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“There’s no one else I’d rather be stuck with, flyboy.”
I can’t stop grinning like a fool and the happiness I’m feeling is more genuine than I’ve ever felt or tried to portray before. My lips brush the shell of her ear. “Ivy in the Sky, do you trust me?”
“With all my heart,” she says earnestly and then we step out of the plane together, free falling into our future.
???
Ivy and I have no desire for a long engagement. Two weeks later, we exchange vows on the edge of Sunset Cliffs as the sun sinks over the ocean. Maddox stands beside me, grumbling about not being allowed to wear his cargo pants, and Sailor hushes him from where she sits nearby.
“You didn’t even have to wear a suit,” I remind him pointedly. We’re both in dress khakis and white shirts with the collars unbuttoned. “Or tie. You should be thanking me, not complaining.”
“I only like wearing t-shirts and cargo pants.”
“You’ll be wearing a suit at our wedding,” Sailor states.
“We’ll see,” he responds, but I know that Kane Maddox will do whatever his Sailor Moon Shaw asks. In fact, despite his gruffness, he’ll bend over backwards to put a smile on her face.
Beside Sailor sits Dash and Lake. She’s getting bigger every day and I know how excited they are for the baby to arrive later this year. Dash Slater is another one who puts on a stern, very serious front. But when he’s with Lake, he turns into a pool of mush. I already know he’s going to be a proud father and constantly be showing us pictures of their kid. It’s inevitable.
Fallon and Ryan sit beside them. They finally set the date for a fall wedding. Personally, I’m surprised they didn’t run off and elope. The way they look at each other, as if they’re the only ones in the room, is a beautiful thing to see.
I finally understand what it means when a woman is the center of your universe.
And then Colt and Eden are next. He’s bouncing baby Violet on his knee, looking at her with stars in his eyes.
It’s funny how all these women appear so small and fragile. Yet they’re deceptively strong in so many ways. They’ve captured our hearts and brought us to our knees. And it’s the best damn feeling in the world.
Then, of course, Aidan sits on the end, leaning back in the chair, a broody look on his face like always. I’m not sure the former SEAL smiled before Kennedy came into his life. At least, not very often. But that sure changed.
The moment Kennedy appears, Aidan sits up straighter and smiles brighter than the sun and the stars combined.
I’m sure my grin is just as bright, but I’m not looking at the Maid of Honor like he is. Nope, I’m staring at her sister and best friend. My soon-to-be-wife. The women walk up together, both wearing sundresses and carrying wildflower bouquets. When they reach us, they hug each other and then Ivy turns toward me.
She’s never looked more beautiful, and I draw in a sharp breath. It’s hard to believe that she’s all mine. Her long, blonde hair is swept up, loosely held at her nape, and scattered with little pink flowers. The white dress has thin straps and its long skirts get caught up in the ocean breeze, blowing up to reveal her long, slim legs.
“You look stunning,” I say, taking her hand and drawing her closer.
“Thank you. And you look very handsome.”
Together, we turn to face the officiant. He starts speaking, but truthfully, I can’t focus on anything but Ivy. She takes my breath away. At some point, it’s time to exchange vows and my stomach flips. Wiping my sweaty hands down the front of my pants, we turn to face each other and I reach for her hands. She gives mine a reassuring squeeze and, for a moment, I’m lost in her sun-dappled kaleidoscope eyes.
“The moment we met,” I begin, finally finding my voice, “I knew you were different, and that was a scary feeling. I’m sure all these guys here can back me up when I say that means one of two things—either I could accept it and know that my life would never be the same, or I could deny it and go running for the hills. Well, I didn’t run. Turns out that was your job, but I wasn’t about to let you get away.”
“Sorry,” she mouths and chuckles fill the salty air.
“The only thing I’ve ever chased was my dream of becoming the best damn pilot I could be. Until you. You made me trade my boots for running shoes, but I caught you. And now I’m never letting you go. Because I want it all with you, Ivy. The ups and downs—and, fair warning, there will be a lot of those in my Mustang—” She laughs. “The good times. Your smiles, your tears, your kisses. I’m claiming all your kisses.”
“They’re yours,” she murmurs.
“Your heart, your body, your soul. I need it all because I love you so much. And I promise to give you all of me in return.”
When Ivy’s eyes glitter with tears, I feel the stinging prick behind mine. I can’t remember the last time I cried, but there’s no denying the emotion tightening my chest.
“I want that,” she says, smiling through the tears. “When I say I love you, I love every side of you. I love the brave Night Stalker. I love the pilot extraordinaire. I love the man who rebuilds classics and listens to the Beatles. I love the lonely, little boy who grew up in Aurora and pretended everything was okay, even when it wasn’t.”
She pauses, swiping at the tears now rolling down her face and it takes me a moment to register that I’m crying, too. I reach out and wipe her cheeks with my thumb, and we both laugh because we’re turning into blubbering messes in front of everyone.
“I love you, Eric Finn, and I’m ready to start our forever together.”
