Chapter 175: Eternal Vows, Twin Stars
Chapter 175: Eternal Vows, Twin Stars
Gabriel's POV
I stood by the altar in my custom tux, watching as hundreds of Vale's elite filled the seats of our transformed estate. Everything was perfect—exactly as I'd planned over the past month. The Ashford Estate had been turned into a white-and-gold wonderland, with crystal chandeliers hanging from sheer canopies and millions of tiny lights twinkling like stars.
My grandfather Richard was at the entrance, personally greeting senators and business tycoons, his silver head nodding like he owned the place as he ushered them to their spots. He had surprised the hell out of me by throwing his full support behind this wedding. "A man who knows what he wants and grabs it," he'd said with a nod of approval. "That's a true Ashford."
Tyler popped up at my side. "Sir, the cake's in place, and the orchestra's all set."
"The fireworks sequence?"
"Double-checked, sir."
I nodded, satisfied. Today wasn't just our wedding—it was Luna's birthday too.
The orchestra launched into the wedding march. The lights dimmed slowly until only the aisle glowed. Everyone stood, craning their necks toward the entrance. My heart pounded harder than it ever did in billion-dollar boardrooms.
And then—there she was.
Luna appeared on her dad Connor's arm, an absolute vision in white and gold. The dress—my favorite out of the twenty I'd had designed—hugged her curves before flowing into a soft train. Tiny crystals sparkled with every step, making her look like she was floating.
Connor, surprisingly cleaned up despite his rough past, shot me a look that might've been respect. When they reached me, he placed Luna's hand in mine with a solemn nod.
I couldn't tear my eyes from her face. The makeup artist had nailed my instructions—enhancing her natural glow without covering a thing. Her gray-green eyes, wide and shining, locked onto mine.
"Hi," she whispered, her voice trembling just a little.
"Hi, beautiful," I whispered back, squeezing her hand.
The officiant started the ceremony, but I barely heard a word. All I could focus on was Luna—the way her chest rose and fell with each nervous breath, how the light danced across her skin, the delicate blue sapphire earrings matching her engagement ring.
When it was time for vows, I'd prepped a polished speech. But looking at her, I scrapped it and spoke from the heart.
"Luna Gray, before you, I thought I knew power." I paused, my throat tightening in a way it never did. "But real power? That's what you gave me—the power to love, to open up, to put your happiness first. You've seen my worst and stuck around anyway. Today, I promise to earn that every damn day."
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her voice stayed steady for her vows.
"Gabriel, you once said your love was custom-made for me. Today, I promise mine's made just for you—stubborn, relentless, and forever. You've shown me love isn't about perfection; it's about seeing someone fully and choosing them anyway. I promise to be your partner through it all—the highs, the lows, and all the everyday moments in between."
When I slid the ring onto her finger, her hands shook a bit. She steadied herself as she slipped mine on, her eyes never leaving mine.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant said. "You may—"
Before he could finish, Luna rose on her toes and pulled me in for a kiss. I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground as cheers erupted around us.
---
The garden reception was pure magic. As dusk fell, thousands of crystal lights illuminated the space, reflecting off the custom water features we'd installed just for tonight. The air was filled with the scent of Luna's favorite flowers, flown in from five countries.
I stood with my champagne raised, my voice a little rough with emotion.
"I, Gabriel Ashford, have finally snagged the greatest prize of my life!" I declared, gazing down at Luna beside me. "My muse, my equal, my wife."
She blushed that gorgeous pink, and I couldn't resist leaning in to whisper in her ear. "And later tonight, all mine."
The sky exploded with custom fireworks, spelling our names in gold and blue sparks. Gasps and applause rippled through the crowd.
The next day's headlines nailed it, just as I'd predicted:
"Financial King Finds His Muse: Ashford-Gray Wedding Stuns Vale"
My favorite, from the Financial Times: "Vale's Powerhouse Now Gray's Loyal Subject"
Damn right. And I wore it like a badge.
---
"Noah, easy on your sister!"
Three years later, I lounged under a massive umbrella on our estate's lawn, watching our son and daughter tear around on the grass. Noah, at 20 months old but already a little tornado, had my sly grin and Luna's sharp eyes. Little Ava, nearing three, sported her mom Emma's golden curls but Julian's stubborn streak.
Emma had made the tough call to let us adopt Ava. "Julian turned out the way he did without real love," she'd said through tears. "I won't let that happen to his daughter. She needs a home full of the love he never got."
We'd made it official, and Ava was every bit as much our kid as Noah. The funny part? She bonded with Luna instantly. I'd joked to Luna, "Makes sense—Julian fell hard for you, and Emma had that crush back in the day. Their kid couldn't resist your charm either."
My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. Oliver's name flashed on the screen.
"What's up, asshole?" I answered, keeping it light.
"When are you gonna come out and play?" Oliver shot back. "Haven't seen you at the club in forever. I'm pulling up to your place now—gotta talk in person."
I smirked, watching Noah try to climb a garden chair. "No time, man. I've got kids now."
"Don't even start with the kid excuses," Oliver groaned, his voice crackling over the car speaker. "Isabella and I just dropped our little terror off at my dad's for the weekend. That boy's a total wrecking ball."
"My wife makes perfect babies," I bragged, all smug.
No sooner had I said it than Noah gave Ava a shove, and she let out an ear-piercing wail.
"Shit—gotta go," I muttered, hanging up as Oliver's laugh echoed through.
I hustled over, scooping up a sobbing Ava while giving Noah the dad glare. "We don't push, buddy. Say sorry to your sister."
Noah crossed his tiny arms, channeling my boardroom vibe. "Sorry," he grumbled, not sounding convinced.
Ava kept bawling into my shoulder. "I want Mommy! I want Mommy!"
"Mommy's coming soon, princess," I soothed, rubbing her back.
Noah tugged at my pants. "Daddy, I miss Mommy too."
I ruffled his dark hair. "Daddy misses her too. She's finishing up work and will be here to play soon, okay?"
Noah furrowed his brow, all serious. "Daddy, why does Mommy work so much? Are you living off her money?"
I blinked, totally caught off guard by my toddler's curveball. "What?"
With deadpan toddler logic, he added, "If all three of us depend on Mommy, she'll get super tired."
I opened my mouth, then shut it, stumped on how to explain a family empire to a kid who still munched on crayons sometimes.
"Your dad works hard too, sweetie," Luna's voice floated in as she strolled across the lawn, radiant in a simple sundress. "He handles all kinds of big stuff every day."
The kids ditched me in a heartbeat, charging at her with shouts of "Mommy!" and "Momma!" They clung to her legs like adorable little barnacles.
Luna laughed, kneeling to kiss their heads. "Big news! Sophia's having a baby!"
"After dating Luke for two whole years," I added with a grin. "Some people take their sweet time."
Oliver pulled up right then, rolling into the driveway just as the kids spotted him and swarmed.
"Oreo! Oreo!" they chanted, using the nickname that always got under his skin.
"I am not Oreo," Oliver protested, shooting us a pleading look. "I'm Uncle Oliver! I'm your mom's brother now!"
"Oreo! Oreo!" they insisted, turning him into a human jungle gym.
While Oliver was buried under toddlers, I grabbed Luna's hand and pulled her toward the garage, where my convertible waited.
"Wait, where are you—" Oliver called, his eyes widening as it clicked. We hopped in, and I revved the engine while Luna buckled up, giggling.
"Where are you going?!" he yelled, a kid wriggling under each arm.
Luna and I traded sly looks and shouted back in unison:
"On a DATE!"
As we peeled out, I caught Oliver's fake-outraged face in the rearview. "Damn it!" he hollered, but the kids' giggles drowned out the swear.
Luna leaned back, soaking up the sun. "That was mean," she said, not sounding sorry at all.