SEAL’S Secret Vows

6. Nora

Chapter six

Nora

T oday I’m getting married, I think a bit hysterically. Well. Sort of.

“Nora, Celine’s here.” Chase calls out, and I drop my phone. I open the door to reveal two women laden with bags. One carries dresses in a bag and the other carries a big makeup box.

“This is Nora,” Chase says, waving to me.

“Hello, ma’am. My name is Celine. We chatted earlier—and this is Jade, your hair and makeup artist. We’ll be working together.” The woman with the dresses sets them down, and I see a smiling woman with wrinkles around her eyes. She looks friendly, at least, and I breathe a little easier.

“I’m Nora. It’s nice to meet you.” I smile and open the door wider for them to come in.

“Alright, I’ll leave you ladies to it. Meet me downstairs when you’re done, Celine.” Chase gives a small wave and turns the opposite way.

“Okay, so which one do we try first?” Celine places the dresses on the bed, and I pick one up.

“This one is fine. Let’s head into the closet so I can try it on.” She zips it up for me and adjusts the hem.

“What do you think?” she asks. I look at the mirror on one section of the wall unsure.

“I’m not sure.”

“Yes, it doesn’t quite match your energy, does it? But let’s have Jade also take a look.”

There’s a look of approval on Jade’s face when I come out, but it changes when she sees me shaking my head.

“Try on the remaining two.” Jade urges, and I take the two gowns into the closet. We settle on the last one which is simple and elegant. Unlike the one for my wedding to Ethan, this dress is more like a slip, thin and unbothered. There’s no jewels or tulle or beading. I greatly prefer it.

“Mr. Steele asked us to pick a jewelry set. We hope you like it.” Celine hands me a box and I open it, admiring the beauty of the pieces at first before putting them on. Like the gown, they’re simple and elegant. I wonder how much they cost or if Chase will let me keep them when the photos are done.

“It’s beautiful.” I say looking at the mirror in front of the dress. I take a seat on the chair where Jade has setup her tools and starts working on my makeup. She brushes my hair and rolls it into a bun and attaches a bridal pin.

“And we’re done. You look beautiful.” Jade says as she drops the brush, and I look at the mirror.

I do look nice. The makeup is a bit heavier than I’d like myself, but all in natural tones and not too shiny or glossy. I think it’ll make for a convincing bridal blush.

“Thank you.” I reply. Celine attaches the veil and gives a look of approval. “Do you like it?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.” I stand and pat the dress down lightly as they begin to pack their items.

“We’ll take our leave now.” I take a deep breath as they leave. I just hope I’m doing the right thing.

I make my way slowly to the backyard where the wedding will be held. Chase hasn’t told me many details, but then again, I didn’t ask.

I hold the gown up so I don’t trip on it. When I make it outside, I have to lift a hand to shield my eyes from the sunlight.

Then I see Chase.

He looks breathtakingly handsome.

For a moment, I’m trapped between now and a memory—I remember how it felt to see Ethan just a few short weeks ago, on what should have been my real wedding day.

I had only felt fear.

I know that this isn’t the same. That the fear is gone because it’s not real.

But I see Chase and I’m just… eager to walk to him.

Javier is there, dressed in a suit, alongside four people I don’t recognize and two I do.

Sarah and her cousin, Maddie, are standing off to the side with wide eyes, champagne glasses, and cocktail dresses on. Their expressions morph into shock when they see me. I stop by them first.

“Hi,” I whisper.

Sarah and Maddie exchange a glance. “Hi, hon,” she says. “So, what the hell?”

I snicker. “I’ll explain later. Can you just be happy for me right now?” I don’t mention that I need her to pretend to be happy for my fake happiness.

Brows lifted, Sarah just stares at me till Maddie elbows her and says, graciously, “Yes.”

“Take a seat,” says a man in wide framed glasses. “And if the bride is ready?”

I blink in surprise. Sarah and Maddie sit next to the four strangers. Chase walks down the ‘aisle’ and holds out his arm to me.

“You’re giving me away and marrying me?” I ask with a smirk.

He winks. “I can do it all.”

We wait a few feet away from where the man with the glasses sits who is apparently in charge. He’s fumbling with a CD player.

I raise my brows at the man. Chase shrugs. “Found him on Craigslist,” Chase mutters. “Looks the part of a minister, right?”

I snort, nodding. “Very minister-y.”

Chase smirks. “Smile for the camera, wifey. ” He nods towards a photographer.

I startle. I hadn’t seen the photographer before.

“The photos are for you,” Chase murmurs. He holds my hand, and I tense. “For whatever you want to do with them.”

I blink rapidly. “For Ethan,” I mutter.

Chase nods. “I figured it’d be an easy sell.”

I nod. “And those guys?”

Chase glances over at the four strangers. “Craigslist really is easy to use.”

I laugh. Chase grins at me.

The man in the glasses clears his throat. “Ready? I’ve got work in an hour.”

Chase and I exchange amused glances.

“Sure,” I say. Then the music starts.

It sounds tinny and too soft, but we go down the fake aisle anyway. I almost trip, but Chase holds onto me tightly.

We stand in what looks like the right position. Javier stands a few feet away, looking oddly moved.

“Do you want to do your own vows?” The fake minister asks.

I almost laugh. “What’s the point?” I whisper.

Chase glances at Javier and Sarah, and shrugs. “I, Chase Steele, vow to take you, Nora Evans, as my wife.” He starts, voice full of amusement. His eyes are shining, and his hair has streaks of gold in the sunlight. He looks so beautiful. “I vow to be by your side, to help you no matter what you’re going through, and to always support you.”

His words are friendly—not inappropriate. But they still make my cheeks burn.

He nods towards me. I feel a burst of nerves.

“I, Nora Evans, vow to take you, Chase Steele, as my husband.” The words feel strange in my mouth. “I vow to be your friend. To be your partner in whatever way I can. To remind you to take a break.”

He grins at me.

I grin back.

The minister clears his throat. “Uh, so, I now pronounce you husband and wife?” He says it like a question.

Chase’s eyes fly to mine. We both are clearly holding in laughter.

“Kiss the bride?” The fake minister asks, voice high.

Chase glances at me, one brow raised. I roll my eyes, but nod.

Slowly, he leans in, and gives me a very, very light peck. I can practically feel the photographer snapping pictures.

We pull away, and that’s it.

“Uh, mazel?” Maddie congratulates, voice pitched high in confusion.

The Craigslist strangers all clap politely. Javier and Sarah and Maddie join in after a few seconds. Chase pulls out his wallet, paying the fake minister and the photographer with twenties, while Javier throws his hands up and exclaims that’s it!?

“Javier,” I say, turning to him with a grin. “Ready for that wedding feast?”

“I—I—yes, okay!” Javier turns on his heel, heading to the house and muttering to himself. “ What kind of wedding was that? A special occasion— "

I snicker. Chase comes up beside me. “He’s furious it wasn’t a big bash.”

I laugh. “Well, maybe at your next one.” I tease.

Chase glances at me, an interesting look on his face. “Maybe,” he says vaguely. Then a bright smile takes over his face. “Let’s go eat, wife. ”

I grin. “Let’s, husband. ”

He takes my arm, leading me back inside, and I don’t worry once that I’m going to trip.