Page 64 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby

“I am.” I link my hand through his again and we make our way to join the rest of the bridal train waiting for me.

* * *

Maddison is as pretty as an angel in her white gown and she walks with a confidence that belies her age. She walks in front of me in quick strides, pausing every so often to scatter some flowers and wave in the direction of the people she recognizes in the crowd. A beautiful smile is plastered on her face and excitement lights up her hazel eyes as she performs her task.

“Granny!” She calls out at Sherry, waving enthusiastically in her direction before remembering her duties and returning to her role of scattering flowers.

“Granny!” She calls again, but this time my mother is the object of her attention. Completely remembering her duties this time, she limits her wave to a short one, and her smile widens when my mom sends a thumbs-up in her direction.

Her actions draw a snicker out of Uncle Bill who is walking me down the aisle right behind her, and I would scold him if I wasn’t doing my best to hold back a laugh, too.

“Maddison…” I sigh under my breath with a mix of disbelief and amusement. I look up at the altar to glance at her dad who is waiting for me. He is watching me come closer, and with every step I take, he appears even more handsome. His gaze doesn’t stray from me until I am standing right next to him.

“Hey, baby. Glad to see you could make it,” he teases in a light whisper.

“I had some free time and I decided to put it down on my schedule. You’re a lucky boy.”

“Trust me, I know that.”

My smile widens even further, and I turn my gaze to the number of people seated and waiting for us to be joined in holy matrimony. In the crowd I see so many smiling faces: Mom, Uncle Bill, Sherry, and Janice are just a few I recognize.

I look to Jacob's side and I see Micky and Pete who throw a wink in my direction. I reply with a smile and then I return my focus to the man I am about to marry.

As the officiate begins to talk, I only have eyes for Jacob.

He looks even more handsome today than he ever has before. His hair is starting to get salt-and-peppery—just a bit on the sides, belying his age—but his eyes are the same piercing blue they’ve always been. He’s gorgeous, and after today, he’ll be all mine.

Not that he hasn’t been for the last two years.

Jacob smiles at me. When amusement crawls across his face, I realize it’s my turn to speak.

“Sorry,” I murmur, and the crowd laughs happily. I don’t spare them a glance. “I love you, Jacob. I… I never would have thought that this is what my life would look like. I never would have dreamed that I could have such an incredible love, such a beautiful life. You gave me that.”

I have to take a moment, my heart heavy even as it soars. I blink, clearing my throat, and Jacob nods, like he knows what I’m thinking about—who I am thinking about. The maid of honor that should be here, teasing me for loving her brother.

“Our life is perfect. Now, it’s just going to be a lot easier paperwork-wise,” I joke, and again, those gathered around us laugh. I smile at Jake’s snort. “I love you, Jacob. Here’s to the rest of our life, yeah?”

He nods, and he leans forward in that familiar way. I know he wants to kiss me. I grin.

“Allie,” he starts his vows. “You are the love of my life. My life has seen darkness, more than most. I used to think there would never be any light, that darkness was all I’d ever know. There were times overseas when I thought the war would be my forever. But now… sometimes, I still get lost in that darkness, in what I lost when our Emily died. But I know if she were here, she’d be so happy to see us—after making fun of me, of course.”

I laugh, my eyes welling with tears. Jacob reaches out and presses a hand to my cheek.

“She led me to you, Allie, and I’ll always be grateful to her for that. And I’ll always be grateful to you for pulling me out of that darkness. You and Maddie are the lights of my life. I promise to always be your light, too. To be whoever you need.”

“You’re all I need,” I whisper, and then I grab him by the hair and kiss him.

The guests cheer while the officiate breaks us up.

“Hey, hey,” he says chidingly, and we laugh. But with a soft smile, the officiate waves a hand. “You may kiss the bride.”

I can feel the anticipation and thrill running through every person in attendance but I don’t pay any attention to them. My eyes are only for Jacob.

My husband.

“I can’t wait to do forever with you, Allie,” he tells me, squeezing my hand in his.

“Neither can I baby.” I reply, and when he claims my lips with his to the cheers of our loved ones, I know our story has just begun.

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