Page 178 of Mission Shift

Then, the opening notes ofCanon in Drose from the quartet, and everyone in attendance fell silent.

Angel came into view first, graceful and careful in her rust-colored gown. Her bouquet matched the flowers lining the aisle. When she spotted Nik, her eyes lit up. She didn’t smile—not fully—but the expression in her eyes said everything. Bethanyfollowed, glowing in her matching dress, all smiles as she made her way toward the altar.

They took their places opposite us, bouquets lowered, hands clasped. Bethany gave Atticus a wink, and for a second, he remembered how to breathe.

Then the bridal chorus began, and the entire crowd rose to their feet.

I looked down the aisle, my chest tightening with my own nervous energy. Beside me, Atticus stood completely still, holding his breath for that first glimpse of Samantha.

And then—there she was.

She stood alone at the top of the aisle—back straight, chin high, radiant. Her dress was lace from shoulder to toe—short sleeves, a fitted waist, and a train that swept the ground behind her. Sunlight caught the soft waves of the deep red hair that spilled down her back. What lit up her face wasn’t makeup—it was joy, unmistakable and real.

She walked herself down the aisle, on no one’s arm. Just her—strong, beautiful, and unshakable. When I’d asked her about it, she’d told me that the only man she needed to start her married life was Atticus.

Her eyes locked onto his, and she smiled softly.

Atticus stared like he couldn’t believe she was real.

“She’s beautiful, brother,” I whispered.

He didn’t answer, but I saw him blink fast, trying to hold it together. The guests let out soft gasps, and a few whisperedoohs and ahhsas the photographers moved quietly along the edges, snapping pictures of each moment.

When she reached the altar, Samantha handed her bouquet to Bethany and turned to Atticus. He took her hands like he might never let go.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment,” he whispered. “For you.”

She beamed up at him, and for that second, it was just the two of them. The rest of us could’ve disappeared.

They deserved their moment.

They’d fought hard for it.

The quartet stopped playing as the officiant, Colton Davidson—an old friend from Atticus’s Navy days—stepped forward. He smiled at both of them before he greeted the guests. The quiet murmurs faded. Atticus shifted slightly and swallowed hard. He kept his eyes locked on Samantha as he gently rubbed her fingers with his thumb.

“We gather today in celebration,” Colton began, “of Atticus and Samantha, two souls who, through life’s greatest challenges, have found a bond powerful enough to heal, strengthen, and overcome.”

He paused, glancing at each of them. Samantha beamed up at Atticus. His face visibly relaxed at the sight.

Colton continued, “Love, true love, is not only found in moments of joy but forged in times of pain, grief, and vulnerability. Atticus and Samantha stand before us today, a testament to the strength of compassion, trust, and unwavering support. They have written vows for one another—words they will now share with you.”

He turned toward Atticus. “Atticus, would you like to go first?”

Atticus inhaled deeply, smiled at his friend, and then faced Samantha fully.

He cleared his throat. “Sammich—” he said, his voice coming out a little tight. Bethany giggled, and Atticus shot her a quick glance and began again.

“Samantha, the first time I saw you, I knew I was in trouble. You entered my ED like a lightning bolt—confident, smart, fiery. I didn’t know how to handle you. I tried to stay distant, professional. But I couldn’t resist the challenge.”

She smiled, and her fingers curled tighter around his.

His voice grew tender. “Samantha, before you, I was convinced I knew exactly who I was and my place in the world, that I had no room for love. I’d become bitter and burned out. But from the moment you scrunched up your freckled nose at me and accused me of forgetting my manners, I was lost to you. You didn’t just break down my walls. You reduced them to rubble and made it impossible for them to be rebuilt. I thought I was too old, too scarred, too stuck in my ways to love. But you saw through it all. You made me laugh. You made me see things differently. You showed me what it meant to choose someone fully, even when it’s hard—especially then.” He paused and cupped her cheek in one hand. “I promise to protect you fiercely, to support your dreams without hesitation, and to love you openly every day for the rest of our lives. You saved me, Samantha, and I am yours completely.”

The sincerity in his voice hung in the air. Samantha blinked back tears, her lips trembling slightly as she squeezed his hands.

Colton smiled softly, turning to her. “And Samantha, your vows.”

She swallowed hard, her chin trembling as she took a breath.

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