Knox (Chicago Blaze 4)

“Reese, look at you. Such a beautiful bride.”

She kisses me on the cheek and hugs me, then does the same to Knox. I met Diane over dinner at Magnolia last night, after her flight landed Chicago. She’s nice and easy to talk to, and to my relief, she’s not upset in the least that Knox and I are getting married so soon, and without a big, formal ceremony.

“When you know, you know,” she said over dinner, patting my hand. “It was the same for Drake and I.”

She got teary-eyed a few times over dinner when she mentioned her late husband, but she insisted she wants to talk about him. And when Knox awkwardly apologized for getting married so soon after his father’s death, she told him his dad would be pleased.

“Our hearts could use some happiness right now,” she said, settling it.

My dad flew in this morning, and he and Knox went out for breakfast alone. I wasn’t sure how that would go, but they hit it off. Even though Eric set the son-in-law bar extremely low, my dad’s always been protective of his only daughter.

But his approval is written all over his face as he shakes Knox hand.

“I’ll take good care of her, sir,” Knox promises.

“And I’ll take good care of you back,” I say, arching my brows.

“I know you will.” His gaze is full of love as he cups my cheek.

The officiant calls us in and we’re almost through the doorway when a man calls out, “Hey Knox, can I get a picture?”

We both freeze. I wasn’t expecting anyone to ask for a selfie as we’re about to get married. I look at Knox, who turns and says, “Sorry, man. Not this time.”

“Not with me…of you guys,” the fan insists. “You’re getting married, right?”

I see then that he’s wearing a Chicago Blaze coat. I lock eyes with Knox, letting him know it’s okay. This is part of his life, and now it’s part of our life.

My dad looks flabbergasted; I can tell he’s on the verge of asking the fan is he was raised by wolves.

Knox walks over and extends his hand to the fan for a handshake. The fan grins at him and says, “That hit you got on Dearborn the other night was fucking awesome, man.”

“Thanks,” Knox says. “I appreciate your support a lot. And even though I’m not up for photos today, why don’t I set you up with some great seats to a home game coming up?”

The fan’s eyes widen with happiness. “Yeah, for sure. Thanks, man.”

“No problem. And we’ll get pictures then.”

“Cool. Yeah.”

Knox gives him a tight smile. “So just call the team’s front office on Monday and tell them you’re the guy from my wedding. They’ll get you set up.”

“Awesome, thanks! Congratulations on your wedding.”

He shakes Knox’s hand again, and nods at me. I smile and reach my hand out for Knox’s.

When he gets back to me, Knox apologizes under his breath.

“Don’t be sorry,” I say in a low tone. “You did the right thing.”

“What is wrong with people?” my dad mutters.

“Let’s go get married,” I say, squeezing Knox’s hand.

As we repeat the traditional vows to each other, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes, I feel like we’re the only people in room. The only ones in the world. Knox’s tone is so earnest as he promises to love and honor me forever. And I’ve never felt anything as deeply as I feel my promises back to him.

He slides a band on to my finger and I slide one on to his. And then, both of us tearful and smiling, we kiss.

Knox’s expression as he looks down at me after that is pure joy.

“You’re my wife,” he says tenderly.

“And you’re my husband.”

He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. I have to tear my eyes away from his for hugs of congratulations with our parents.

It’s the most surreal, magical feeling, knowing Knox and I are bonded together for life. It’s so different than it was with Eric. It’s not just better, it’s real in a way Eric and I never had.

“Are you sure you kids don’t have time to get lunch?” Diane asks us as we walk out of the courthouse.

“Reese and her dad probably can, but I have to get to the arena,” Knox says.

We got married on a game day. Knox’s schedule is busy right now, and it was either today or in a couple weeks. It thrilled me when he said he’d rather do it now than wait even a couple more weeks to make me his wife.

Our wedding night won’t be traditional. My new husband might have a black eye or an ice pack on his ribs as we consummate our marriage. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Perfect is overrated. I’ll take real any day.