Page 12 of The Virgin and the Navy SEAL

“Do tell.” His voice is full of humor, like I can’t possibly have any secrets at this stage.

“My grandma wanted me to be named Esmerelda, but my parents thought it sounded too wild, so they settled on Esme.”

Dallas is still and then I feel his chuckle reverberate through me. He rolls us to the side. “I love both sides of you, baby. Calm, practical Esme and wild adventurous Esmerelda, all mine.” He kisses the top of my head.

“Love you too, Dallas.”

Epilogue

Esme

Three weeks later

This is the strangest and most fun wedding I’ve ever been to. How lucky am I that it’s mine? I’m a little sad my parents aren’t here, but on the other hand, it takes a lot of the pressure off. Plus, they eloped when they got married, so I’m simply following their example and creating a family tradition.

It’s nice not worrying about what any of my relatives are thinking. I’m basking in being part of my new community and laughing at Dallas’s ever increasing growls as his friends line up to kiss me on the cheek.

Then there’s dinner and sort of dancing and sampling the homemade beer and wine. There is a lot of that! And it’s really good. Of course, everything tastes better when you’re happy and already slightly tipsy. The building is crowded though, and I can see why there’s talk of a new community center farther back on the property. That way it will be more centrally located for everyone. I think it’s neat that my Grandma knew this building, though. It’s like I’ve got one family member here in spirit, blessing everything.

Dallas continues to make me laugh. Can you believe he made me take a pregnancy test this morning, so I’d know if it was safe to drink? I figured I wasn’t pregnant yet, but he needed to know for sure. He’s sweet when he worries and I can’t wait to see him holding a baby or two. But I’m glad I get to sample the gooseberry wine. It’s pretty fabulous.

I don’t let him carry me down the path the way he wanted to. Two can play at the protective game and I read back over the doctor’s care sheet. He’s not supposed to be lifting more than fifteen pounds for at least another month and then work back into a normal fitness routine.

While he’s doing that, I’ll be photographing the local wildlife. Despite the temperatures and volume of snow, there are still small mammals and birds looking for food on a calm day. If I start being consistent with posting my photos and observations, maybe that can lead to something more when the roads open again and travel is easier.

Dallas and I discuss all of this buried under a mound of blankets. When he’s not busy fucking me, naturally. He very much likes to be in charge in that arena, so I’m thinking I’m going to have to claim one day a week as mine or something so I can surprise him occasionally. Plus, he gets this funny expression on his face that’s a mixture of ‘hell, no’ and beaming pride whenever I assert myself like that. Except when I mention the night I snuck into his bed to claim him. Then he turns white and threatens to spank me for scaring him like that.

He was worth the risk. And still is, which is what I remind him when I point out that we wouldn’t be here, happy and satisfied, if it weren’t for me. So maybe he shouldn’t worry so much. At which point I get kissed into silence. I might not get a lot of words out of him, but Dallas makes sure I know exactly how he feels. One way or another!

---