Page 44 of Perfect Chemistry

“Oooh-rah, Marine,” I whispered breathily.

“WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!”

“OOOOH-RRAH, GUNNY!!!” All of the Marines were standing around us, cheering.

“No take backs, Preston.” Tyson stood, pulled me into his arms, and kissed my temple. He knew me better than I knew myself most days. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

“I love you, Ty,” I whispered against his chest. I felt his breath catch. It was the first time I had said the words to this remarkable man. I couldn’t say why I held them back before today, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell him before this moment. I decided that he should hear them daily for the rest of our lives.

“Ok, love birds. Congratulations,” the company commander came over to shake our hands along with our platoon commanders and the other marines. “Now get back to work, slackers!” He yelled, laughing.

We laughed and got back to business. I waved goodbye once I had all my gear on and began the ruck march back with my platoon. I looked down at the ring on my finger and smiled from ear to ear.

* * *

It had been a long week. Tyson had been busy on the range all week, and I rucked back to back 20km. My whole body felt like it had been worked over.

I lay in bed snuggled against his body, my head resting in the crook of his shoulder. My left arm and hand rested on his chest, and Tyson kept caressing my hand.

“Do you want a big wedding, baby girl?” Tyson asked.

I thought about it for a moment. Did I really want a big white dress and people staring at me? No.

“No. I like things that are simple, Ty.”

He was quiet for a moment more before rolling to face me. “Let’s elope.”

“What?” Where was this coming from?

“Let’s run off next weekend and get married. You know they let married couples cohabitate now, right?” Tyson whispered, kissing my nose.

I lost it and started laughing. “Is that all you think about Tyson Johnson?” I smacked his chest.

He caught my hand and smiled at me. “I don’t want to waste any more time waiting. Marry me, Katie. Let’s get married next weekend. You, me, a few witnesses.”

I stared at him in disbelief. He was serious. What would it change to be his wife? Truly. I loved this man more than I ever thought possible. We lived together and shared a bed every night. Hell, he had been my person longer than I was willing to admit.

“Ok. You’ve twisted my arm long enough. I will make an honest man of you, Tyson Johnson, and make you my lawful hubby, hubby,” I sighed out the words.

Tyson didn’t miss it. He jumped onto his knees and pinned me beneath him, whooping and laughing before smothering me with kisses. “Hot damn, I love you so freaking much, baby girl.”

Needless to say, it was a long night between us, and I woke up the next morning sore and smiling from ear to ear. Tyson laid beside me, sound asleep, and I was near bursting with happiness. I needed to call Andie and tell her to drive down if she could.

I started to shuffle out of bed, but Tyson pulled me back against him. “I already told Andie. She’s coming down with Jonas and the kids.”

I turned to stare at his sleepy face smiling at me. “How?”

“I know you, baby girl. I got you,” he grinned and kissed my forehead.

“When?” I asked.

“As soon as you said, ‘yes,’” he chuckled.

“What?” I was staring at him with my jaw hanging wide open.

Tyson looked at my face and started laughing. His laughter, hoarse and deep in his chest, rumbled through his body and echoed into my own held against him. It was joy, elation, love, contentment, hope; everything warm and fuzzy.

“I knew you wouldn’t want to deal with planning a wedding. You don’t like big girlie fancy wedding dresses, let alone going to try on clothes. You like options, but you let me make decisions. So I gave you options, and I planned for both.” Tyson explained while caressing my face and tucking my hair behind my ears.

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