Page 16 of The Oath Operation

"You're wearing your military uniform?"

"Of course."

"Great."

She turned and walked off. She hadn't even thought much about what she was going to wear. Now she dashed home to find something suitable.

ChapterEleven

Fish fussed around with the collar and cuffs of his military uniform, though that really wasn't where his attention should lie. He felt a snugness around his abdomen and chest that hadn’t been there the last time he wore the garment. He had gotten bigger, not fatter, but more muscular. Likely a result of the intense workouts he threw himself into. Each rep, each drop of sweat, was an attempt to burn off the restless energy that kept him from running to Jules to confess his feelings every chance he got.

His feelings. That was the problem. He was a man, a soldier. He didn't know how to have feelings. Not how to have them. Not how to hold them. Certainly not how to share them. So he punched a bag like any regular man would do.

Fish took a deep breath, forcing himself to stop fiddling with the uniform. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror in the small room at City Hall. His eyes were steely and resolute. Today was the day he married Jules, the day he pledged himself to her, even if it was just for convenience at first.

But Fish knew better. This was more than a convenient arrangement for him. It was a promise, a commitment to protect her, support her, and, if she allowed it, love her for the rest of his life.

That, of course, would be a surprise to her boyfriend. The thought of Amari trying to win Jules back crossed his mind, and a slow, determined smile curved his lips. If Amari thought he could compete once Fish slipped his ring on Jules' finger, he was delusional. Fish would never let his wife go.

His wife. That would be his reality in just another fifteen minutes. In a quarter of an hour, his marriage would start. It would begin as a way to help Jules achieve her dreams, but Fish had laid out a battle plan to ensure it would become so much more.

He straightened up, smoothing down his uniform one last time. The weight of his commitment settled comfortably on his broad shoulders. With a final, confident look in the mirror, Fish turned and left the room, ready to claim the future he would build with Jules by his side.

He walked down the hall, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. He knew Noah would be there, ready to stand by his side as his best man and witness. Jacqui would be there too, supporting her sister. They had all agreed to keep the marriage quiet for now—only Jules' family and the staff at the restaurant knew.

Fish pushed open the door to the ceremony room… and was met with a sight that stopped him in his tracks. The room was packed. Jules' family filled the seats in the front. The Chou women's faces were all glowing with excitement and happiness. Standing together in a group was the entire staff of Chow Town, looking more like a family than colleagues. And then there was a sea of other faces. Many people he recognized as customers from the restaurant. Plenty of others he didn't recognize were there too. All chatted animatedly as though this was another community gathering that had been announced in the city paper for months.

So much for keeping it quiet.

Noah's hand clasped his shoulder as he reached the front, his best friend's support a steady presence. "Ready?"

"Did Jacqui close the restaurant?"

"She put a sign on the door that the restaurant would reopen after a special event at City Hall."

Hence the crowd. The nosy town would, of course, all come down to City Hall to see what special event was happening. Amari would not be pleased. Which, of course, pleased Fish immensely.

Then his grin faded as Jacqui stepped up to the entrance. It wasn't his boss that caught his gaze. It was the woman behind her.

Jules wore a simple white dress that flowed gracefully to her knees, the fabric soft and light, moving with her every step. The dress hugged her delicate frame, accentuating her fairy-like features. Her short black hair, styled in a pixie cut, framed her face perfectly, highlighting her expressive eyes and high cheekbones. To Fish, she looked like a vision, a living, breathing fairy from a dream.

Her eyes went wide with surprise as she took in the crowd packed in the small room. Her gaze swept over the familiar faces, the people who had been there for her throughout her life. There was a moment of resignation as she realized the secret of their quiet nuptials was no longer just between them. When she got to the front of the room, her eyes landed on Fish, and their gazes locked.

Fish watched as her expression shifted as she took in his appearance. He saw her swallow, a subtle movement that sent a jolt of hope through him. He stood tall in his military uniform, the snug fit emphasizing his straining muscles. Did she like what she saw? Or maybe she thought he looked too big? Perhaps he should suck it in.

Too late. She was standing before him, staring into his eyes. That definitely wasn't disgust there. Fish straightened his posture, feeling a surge of confidence. If Jules found him attractive, perhaps winning her affections from Amari would be easier than he thought.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

Jules blushed, a delicate pink coloring her cheeks. "Thank you. And you… are wearing your uniform."

The ceremony began. Fish couldn't take his eyes off her. He listened to the officiant's words, but his mind was on the woman standing beside him. The way her gaze kept drifting to him, running up and down and over the lines of his form. Did the baker have a thing for a man in uniform? Or maybe it was muscles she liked?

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Jules Chou and Min-ho Pike in holy matrimony. This is a day of celebration, as we come together to join these two in marriage."

Fish took her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. The softness of her touch sent a shiver of electricity through his body, grounding him while also making him feel like he was floating. His grip tightened slightly, trying to hold on to the connection, vowing silently to protect and cherish her for the rest of their lives.

The judge continued, "Jules, please repeat after me. I, Jules, take you, Min-ho, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part."

---