Always Yours

The orchard had transformed.

Twinkling lights glowed between the blossoms, casting a golden shimmer across the petals floating gently to the grass below. The aisle of soft white carpet wound between the trees, lined with wildflowers and candles in tall glass lanterns. A gentle sea breeze stirred the air, carrying the faintest scent of salt and spring.

Vivienne stood at the edge of it all, heart hammering.

Earlier that afternoon, she’d walked into what could only be described as dress chaos, hundreds of gowns in every color and shape imaginable. Thankfully, the designers had taken mercy on her and narrowed it down to a short list, which she gratefully accepted.

Tina had worked miracles, pulling her hair into soft, romantic waves, dusting her skin with a radiant glow, and somehow making her feel like a bride even before the veil went on.

She wore a gown of soft ivory silk, draped delicately off her shoulders, fitted perfectly. Her hair was swept up in loose waves, blossoms pinned through the back. Tina had insisted on the veil, light and sheer, fluttering behind her like breath.

The music started.

Just before she could take her first step, her father placed a hand gently on her arm, stopping her.

“Vivienne,” he said softly, eyes glassy with emotion. “You don’t have to do this. Not if it’s for anything other than your own happiness. If it’s for his money, or his name, or even for our family. I would never want you to go through something like that. Not again.”

Vivienne blinked fast, a smile tugging at her lips even as tears threatened.

“It’s not,” she whispered. “I love him.”

Her father nodded, his throat working as he swallowed, and kissed her forehead.

She took a step forward.

Her father stepped beside her, offering his arm with a soft smile.

“Let me walk you,” he said.

Vivienne nodded, threading her arm through his.

And together, they began down the aisle. Everything blurred, everything else faded.

At the end of the aisle stood Knox.

He was dressed in a tailored black suit, no tie, the top button undone in that effortless way only he could pull off. His eyes never left hers. Not when she stepped beneath the blossoms. Not when the few guests fell silent. Not even when her father placed her hand in his.

She barely heard the officiant’s voice.

Knox’s thumb brushed over her knuckles.

Before his vow, Knox held her hand a little tighter, his eyes searching hers.

“I never gave you an engagement ring,” he said quietly, voice thick with emotion. “Because I couldn’t stand to be engaged to you.”

Vivienne blinked, startled.

He smiled, small and wry. “I know how that sounds. But I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t call you my fiancée and just wait around. I’ve been the most selfish man on earth, asking you to marry me on the same day you finally got your freedom back. But Angel… I’ve been waiting for you for so long. I don’t think I’d survive knowing you weren’t mine in every way possible.”

“I want this with you,” Knox said, voice steady but soft. “Every version of you. Every day. No matter how easy or impossible. You’re the only thing I’ve ever been certain of.”

Vivienne blinked back tears, her lips trembling.

“I used to dream about this,” she said. “And I always thought I’d feel scared. But I’m not. Not with you. You’re my home.”

The rings were exchanged with shaking hands.

And when the words came, you may kiss the bride—

Knox didn’t wait.

He pulled her in and kissed her like it was the first time.

And the last.

And every moment in between.

Cheers broke out. Petals fluttered. Someone whistled, and someone else laughed.

But Vivienne only felt his hands on her back and the warmth of his mouth against hers.

She was his. And he was hers.

***

They barely made it out of the orchard before Knox was pulling her into that back of a fancy car, laughter bubbling in his throat, his hand locked tightly around hers like he couldn’t believe she was real. The drive back to the city passed in a blur of kisses and shared glances and quiet, stunned happiness.

When they arrived at Knox’s real apartment, sleek and high above the city, he carried her across the threshold without hesitation. Vivienne barely had time to breathe before he was guiding her down the hallway with a boyish grin.

“I have something to show you,” he said.

He opened a door at the end of the hall.

And Vivienne stepped into a nursery.

Every piece of furniture they’d picked out at the mall was there, assembled and waiting. Soft light filtered through gauzy curtains. The walls were painted a pale dove gray, with gentle woodland accents. There were plush animals, tiny clothes folded in drawers, and a rocker by the window.

Her mouth dropped open.

Knox wrapped his arms around her from behind. “You can change everything. Redecorate the whole apartment to your taste. Or burn it down and we’ll buy something else. Anything you want.”

She turned in his arms, smiling wide. “You’re insane.”

He kissed her temple. “I know.”

Then he pulled something from the inside of his jacket, a thin folder.

“I have a wedding gift for you.”

She blinked. “A what?”

Guilt swept over her. “I—I don’t have anything for you. I didn’t know we were—”

Knox pressed his warm hand over her belly, eyes soft. “You gave me the best gift anyone could, Angel.”

He handed her the folder.

Vivienne opened it slowly, confused.

Legal documents. Deeds. Transfer of ownership.

The M Village Mall.

Her eyes shot up to his.

“You’re giving me—”

“I’ve already signed it over to you,” he said simply. “I don’t want you ever walking in there again like you don’t belong. Like you have to be invisible. You own it now. Walk in like you own the place, because you do.”

Vivienne was stunned. “Knox, that’s… that’s absurd. People already think I’m a gold digger, what are they going to think now? You can’t just give that to me. What if we don’t—”

“We will,” he said firmly. “And I haven’t given it away. What’s mine is yours. And if you’re worried about me losing it,” he stepped closer, brushing his knuckles over her cheek, “all you have to do is stay married to me.”