Accidental Shield

That’s so her. A strong, sexy fighter hidden inside an angel’s body. I’m proud I helped her strike gold inside herself.

“I figured it’d be a tough act to follow, but hell.” I hesitate, running a hand through my hair. “Val, would you ever want another one?”

“Another what?” she asks.

I reach into my pocket, retrieving the wedding band I’d had made to match the ring she’s wearing. “Another treasure. A wedding ring.”

“A wedding—” She gasps, covering her mouth with one trembling hand.

Yeah, there’s my cue.

I fall down on one knee and hold out the box to her. It’s gold-plated, in the shape of a sea turtle.

I’d laughed at how perfect it was when I’d seen it at the jewelers. “Valerie Gerard, you’ve changed my whole world. You’ve brought light to my whole family. You’re the sexiest woman alive. There’s nothing I’ll ever want more than to spend the rest of my life with you, honey. Be my wife. Marry me?”

She lets out a little sob and drops down to her knees, flinging her arms around my neck. “Yes, of course! Let’s get married, Flint.”

I can taste the salty tang of her tears as we kiss.

“I never expected this,” she whispers as our lips part. “I hoped it might happen someday, dreamed it would, but wow. Just wow.” She gasps for air. “I might just fall right over. I love you so much.”

She kisses me again.

“Love you, too, Val. More than anything.”

We share a long smile before the light weight shifts in my hand.

“Uh, want to actually see the ring?” I ask, realizing I’m still clutching the box.

She laughs. “Oh, right.”

I lean back and hold it out to her.

“Oh my God. You didn’t. Another turtle?”

I’m laughing because she just noticed its shape.

“You’re too special, you know that?” She bites her bottom lip in this adorable smile.

“No shit,” I say. “I fell in love with you, woman. Found myself something far more special than black pearl.”

I wait while she flips open the box, exposing two bands made of white gold with more black pearls and diamonds matching her original ring.

“Wait. Two rings?” She looks up.

I nod. “To go above and below the one you’re wearing. The bigger one symbolizes my love for you, and the smaller one, that’s from Bryce. He insisted I throw something in because…you know. You’re mom to him now.”

Her pretty face tightens, and the tears fall down her cheeks. “Oh, Flint, that’s so, so perfect.”

“That’s what our whole life’s gonna be.”

I pull her close. Hug her. Kiss her.

We don’t stop until a sound behind us has me turning.

Ma. She has a hand over her mouth, and tears are sliding down her face. Bryce stands by her side, smiling sheepishly, waving me over.

Taking Val by the hand, we walk over, and I wrap an arm around my mom first, setting off a chain reaction of hugs.

A short time later, we find a nice shady spot where we can see the turtles, and then dive into our first picnic lunch as a real family.

23

Turtle Magic (Valerie)

I can’t believe how much life can change in just a few short months.

It’s almost as hard to believe how fast my mother and Beverly whipped up a wedding of this magnitude. There are people here I haven’t seen for years, flown in from the mainland.

Plus tons of extended family and new friends from Flint’s side. I’m so happy to have so many with us here on this glorious day.

The day that’s about to bind us together inseparably.

Okay, so I know it’s just a ceremony.

It’s just some legalese and grandeur making us a wedded couple.

But it’s also a celebration of our love. That’s the overwhelming part.

Everything about today reminds me how freaking much I love Flint Calum and his adorable son, and how much they love me right back.

The morning couldn’t have been more perfect, or the location. The private beach on the North Shore, where Flint and I first watched sea turtles together.

The same place where we’d shared our first kiss.

I’d thought I was his wife that day. Today, I’m becoming Mrs. Flint Calum for real.

Total. Emotional. Overload.

Cash stands off to the side as best man, wearing an almost brotherly look for Flint.

Bryce grins as he brings Flint the rings before the minister pronounces us man and wife. You already know the words.

I’m not sure I could repeat them if I tried, because what really sticks in my mind is that kiss.

The instant our ceremony ends, Flint seals it with a growling, overflowing, heartfelt scream of a kiss I’ll never forget, sweeping me back in his arms.

Then Bryce joins us front and center for the flurry of photos while the crowd congratulates us. I can’t stop freaking smiling, knowing I’m now officially his mother as well as Flint’s wife.

The festivities run on until after sundown.

A large luau, full of feasting and music and dancing. There’s a ravishing sunset at the end of the day, like the whole island wants us to know we did good.