saved my life," I said. "Not just that day in the warehouse. But every day since then. You saved my life by loving me. By believing in me. By refusing to let me disappear into my own darkness."

I wiped at my tears.

"I promise to love you the way you love me," I said. "With everything I have. With complete honesty. With total vulnerability. I promise to support your dreams even when it means being apart. I promise to be there when you need me. I promise to fight for us. I promise to never take you for granted. I promise to choose you. Every single day. Forever. I love you, Ryan. More than I thought it was possible to love another person."

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me before the officiant could say anything.

The crowd laughed and cheered.

When he pulled away, we were both crying and laughing at the same time.

The officiant cleared his throat.

"I think that's a yes," he said, smiling. "Let's move on to the rings."

Ryan's best man handed him my ring.

It was a simple gold band that matched my engagement ring. He slipped it onto my finger with trembling hands.

"I do," he said softly.

My bridesmaid handed me his ring.

It was white gold with small diamonds. I'd helped pick it out, but he'd never seen it before today.

I slipped it onto his finger.

"I do," I whispered.

"By the power vested in me," the officiant said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ryan, you may kiss your bride."

He didn't waste a second.

He pulled me close and kissed me like he'd been waiting his entire life for this moment. Like I was the most precious thing he'd ever held.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

We pulled apart, both of us grinning like idiots.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," I whispered back.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the officiant announced, "I present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Ryan and Emma Blackwell."

Emma Blackwell.

That was me now.

I am married.

The orchestra started playing, and we walked back down the aisle together, hand in hand.

My mom was crying and laughing at the same time. My dad was wiping at his eyes. Ryan's mom was on her feet, cheering.

Everyone was celebrating.

But I was focused on Ryan. On the way, he was looking at me. On the way, his hand wouldn't let go of mine.

Like if he let go, I might disappear.

Like I was precious and real and his.

Because I was.



Reception time.

Am officially Emma Blackwell. I can’t believe this.

My dad cleared his throat as he stood up to make a toast.

He talked about watching me grow up. About how strong I'd always been. About how proud he was of the woman I'd become.

And then he talked about Ryan.

"When Ryan first came into Emma's life," my dad said, his voice thick with emotion, "I was skeptical. I didn't think he was good enough for my daughter. I didn't think anyone was."

The crowd laughed.

"But then I watched him save her," my dad continued. "Not just from the danger she faced. But from herself. I watched him love her in a way that made her believe she was worthy of being loved. And I realized that he was exactly the right person for my girl."

My dad raised his glass.

"To my amazing son and daughter," he said. "May your love continue to grow. May you always choose each other. And may you live a long and beautiful life together. To Ryan and Emma.”

"To Ryan and Emma," everyone echoed.

Ryan pulled me close and kissed the side of my head.

Now it was time for the first dance, and we both got up and swayed together to a soft song.

"Hi, wife," he whispered.

I looked up at him.

"Hi, husband," I said.

"You're my wife," he said, like he still couldn't quite believe it.

"I'm your wife," I confirmed. "Forever."

"Forever!” He pulled me in for a kiss.” It sounds perfect," he said.

And in that moment, surrounded by people who loved us, dancing in the garden where we'd planned this beautiful day, I felt completely at peace.

I survived all the ups and downs that came with loving this man.

And now I am. Dancing with my husband. Starting life my forever.