Full Surrender

He must have felt her eyes on him, because he turned to her then and whispered in her ear.

“Cheers to both brides and grooms.” The words were a soft caress on her ear and it was all she could do not to pull out the diamond ring she wore on a chain beneath her wedding-guest finery.

She loved savoring their secret even as they celebrated Jack and Alicia’s big day. Like Danny, she hadn’t wanted to wait another moment to start sharing their future together. They’d lost five years after they first met and neither of them wanted to miss out on one more day.

“Cheers.” She lifted her champagne glass to Danny’s, toasting two marriages—the one in progress and the one just the two of them had celebrated privately in Vegas three days ago.

She’d decided she wanted to elope with Danny in secret, just the way his parents had done thirty-five years earlier. Danny had agreed wholeheartedly, liking the idea of firming up their vows before he went back to sea. His practical side had also pointed out that if she chose to take his name, the switch would help her remain safely anonymous at the Chesapeake Bay house for a bit longer. Little did he know how much she looked forward to being a Murphy. His family had won her over in a hurry for the way they’d tried to help steer them back together after their falling-out.

The Vegas drive-in chapel marriage had been their way of honoring the fun, spontaneous time in their lives when they’d fallen in love. Their Filipino Elvis-impersonator chaplain had launched into a gorgeous rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” after he’d declared them husband and wife, and it had been so perfect Stephanie had cried more happy tears all over the white lace tank and poodle skirt she’d bought in a vintage clothing store for the occasion.

But they were going to get married in front of the family next summer—right back in Cape Cod—as a nod to the more grounded people they’d become. Stephanie figured they’d waited long enough to live out their happily-ever-after, so they might as well enjoy every second of it. What could be better than marrying this fantastic man twice?

The band struck up a romantic tune and Jack led Alicia to the dance floor. The official bride and groom of the day had already taken their formal first turn as husband and wife. Now, the party really came to life as more couples joined them and the candelabra lights flickered in the night, the glow reflected on the waves so that it seemed as if the celebration stretched out into the Atlantic.

“Should we go check on Cody?” Danny asked, backing away from their table.

They’d adopted the Aussie shepherd she’d once photographed. The dog had been at the shelter she’d worked with in D.C. after his former owner had died suddenly. Only two years old, Cody was full of energy but smart and well trained, a perfect fit for them.

“Are you kidding?” Stephanie followed him and looked toward the temporary playground set up for the younger guests of the wedding, complete with a bounce house and three caregivers. “He’s having the time of his life herding the kids.”

The play area was the only spot on the lawn lit with bright spotlights so parents could keep an eye on the activity. Cody was easily visible working the fringes of the playground, keeping all the little ones corralled with the skill that came naturally to his breed.

“Looks like we’re going to need a boatload of offspring to keep the dog happy.” He kissed her bare shoulder as they walked the perimeter of the reception hand in hand.

She laughed, happier than she’d ever been. Not just because she felt so fulfilled, but also because she could see a renewed joy in Danny. It had been obvious the day that he oversaw the arrival of her possessions from D.C. to his home on Chesapeake Bay. He’d hired a moving company, but she didn’t own much so it hadn’t taken the movers long to insert her things among his, blending their worlds. Her photography equipment had gone into the den that she would remake into a dedicated studio. Cody had a kennel in the garage and beds in the living room and bedroom. He’d been really good with other animals, so she didn’t anticipate any problems when clients came to the house to have their pets photographed. Her cats had seemed to like the new digs, but they’d made the trip to Cape Cod with Cody.

Truly, combining their lives had been the work of mere days, leaving plenty of time for the Nevada trip and shopping for a dress for Jack and Alicia’s wedding.

“We still have plenty of time to plan for kids.” She squeezed Danny’s hand as they watched a couple of flower girls tumble over one another in the bounce house, their floral crowns askew and their white tights sagging at the knees. “We have over a week left together to figure out our future.”