Page 85 of Louder Than Words

Honestly? I’ve never been more thankful to have her with us on almost every journey we’ve had. And I couldn’t be more honored to have her with us today of all days.

Although… James is going to shit a brick when he finds out he’s been left out again.

“Mr. Owens?” A clerk peeks out from a door to our right, smiling. “We’re ready for you.”

I look at Allie and give her a soft smile. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Owens?”

She nods, tears already brimming in her eyes. “I’ve never felt more ready for anything.”

Ana gives my arm a squeeze, camera still shaking in her hands. Allie gives me a smile, interlaces her fingers with mine, and we follow the clerk inside a room.

No music. No aisle. It’s just us, a judge, and Ana holding a tissue to her nose.

And even without everything else, this still means the absolute world to me. Just to have her be mine in more ways than I can count.

We stop right in front of the judge’s desk. An older man with a long white beard and circular glasses is perched behind it, scribbling something down before glancing up.

He offers a quick, knowing smile and pushes his papers aside.

The clerk hands him a single sheet. He scans it quickly, gives a tiny nod, then lays it flat in front of him.

“Are you both ready?” he asks, his voice more friendly than I expected.

Allie and I both nod. “Yes, sir.”

He smiles. “Alright then,” he says, standing from his chair.

He walks around his desk until he’s standing in between Allie and me. I take her hands in mine, and don’t look away from the crystal blue eyes I fell for in that grocery store.

As friendly as the judge is, he’s wasting zero time with what’s supposed to be a huge moment in both our lives. It feels like it’s been about thirty seconds before he asks a few questions and Allie and I both utter our I do’s.

He’s already snapping the paperwork against his desk again before looking up at us.

“Do, uh, you guys have personal vows you’d like to run through?”

I nearly scoff at the way he says run through like this is just a drive through order. But, I bite it down.

“Oh, no, I didn’t have—” Allie starts to say, but I cut her off.

“I have vows,” I say.

Allie quirks a brow, studying me for a second as I try to hide the chuckle that wants to come out from the look on her face.

“Alright, go on then,” the judge says, taking a seat behind his desk.

I shake my head slightly and look at Allie.

“Allie... I’ve loved you since the moment your cart slammed into the back of my ankle.” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face now. Her eyes widen, and then she and Ana both burst out laughing.

“But seriously—what started with a bruised heel turned into the best bloody day of my life,” I say, shaking my head slightly. “You took a day that felt completely wrecked and gave it meaning. And every day since then you’ve been doing the same. You’ve shown me what real love looks like. With your kindness. With your patience. With the way you somehow manage to see every version of me—andstillchoose me.”

Her eyes are glassy now, and I have to take a breath before going on.

“You’ve given me a life I never even knew I wanted, let alone deserve. And I promise to never take that for granted. I promise to make you laugh on days you want to cry. I promise to fight for you. With you. Damn it, Al. I just want to grow old with you. I love you louder than words could ever describe.”

Tears stream down her face, and my thumbs catch them easily. I pull her face to mine, kissing her cheeks softly.

“And how about rings?” the judge asks.