by Holly Rayner
Eric’s suit was new, but the same color as he’d worn at the wedding. He’d long since outgrown that one. I dressed him first and then took him out to his father. Aiden was dressed in what he wore for our wedding, a handsome tailored suit with an orchid buttoner.
“Wow little man, you’re going to outshine the groom,” he said to Eric.
“What is this? What are we doing?”
“We’re renewing our vows. I want to re-promise you that this is all for better or worse and for richer or poorer until death does us part.”
“This is so…Thank you for doing all this, it’s so romantic,” I told him.
We shared a kiss and then I went to get ready. I curled my hair and put on my make-up in record time. I was so excited. When I was ready, Aiden picked up Eric and took my hand. Outside, just like the day we’d gotten married almost two years before was a white carriage covered with big, colorful tropical flowers and being pulled by a big, white horse. Eric was fascinated by the horse and Aiden took the time to let the baby pet him and talk to him before they got into the carriage.
We were taken to the spot where we’d gotten married the first time. There were no chairs set up, but a beautiful altar had been erected and covered with flowers and we found the minister who had married us as well as two of the staff who worked for Aiden on the yacht who were there as witnesses.
I was stunned, pleased and delighted and a whole gamut of other emotions. I was especially surprised when we got to the part where Aiden and I had said our vows before. I still had mine memorized, so I said the same ones. Aiden said his then and surprising me further he went on to say, “On our wedding day, I said those particular vows, and I meant them. I never meant to break even so much as one of them. Because that day, I loved you more than I’d ever loved another living being. I thought that was going to be enough to keep me from doing anything that would hurt you. I was wrong about that though. I forgot to factor in the part about being human and making mistakes. You never forgot that though. You’ve accepted my mistakes over and over and you’ve opened up your huge heart and you’ve forgiven me no matter how many times in the past year and a half that I have tested those vows.
In that short time, you have taught me that in love, there is forgiveness and there is something new to learn every day out of every situation. I want to thank you for that and I want to promise you that as we grow together and I learn more about how to be a husband and a man, that I will make less mistakes and you will have less to forgive. I want today to be our fresh start. I vow to you no lies, no secrets, and to never ever give you a reason to believe that you don’t own my heart now and forever…because you do and you always will. Today I reaffirm my love for you.” He turned to Eric then and with a proud smile he said, “And to you too.”
My eyes were brimming with emotion as Aiden pulled me in for a heartfelt kiss. The past year had at times pushed me to my absolute limit, but being on that beautiful beach with my husband, and our son by our side, I knew that things would only get better from here. We could finally start again. Hopefully, in time, Aiden would be able to move on from the pain of his past and maybe even begin to heal those old wounds and build a friendship with Jake again. Regardless, I know for certain where Aiden’s heart and loyalty lie and I am determined not to let anything come between me and my family, ever again…
Holly Rayner
Also from the author:
A Priceless Proposal: The Complete Collection - http://amzn.com/B00JWRIHLG
Starving artist Victoria is fed up; fed up of schmoozing lecherous donors, who value her looks more than her talent, fed up of being a renowned British artist lost in the big American city, and fed up of men.
The handsome, outrageously wealthy, and perhaps a little arrogant Conner McAlpine, on the other hand, is struggling to find investors for his latest money-grabbing scheme; an expansion of his business into the art collection sector.
Under strange circumstances they meet, and under stranger circumstances realize that they can use each other to their advantage; Victoria soon finds a charming and generous benefactor in him, and Conner an enthusiastic entrance to the world of art in his young, talented protege. Before long they're inextricably tangled in each other's web of untruths and white lies, and to make matters worse, the brash and impulsive billionaire thrusts an engagement ring onto Victoria's finger, urging her to play along!