Three Promises by Bishop O'Connell Page A

His eyes were a little wide and his mouth hung open. It was clear that she was, to him at least, the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. For his part, he looked incredibly handsome in his tuxedo; his eyes were shining and his crooked smile tugged at her heart, which felt like it might burst. In that moment, every doubt, every fear, every bit of guilt vanished.
    Dante led her to Edward and then placed her hand in his, kissed Caitlin’s cheek, and took his seat next to Faolan.
    She hardly heard anything the minister, an elf named Riley, said, and apparently Edward didn’t either.
    The minister cleared his throat and whispered to Edward, “You’re on.”
    â€œSorry, I was, ah, a little distracted,” Edward said.
    There was a rustle of faint laughter from the guests.
    Edward drew a breath and looked at Caitlin in a way that made her heart start to melt.
    â€œCaitlin,” he began, “I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you.” He smiled. “Literally. Though I think you might’ve picked up on that, since I walked into a wall.”
    More laughter.
    â€œYou came to me looking for help, for a friendly ear, but something incredible happened instead,” he said. “You became my best friend. You let me into your life, trusting me with what you held most precious.” He smiled at Fiona. “We might not have had the most traditional start to our relationship—­”
    Dante and Faolan chuckled softly.
    â€œâ€”­and I don’t know what the future holds for either of us,” Edward continued. “But I can promise that I will love you, and Fiona, for the rest of my life. I will count each day that I get to love you as a gift. I know I’ll screw up.” He smiled. “I sort of excel at that.”
    Caitlin wiped at the tears on her cheeks and laughed.
    â€œBut I’ll love you, both of you. I love you now, and I will forever and always.” Caitlin drew in a breath and swallowed back more tears as he slipped the ring on her finger, a white gold band and diamond encircled by a yellow gold Celtic knot design. “You are truly the love of my life. And however much I have, I give it to you.”
    There was a moment of silence. Caitlin blinked, then realized it was her turn.
    â€œEddy,” she said, “you loved me from the start with the kind of unconditional, selfless love I didn’t believe existed. You were always there for me when I needed you most.” She squeezed his hand tight. “Never hesitating, never questioning. You were my best friend long before I was yours. I wish I’d seen sooner what was right in front of me, that I loved you. You are a gift, and I promise to love you for all my days. I will make sure there is never a day when you don’t know how much you mean to me. I love you, Eddy, now, forever, and always.”
    Kris handed her the ring, and Caitlin slipped it on Eddy’s finger. It was a match to Caitlin’s, save with no diamond.
    â€œBy the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said. “You may kiss—­”
    Caitlin threw her arms around Edward, practically tackling him, and kissed him, losing herself in the softness of his lips and the feel of his arms around her. After a moment, he kissed her back, and in that moment, there was no darkness, no sadness, no guilt or shame. There was only hope, love, joy, and light. She knew there would be troubles, but it was time to leave the past behind. This was a new beginning, for them both.
    As the kiss drew to a close, a small voice broke through the applause and cheers.
    â€œIs he my daddy now?” Fiona asked.
    Edward didn’t answer, he just nodded.
    Caitlin kissed the tears from his eyes.
    â€œI love you,” he whispered. “Both of you.”
    â€œAnd we love you too,” she whispered.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” the minister said as they turned to face