Chapter 20: The Vow Renewal
755 Words
One month after the board meeting.
One month after Victoria tried to ruin us.
And Aiden decided we were doing it right this time.
“Vow renewal,” he said over breakfast. Like he was talking about the weather.
I nearly choked on my coffee. “What?”
“Vow renewal,” he repeated. “No courthouse. No rush. No contract. Just us. Our family. Our friends.”
Lucas stopped eating pancakes. “What’s a vow renewal?”
“It means Mommy and Daddy get to promise to love each other again,” Aiden said.
Lily clapped. “Can I be a flower girl?”
“You can be 2 flower girls,” I said, looking at her. “And you can throw all the flowers.”
Aiden smiled at me. That soft smile he only gave me and the kids.
“One month,” he said. “Think you can plan a wedding in a month, Mrs. Hale?”
“I planned our whole life in 5 years,” I said. “I think I can handle it.”
---
Planning was chaos.
But good chaos.
My mom was in charge of food. “I’m making jollof and fried chicken. None of that fancy stuff.”
Aiden’s assistant was in charge of 300 guests. “CEO orders, ma’am.”
The twins were in charge of... glitter. Everywhere.
“We’re getting married in our backyard,” I told Aiden.
“Our backyard is 5 acres,” he said.
“Exactly. Room for everyone.”
He didn’t care about flowers or chairs or the band.
He only cared about one thing.
“What are you wearing?” he asked me the night before.
“A dress,” I said.
“Zuri.”
“A white dress. That’s all you get.”
He groaned. “I hate surprises.”
“You’ll survive.”
---
The morning of.
5 AM. My mom and 3 stylists in my room.
“Stay still,” my mom said, curling my hair.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted.
“Of what? You already married him once.”
“This time it’s real,” I said. “This time everyone knows.”
Lily came running in her flower girl dress. Pink. With pockets. “Mommy you’re pretty!”
Lucas followed in a tiny suit. “Dad said I have to hold the rings.”
“You do, bug,” I said, pulling him in for a hug. “You and your sister are the most important people here.”
At 3 PM, the backyard was full.
White chairs. String lights. Aiden’s grandmother’s piano in the corner.
And at the end of the aisle... Aiden.
Black suit. No tie. Hair messy because Lily ran her hands through it earlier.
He looked at me and his whole face changed.
The music started.
I walked alone.
No dad to give me away. No contract to sign.
Just me. Choosing him. Again.
Halfway down, Lucas and Lily came running from the sides with baskets.
“Wait for us, Mom!” Lily yelled, throwing petals everywhere.
The whole crowd laughed.
Aiden mouthed “I love you” when I got to him.
The officiant was his best friend from college.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here because 5 years ago, two people made a deal. And today, they’re making a promise.”
Aiden didn’t take his eyes off me.
“Zuri,” he said when it was his turn. His voice was rough. “Five years ago I offered you money. Today I’m offering you everything. My name. My home. My heart. My future. I promise to choose you on the easy days and the hard days. To be the dad our kids deserve. To be the husband you deserve. I promise to never let you doubt that you are it for me.”
I was crying. Obviously.
“Aiden,” I said. “Five years ago I signed a paper because I was desperate. Today I’m saying yes because I’m in love. I promise to build an art studio in our home. To make pancakes every Sunday. To fight with you and make up with you. To grow old with you. To be Lucas and Lily’s mom with you. You’re my home. You always have been.”
The officiant smiled. “Then by the power vested in me... you may kiss your wife.”
He didn’t wait.
He kissed me like the whole world was watching. Because it was.
“Mr. and Mrs. Aiden Hale!”
- Writer
