Free Every Beat Of My Heart: The Sullivans (Wedding Novella) by Bella Andre

each of her words as she said, “The dogs fell for you first, but it didn’t take me long to realize they were right. I am yours, just as you are mine. And I’ll love you forever.” She took the ring he handed her and slipped it on his left hand as she said again, “Forever.”
    Everyone in the crowd was sniffling when Marcus spoke again. “Zach, Heather, by the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
    Neither Zach nor Heather had any plans of waiting until Marcus gave them leave to kiss to seal their vows. And though every one of their kisses had been beyond hot for the past three years, their first kiss as husband and wife truly was special. Not only hot, not only perfect, but a promise they were making to each other to never give up and never let go. No matter what.
    Because their love was meant to last forever.
    * * *
    Ryan smiled at Vicki as she wiped away her tears from watching Heather and Zach say their vows. He’d known this would be a deeply emotional wedding—but as far as he was concerned, that only made it better.
    Ever since he’d come back from chasing down the dogs, he’d been holding her in his arms. Now, he whispered, “Ready for it to be our turn?”
    There were no more shadows, no more lingering hurt in her eyes, as she nodded. “I can’t wait another second.”
    He didn’t know who kissed whom then—just that it was the perfect way to begin their own ceremony.
    Ryan’s mother moved to stand before them, her smile warm and full of great love. “Vicki and Ryan, we couldn’t be more thrilled about being here with you today. You two have loved each other for so many years, and I can’t remember ever being happier than I am right now, knowing you are finally going to become husband and wife.” His mother was one of the strongest people he knew, but her eyes were damp as she said, “And now, we can’t wait to hear your vows.” When his mother stepped back, it felt to Ryan as if he and Vicki were the only two people in the world.
    “Vicki.” Ryan wanted to freeze-frame this moment, wanted to remember every detail. “We were fifteen years old when you saved my life—and then became my best friend.” He lifted their joined hands to his chest. “You’re the most important person in the world to me, and I vow to do anything and everything I can to make you happy from this moment forward.” He slipped the wedding band on the ring finger of her left hand. “I love you, Vicki. More than you’ll ever know.”
    His beautiful, glowing bride threw her arms around him and held on tight. But her tears weren’t the only ones falling—his were too. He’d waited so damned long for this moment, he almost couldn’t believe it was finally here.
    Finally, Vicki drew back. Her cheeks were still streaked with tears, but her voice was strong as she reached for his hands again and said, “You make me so happy, Ryan. You’re my best friend. You’re my one and only love. You’re the first person I want to see when I wake up in the morning. You’re the one I want to share absolutely everything with all day long. And you’re the man I want to fall asleep with each night, knowing I’m perfectly, wonderfully safe in your arms.” Her lips curved up into a stunning smile that made his heart flip around in his chest as she slid his wedding band into place on his left hand. “It’s always been you. And it always will be. I love you.”
    Mary stepped up to say, “By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” but Ryan and Vicki were kissing before his mother finished speaking.
    It had taken nearly two decades to win Vicki as his wife. And now, Ryan couldn’t wait for all the decades in front of them as two halves of the whole they’d always been—and always would be.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    Marcus’s wife, Nicola, Mia’s husband, Ford Vincent, and their friend Drew Morrison took the stage not long after the