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“Ah, Matt. How’s your family?” A man with gray at his temples smiled with his greeting.
“They’re really good, Mr. Patrick.” Easy smiled back. Mr. Patrick had been running Patrick’s Jewelers ever since Easy could remember.
“You doing all right in the Navy?” he asked as he crouched down and opened a sliding door, then rose.
“Yep, still enlisted and fighting bad guys.”
“I bet you came for this little surprise in the black velvet box?”
Easy grinned, anticipation settling in his gut. “Is it ready?”
“It is. Good luck.” He handed Easy the box. Tucking it into his pants pocket, he headed back to the hotel. He didn’t need luck.
He and Astraea had moved into the rustic barn, mixing some of his stuff with new furnishings. The parachute looked amazing up in the rafters and she’d surprised him by getting the artist he’d hired for the whale mural to recreate it in their bedroom, as well as the waved walls in their entertainment area.
She spent her days learning about orchids, the plants filling their home, especially a botanical-like garden she’d planted in the back.
When he got back to the hotel room, he slipped the ring box into his suitcase.
Logan’s wedding day dawned bright and sunny and in addition to the ring for Tamara, in a red velvet box, he tucked in the black one.
Down on the beach, the guests were gathered, and it was time for the nuptials. Easy walked toward his brother who was standing at a bamboo arch flanked by palm trees, in front of one hundred white garden chairs, draped with white tulle on the backs, studded with sand dollars and greenery, and filled with Logan’s friends and family. They were barefoot and dressed in gauzy cotton shirts and loose pants.
Astra was in the front row with his mom, and he was still blown away by her silver blue dress with stars on it, her hair done up in an elaborate braid.
He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
He turned to see his soon-to-be sister-in-law start down the aisle, the pianist playing their favorite song.
The reception was right there, so it was a quick walk over to the white draped tables, as the music started up.
Easy met Astraea under the arch. “Let’s walk,” he said.
They strolled down the beach, and he pulled her toward the water. “Stand in the surf with me.” She laughed softly and as they padded into the water, the lazy waves lapped at their feet.
He leaned down and kissed her, gently, sweetly. With his eyes closed and his mouth on hers, a knot of raw emotion climbed up his throat. He waited for the aching contraction to ease, then he said the words that would bring him closer to her, tie her to him and him to her.
“I love you, Astraea. More than I thought possible, and I can’t imagine my life without you. As the ocean as my witness, it’s as vast and deep.” Easy took her face between his hands, his expression strained as he held her gaze. “Marry me, babe. I want us to get married, so I can pledge to my family, our friends, and the world that I love you.”
She went stock-still beneath his hands, her eyes wide, her expression transfixed by a host of emotions. Tightening his hold on her face, he took a deep, unsteady breath and gave her a little shake, his voice catching, as he repeated, “Marry me. For better or worse, for bootlegger turns, glass slippers, gorgeous orchids, Jimmy Choos shoes, and fairy tale endings.”
“Yes, oh, Matt, yes, yes, yes,” she gushed, her eyes sparkling. “Especiallyif there are going to be Jimmy Choos shoes.” He let go of her and pulled out the ring box and opened it. Inside, nestled in black velvet was a sparkling diamond in the center of a band filled with smaller ones.
He took it out as her eyes filled with tears and laughter, taking her hand in his and slipping the encrusted band on her finger. She looked down at it, then back up at him.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him.She looked at him with her heart in her eyes, drawing a shaky breath. “I love you, Matthew, my Easy Like Sunday Morning. You are everything to me.” With tears glistening in her long lashes, she touched his face with infinite gentleness, then leaned forward and kissed him, whispering against his mouth. “I’m so in love with you.”
His throat thick and his chest chock-full of emotions, Easy caught her by the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he opened his mouth over hers, taking all that she had to offer. Her love, her life, her heart, her soul…her forever.
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