AllFreeNovel
Share Us
All the jarheads left from that unit are here: Timber, Doc, Jaws, Grizzly, Goat, and Wheels, all dressed in full uniform—all six chests bearing purple hearts—they all line up and salute.
“What the fuck are you guys doing here?” I rasp, swallowing hard.
Still standing at attention, Timber replies, “Sir, your fiancée invited us, Sir!”
Grace got me good. Somehow, she got them all here without letting the secret slip.
I look at all six faces, a bit older now, but still the same friends I remember. I salute back and order them at ease as Harley pours six more shots.
Other than Grace and my family, I can’t imagine anyone more important to be here. Grace picked up on that, and that’s exactly why I knew she was a good one.
* * *
Grace
“You’re ruining your makeup!” Presley hisses.
It’s true; I am ruining it. I can’t help it, though, because my ear is at the door of my office where I’ve been getting ready with my mom, two sisters, and Presley, listening to all the commotion at the arrival of Buck’s military friends.
“I can’t believe I pulled it off! He was really surprised!” I say, bouncing on my feet and crying. I just wish I could have watched the reunion, but Buck is an old-fashioned guy who didn’t want to see my dress before the ceremony.
“That was a wonderful thing you did for him,” Mom says. “I’m proud of you, honey.”
I think that might be the first time I’m hearing that from Mom, and my sister shoots me a knowing glance.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Our little moment is interrupted when Dad peeks his head in. “It’s time. The guys are ready.”
Dad comes in as Mom and the rest of the wedding party exit the room. It’s the final moment before my grand entrance.
“Dad,” I say, “I know this isn’t the life you wanted for me. I didn’t go to law school, but I’m happy.”
“I can see that,” he says, biting back emotions like the stoic litigator that he is. “If you’re happy and protected, that’s all I care about.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fat envelope. “For your nest egg. Just in case.”
“I won’t need it. He loves me. Buck takes good care of me, Daddy.”
“You never know.”
I can see I won’t win this one, so I take the envelope and decide to blow his mind. “I’ll use it to outfit the nursery.”
His entire demeanor changes. “The…nursery? Grace, are you…?”
“You heard nothing! Understood, counsel?”
He makes a zipped-lip motion, but I don’t know if I trust it.
Within the minute, Dad walks me down the garden flagstone walkway, lit by soft, glowing lanterns as a string quartet plays an arrangement of “Marry You.” White silk bunting woven with flowering white vines and lights gives the backyard a mystical glow, just as I’d planned. But none of it matters as much as looking back at all the faces of people here to support us.
And there is Buck, waiting for me under the vine-covered arbor.
This is my first time seeing him in uniform, and I nearly faint at how good he looks. His face is a little pinkish, and he’s squinting and biting his lip. I know that look; he’s trying really hard not to cry.
Dad hands me off and whispers, “Congratulations,” to Buck.
I nudge Dad, but he ignores me and goes to take a seat by Mom, all smiles.
