Chapter 458
And somewhere during all that time, I truly started seeing the change in him. Not the version of Noah I used to beg to love me. Not the man consumed by guilt and regret. But someone entirely different…
Noah became a man who learned how to love without destroying everything around him and slowly, without even realizing when it happened, I found myself trusting him with my heart again.
My thoughts fade when Mom finally stops walking and I smile softly as Mom places my hand into Noah’s.
The second our skin touches, I feel his hand trembling. His eyes lock onto mine like he still can’t believe this is real. Like he’s terrified I’ll disappear if he blinks.
The ceremony begins after that, but honestly, most of it passes in a blur because Noah never stops looking at me and in the same way, I can’t tear my eyes from him.
Finally, we get to the vows. Noah takes a shaky breath before speaking.
“Sierra…” His voice cracks slightly before he smiles nervously. “There was a time I thought losing you was the worst pain I’d ever feel. Then I actually lost you and realized I hadn’t even understood what pain truly was p>
My eyes immediately sting with tears.
“You loved me when I didn’t deserve it. You stood beside me when I failed you over and over again and even after everything, somehow your heart still found room for forgiveness.” He swallows hard while staring directly into my eyes. “I know I can’t erase the past. I know there are wounds I helped create that may never fully disappear, but I swear to you for the rest of my life that I will spend every single day trying to love you the way you always deserved to be loved p>
A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.
“You once told me that love isn’t words; it’s consistency. So I promise you this… His voice softens deeply. “I will choose you every day. On the easy days and the hard ones. When we’re faughing and when we’re breaking will choose you in every lifetime I get p>
His eyes fill with tears too and I watch as for the second time ever, Noah cries.
“You gave me a family, Sierra. You gave me life when I was drowning in guilt and grief and emptiness and standing here today He exhales shakily. “It feels like God looked at the mess I made of everything and still decided to give me one final chance at happiness I love you. Past. Present. Future. Every version of me will always love every version of you p>
By the time he finishes, I’m crying openly, and fuck, it’s not the beautiful, delicate crying. It’s ugly and a bit loud. Lilly sniffles as she hands me a handkerchief before we move to the ring exchange.
“Do you, Noah, take Sierra as your lawful wedded wife? To love and cherish, to hold and to honor, in sickness and in health, till death do you part p>
Noah’s answer comes instantly. “I do p>
“And do you, Sierra, take Noah as your lawful wedded husband? To love and cherish, to hold and to honor, in sickness and in health, till death do you part p>
I look up at him and immediately see real fear. Like he still believes that I might just say no.
For a second I’m taken back to the day of his wedding with Chloe. I remember how I stood there my heart breaking, while he married someone else It’s so fonic that? back then stood there breathing in through my pain, while he now stands here breathing through fear.
I push those thoughts away, then smile. “Yes, I do p>
Noah doesn’t even wait for the priest to finish. The second the word leaves my mouth, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me like I’m the only thing keeping him alive.