Page 65 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

She smiled. “I have a lot of questions.”

He chuckled. “I’d expect nothing less.” He reached for her hand and as soon as she wrapped her fingers through his, he once again felt grounded. Having her apart from him for even such a short time had been too much. “Do you remember when you told me that you were waiting for the dark moment and I told you it didn’t exist in real life?”

Her smile faded a little, but she nodded.

“I was wrong, Steph.” He took a breath and exhaled slowly. “Watching you talk to the reporters yesterday and pretend we weren’t something was hard. Watching you drive away without me…that was hard, too.” He could see the pain in her eyes, so he spoke faster. “But then later, it hit me. That was it. The dark moment. And do you know what comes after that?”

Her lips slowly curled up into the smile that lit up her beautiful face and she nodded. “The grand gesture.”

He nodded. “I may be super new to all of this, Steph. But I know that I love you with a ferocity I feel in my bones. And a love like that…well, it deserves the grandest of grand gestures.”

She trembled a little.

“I love every part of you, including the paparazzi. Well, maybe I don’t love them,” he added with a grin. “But I can handle them. And if it’s part of the package, I’m in. One thousand percent. And I never want you to doubt that ever again, okay?”

She nodded and a unshed tear shone in the corner of her eye.

“I know you weren’t expecting this.” He waved his arm around a little. “And, I don’t know if you know this, but your sisters are pretty good at pulling off surprise weddings.”

She laughed, as did their friends and family. It was definitely not the first surprise wedding in Glacier Falls.

But as far as Travis was concerned, it was the most important one. “So…will you marry me, Stephanie? Right here. Right now, today, at this special place?”

He’d barely gotten the words out when she said, “Yes. A million times yes.”

Travis pulled her close, slipped his arms around her, and kissed her deeply. If their friends and family hadn’t erupted in cheers and hoots of appreciation, he would have forgotten they were even there. He only had eyes for Stephanie. Behind him, the officiant cleared her throat and reluctantly, Travis pulled away.

“I think we’re supposed to wait for that part,” Stephanie said.

“I’ve already waited my whole life for you,” Travis said. “I’m not sure I can make it a few more minutes.” But he laughed and together they turned and let the officiant perform the short and simple ceremony Travis had requested. A few minutes later, they were legally declared husband and wife, and once again their friends and family cheered. This time when Travis kissed her, it was different because he was kissing his wife and it was the single best experience in his life.

“You are the most unexpected thing to ever happen to me, Travis Bishop,” Stephanie said when they finally pulled apart. “I love you. And I want the whole world to know.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Should we see if the reporters want to come across the bridge?”

She froze, and shook her head with wide eyes. “Absolutely not.”

He laughed and kissed her again.

There’d be time enough to tell the world. For now, this moment, this day, was for them.

It really was the perfect wedding. No big fanfare and not a camera in sight. Together, Travis and Stephanie thanked all their guests and toasted to their nuptials before they split up for a few minutes so Stephanie could have a moment with her sisters.

“Look at you!” Hope held out her arms, and Stephanie went in for the hug as Faith wrapped her arms around both of them. “You’re married!”

“To Travis!” Faith added.

“Right?” Steph said as they released her. “Who would have seenthatcoming?”

“Us!” the twins said at the same time and they all laughed.

“Seriously,” Faith said. “We knew from the beginning. Why do you think we referred him to work on Lynx Creek with you?”

“Because he’s super talented?” Stephanie looked between her sisters, who rolled their eyes.

“Right.” Hope drew out the word. “That’s why.”

---