*** Dedicated to one of my top readers, Stacey_Corbett, for being terrified I was going to make Lila a mistress! ***

Dane

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She excused herself to go to the bathroom and "freshen up" and something inside Dane clenched. What if she was really running way? Hiding? Didn't want to do this. He turned to Bert and something of what he felt must have registered on his face because the man clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a knowing look. "It's going to be fine, Dane. Don't worry. She's in love with you."

Dane snorted and tried to brush it off, but Bert just stared at him until he looked back the door where she'd disappeared, then back to the older man. "How could you even know?"

"I know more than that—I know you love her ,too," Bert said softly. "And I'd have to say, except for Talia, and maybe Chris, that's the first time I can truthfully say that." Dane winced at the reminder, the ache inside him because Lila would never meet his favorite person in the world, suddenly become a canyon in his chest. But Bert kept talking.

"I've seen a lot of people vow their lives to each other, Dane. And I've watched a lot of them destroy each other, two. There's one thing I know for sure: When it's real love, people are willing to give up for each other. Sacrifice. Take risks. They want the other person to be happy and safe as much as they want it for themselves—sometimes more." Dane nodded, and Bert's face spread into a smile so wide it pushed his cheeks out. "See? You love her—and she loves you. That girl is crazy about you, Dane. I know you've got lots of things to worry about, but her? That's not one of them."

Dane took a deep breath and glanced towards the bedroom again. "Thanks, Bert."

"You're welcome. Now, have you organized vows during all your plans tonight?"

Dane's mouth fell open. Lila chose that moment to trot back into the room. When she saw his face she stopped in tracks. "What? What's wrong?"

Dane was still staring at Bert. "Vows," he said, swallowing hard. "We haven't—" then he turned to look at her and the words died on his tongue.

She'd taken his sweatshirt off and was back in just the dress. He'd forgotten how revealing it was, the way it slid over her body like water, rippling on her skin, the color blending from that deep indigo at the top, down almost to silver at the bottom. She'd straightened her hair that had started to loosen, and pulled a few more wisps of hair down around her face. And she must have done something magic because some how she looked even more beautiful than earlier in the night, though he couldn't have said what had changed—except that maybe she was smiling now.

He went to her. He couldn't stop himself. She was stood in the middle of the living room and he just walked right up to her and took her face in his hands. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.

Tears silvered her eyes again and she shushed him. "Don't make me cry!"

Dane was about to kiss her—make up be damned—but Bert cleared his throat behind him. "I think that's for later, Dane?" he said, his voice dancing with stifled laughter.

Dane nodded, but then his eyes were back on her and he couldn't take them off her. Not while he led her over next to the window in the alcove so they were bracketed on one side by the fireplace, and the other by the lights of the city.

Not while Bert prayed for their future, and not while he talked—at length—about the miracle of love.

There was one part that stuck in his mind, though. She was staring at him, a diamond's facets of love shining in her eyes, and Bert said something magical.

"…there are many kinds of love in this world. But only one that is eternal. The bond between a husband and wife is forever. It transcends race, gender, age—even death. God tells us that the love of a husband and wife, two people who have given themselves to each other wholly, is cleaved in the realm of the soul. When God brings two people together, no man can separate it. Because their love is eternal…"

He said a lot more, but for Dane it was the first full breath he'd taken since she stepped out of the elevator that evening. That was all he needed from Lila: Eternity.

He squeezed her hands and she beamed another teary smile at him. He was lost in her eyes until Bert said, "The exchange of vows is a tradition that marks the promise of the love two people have for each other. The vows you offer today will stay with you for the rest of your lives." Dane's eyes widened. How in the hell had he forgotten this part? Why hadn't he—

"Don't be concerned," Bert said, putting one hand to Dane's arm and winking at Lila. "What's important isn't the beauty of the words, but the depth of their meaning. So speak from the heart."

There was a pregnant pause as Lila looked at him. Dane blinked. "Oh! Me?"

Bert chuckled. "Don't overthink it, Dane," he whispered, as if there was an audience. "Just say what you mean and mean what you say."

Dane nodded at him, then turned to Lila, swallowing hard. "Okay." He cleared his throat. "I can do this."

"Yes, you can," she said quietly and squeezed his hands. "I don't care what you say, Dane. I only care that you want to."

He locked eyes with her then and was awestruck. How had he gotten here, to this place, where this amazing woman loved him? She was always giving to him. Always forgiving him. He didn't deserve any of it! But for once, he was going to do his best to give as good as he got.

So, as she looked up at him, her eyes wide and liquid, he did exactly as Bert suggested, and spoke from his heart.

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