Southern Storm (Southern 3)

“Mum’s the word,” I say with a smile. I’m about to say something else when a knock comes on the door, and it’s pushed open by my tall boy.

“Mom, Uncle Beau said if you don’t get out there now …” He smirks just like his father and uncle. “He’s throwing you over his shoulder and dragging you out there.” He laughs, and I look at him. He has grown so much in one year that the suit he had the last time had to be replaced.

“Tell your uncle to hold his horses,” Olivia says as she walks to the door. She walks out with Ethan, no doubt to scold Beau.

“I see she got her country down.” I shake my head.

“It’s like she was born with it,” Kallie says, picking up the flowers. “Now let’s go and get you remarried.”

I grab the small bouquet and walk out to meet my husband. I walk with Ethan who just smiles and high-fives all the guys once he hands me over to Beau, who kisses me right away. “I think that is supposed to be for after,” the officiant says.

“She’s already mine.” He winks at him, then he bends and kisses my stomach, something that he does all the time, which makes him even more special and makes the women swoon even more.

“I can go on.” The officiant smiles at him, and Beau just nods. “Since the two of you are already wed in holy matrimony, I’m going to go straight to the vows,” he says. “I believe that you two have your own vows.”

“We do,” Beau says. “I’ll go first.” Making everyone laugh and just like our first one, the wedding is our closest friends and family. “Savannah, I was sitting down the other day, and I tried to think back to when we were younger to try to pinpoint when I fell in love with you.” When he starts talking, my tears just don’t stop, and I don’t even try to stop them. “My whole life I’ve loved you from afar. I waited for the right moment to tell you how I felt, and I prayed that when I did this, you would feel the same.” He turns to the crowd. “She did.” Making everyone laugh. “Walking hand in hand with you through this life is so much more than I knew it would be. Thank you for making my dreams come true each and every single day by holding my hand and being the best friend and mother to our children.” He grabs my face in his hands now and kisses me. “I love you.”

“Another kiss,” the officiant says, shaking his head. “Savannah.”

“Right,” I say, my hands shaking. “Beau,” I say. “For my whole life, I’ve wanted to fit in.” I look down, not sure if I should have started with that and let everyone know how vulnerable it has made me. “I used to walk with you in town when we were teenagers, and I would make pretend that you were my boyfriend and that we were together. It was everything that I dreamed of and more. You have held my hand and been my protector since I can remember, and every single day, you show me how much you love me and our children by putting us first.” I’m almost sobbing. “My heart is yours, and you were my missing piece. You were my everything. Thank you for taking our house and making it a home.”

He kisses me now, grabbing my face and not letting go, not even when the officiant talks above the cheering that is going on around us. “Mr. and Mrs. Beau Huntington.”

Epilogue Two

Beau

Ten years later

“I have to get going,” I tell Cassandra on my way out of my office. “It’s our anniversary, and I’m sweeping her away to our cottage.” I smile, thinking about having Savannah all to myself for two straight days. There will be no carpool to ballet or soccer practice. No cheerleading, no rodeo. Nothing but me, my wife, and a bed.

“Have a great weekend.” She smiles at me, and I rush home. I smile when I see Ethan’s car in the driveway. He loves coming home for the summer.

I walk up the steps and walk in just in time to hear our daughter, Chelsea, yell at the top of her lungs. “Mom, Ethan has a girlfriend, and she gave him a red mark on his neck!” I close my eyes. Ethan is very much loved by the ladies, and his father and I have both given him the sex talk. I just hope he listens to us.

“Ethan.” I hear Savannah say his name. “What did I tell you about the hickeys?” I walk into the room while he stands in front of her.

He grew to six feet four, and he is all cowboy. He beat Casey’s record at the rodeo not too long ago. “Mom, it’s not my fault if the ladies can’t control themselves around me.” He turns to Chelsea. “You’re not allowed to date until you’re twenty.”