Page 390 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"What?" I ask.

"We're married."

I grin.

"We are."

Neither of us says anything after that.

We don't have to.

A few minutes later I reach across the console. She slips her hand into mine before my fingers even reach hers, like she's been waiting.

We lace our fingers together and leave them there while the truck hums quietly along the empty roads.

Outside, the stars begin appearing one by one above the dark pines.

Inside...everything feels wonderfully still.

The porch light is already glowing when the cabin comes into view.

Home.

I park beside the porch but neither of us moves right away.

Annette lets out a slow breath.

"We're home."

I nod.

"We are."

For another heartbeat we simply sit there.

Then I climb out and walk around to her side of the truck.

She places her hand in mine as she steps down, gathering the skirts of her dress with her free hand.

Up close, I finally have a chance to really look at her.

Not as my bride standing at the end of an aisle.

Not while everyone else was watching.

Just...

Her.

The ivory satin catches the porch light with a soft glow. Delicate lace traces her shoulders before giving way to a graceful lace-covered back, where a long row of tiny pearl buttons disappears down the fitted bodice. The skirt falls in gentle layers that whisper around her feet every time she moves.

She is...

Beautiful isn't a big enough word.

She catches me staring.

"What?"