When it was my turn, I surprised myself by speaking without trembling.

“I promise not to confuse peace with silence,” I told Marcus.

“I promise to tell you when something hurts and to listen when you tell me the same.

And I promise that in our home, love will never be something one person can take away to control another.”

Marcus squeezed my fingers.

His eyes shone.

We exchanged rings.

Reverend Ellis pronounced us married, and our guests applauded as we kissed beneath the timber beams.

I had spent three days imagining every way the ceremony might go wrong.

I had not imagined that the moment I saw Marcus smile at me, my parents would become a small detail in a much bigger, happier picture.

But the ceremony was not the end of their expectations.

As we walked back down the aisle, I caught sight of Vanessa bent toward Mom, whispering furiously.

Dad was rising again, this time without looking at either of them.

He followed us toward the barn doors.