Page 60 of Cheyenne

For all intents and purposes, the next few months would be spent with him in BUD/S training and her finishing college. It’d be impossible for him to be on leave for her graduation, and he wasn’t looking forward to that, but that was how it had to happen.

She would start law school at Montana State in the fall. He was happy for her, but his heart hurt. They wouldn’t be together for at least six months, until he was done with training. Then he would have weeks or months off. He guessed their home would be in Billings, because he would go there every chance he got.

Trey put an arm around his shoulder. “Are you ready?”

Micah shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m ready to try.”

“I’m proud of you. I wish I would’ve married your mother before BUD/S training like she wanted.”

When Trey pulled back, Micah could see tears in his eyes. He tapped him on the shoulder. “No crying, old man.”

Trey sniffed and backed away.

Then his mother was there, hugging him. “I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you guys, but I can’t believe it. I’m so proud of you.”

He held her, grateful for everything she’d done for him.

His younger siblings clamored for his attention, and he held them tightly. Then the whole Stone family crew swarmed in; they all had to get hugs. He told them to quit making him cry. He called them babies, especially his uncles.

“Wedding March” started, and everyone hurried into position. Micah stared at the other end of the aisle, holding his breath.

When Cheyenne appeared, he was unsurprised to see it wasn’t just Porter walking her down the aisle. Colt was on her other side, with all her other brothers’ arms linked with his. Every two steps, they rotated who was standing beside her.

The gesture was so touching that he could no longer hold back the tears. Sniffles echoed around him from the others in the crowd.

He was so grateful that Cheyenne had been blessed with these great brothers. They would take care of her while he was gone. All of them had told him they would look out for her, just like they always had. He didn’t think that would ever stop. He was infinitely grateful for family, and he wanted nothing more than to have one with her.

Cheyenne was beaming despite the tears running down her cheeks. As one, the Cross brothers moved to place her hand in his.

“You’d better take care of her, or I’ll kick your butt,” Porter said.

Colt pointed at Porter. “What he said.”

“What he said,” Chance repeated.

“I’ll say something different,” Blaze said. “I’ll break your legs.”

“I’ll rip your lips off,” Nash finished, last but certainly not least.

Micah nodded. “I would expect that.”

All her brothers took their seats, and he peered into Cheyenne’s eyes. He didn’t know how it had happened so fast, but what he’d told her was true. He had been a goner from the very beginning. He loved her so much.

Cheyenne

If someone had told Cheyenne that she would be getting married, she would have laughed because marriage hadn't really been in her five-year plan. But as she stared at Micah, she knew one thing: she had fallen head over heels for him.

It was strange because the feelings she had for Micah were unlike anything she had ever felt for anyone else. He was solid, sure, and honorable. He loved God, and he loved his country. She hadn't realized how much she had been looking for someone just like her father, which made her both sad and happy at the same time. She missed her father so much, and she knew she wouldn’t miss her mother—even if she had ever known her.

That was the thing about the happiest days of a person's life: they were often tinged with sadness.

As she got to Micah, out of the corner of her eye, she caught her friend Samantha waving at her. She couldn't help I giggle and wave back. She was so happy that Samantha had come to her wedding. Of course she had taken the opportunityto fill her in on everything that had happened and, Southport and Samantha was kicking herself for not being able to come. But Cheyenne knew that if Samantha had come, she probably wouldn't have had the chance to get to know Micah as well.

Her brothers each took her hand and placed it in Micah's. She couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her cheeks as she hugged them, and then they all came together in a group hug.

She reflected on the fact that, while she might not have parents, she did have family—a good family. Sniffling, she wiped her tears and finally took Micah’s hand, staring into his eyes. The man was gorgeous, and excitement rippled through her.

They would be together tonight. They would be together for the rest of their lives.

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