Chapter 9 - The Private Vow
Two months later, we were married.
There were no white lilies from The Plaza. There were no press credentials, no society photographers, no corporate sponsors, and no hundred-thousand-dollar wedding gowns.
We held the ceremony in the backyard of our Sag Harbor home at sunset.
A simple floral arch made of driftwood and wild hydrangeas stood near the edge of the water. Thirty people attended—our closest friends, Vanguard’s executive team, and Marcus Vance, who served as Colton’s best man.
I wore a simple, elegant ivory silk dress that flowed softly around my feet. Colton stood under the arch in a tailored gray suit, looking extraordinarily handsome, his eyes locked onto me as I walked down the aisle.
Preceding me down the grassy path were our four sons.
Julian, Leo, Asher, and Mason walked proudly in matching navy suits, each carrying a tiny wooden ring box. They took their duty very seriously, marching in perfect formation like four tiny soldiers.
When I reached the arch, Colton took both of my hands in his. His hands were warm, steady, and strong.
The justice of the peace began the ceremony, but when it came time for the vows, Colton pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket.
"Evelyn," Colton began, his voice clear and resonant over the gentle sound of the breeze. "Five years ago, a check was written to erase you. But they didn't know that you were unerasable. You are the strongest, most brilliant, and most incredible woman I have ever known. You took a tragedy and turned it into a miracle. You gave me four beautiful sons, and you gave me a second chance at life."
He slid the gold ring with four gray sapphires onto my finger.
"I vow to honor you, to protect our family from every storm, to stand behind your ambitions, and to love you with every beat of my heart until my very last day."
Tears glistened in my eyes as I looked at him. I squeezed his hands tightly.
"Colton," I said, my voice steady and rich with emotion. "For five years, I thought strength meant standing alone. I thought love was a weakness that allowed people to hurt me. But watching you become the father our sons needed, watching you tear down your own past to build a safe future for us... you showed me that true strength is found in loving fiercely and forgiving deeply."
I slid a matching gold band onto his finger.
"You are my partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. I choose you today, tomorrow, and forever."
"By the power vested in me," the justice declared with a warm smile, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Colton, you may kiss your bride."
Colton pulled me close, dipping me slightly as he kissed me deeply, passionately, to the sound of joyous cheers from our friends and the loud, delighted squeals of our four boys shouting: "Eww! They're kissing!"
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We broke apart, laughing, as the four boys rushed forward, throwing their arms around our legs in a massive family hug.
Colton picked up Asher and Mason, while I gathered Julian and Leo into my arms. Together, under the warm golden rays of the setting sun, we stood as one unbroken family.
