Page 210 of California Wild

His throat went tight as he watched them—his wife-to-be, holding their son, walking toward him like a promise.

He barely noticed the guests around them—the mix of SEALs and bandmates, family and friends, the strange, perfect blend of their worlds standing together to witness this moment.

Kwilé stood nearby, his frame steady, sober, and strong—the quiet anchor Jesse had never realized he needed. He had come back from the brink, pulled out of the darkness by Heath, by the same relentless brotherhood that had saved Jesse. Now, he lived just next door in the duplex Jesse had refused to charge him rent for, building himself back up, piece by piece.

Their lives had once spiraled in parallel—self-destruction, addiction, loss. But now, they stood here together, whole. Alive.

Kwilé caught Jesse’s eye, gave him a small nod. No words were needed.

Jesse just nodded back.

Nearby, his mother sat beside Hayley’s parents, her hands clasped, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

His SEAL brothers—Colson, Dom, Isaac, Zach—cleaned up but still carrying that effortless edge of danger, smirking and giving him shit under their breath like they weren’t also trying not to get choked up.

For the first time in his life, Jesse looked around and saw family. A real one.

One he had fought for. One he would never take for granted.

And Hayley’s friends—Billy, Kilgor, Zoe—stood off to the side, grinning like proud siblings, as if she had just walked onto stage for the biggest moment of her career.

At the center of it all, standing tall in slacks and a crisp button-down, Heath Carrington waited with a quiet authority that commanded the space. Officiating the damn ceremony.

Jesse swallowed hard.

He had never belonged anywhere.

But here, surrounded by these people—his people—he realized he had built a home.

Hayley reached him, stopping just inches away. Jesse gently took their son from her arms, his heart breaking wide open as he pressed a slow kiss to Chester’s impossibly soft forehead.

Then he passed him to his mother, who cradled him with more love than Jesse had ever known growing up.

And finally—his hands found her.

Hayley’s fingers slid up his chest, tracing the lapel of his deep navy suit, lingering over his heart before wrapping around the back of his neck. Her touch was warm, grounding, home.

He dipped his forehead against hers, breath unsteady.

“Baby, you are—”

“Don’t.” She whispered, her lips curving. “If you try to say something poetic right now, I swear I’ll cry.”

Jesse chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re gonna cry anyway.”

“Shut up.”

“Never.”

Laughter rippled through their small gathering.

Heath cleared his throat. “Alright, lovebirds, let’s make this official before Jesse gets himself in trouble.”

Jesse smirked, sliding his fingers through Hayley’s.

He barely heard a word of the ceremony.

All he could hear was the sound of her breath. The wind playing in her hair. The hushed murmurs of their baby, snug in his grandmother’s arms.

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