I thought I’d wait and take off the wedding dress before sex, but one look at Cole and I knew that was never going to happen.
He was back. He was alive. He was safe. I needed him. He needed me. A wedding dress wasn’t going to stop me from loving him with my body. When he was inside me, we were melded like the metal around my neck. There was no Cole. There was no. There was only us. Our bodies belonged to each other and no one else.
Aiden had volunteered as a family member to stand up with Cole and Ryan since I had Mary Ellen and Sasha as bridesmaids. I appreciated the offer, but I didn’t know if Cole was ok with the arrangement. But he went with it.
Grayson carried the rings. The guests all melted when they saw him give his dad a high-five at the end of the aisle.
Everyone was wrapped in coats and blankets. There were heaters scattered throughout the yard, but we didn’t want to overdo it. They would just melt the snow. I didn’t want the magic to melt until after the ceremony.
Finally, it was my turn. I took a deep breath and stepped into view. My red roses were dusted with a layer of snowflakes. The fur cape draped along my shoulders, and tied between my collarbones.
My dad held out his arm for me. Somehow this week I had learned how to forgive him. I didn’t know that I would understand, or ever believe what he did, but I knew he loved me. I knew he cherished me. And he was going to be a wonderful grandfather.
I saw how he played with Grayson. I saw the knowing looks he and my mother exchanged. They were excited about the twins, even if I brought them into their lives in an unconventional way. We had violated their trust in a way that hurt them. I never wanted that to happen. I couldn’t make my values be theirs, but I could marry the man I loved on New Year’s Eve without a second doubt. Without any regret or remorse. Because he belonged in this family. He belonged to me.
Dad kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful, pumpkin.” He smiled. “Are you ready to get married?”
I nodded. “I’ve been waiting to marry Cole Thomas since I was fourteen.” I giggled.
“Then I guess it’s my turn to do the right thing. I’m proud of you.” He squeezed my hand. And I knew that was his way of giving me his blessing. The past was over. Once we said our vows in front of our friends and family. In front of the church congregation and our neighbors, our marriage would be sacred to everyone, not just us.
The snow crunched under my foot. All eyes turned toward me.
I was walking forward.
Toward my future.
Toward Cole.
Epilogue
The ocean crashed on the beach. My hair whipped around my neck. I turned just as C
ole walked up behind me, his arms circling my waist. He kissed my neck.
“It doesn’t look anything like Padre.” I leaned into him.
“I don’t plan on staring at the waves.” His hand slid under my shirt. I closed my eyes as he took my nipple between his fingers.
“Ohh,” I mewed. “It’s our honeymoon view,” I protested. “These islands are pretty too.”
“Come inside,” he requested. “I need my wife.”
“Wife,” I whispered.
I looked down at my hand. There was a platinum band under my engagement ring.
“Get in bed, now,” he growled.
I turned slowly to face him. His chest was bare. The moonlight made him look dark and dangerous. “My husband is demanding.” I lifted my eyebrows.
He yanked my hair, crushing my mouth with a powerful kiss. His tongue twisted along mine as I relaxed into his body. I felt him lift my legs and carry me inside the palatial suite overlooking the beach.
He pulled the tie on my silk robe, letting it fall to the side. It was a wedding gift from my bridesmaids monogrammed with my new initials. He cupped my breasts, bringing his mouth to my nipple. His hands coasted over my hips as he pushed me back on the bed.
“Mrs. Thomas, you’re not leaving this bed tonight.” He nipped at my throat.
“You promise?” I looked in his eyes.