Page 68 of Legacy's Destiny

Her cheeks flushed as she took his hand, and together, they descended the stairs to applause and cheers from the bridal party. Outside, the Rialto’s open courtyard served as the perfect backdrop for their photos. A sprawling oak tree stood at its center, draped with fairy lights, while the historic brickwork of the venue framed the scene.

Deacon leaned close and whispered, “Did you authorize that little stunt?”

She laughed and nodded. “It was Charley’s idea. I have no idea how she convinced Ranger to go along with it.”

Deacon rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. “Charley can talk anyone into anything.”

As the photos progressed, Echo felt the love and joy of the day seep into every moment. Her bridesmaids—Charley, Gabby, and three close friends from the Army and high school stood by her side, their dresses a soft sage green that complemented the natural tones of the venue. Fleur wore a darker green dress as her matron of honor. She and Ronan had married four months ago in a beautiful winter wedding at Deacon’s parents’ Colorado home.

Deacon’s groomsmen, including Ronan as his best man, looked equally dashing in their tuxedos.

When the ceremony time neared, she and Deacon were separated, each retreating to their respective groups. Echo stole one last glance at Deacon as he walked away, her heart swelling with anticipation.

Today, surrounded by friends, family, and the timeless charm of the Rialto, she knew this was the start of their forever.

When Deacon had first presented Echo with the non-disclosure agreement, her mind had raced with every possible worst-case scenario. Was he about to confess that his family were war criminals, serial killers, or maybe even drug dealers? She’d had no idea what secrets the document protected, but she’d signed it without hesitation, trusting him completely.

When she’d finally read the details, she’d felt a rush of relief and determination. She’d looked up and boldly demanded a prenuptial agreement.

At first, Deacon had been caught off guard, but she’d stood her ground. The prenup wasn’t for her protection; it was for his. She’d insisted on it to make it abundantly clear that she wasn’t marrying him for his family’s wealth, name, or prestige. The life they were building together wasn’t about money or status but love, trust, and the future they both wanted. Signing that prenup had been her way of proving that to him—and to herself.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and her father stuck his head into the room. “It’s time, sweetheart. Are you ready?”

Echo turned to him with a radiant smile. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his sturdy frame, burying her face in his shoulder. “Daddy, I’ve never been more ready for anything.”

He smiled down at her, his eyes misting as he carefully adjusted her veil, draping it over her face with the precision of a craftsman. They stood together in a quiet moment as the last notes of the processional music faded. Her father cleared his throat and looked at her, his voice thick with emotion.

“Every father dreams that their little girl marries someone who can care for her—someone who loves her as much as they do. I’m happy for you, baby girl. Happy for the life you’ve made and for the man who’ll stand beside you.”

Echo blinked back tears and waved her free hand at her face. “Daddy, please don’t make me cry. I don’t even know if my mascara is waterproof.”

Her father chuckled and shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I always cry at weddings. Your mom doesn’t, but I do. And if I’m going to cry, you’re going to cry.”

“No, Daddy, I’m not,” she said, shaking her head adamantly, though her voice trembled with emotion. “I refuse to cry.”

He winked at her. “There’s no reason for tears today, little girl. Only happiness.”

The bridal processional swelled, filling the historic Rialto’s grand theater space with a melody that seemed to echo off the art deco walls and polished wood floors. The high ceilings amplified the moment's beauty, and as the ornate stage curtain framed the altar ahead, Echo and her father stepped forward.

Echo's breath hitched as they rounded the corner, and the full assembly came into view. The room was packed with family, friends, and loved ones, all standing to honor her. The Rialtohad transformed into a dreamscape of romance: cascading floral arrangements of white roses and greenery adorned every surface, the soft glow of candles flickered along the aisles, and a crystal chandelier above cast a gentle brilliance over the entire scene.

At the end of the aisle stood Deacon, his presence commanding and steady. His classic black tuxedo with sharp lapels and a perfectly tied bowtie fit him as if tailored by the gods. But it was the expression on his face that took her breath away. His dark eyes locked onto hers, filled with love and reverence that made her knees go weak.

“Only happiness,” her father reminded her softly, his voice steady as they began their walk down the aisle.

Echo smiled brightly, her heart pounding with joy. There was no reason for tears—only happiness. She had found the source of that happiness. She’d found her forever in Deacon.

EPILOGUE

Ethan Wolf glanced at the status screen, his sharp eyes quickly calculating the Guardian manpower currently stationed in Bozeman, Montana. Realistically, the city wasn’t just safe—it was practically a fortress. With Guardians and citizens per capita, it was probably the best-protected city in America at the moment. The thought made him chuckle as he turned back to his latest project.

His mysterious mentor—whom he still hadn’t met—had once again sent him an unsolvable puzzle with the instruction to “Figure it out.” Ethan loved every infuriating second of it. He. Loved. It. Not only did these challenges stretch his imagination in ways he couldn’t have conceived a decade ago, but his knowledge of all things computer had grown exponentially. It was like a mental gym workout, and Ethan was bulking up his brain.

The sound of gentle snoring caught his attention, and he glanced down at the bed beside his chair. Thor, his loyal companion, was sprawled out, his breaths slow and steady. The old dog had been with him through thick and thin, and the thought of him nearing his twilight years hit Ethan harder than he liked to admit. It felt like just yesterday he’d gotten the pupwhile working at the Annex—the Guardian facility on Grandpa Frank’s ranch in South Dakota.

Well, “pseudo-Grandpa Frank.” Frank adopted his half-brothers, Dixon and Drake, as adults, making him more of a father figure, but Ethan had the best old man in the world. Ryan had raised him since the day he and his mother had gotten lost in that snowstorm on Ryan’s mountain. Thank God Ryan had found them.

Given the age gap between Ethan and his half-brothers, everyone agreed that "Grandpa Frank” was the best term, and Ethan had called him that ever since.

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