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“Of course, you do,” he whispered playfully. “I told you I was a catch.”
“So you are,” she chuckled tearfully.
“And maybe I’ve caught your attention, Mrs. June Selkirk,” he murmured proudly.
“Yes, you might have,” she replied… realizing it might be true as he drew her into his arms, pausing right before he kissed her. His lips were so close, she could feel the warmth of them, and opened her eyes lazily to see him waiting.
“I promise you will never regret saying ‘hello’, replying to that email, or giving me a chance. I will be anything you need in this world, so long as you give me a chance.”
“I’m going to hold you to that… husband.”
“That sounds so good,” he chuckled tenderly as he finally kissed her. His lips held hers as he crushed her close in his arms, needing to hold her tight. There was a simmering ferocity to this kiss, much different than any of the others, as if he was afraid everything would disappear or slip through his fingers… and she understood that fear.
A tear streamed down her cheek as she put her hand on the back of his head, holding him close and urging him silently to just kiss her… realizing he was right. He was going back to a warzone, and knew that it would be her turn to step up, to show him she loved him, from halfway across the world.
He withdrew slowly and sniffled, before letting out a soft laugh and wiping his eyes as he looked at her. She adored the fact that this meant as much to him as it did her. It was in his nature to laugh, tease, or taunt… but in this moment? He knew the importance of the sacrament of marriage – and was humbled by their promise to each other.
“Now what happens next, Father?” he asked, and looked at the priest – who smiled tenderly at the duo. “Is something wrong?”
“I was just thinking that you might be right, Mr. Selkirk. Loveisa miracle, isn’t it?”
“Yes sir,” Ian smiled shyly at her, reaching for her hand. “It truly is.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later,papers in her hand that would need to be filed with the courthouse, June was walking with Ian out to the car as he was cutting up, happier than ever before, and it showed. He was smiling, swinging her hand with his, and talking aimlessly about everything and anything.
“It’s such a pretty afternoon, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she smiled, chuckling, as he joined in, laughing.
“I don’t care what people think of me, you know? I want them to see that we’re happy. I’m thrilled right down to my britches that we’re gonna tackle this together, Mrs. Selkirk. I’ve got my own private cheerleader in my life, and she absolutely rocks my world with a single smile.”
“Ian…” she laughed softly.
“SHE MARRIED ME!” he hollered, skipping around and jogging backwards slightly on the way back to the car. “Y’ALL? I CAN’T BELIEVE MY GIRL MARRIED ME… AND I’M SO HAPPY!”
She didn’t want to detract from his obvious euphoria… and honestly was completely amazed at how ecstatic he was about having the ceremony performed. Maybe that was because he had never been married before?
Marriage was full of compromise, hard work, and literally combining two households into one – but this man acted like he’d won the lottery, which made it hard to dampen his boyish enthusiasm.
“Can we get drive-thru on the way home?” he smiled. “Are you hungry? I’m hungry. I bet our Gigi is starving, poor little ragamuffin. Let’s go home, eat, talk, and just spend some time together as a couple. We can cuddle, spoon, or fork…”
June burst out laughing outrageously at his play on words and the crass implication – only to see his lazy grin.
“There will be no utensils of any kind, Mr. Selkirk,” she chuckled, blushing nervously. “I know we got married, but Ian, I really am not sure if I’m ready to…”
“I’m teasing you,” Ian came to a stop beside the car and smiled at her. “You might not know this about me, but I’m a half-decent kinda guy. I know we are still getting to know each other, and this has been a lot. Maybe I’m a fool or a romantic sort… but when it’s time for us to be intimate, to share of ourselves? There won’t be any question or hesitation that it’s the right time.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, looking into his eyes and treasuring the feeling of him caressing the back of his knuckles against her cheek tenderly. “I really appreciate that.”
“Just spend time with me,” he murmured. “Talk to me, let’s hold hands and cuddle watching television, and just be together. While I love the idea of taking you to bed and find you incredibly attractive…”
She looked around nervously at his words to see if anyone was listening.
“I find it more attractive to reach the realyou– and have you fall head-over-heels in love with me,” he breathed, leaning down to kiss her gently. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
