Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

Juniper's high-pitched bleat cuts Elder Calum short, making all the guests laugh. She's at the end of the aisle, eating from the decorations. "I thought we locked her up!" Rueben snarls.

Olivia giggles. "Juniper will always find a way to be with you. You know how much she loves you. She even crashed the wedding for you." Rueben's cheeks turn slightly red. "I swear I'm going to turn that goat into kebab. Elder Calum, please continue."

After chuckling at Rueben's expense, Elder Calum says, "Ready to exchange vows?"

Last night's dinner travels up my throat. Not wanting to embarrass myself by vomiting all over Olivia's pretty dress, I nod.

Mose is the first one to say the vows. He didn't write them down, so he takes her hands into his and says, "I love you wholeheartedly with a passion that cannot be expressed in words, only in kisses, stolen glances, moments of happiness, and years spent by your side. I vow to love you and only you forever."

While short, Mose's vow expresses what all of us feel for Olivia.

Rueben is next. "I love you, Olivia. Not for what you are but for what I am when I'm with you. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to give you everything. I vow to put you before everything. Including days of football and nights of poker."

"Before COD tournaments, too?" Olivia flutters her long eyelashes.

Rueben grits his teeth. "No, ye-no. Tournaments are the only time we get to have guys' night."

"It's fine. I won't put you above girls' night either," Olivia huffs.

Oh, boy. If I were Rueben, I would start to reconsider sleeping.

Olivia turns her attention to Ansel. He lets out a long breath before saying, "For a long time, my existence was bleak. I had a purpose but not a goal. So I searched for one. Even if I didn't know back then, I longed to love one person with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my body. I needed a forever friend to trust with my intimacies, who wouldn't hold them against me, who would love me when I'm unlikable, who would look for the divine potential of me. You are that person, Olivia. I love you with all that I am."

Ansel's vow returns the smile to Olivia's lips.

My turn makes me feel nervous all over again. I try to find the paper with the vows, but my hands tremble, and I give up. I've read the vows so many times that I should know them by heart by now.

I take Olivia's hands into mine and bring them to my mouth. "My love, I thought this day would never come." Olivia's eyes fill with tears once more. "What greater thing is there for our souls than to feel that they are joined for life-to strengthen each other in sorrow or happiness, to rest on each other in all misery, to help each other in all things, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? Whatever souls are made of, ours is the same." I brush my knuckles against her soft cheek. "Do you remember the very first day that we met? I knew the very first moment I saw you. I knew we were meant to be together for all of our days. You have become my lover, my companion, and my best friend. There's no one else I'd want to build a life with. I get to have you by my side, my love, and my wife, for eternity."

There are more words I want to say to her, but her tears make me forget everything. I lean forward and kiss her wet cheeks.

"I vow to take your hand when it's too dark and care for the kids when it's too early."

My last line makes Olivia laugh.

After drying out her tears, Olivia says her vows, "I pledge to honor you all, love you, and cherish you as my husbands today and every day. I promise to be your guiding light in the darkness, a warming comfort in the cold, and a shoulder to lean on when life is too much to bear on your own. You all are loved more than any metaphor can ever try to express my feelings. I vow to always protect you from harm, to stand with you against your troubles, and to look to you when I need protection. Give me your hands, and I will give you forever. I love you all so very, very much."

After a few moments of silence, Elder Calum says, "I pronounce you husbands and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Finally, Olivia is my wife.

I dip my head, ready to kiss my wife for the first time, when Olivia pulls away and says, "Actually, there's one more vow to be made."

I frown, confused until the moment Jasper speaks. "Tyson." I turn my attention to him, and he cups my cheeks. "I know this day should be all about Olivia, but "

Olivia interrupts him. "This day is about all of us. It's about the love that unites us. Just as I love the five of you, Jasper also loves you." Her gaze goes to Elder Calum. "Jasper and Tyson have my blessing!" The Elder nods, letting her know he has nothing against Jasper and me being together.novelbin

Jasper lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Little Love, for accepting me the way I am." To me, he says, "Olivia is not the only one who has captured my heart. I love you just as much as I love her. That's why I want to make a vow to you today as well." This takes me by surprise completely and I feel like a total jerk because I haven't written anything for Jasper. It doesn't matter. I can still tell him what's in my heart. "Today, surrounded by all of our loved ones, I choose you to be my husband. I am proud to be yours and to join my life with yours. I vow to support you, inspire you, and love you always. For as long as we both shall live, I will be by your side for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. You are part of my soul, of my heart."

My heart fills with more love for Jasper. "My husband, I invite you to share my life. You are one of the most loving, clever, and kind individuals I have ever known, and I promise to always be in your corner. Together, I know we can do anything. I can't wait to work hand in hand to build a beautiful life together."

Jasper presses his forehead to mine before letting go of me.

Elder Calum is silent. He probably thinks more vows will be exchanged.

"We are done," Rueben lets the Elder know.

"Oh, right. In that case, you may kiss each other!"

Not wanting more interruptions, I pull Olivia into my arms and press my lips to hers. Loud cheers erupt around us.

"The rings, the rings!" someone shouts.

Oh, shit. We forgot all about the rings. We were supposed to exchange them during the vows. Not need to panic, we can still exchange them now.

With a heavy sigh, I let go of Olivia, only to see Jon and Rin running after Juniper.

"The goat stole the rings!"

**I am so happy to say that I am almost done with Olivia's story. This book has been mentaly and psyhically exausting to write but I loved every minute. I know the book is not perfect and I need to polish it before I get to print it, but I am so proud with how everything turned out. now before I write the pircing ceremony, does anyone want a wedding night scene? let me know what you think in the comments. Who is also excided for Emily's story?**