Page 125 of Defend Her Heart

I wipe my eyes, but don’t dare look at Luke when I answer him.

“I’ve been ready since I was sixteen, man. I told you I was gonna marry this girl.”

He laughs and drops his hand from me, and I take a step to where Avery stands with her parents.

“She’s all yours now, son,” Jeremy says while reaching his hand out to me.

I grab him in a firm hand shake and look him straight in the eye.

“I’ll take good care of her.”

Jeremy wipes his own tears away now and laughs. “We know you will.” Then he takes his wife’s hand and leads her to their seats in the front row.

I take Avery’s hand in mine, but before we turn to go stand where Sadie waits to marry us, I lean down into her ear.

“You look absolutely remarkable, baby.” I kiss her cheek and pull back, a wide smile and that perfect fucking dimple are covering her face when I finally look at her.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Superstar.” She winks, and I throw my head back and laugh.

We turn and walk toward Sadie. Avery hands Tamara her beautiful bouquet of pink peonies and then places her hands in mine.

“Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Sadie. I’m lucky enough to be good friends with both of the wonderful people standing in front of me.” Her eyes bounce between us for a moment before she continues. “Now, I know this took you by surprise, Avery, so I’m not sure you have anything planned, but Connor would like to say a few words to you.”

Avery turns her attention to me. The sun is setting, casting the most perfect golden glow on my wife’s face. I’ve looked at her countless times, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more beautiful than she does today. Clearing my throat, I begin.

“It’s been three thousand, nine hundred, and forty-eight days since I let you go, Aves, and I’ve thought of this moment a million times since.” I watch her suck in a breath, and I give her hands a squeeze. “I never thought I’d see the day where you walked down that aisle to me but goddamn, am I glad the universe had this in its plans. In life, there are three kinds of people. You have the sheep, who are great people, the wolves that are trying to bring you down. And lastly, you have the sheep dog, who looks over the sheep and keeps the wolves away. I vow to always be your sheep dog, Aves. I will watch over you, protect you, and defend your heart at all costs. I will probably make a lot of stupid mistakes.”

Everyone laughs at this, a few of my teammates hollering at me, but I ignore them and keep my eyes on Avery.

“But I vow to love you with everything I have. I vow to be your better half, knowing that any storm we face, I know we can get through it together. So, tonight, under these stars, I choose you. Again and again. I will always choose you.”

I reach out to wipe the tears away from Avery’s cheeks and lean in to kiss the wet spot on her cheek.

“Avery, is there anything you’d like to say to Connor?”

My beautiful wife flashes me a dazzling smile, and butterflies swirl in my stomach at the sight.

“It’s hard to find the words to describe the type of love I feel for you. I don’t think there are any worthy enough to describe it. When I thought the world was out to get me and I wasn’t sure I’d ever love anyone, or myself, ever again, you stepped back into my life and showed me the way. The world around me was dark but you were my North Star. Not once, not for one single second, did you ever make me feel bad for falling apart in front of you. You held me, you let me cry, and you have been the greatest support every step of the way. Everything in me knows you are my home. I could stand here and make you a million promises, but I’m only going to make you one: I promise to love and support you until my very last breath. I love you bigger than the sky.”

My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as the love I feel for this woman consumes every piece of my being. More perfect words have never been spoken. I close the distance between us and take her face in my hands.

“Brighter than the stars.”

And then I kiss my bride.

“Excuse me, can I borrow my wife?” I cut in between Avery and Jefferson, who are dancing along to some old-school wedding song, flashing him the most annoyed look I can muster.

Jefferson raises his hands in front of him and slowly starts backing away. “Of course, C-Money. She’s all yours.” And then he sprints away, not even looking back.

Avery laughs, and I grab her hand with mine.

“Come on,” I say, pulling her through the sea of people that occupy the dance floor they rented for the evening.

People try to stop us along the way, but I politely tell them I need to show my wife something. Sadie and Niko give usconspicuous looks, but I ignore them and make my way to the front of the house where dozens of cars are parked on the grass and street.

“Where are we going, Connor? What about the wedding?”

I ignore her and weave us through the vehicles until I spot her new SUV. Reaching into my pocket, I click the button on the keys I may have stolen from her purse after the ceremony and open the back door for her.