Chapter Twenty-Eight
Six months later
“You look amazing.” CaDee was sitting in a chair breastfeeding her daughter who was snuggled in a soft, pink blanket.
“I owe you a big thank you,” Margo said. “You’ve outdone yourself. You’ve planned an amazing wedding all while taking care of a family.”
“Honestly, Ursula has done most of the work. I just gave her my ideas and input, and she ran with the ideas. She’s a natural wedding planner.
” CaDee stared down at Blair Creed with profound love in her expression.
“I’m going to semi-retire and let her take over running the business.
I want to enjoy my family for a while and help Sharp take care of his father. ”
“It’s not going to be easy, take it from someone who knows,” Margo said honestly.
CaDee nodded. “It won’t be, but I love my husband and his father. We’ll do this if we can…as a family.”
“You don’t think there are too many ice sculptures, do you?” Ursula mumbled as she hurried into the room, slamming her hands to her hips. She looked lovely in a bridesmaid’s dress.
“One ice sculpture in Texas is one too many,” CaDee said with a sigh.
“They were donated by an up-and-coming ice artist. How could I tell him no?”
“Don’t worry. They’ll melt fast.” CaDee wagged her brows.
“You about ready, sweetie?” Ursula looked at Margo. “By the way, you look beautiful.”
Before she could respond, they heard a clearing of a throat from the hallway. All three women turned their gazes on Hawkeye who wore his service dress blue uniform.
Margo stared in disbelief. He looked sexy and soon he’d be all hers. She could never have known how wonderful her future would be. She was marrying the love of her life.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Ursula almost tripped over her feet on the way to slam the door in his face.
“I want to speak to Margo. Alone,” he said through the closed door.
“No. That can’t happen.” Ursula shook her head adamantly.
Margo walked over and laid her hand on Ursula’s arm. “I want to speak to him too.”
She looked like her head was about to spin. “Sorry. I guess I’m a bit tense. It’s your wedding, honey. Coming, Mama?” she said to CaDee.
“Yes.” She pushed up out of the chair and stopped to say to Margo, “Love you. See you in a minute.”
“Love you,” Margo said.
As the women walked out, they left the door open.
Hawkeye looked at her across the threshold. She swore she saw tears in his eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “An angel in white.”
“Not so bad yourself, handsome.”
“I know we said I’d wear a black tux, but I felt this would work much better. After all, I’m always a soldier.”
She stepped over to him and placed a palm against his cheek. “I think it’s the right choice.”
“I wanted to make sure and not disappoint you. But that’s not all I wanted to say.” Sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Are you okay? Do you have cold feet?” Worry chilled her backbone.
“No. Never. I just wanted to see you.”
“Okay.”
He reached up and took her hand, kissing the backs of her knuckles.
“I’m so grateful that you’re in my life.
You made me realize that for so long I was ready to fall in love, but I needed it to be with the right one.
I just want to love you, every day, every night, for the rest of our lives. You’re the love of my life.”
“Are those your vows, love?” she asked, looking at him through the tears in her eyes.
“They are now.” He looked at her with so much love in his expression that she knew he would always keep her safe. “I love when you smile. You light up the room. I even love it when you get angry because it shows you care. You make me feel alive.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. “Thank you, Dean. I promise to love you from now until eternity. I vow to hold you, support you, and show you kindness each day. To you I give you my always and forever.”
He kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”
“I have something to tell you. I planned on waiting but I think now is the perfect time.” She whispered a secret she’d been hiding in his ear.
He pulled back a mere inch, his eyes as wide and bright as a full moon. “Really? Your book is on the bestseller’s list? Baby, that’s amazing.”
“That’s not the biggest news.”
“Okay.”
“We’re going to have a baby.”
Not the end but only the beginning.