Lifeline

“Today was a good day,” she murmurs.

“Yeah. Uncle Carl and Clive got along well enough,” I mention.

“My mom’s in heaven with all the wedding planning,” she chuckles.

When we walk into the room, there’s a flicker of sadness on her face I don’t like one bit. “What is wrong?”

She shrugs. “Just wish my dad was here. And your parents.”

Realizing something important’s been forgotten, I ask, “Who’s walking you down the aisle?”

JJ lifts her chin. “No one. I’m already yours, so no one needs to give me away.”

Tugging her closer, I murmur, “Mine.”

“Always have been.” She presses her mouth to mine, then whispers, “Always will be.”

Kissing the woman who’s saved me in so many ways, my heart overflows.

Epilogue

JJ

October fifteenth…

“Oh my God, JJ,” Lindsay breathes, then her eyes mist up, and she quickly fans her face, blinking like crazy.

Lifting my head, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Intensity overwhelms me, and I have to close my eyes to breathe through the emotions.

Once I feel calmer, I try again. This time, I take in the chiffon and lace. My lips curve up, my wedding dress a dream come true as it falls softly around my body.

My hair’s twisted up with loose curls framing my face, and there’s a delicate crown of baby’s breath on my head to round off the look I wanted.

Turning around, Mom gives me a quivering smile. “You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart.” She digs in her bag, then takes a moment to fight her tears before she holds a box out to me. “Something borrowed.”

When I open it, I’m hit hard with a wave of emotion. “Dad’s badge.” I focus on my breaths to stop the tears from falling so I don’t ruin my makeup. Taking the badge out, I clip it onto the lace around my bouquet then give Mom a hug. “Thank you.”

“Damn,” Lindsay mumbles. “I tried not to cry.”

Mom and I pull her into a hug, and holding them, I give up and let a tear fall.

When we pull apart, Mom asks, “Are you ready?”

I nod and watch as Lindsay and Mom leave. Turning back to the mirror, I make sure my makeup’s still okay, then take a couple of deep breaths.

When I open the door, I hear the soft guitar notes. I chose to walk down the aisle to Can’t Help Falling In Love With You and found a singer with a gorgeous voice to sing.

I suck in another deep breath then wait for all the lights to dim before stepping forward. A soft spotlight starts to glow, making my dress sparkle.

I get to walk down the aisle toward O’Brien. I get to marry him. I get to love him forever.

This is it. In a matter of ten minutes, I’ll be Mrs. O’Brien.

O’Brien

As the spotlight shines on JJ, I lose my ability to breathe.

Thank fucking Christ I somehow managed to make her love me.

She starts down the aisle, looking like a shooting star.

My star.

Swallowing hard, I suck in deep breaths of air, so I don’t start crying.

When JJ stops in front of me, I struggle to find my voice, and it’s nothing more than a hoarse whisper. “You take my breath away.”

JJ’s eyebrows draw together, inhaling deep past her tears. “You are every breath I take.”

Christ.

Unable to stop it, a tear escapes, trailing down my cheek. I quickly brush it away as we turn to face the minister.

Throughout the formalities, I keep looking at the exquisite woman at my side, then we turn to face each other.

I suck in a deep breath, my voice brimming with all I feel for her. “JJ, you’re my lifeline. My sanity. It’s taken one hell of a road to get to this point, and for you, I’ll do it all again. For you, I’ll sacrifice everything I have, all that I am. For you, I live.” I push the wedding ring onto her slender finger. “I love you. I’ll always love you. Until my dying breath.”

“O’Brien.” Her voice quivers, echoing through my heart. “You’re my ride or die. My partner for life.” The corner of her mouth lifts. “The day you tackled me at that warehouse, you swept me off my feet.”

I let out a chuckle while swatting a tear away.

“I fell for you in a heartbeat.” She swallows hard. “You’re my strength. My reason for living. My entire life. My love for you is unconditional, all-consuming, and everlasting.” She pushes the ring onto my finger, then her eyes sparkle up at me. “I’ll love you with everything I am for as long as I live.”

Before the minister can pronounce us husband and wife, I frame her face and kiss the fuck out of my wife. Not even hell could keep us apart, so a minister doesn’t stand a chance.

I vaguely hear the minister saying the formalities, then cheers break out around us.