Page 43 of Finding Hope

“Yes!” she cried, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. In the background, she could hear people cheering, but she paid them no mind.

When they finally pulled apart, she heard the distinct sound of a cork popping on a bottle of champagne. Her mom handed them both a glass and Cash a bottle of water. Shannon’s dad lifted his glass and looked at them both.

“Jonathon, I’m trusting you to make my girl happy for the rest of your lives. My sweet baby girl, you’ve been a fighter since the day you were born. You get your stubbornness from me, which sometimes is a good thing and sometimes, not so much.” She laughed while leaning against Jonathon. “Make each other happy. Cheers!”

The champagne tickled her tongue as Shannon sipped it. While they were drinking their champagne, Tessa showed up with the kids. Josie immediately ran to Shannon, wrapping her arms around her waist. A short time later, they decided to make their way home. She still had most of her stuff at Jonathon’s, so she wasn’t going to have to stop at Mary’s, at least not until the next day.

It felt good to be back at the house—their house. After the kids went to bed, Jonathon lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

***

Jonathon eased out of Shannon’s aching cunt. They’d celebrated multiple times and she was now spent. She knew she’d be sore the next day, but it would be worth it. He returned to her after getting rid of the rubber. Back in bed, Jonathon pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you were second best. I promise I’ll make it up to you, no matter how long it takes.”

“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, but you have nothing to make up to me. If anyone has anything to make up for, it’s me. I’m sorry that I left because I was scared to ask you about the stuff I found.”

“You know, we are truly lucky,” he said, kissing her lips tenderly. “Not everyone gets a chance to start over. I won’t blow this second chance we’ve been given. That’s my promise to you.”

She snuggled closer to him. “I promise I’m going to make you happy.”

In the dark, he held out his hand, and she took it. “Deal,” he said before giving it a shake.

A giggle slipped past her lips. “Deal.”

When Shannon started to fall asleep, she was snuggled up to the love of her life, a smile on her face.

Chapter Twenty-One

Three Months Later

Jonathon

Jonathon knocked on the door.

A soft voice said, “Come in.”

Inside, he found his sister standing in front of the full-length mirror, and when she turned toward him, he felt himself getting a little choked up. Her dress was a soft white, form fitting, and flowing around her. It had a slightly off the shoulder look and a lace overlay. It reminded him of a classic wedding dress. Her veil was very simple, but matched the dress perfectly.

“You look like an angel.” His voice caught in his throat.

“Really? I look okay?” She turned to look at herself in the mirror.

“You look beautiful. Cash isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you in this dress.” There was a knock on the door and a muffled voice told them it was time. “Are you ready to get hitched?”

She gave him a dazzling smile and he held out his arm for her, then grabbed her flowers out of the vase by the door.

“I’m ready.”

They made their way down the hall to the vestibule of the little Baptist church that Betsy had found for them. They found Betsy, Josie, and Cash’s best friend, Jarred, and Cash’s brother-in-law, Dylan, standing outside the doors, but the one who caught his attention the most was his beautiful wife. Jonathon smiled at her. She wore a dress with a shade similar to Tessa’s bridesmaids, because she’d carry Henry down the aisle in his little baby tux as the unofficial ring bearer.

Betsy’s children were the flower girls. They ran right over to Tessa, oohing and ahhing at her dress. He moved around them and walked over to his family. Josie looked like such a little lady in her dusky rose pink dress. It was long and form fitting but in a way that was appropriate for a child. Betsy’s dress was the same color, but a halter-top style, showing off all of her tattoos.

“Dad, how do I look?” Josie gave him a little spin.

“You look beautiful.” He kissed her cheek before grabbing Henry out of Shannon’s arms. “Little man, you’re looking handsome.” Henry gave him a slobbery smile that warmed his heart. He was getting so big, ready to start walking anytime now, and they knew he’d be hell on wheels. Even though he could only crawl, he was still constantly getting into things.

Shannon wrapped her arms around his waist. “You look so handsome.”

He looked down at his beautiful wife and smiled. “Do you wish we’d done the big wedding thing?” They had decided to marry at the courthouse, instead, and have a party at the bar.

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