He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, but I stared straight ahead, unashamed. In that moment, sitting with her father, I vowed to spend the rest of my life with Rose, building our love on a foundation of honesty and trust. She had done so much for me, and she deserved nothing short of the best.
CHAPTER 40
Warren
I stood next to Ryan in the luxurious room of St. Cathy’s Cathedral downtown. Organ music floated through the air, bouncing off the ornate walls of the historic place of worship.
“This is it, man. You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think I am.”
He laughed.
“It’s not a time to be thinking.”
“No, no, I’m sure. We’ve been through so much.”
“You found a good woman, Warren. She’s as strong as you. You guys are going to be fine.”
“She’s stronger than me,” I admitted, knowing full well just how special Rose was and how lucky I was that she chose to spend her life with me.
Ryan pat me on the back. “That very well could be.”
We both laughed, mine sounding full of nervousness and excitement.
The rest of my life was about to begin. As I stared at one of the stained-glass windows in the room, I took a deep breath and relaxed.
What life was worth living without someone to share it with? I had found my true love. My soulmate. For the rest of my
life, I would have someone by my side, no matter what happened. Rose had taught me so much in the short time we’d known each other. She knew my past, she knew my shortcomings, and she loved me all the same. She made me want to be a better person.
* * *
An hour later, I found myself seated next to her at the reception. Everything had moved so quickly, but it was official now. We were married, ‘til death did us part.
“Forever,” I said when she nudged me with her elbow.
“Huh?”
“Sorry. Just thinking.”
“We’ve been here long enough, right?”
I grinned. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
She nodded.
We pushed our chairs back and stood. None of the revelers noticed as we made our way out the back of the reception hall. In the parking lot, I saw her father leaning against his car, smoking a cigarette.
“You two be safe,” he said. “And congratulations.”
Rose waved and I nodded. A moment later, we were in the limousine we’d rented and on our way to our hotel in Upstate New York.
On the ride, we kissed like two kids on prom night. I pulled back after a few minutes, staring into her eyes.
“I told you it would all work out,” I said.
“Don’t think I ever doubted you.” She smirked. “Well, maybe a little in Afghanistan.”