Epilogue

**Zuri's POV**
**Nine years later**

I link my arm with my dad's. This isn't my first rodeo, so why am I a nervous wreck? Sav and Daveed always have given me butterflies, but today is a major historical event for families like ours. Reporters are surrounding the venue from the outside, as well as protestors, and civil rights activists. Scarlett told us we would need an indoor venue this time to keep the crazies contained; she was right.
"Are you ready to legally marry your wife and husband?" My dad smiles down at me.
"We've fought for a decade to have this. Of course, I'm ready. I'm so nervous though, Dad. There isn't an empty seat in the entire theatre." We had to use a theatre because we knew we needed a few hundred seats at least. We have made hundreds of friends and connections since we started the fight to legally marry one another. When we won our case, the country was in an uproar. In the end, love conquered all, and the state of Florida legalized polygamy, polyamory, polyandry and polygyny. Scarlett's plan had a few flaws, and the process took a lot longer than expected, but we cleared every hurdle in good time.
"When this door opens, you won't even see those people. You will only have eyes for your bride and groom." As if right on cue, *Marry Me* by Train begins to play.

*Forever can never be long enough for me
to feel like I've had long enough with you.
Forget the world now, we won't let them see.
But there's one thing left to do.
Now that the weight has lifted,
Love has surely shifted my way*

The double doors slowly opened, and my eyes filled up with tears as Sav and Daveed look my way.

*Marry me.
Today and every day.
Marry me.*

I exhale the deep breath that I didn't realize I was holding onto and make my way down the aisle. With every step I take, the world quakes beneath my feet. These are monumental steps that I'm taking today. Why did we decide it would be best for me to do this part alone? Oh yeah, it's because Sav walked down the aisle last time when she and I legally married one another. That was seven years ago, but she said she wasn't walking down the aisle if we made it to this point. She wanted to watch me, the way I was able to watch her the last time.

*Together can never be close enough for me
to feel like I am close enough to you.
You wear white, and I'll wear out the words,
"I love you" and "you're beautiful."
Now that the wait is over and
love has finally showed her my way.
Marry me.
Today and every day.
Marry me.*

I make it to my soul mates, and we join hands. We remain in the form of a triangle, the space equally between the three of us.
"We are gathered here today to spiritually and legally bind Daveed Laurens, Saviera Laurens, and Zuri Laurens. We are here to witness the first legal polyamorous marriage in America. For some people, this is an abomination. However, for many, it is life-altering. Love has no limitations or conditions. Love is universal and is not meant to be contained. To love and to be loved by one person is a blessing. To freely love and to be loved by many is what makes life worth living. Or brides and groom will now exchange their vows. Daveed, you may start."

He wipes his face and begins, "Saviera, you are the fire that lights up my world. You keep the wild in me alive and make me feel forever young. The last eleven years have taught me to expect adventure when you are around. You're the glue that holds our home together, making sure everything runs like a well-oiled machine. Being a full-time mother to our six children is not for the weak, but you do it with grace every day. You taught me patience and that the best things don't come easy. You always have put one hundred percent into our family.
Zuri, you are the peace that calms my racing heart. You are the one I turn to when the chaos in my mind is too much to bear. You keep me organized and prepared for life. Being a female doctor means long hours of work, but when you get home at the end of the day, you are a mother and wife with a smile on your face. You taught me to humble myself. Being with a woman as successful as you, I finally understood how much further our family could go if I allow you to help provide financially without putting up a fight.
I promise to always be a loving husband and father through the ups and downs. To provide and care for you in sickness and in health. I promise to give as much of myself as I can every day, for the rest of our lives."
Humanist Dan turns to me, "Zuri, you may give your vows."
I've done this twice before. Why is my mind going blank? Breathe, Zuri.
"Wow, this is crazy. We finally made it here, to this moment. Saviera, my first best friend, first kiss, and first love. Nineteen years with you by my side has been a crazy ride. I remember a time when you were my world. Now, we have the entire universe together. Being mothers, wives, and best friends with you has kept me on my toes. You are everything a woman or man could ever need. Fierce, tender, brave, and hard-working. You are the glue that keeps our home in one piece.
Daveed, you just came in and swept us up off our feet. The best decision we ever made was plotting to get you. I can't believe the nerve Sav and I had in the beginning, so reckless and young. Once we had you, I got scared. You broke down every wall I tried putting up and always gave me the love you knew I needed. How you manage to be strong with Sav and gentle with me at the same time is unbelievable. I'm thankful to have a provider like you by my side. Not only financially but mentally, physically, and emotionally.
I promise to be a loving wife and mother, through the ups and downs. To remain true to my emotions and be vulnerable. I promise to always cherish the love we share for the rest of our lives."
"Saviera, you may give your vows," Dan said.
"I thought the third time would be the charm, but I forgot my vows again. I don't know why I bothered writing them because I do great when I wing it anyway."
The theatre roared with laughter. The amount of people here is mind-blowing.
"Zuri, when I look at you, the world comes to a halt. There is no love quite like yours. From the moment I crashed into you, I knew you would be something special in my life. At the time, I didn't realize how much of an understatement that would be. I should thank you for all the times you've kept me out of trouble. I always took pride in keeping you safe, but it was you who kept me safe. You literally saved my life without hesitation. You're the strongest woman alive while remaining so gentle and sweet.
Daveed, you are everything we never knew we needed. Zuri pulled me into a public bathroom just to tell me you were the one. I'm glad I listened to her. You aren't just 'the one'; you are all things good in the world. You never fail to put our family first. I can always count on you to keep me confident in myself. Uplifting me when I'm at my lowest and encouraging me when I finally reach the top. I can look forward to forever with you and know that my heart is safe in your hands.
I promise to be a loving wife and mother, through the ups and downs. To always give our home stability, nourishment, and guidance. I promise to love you both with every fiber of my being for the rest of our lives."
Our sons, Jackson, Julian, and Jameson presented our rings for us to take.
"With these rings, you promise to uphold your vows and love one another unconditionally, forever and always," Dan says as we exchange our rings. "I now pronounce you married. If you wish, you may seal this ceremony with a kiss."
The crowd whistles and cheers as we kiss one another and officially become the first legal polyamorous family.