Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“This is what you want?” my father asks.
“Yeah, Chad and I have talked about this. This is what we want.” It’s not me confessing my undying love, but it's enough for my father if the softening of his eyes is any indication.
“I’m so excited!” Shayne rushes forward and pulls me into a hug. Ford does the same to Chad before they switch.
“You chose well, big brother,” Cassie says, drawing me into a hug first.
“Hey!” Chad protests.
“Get used to it, brother. You’re giving me the sister I’ve always wanted.” Cassie winks before releasing me from her grip and giving her brother the same affection.
Our parents take their turn, and then it’s time. Erik and Hannah are here, and although we asked them to be our witnesses, it’s Ford and Shayne who stand up with us. The wedding hasn’t even started, and it’s perfect. I know this is a day I will never forget.
Standing in front of the chaplain, the ceremony begins. We told him short and sweet, and that’s what we get. Tears burn my eyes, but my smile is so wide, I feel as though my face might crack. The conflicting emotions battle with one another. Happy tears, happy smiles, and the man I’ve wanted to be mine vowing to love me in sickness and in health.
“I do,” I say when it’s my turn.
Chad smiles. It’s soft, and if I didn’t know better, full of love.
“I do,” he repeats.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
“The best part,” Chad says, not bothering to lower his voice, as our family and friends laugh. His hands cradle my cheeks as he stares into my eyes. “My wife.” His voice is gruff with emotion.
My hands rise to cover his. “My husband.” My voice cracks.
He leans in close, and I lick my lips. His eyes follow the action as his hot breath fans across my face. His eyes shutter closed, and I do the same at the feel of his lips pressing to mine. It’s chaste at first, but I moan, because how can I not? I’m kissing my husband.
My. Husband.
Chad groans, his tongue tracing my lips, and suddenly it doesn’t matter who’s watching. We allow ourselves to get lost in one another. That is until my brother speaks up.
“Come on, man,” Ford groans. “That’s my little sister.”
Chad laughs and pulls out of the kiss that I’ll remember for a lifetime, resting his forehead against mine. His chest rises and falls with silent laughter. “My wife,” he says loudly, knowing Ford and everyone else will hear him. Then, “I’ll never get tired of saying that,” is whispered in a low tone. Those words just for me.
Clapping and cheers greet us, and the moment is broken.
Chad stands back to his full height and laces our fingers. He lifts my left hand to his lips and places a kiss over my engagement ring and wedding band. I reach for his left hand and rub my thumb over the band that now sits on his finger. Our eyes lock, and my heart stutters. I open my mouth to tell him that I love him, but before the words can pass my lips, my brother is there, pulling me away from my husband. He lifts me off my feet and spins us in a circle.
“My little sister just made my best friend my brother. Best day ever!”
“Hey!” Shayne scolds him playfully.
“Until we get married, baby.” Ford kisses the protest from her lips.
“Thank you all for being here. My wife and I have some paperwork to turn in since I’m leaving in the morning. We have a reserved dining room at the hotel restaurant where we’re all staying for the Anthony wedding. We’ll meet you there.”
We take the time to hug everyone before getting into our new-to-us Camry and driving to the other side of base to turn in our marriage license and the rest of our paperwork. I pinch my thigh to see if I can feel the pain. The pain is there, which means this is real. I’m married.
Chad Anthony is my husband.
Chad pulls into the hotel’s parking lot and turns off the engine. Neither one of us makes a move to leave the confines of the car. I can’t stop thinking about how we have mere hours left before he has to leave, and it will be at least four months, possibly longer, before I get to feel his strong arms wrap around me.
The process of the paperwork was easy, and then we stopped at the bank to add me to all of Chad’s accounts. I fought him on it, but the look he gave me told me what he wouldn’t say. There is always a chance something could go wrong and he might not come home. He wanted me to have full access to his life, including his money.