Chapter 259

Chapter 259
Emma

As we moved to the waiting area for our turn, Noah's hand settled on the small of my back, a gentle, protective gesture that had become so familiar I now found comfort in it.

"You okay?" he asked quietly. "You looked like you were remembering something back there."

"Just thinking about all we've been through," I admitted. "The fake marriage that became real, the secrets, the dangers. The baby sleeping peacefully at home with Violet."

"If someone had told me four years ago that I'd be standing here, voluntarily remarrying you and thinking about our son at home, I would have had them committed," Noah said, his lips quirking up.

"And if someone had told me I'd actually want to be married to you," I countered, "I would have committed myself."

Noah's laugh was low and warm. "What changed your mind?" he asked, and though his tone was light, I could hear the genuine question underneath.

I looked up at him, suddenly serious. "You did. The real you. Not the cold businessman I thought I married."

His eyes softened, and he bent to press a quick, tender kiss to my lips. "I'm glad you stuck around long enough to find him."

"Mr. and Mrs. York?" a clerk called. "We're ready for you."

My heart lurched at the words. Mrs. York. For the first time, the name didn't feel like a costume I was wearing.

Inside the small office, we presented our IDs and documents. As the clerk processed our information, Noah's hand found mine again, squeezing tightly. I looked up to see his eyes shining with unexpected tears.

"Noah?" I whispered, concerned. In all our time together, I'd only seen him cry once—when Mike was born.

He shook his head slightly, blinking rapidly. "I'm just grateful we made it here," he said, his voice rough. "After everything. After all the ways I almost lost you."

My throat tightened painfully. Damn it, I was not going to cry in a government office. But the emotion rising in me was too powerful to contain.

When we signed our names, he leaned close to my ear. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

I turned to him, my own eyes filling. "Worth the wait," I whispered back. "Every second."

And it was. Every painful moment, every tear, every doubt had led us here. I wouldn't trade any of it.

Outside in the bright afternoon sun, Noah pulled me into his arms, kissing me deeply. When we broke apart, both a little breathless, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Three days," he said. "That's how long you have to plan whatever wedding you want."

"Three days?" I laughed in disbelief. "Noah, that's fucking impossible. No venue would—"

"I'll find a way if necessary," he said with absolute seriousness. "Our wedding has already been delayed by too many years. I don't want to wait anymore." His hands framed my face, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. "I want to stand in front of everyone we care about and tell them that I love you. That I choose you. That you're the most important person in my life."

"When did you turn into such a romantic?" I asked, trying to hide how much his words affected me.

"About the time you weaseled your way into my heart," he replied with a smirk, but his eyes were sincere. "Say yes, Emma. Let me give you the wedding we should have had the first time."

My mind raced with a mixture of panic and excitement. Three days to plan a wedding? Was he out of his mind? But then again, this was Noah York. The man who had once rescheduled an international conference because I had a cold.

"Yes," I said finally. "But if this turns into a circus, I'm blaming you."

His smile was radiant. "I'll take full responsibility."

Parker approached, clearing his throat discreetly. "The car is waiting, sir. And the wedding dress has been delivered to the estate as requested."

I stared at Noah in shock. "You already ordered a dress? What the hell, Noah?"

"No," he said, his lips curving into a smile. "I had Violet retrieve your dream dress from the designer you've been following online for months." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "You really should use a better password for your phone."

"You hacked my phone?" I tried to sound outraged, but failed miserably.

"I prefer to think of it as 'taking an interest in my wife's interests,'" he replied, pulling me closer. "Besides, the look on your face right now is worth whatever lecture on privacy you're about to give me."

I should have been pissed about the invasion of privacy, but all I felt was a rush of love so intense it nearly knocked me over. He'd been paying attention to the little things, even when I thought he didn't care.

"I'm saving the lecture for later," I promised, wrapping my arms around his waist. "When I'm less distracted by how ridiculously happy you've made me today."

"I'll look forward to it," he murmured, kissing the top of my head.

As we walked to the car, I caught sight of Grace again. She was standing tall now, her chin lifted, speaking on her phone. Something in her posture reminded me of myself—of finding strength when it seemed impossible.

Noah followed my gaze, his arm tightening around my waist. "She'll be okay," he said softly. "She's stronger than she knows."

"Like someone else I know," he added, pressing a kiss to my temple.

"Careful, York," I warned playfully. "All these compliments might go to my head."

"Good," he replied simply. "They should. You're the strongest person I know, Emma. The bravest. And somehow, you're mine."

I leaned into him, grateful for this moment, for the papers in my purse making official what my heart had known for so much longer than I'd been willing to admit—that Noah York was my home, my family, my future. And not even the scars of our past could take that away.

"I love you," I whispered as we slid into the car. Words I'd once been too afraid to say, now felt as natural as breathing.

"I love you too," he replied, as if it was the simplest truth in the world. "Always have. Always will."