Lila

Her nerves picked up when he looked so scared about the vows. She squeezed his hands and tried to reassure him. But he looked so dumbstruck, she was worried she might have made it worse.

​​

She should have known.

Dane cleared his throat and stared down at her, his hair beginning to fall over his eyes because he'd raked his hands through it so many times tonight. But between his hair and the dark shadows on his jaw, his eyes were only a more brilliant green than usual. And he stared at her, so desperately locked on her, she'd never forget the image.

"Lila," he said hoarsely, then cleared his throat again, took a deep breath, and said the words she'd never forget for as long as she lived. "Lila, I could promise all those old vows. I could promise to love you, because I do. I could promise to be here for you in sickness and in health, because I will. I could say, 'til death do us part, because that's the only way anyone's ever going to tear me away from you. But everyone says those things. And it seems like a lot of them don't really mean it.

"I want to say something that means more. Because those aren't enough. They don't tell you what your love means to me. The fact that you'd love me after every ugly thing I've shown you…" he trailed off, swallowing, and her eyes blurred with tears. But he didn't stop for long.

"I want you to know that I don't deserve you. I know that. I don't deserve to be so utterly certain of you. But I am. I'm certain you're my partner, my very best friend, my heart. Lila, everything inside me beats for you. And tonight I am promising you that no matter what, you'll never walk through another day of your life unloved. Loving you is a part of who I am now. No matter what happens… no matter who tries to hurt us… I want you to know I am sure: I love you. And I will always love you. I will give you everything. Every day. So, I promise... I promise you… me".

She was sobbing by the end of it. He looked so pleading, so desperate for her to believe him. She knew she wasn't supposed to, but she couldn't resist taking his face in her hands and kissing him. Bert chuckled as she took a deep breath and stepped back, taking his hands again. It was her turn, and she was going to make it count.

"I love you, Dane," she started, her voice shaky.

"I know," he said.

"This isn't your part, Dane," Bert said, sounding absolutely tickled. Lila couldn't help but smile, and finally, finally, Dane smiled too. She squeezed his hands and started again.

"I love you. And I want you to know what I'm about to say isn't just a promise. This isn't just a moment in time for me. It isn't a job. And it's not a dream. This, being here with you, it's a privilege. Dane, I can't believe I get to have you. I can't believe I get to touch you. I get to laugh with you and cry with you; care for you. See you at your best and at your worst. And no matter how bad life gets… I want you to know, I'll always stand up for you. I will always make sure everyone knows what I see in you: The good man. The loving man. The protector. Thank you. Thank you for letting me spend the rest of my life with you. I don't have to cherish you – I get to. Dane, if you don't remember anything else from tonight, please promise me you'll remember this: You're enough. You're more than I've ever even hoped for. And you're mine. I can't believe I get to call you mine."

Dane took a stumbling step forward, and Bert stepped in. "Not yet! Not yet! We're almost there, Dane, I promise!"

Lila laughed, tears of joy rolling down her face as Dane glared at Bert for stopping him. But before he could get truly angry, the older man laughed, his large stomach jiggling, "Okay, okay, I'll put you out of your misery. I assume we don't have rings?"

Dane's face dropped, and Lila leaped to stop him from being upset. "He's just given me this incredible ring tonight. I really don't need another," she hurried to say, showing it to Bert, whose eyes went wide.

"Very well done, Dane," he said, still staring at the ring, as he held up a fist for Dane to bump. Which he did. Which made Lila laugh so hard she was crying again.

Then, as she struggled to get herself under control, a small voice piped up from behind her, startling her so badly she almost jumped out of her skin.

"I have a ring for him."

Lila might have squeaked a little. "John!" The man was so quiet, she'd forgotten he was there.

Dane frowned at him. "What did you say, John?"

"I knew you were getting married and I knew you probably wouldn't think of it. I have a ring you should have." Then the little man stepped quickly up to Bert and pulled a thick, gold ring out of his pocket. Bert looked at it and smiled. "Thank you, friend John," he said. Then quirked an eyebrow at Lila.

"Since you already have your ring, Miss, perhaps you'd like to put this one on Dane?" Then he handed her a solid gold ring of surprising weight. It was thick and had a rubbed, imperfect surface she couldn't quite place. Was it fake gold? Or really old? She wasn't sure. But the weight of it was pleasant and, as Dane extended his hand towards her, Bert gave her a few words to say as she slid the ring onto the third finger of his left hand.

"This ring is a symbol of my love for you. It's a circle because a circle never ends, just like my love."

Dane said the words too, though she was already wearing the ring. Then they both looked at Bert.

"Dane?" Bert said quietly.

"Yes?" Dane sounded almost frightened.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

"Thank God," he groaned and pulled her into his chest. Lila threw her head back and laughed, but Dane, taking her chin in one hand, tipped her face up and whispered, "I love you," then kissed her so soundly, Lila felt weak at the knees.

When they finally pulled apart, Bert was blushing. "Ladies and… I mean, gentleman," he said, winking at John, "I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Dane and Delilah Daniels."

Lila turned to stare at Dane who was finally, finally smiling.

And he kissed her again.

The other two men must have walked away while they were kissing, because as Dane's breathing became heavy and Lila wondered if they could just kick the two men out, they finally pulled apart, still staring at each other. This time with entirely new promises in their eyes.

"You ready for this?" Dane asked her, his voice husky.

"Absolutely," she said breathlessly.

"No more waiting," he whispered in her ear, leaving goosebumps to trail all the way down her side, to her toes.

Then, with a wicked smile at her over his shoulder, he walked into the living room to sign the contract with the other two men, and get them out the door.

Watching him stride away from her, his shoulder somehow ever broader in that tuxedo jacket, she looked up and whispered a prayer.

"Thank you, God."