Page 159 of Returning To Ravens Ridge

The paper shakes in my grip. “Ash, I don’t normally do all of this mushy shit, so you’ll have to forgive me if this sucks.”

She smiles.

“I’ve spent my whole life preparing to take over the club. I knew it’d be tough, and I’d face my share of challenges. But nothing could have prepared me for losing you. My darkest nights, and my brightest days are all reserved for you. They always have been. You were the only thing I’ve never been able to let go of. I knew that long before I knew you’d given me Maggie.” I glance over and wink at my daughter. “Even after being torn apart, we still found our way back. For as long as I live, you have my loyalty, my protection, and my love. I’m not promising flowers or a white picket fence, but I promise to be here when things getrough. I promise to take you to the lake when words aren’t enough to fix things, and I promise to make you never feel like an obligation to me. I will choose you every single day of my life, even when you’re being a complete pain in my ass.”

She laughs.

“You are the love of my life, my partner, and my general.” The crowd snickers, and Ash shoots me a look. I knew I’d probably get it for that, but I don’t care. “From this day forward, you and Maggie have all of me. Forever.”

With tears in her eyes, Ash reaches out and squeezes my hand. Dean nods at her next.

She takes a paper from Jess.

“Gabriel, we’ve never had it easy, have we? Long before we fell apart, everyone told me who they thought you were. I didn’t believe it then, and I still don’t now, because you spent that time showing me the real you. Nothing could keep me away. I don’t need perfect, or easy. Only you. I promise to stand with you through the chaos and be the place you can always come home to. I promise to love you, always. And I promise to kick your ass if you don’t stop calling me General.” She laughs.

She better get in fighting shape because that’s never going to happen. I wink before she finishes by saying, “From this day forward, I am yours.”

Dean continues with the exchanging of rings before pronouncing us husband and wife.

It might be six years too late, but I finally kiss my bride. Ashton fucking Abbott.