Page 61 of SEAL Ever After

“I want to marry you,” she whispered. “That’s all that matters.”

She smiled through her tears, and he ducked down and kissed her again. “Then let’s invite our friends. We’ll pick a date, get a dress or whatever else we need, and do it.”

“Only if we hire a wedding planner this time. I’m not planning everything all over again.”

“It’s a must,” Ryan agreed, his eyes twinkling. He turned around and grabbed a spatula, flipping the burgers. “Get changed if you’re cold, baby girl. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Epilogue

Ryan stood at the arched canopy in his backyard near the pool, grinning like a fool as the music started. His groomsmen were standing beside him, their friends and family were sitting in white chairs watching, and the back door to his house had just opened.

Sarah’s niece Abby skipped down the aisle in her flower girl outfit, followed by Logan, who was carrying the rings. Bree came next, smiling as she held her bouquet, followed by Morgan, who winked as she got to the canopy.

But his heart pounded and ears thundered as Sarah began to walk toward him. He’d never gotten to see her in her original dress, but she was stunning in this one. It was strapless and ethereal, with the long skirt of it flowing around her as she walked. Her long hair was loose, bouncing around her bare shoulders, and when she beamed as she looked at him, he thought she was the prettiest damn thing he’d ever seen.

He took her arm when she reached him, and he realized that she was trembling.

“Everything okay?” he murmured quietly as they faced the officiant.

“Perfect,” she said, tears smarting her eyes. “This is the happiest day of my life.” She handed her bouquet to Morgan to hold, and then they stood in front of the officiant and God, ready to say their vows.

Ryan had done a lot in his lifetime—gone into combat himself, commanded his SEAL teams from Little Creek. He’d met with Admirals and Generals, but this was by far the best and most important moment of his life.

After a flurry of words from the officiant and underneath the sun-kissed sky, they turned to one another. Holding both her slender hands in his, Ryan looked down at Sarah, feeling his chest swell with pride.

“I Ryan, take thee Sarah, to be my wife. I promise to always love and protect you, care for you, not wake you up when I go into base early, keep your vegan and vegetarian food in the fridge, champion your latest cause, and make you as happy as I can all the days of our lives.”

A single tear rolled down her cheek, and Ryan reached out, swiping it away.

“I Sarah, take thee Ryan,” she said, taking a deep breath and wiping away another tear. “I promise to love and care for you, to attempt to understand the ways of the Navy, to support your career and look the other way when you eat steak instead of tofurkey. I’ll always love and cherish you and can’t wait for us to grow old together.”

Patrick produced the rings, and Ryan and Sarah slipped them on each other’s fingers.

There were a few whoops and hollers, as their guests’ excitement couldn’t be contained.

Ryan glanced out at the friends and family watching their backyard ceremony—the Alpha and Delta teams from base, his officer friends, their families and neighbors. It had been a hell of a long road to get here, and he knew he was in for the ride of his life with Sarah.

He looked back at his beaming bride, watching as the wind lightly tousled her hair. She was beautiful. Ethereal in her dress. And absolutely perfect for him.

“I love you,” she mouthed, looking up at him as her eyes shone with happy tears.

“I love you, too,” he murmured quietly.

“And now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The backyard erupted with whoops and cheers as Ryan bent down and kissed his new bride. Sarah flushed with excitement, and they turned, facing their friends, and grinned from ear to ear as everyone jumped up to congratulate them. Sarah’s bridesmaids suddenly appeared at her side, and the photographer snapped a few candid pictures.

“Hoorah!” Jacob shouted, grinning as the guys gathered around.

Ryan’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he briefly glanced down at it as he pulled it out.

“Not another op,” Patrick said, catching the expression on his face.

Ryan quirked his brow. “Thank God, no, because I’m leaving tomorrow on my honeymoon. Just something that came up with the Coronado team. We’re good.”

He pocketed it again, ducking down to kiss Sarah once more.

“To the CO!” one of the men yelled, and suddenly champagne glasses and bottles appeared. Bailey and Noah began popping the corks, and Sarah screamed as a burst of champagne flew into the air.

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