Page 62 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Can I have everyone's attention? Mark, volume down, please,” When I've gotten everyone’s attention, I start.

“We've come a long way, we've been through a lot. We've had our season of fallen heroes, I mean we even witnessed one yesterday. I wish it hadn't ended like that; I wish he was still one of us. He'd be here you know, partying with us. Still, I'm grateful for us, for all of us and for today. I'm glad to be alive. So, let's forget about yesterday and focus on today. Let's party!”

Everyone erupts in cheers and dives into the pool. The cool water envelops us, sending a wave of relief washing over me. I pull Nora close to me, the sensation of her body pressed against mine, her skin warm against the chill of the water.

“God, you feel amazing,” I murmur, my voice low and filled with longing.

“We shouldn't be doing this, here. Everyone's staring.” She giggles, trying to get away.

“There's nothing to hide. I'm sure they've noticed already.” I tickle her, and laughter rings out through the air as we swim together, the sound filling me with joy.

“Nora, I thought Chase was going to be performing for us.” Lauren shouts with a smug smile.

“Fine, fine. No one else besides those present here must know of this,” I warn sternly, even though I'm sure if others listen, Joseph wouldn't.

I grab the microphone on the table, thinking of what to sing.

“Need any help, Chase?” Lauren asks, making a slurping sound with her straw.

Sarah, who is a bit tipsy, lets out a loud laugh. “You can sing a love song.”

“Not a bad idea.” I say. With a sly grin, I launch into one of the songs from yesterday, choosing the one I had got wrong. Nora watches me bewildered, her expression shifting from shock to curiosity as I sing. As the last note fades away, everyone erupts in cheers, expecting me to drop the mic, but I hold onto it.

Instead, I meet Nora's gaze and pull her out of the pool. “I love you, Nora,” I declare into the microphone, the words echoing through the room. A collective “aww” sweeps through the crowd as they coo in response to my unexpected declaration.

“I knew you two were up to something. Joseph, did you know about it?” Emma jabs him in the ribs in excitement and grins from ear to ear.

“I recently found out.” Joseph replies. “Was I first?” He asks with excitement.

Sarah laughs. “I was at thewedding!” she declares. And suddenly, despite not being on our team technically, Sarah is the favorite person at the party.

Everyone immediately starts talking at once. Sarah shows pictures on her phone, and Nora pipes in every few minutesto correct Sarah’s retelling of what happened. The whole thing sounds dramatic in Sarah’s version.

Eventually, everyone tires of looking at our wedding pictures, and filter inside to start getting food.

We lie on a double chair adjoined, the sunlight casting a soft glow over our bodies, I can't help but marvel at the sight before me. Her damp and tousled hair, her skin glowing in the soft light, and I feel a surge of gratitude for the woman next to me.

“You are truly breathtaking,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity as I cup her face in my hands, gazing into her eyes with all the love and adoration I feel for her.

Nora's face lights up, and she leans in, pressing her lips to mine in a chaste kiss.

“So, were you pretending yesterday?” She props herself up on one arm looking at me curiously. “You sang the song you didn't know.”

“I wasn't. The song felt familiar, but I didn't remember the title. I looked it up when you went to bed.”

“That was lovely, Chase.” She places a hand on my chest, almost nervously. I raise my brows, waiting. Then, all in a rush, she says, “I told my parents about us, and they want to meet you.”

That’s all?I think with amusement. “When? We can go anytime you want.”

Her expression brightens. “I told them we'll visit them when all this clears. You know we have to give mission reports and all that paperwork.”

“Yeah, there's that.” I lazily intertwine my fingers between hers bringing them up to my lips for a kiss. As the evening begins to wind down, I notice Joseph, Lena, and Mark gathering their things, preparing to head home.

“Going home already?” I raise my voice to be heard over the dwindling chatter.

“Yeah, some of us have paperwork. Lots of it!” Emma replies, coming out of the changing room.

“Before we wrap things up, let's cut the cake!” I announce, gesturing towards the beautifully decorated dessert sitting on the table.

---