Chapter 262: Until Death Do You Part

The yacht stopped once it was far enough away from the marina and that was everyone's cue to go upstairs. The only people actually participating in the ceremony were Aaron, Keeley, her father, and the minister. Everyone else was only there to watch.

Keeley found herself left alone with her dad after all of her girlfriends patted her back or otherwise encouraged her on their way out. She had been terribly nervous about this moment because they hadn't been alone since she told him she was pregnant and getting married.

"I'm not going to bite," he said with a chuckle, sensing her apprehension.

"..you aren't mad at me?" she asked in a small voice.

"Of course I'm not. You're an adult and are free to make your own decisions. All I care about is that they're going to make you happy. Are they?"

She wasn't sure. She was grateful for the chance to be a mother and continue to work towards her dreams but those weren't the only factors at play here. Things could very easily go south.

And the fact of the matter was she wasn't in love with Aaron anymore. She was marrying him because she felt that she had no other choice. Like she had to succumb to the will of a power outside of her control.

When Keeley didn't answer, her father sighed. "That's what I thought. Does Aaron know you're conflicted?"

"Yes."

He settled further into the couch they were sitting on. His tone grew serious as he looked out the window at the waves lapping against the side of the boat.

"Marriage is about more than romance, you know. It's about commitment. You and your spouse need to be a team working together against any problems that come your way. I loved your mother with all of my heart but love alone wasn't enough to make us work. We had to work towards it.

"I fully believe that boy will do anything to make you happy but it's not fair to him if he's the only one trying to make this work. I know you like him and consider him a friend. If you try to support him back I think the two of you will be just fine."

Support Aaron? She had spent an entire lifetime supporting him and it had all been for naught. But maybe that wasn't what her dad was talking about.

Aaron didn't want to be a part of that world anymore. Supporting him wouldn't involve being a perfect businessman's wife. What he wanted was a family. A warm one. Achieving that and kicking his father out of the company seemed to be his primary goals in this life.

historical

Keeley could definitely provide the warmth he craved, since he seemed to thrive off of her very presence, but she was no businesswoman. How could she help him get rid of Alistair Hale once and for all?

She could probably figure something out. After all, he had gone so far as helping her sort through sources for a research paper even though he knew nothing about genetics. Her dad was right; he did deserve some form of reciprocation even if she wasn't in love with him.

She squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Dad."

Robert stood and helped his daughter up. "You look beautiful, honeybun. I wish your mother had been here to help you get dressed up but your friend did a great job."

"I wish they were both here," Keeley said, thinking about how her father had been her only family member present at both of her weddings now.

"Me too. Now's not the time to be sad though. Aaron is waiting for you."

She lifted her skirt as she carefully walked up the stairs in her purple heels. Someone—was it Aiden?—was playing the wedding march on their phone as they spotted her atop the stairs.

Keeley linked her arm through her father's and walked to the nose of the boat where Aaron and the minister were waiting. His smile was even bigger than it had been at their first wedding and it made her heart ache. She couldn't believe they were actually doing this again.

Robert placed her hands in Aaron's and took a seat next to Cameron.

Aaron's eyes were shining but he had an oddly heartbroken air about him. Probably because he knew this wasn't what Keeley wanted. Nobody else would have caught onto it—she was the only one who knew how to read him.

Her grip on his hands increased, trying to reassure him. She wasn't sure he got the message.

They hadn't written their own vows so the minister proceeded with a short standard ceremony. Their first wedding seemed a million lifetimes away. Five hundred guests versus nine. Grandiosity versus simplicity. Love versus necessity.

"Aaron Hale, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?"

"I do," he said firmly.

The minister looked to her now. "Keeley Hall, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?"

Death had already parted them once. She never thought she would have to see him again, let alone marry him again. It seemed like death wasn't capable of tearing them apart. Not according to whatever reincarnated them.

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me I declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Aaron barely pecked her on the lips at their first wedding because too many people were watching but this time he had nothing holding him back. He kissed her for a full thirty seconds, causing most of their friends to catcall them. Aiden and Cameron cheered especially loudly.

Keeley's face was bright red when they came up for air and Aaron triumphantly raised their linked hands above his head with a crazy grin on his face. She couldn't help but laugh at his unusual display of enthusiasm. As they would find out later, the photographer captured that moment on camera perfectly.