Page 113 of Zone Protection

Everyone laughs again.

“Archie, did you have a few words to say to Emma?”

“That I do, sir.” I clear my throat because I feel like I’m getting a little choked up. “Emma, today, I make this vow to you, but in truth, you’ve had me wrapped in your world since I saw you across that dance floor. I think I knew even then that we were meant to be together. You’re my greatest love, my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the best mom to our baby girl. I promise to nurture all your dreams and help you reach them, as you have with mine. I promise to share my whole heart with you and remember to show you how deeply I love you every day. And I promise to love you loyally and fiercely for as long as I live.” I reach out and brush a tear off her cheek.

“Okay, well, wow. I have to follow up after that, huh?” She looks at the pastor, then back at me. “Archie, how lucky am I to call you mine? Your love and trust in me make me a better person. You love me and complete me in ways I never thought possible. You are always there to stand by me through my greatest challenges and fears. You encourage me to grow, and you help me believe in myself. With you by my side, I know I can accomplish anything. And I promise to be there by your side to celebrate your successes and mourn your losses as if they were my own. I promise to be the best partner I can be because you deserve the best of me. Watching you love our daughter just makes me fall for you even more. Archie, my love, my husband, father of my child, I am madly and deeply in love with you, and I can’t wait to walk through this life with you.” She places a hand on my chest.

“Now we’ll exchange rings.”

I let go of Emma’s hand and turn to my brother Aiden. “You didn’t lose it, did you?” I smirk at him.

“No, I didn’t lose it. Jeez.” He takes the ring out of the pocket on the inside of his jacket and hands it to me.

When I face Emma, she’s sliding my ring onto her pinkie.

“Archie, do you take Emma to have and to hold from this day forward till death do you part?”

“I absolutely do.” I slide the platinum wedding band on her ring finger to join the engagement ring I gave her the night Lainey was born.

“Emma, do you take Archie to have and to hold from this day forward till death do you part?”

“Yes, I do.” She slides my ring on my ring finger. It’s also platinum and matches hers.

“By the power vested in me by the great state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. Before he even finishes his sentence, I tip my hat back and lean on in.

My arms wrap around her waist, and hers come over my shoulders. I tilt my hat-covered head to the guests to give us a minute of privacy while I devour my wife’s lips. She opens to me, and I slide my tongue in and tangle it with hers. It’s deep and probably a little dirty for a wedding kiss, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m gonna kiss my wife however I want.

Our guests are cheering, and I hear a few whistles too.

Emma pulls away, a little breathless. “Well, husband, should we get to our party so we can wrap this night up?”

“Baby, we can go to the shack right now and fucking ditch the party. I’m ready to be wrapped up in you all night.” I lean in to take her lips again.

The pastor clears his throat in an attempt to interrupt us, but it doesn’t work. “Seems like they’re gonna keep going, so I’d like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Archie Griffith!”

I keep kissing my wife because I can.

More whistles and cheers go around until Emma pulls back and laughs. “All right, let’s do this.”

We turn toward our family and friends, then make our way down the aisle and to the same tractor she came in on. Our wedding party joins us a minute later, and we make our way to the tent.

If someone had told me nearly two years ago that I would be a father, husband, and drafted by my dream team, I wouldn’t have believed them. But here I am, the luckiest son of a bitch in the whole world.

EMMA

This day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sky was a gorgeous shade of blue, and everything turned out exactly as I had envisioned. We had an amazing meal, and our friends and family seem to be as happy as we are.

Lainey was ready to call it a night about an hour ago, so I nursed her one more time before my parents took her back to the main house for bed a few minutes ago. She was the belle of the ball in her little dress and boots.

We’ve been really lucky with how easy she is. She is starting to get quite busy, and I think she’s ready to take off any day now, but she’s a very good baby. We’ve never been away from herovernight, but she’ll be close by if they need us to come get her. She’ll be going with us on our honeymoon, which is what we wanted. She’s too little for us to leave her for too long. But honestly, I’m looking forward to having my husband to myself tonight.

When I saw him standing at the end of the aisle today, I nearly melted on the spot. His hair is a little shorter now and doesn’t curl out as much under his hat, but he sure did fill out that gray suit nicely. I seriously don’t know how I got so lucky. He’s everything to me. The best dad, the best partner, the best man.

Walking back into the center of the tent, I see him talking with his friends and brother Aiden. They’re all laughing about something I didn’t catch when I walk up to them.

I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his back. Just feeling him against me brings me peace.

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