Ryan winks at me as we approach. All has been forgiven since the night he told me that I didn’t deserve his sister. He wasn’t wrong then and I’ve made it my mission to prove to them all that I will never let her down again.
We walk through their arch together in the age-old tradition of military weddings. I know what’s coming, Mack knows what’s coming, I can only hope that she’s not mad when they give her the traditional bride’s swat.
At the end, Hooter and Cinco lower their Mamelukes to stop our progression.
“Request permission to pass,” Mack calls out.
“Passage is a kiss, Captain.”
I turn and take MacKenzie into my arms and kiss her like I mean it. Like I do every time because we know all too well how life can take unexpected and tragic turns and we’re not going to waste another single moment.
And then Hooter lowers his sword and swats me on the ass. Hard.
“Welcome to the corps, Chief.”
I shake my head as everyone around us hoots and hollers but none of it matters because I’m walking into the rest of my life with Mack and she’s everything to me.
* * *
“And now, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Garrett onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.”
It seemed silly at the time, but MacKenzie wanted all of the wedding frills and traditions. I wasn’t going to be the one to say no. So I tasted cake, I sat with her while she vacillated over flowers and canapes and I did it all with a smile on my face.
And as I take her in my arms as P!nk and Chris Stapleton begin to sing about loving each other no matter how hard life, and the other, make it, it was all worth it. I swing her gently around the wooden dance floor that was laid in her grandfather’s barn. And then she leans into me and whispers her own version of the words in my ear.
“Will you love me anyway?”
“I will.”
“Even if I’m not worth it?”
“You are.”
“Even if I hurt you, will you love me anyway?”
“I will. Always.”
“Even when I make you mad?”
“I’ll love you anyway.”
“Even when I can’t fly?” she asks. “Will you love me anyway?”
“I’ll be your wings when you can’t fly.”
“Forever?”
“Always.”
The song ends and so does our dance. I look down at the sweet smile just for me and the tears shimmering in her eyes. This is it, just her and me, for the rest of our lives. Always and forever. And if she needs me to remind her that she’s worthy, that she’s worth it and that I’ll keep fighting for her, for us, that I will love her anyway and always, I will do it every day for the rest of my life until I take my last breath because this life, this love, it’s wasn’t a trap after all.
It was our salvation and I thank God every day that we grabbed onto it with both hands.
Epilogue
MacKenzie
fairytale
