Page 80 of Forever Fallen

“This is forever, Ryan,” she breathed as he slowly opened the ring box. Her eyes met his as she saw the matching wedding bands on the black velvet. “Not just one, five, ten or twenty years. I want to be yours forever and need you to be mine.”

“This is forever, my love, until the end of time,” he answered tenderly, before extending his arm towards her, closing the ring box, and turning slightly. “Shall we?”

“Absolutely,” she replied, putting her hand on his sleeve.

Her heart was fluttering wildly in her chest as she looked at him, realizing that he was probably the best person she’d ever been blessed to meet in her entire life.

He was so many things… calm, cool, and collected – but not only was he all of that? He was so much more.

They had shared laughter, tears, and special moments that she knew would forever be kept private, because that was when he was truly himself… and it was a privilege and honor to be his wife.

As they walked through the grass, she marveled at her romantic husband and how lucky she was to have had that seat next to him on the airplane, grasping at the chance that he’d offered unknowingly, leading them both to here… and now.

Stopping before the minister, Ryan turned to her.

Sophie placed her hands in his, unwilling to let go of him, for fear that she would wake up from this incredible dream. Ryan’s thumb caressed the back of her hands, almost as if he was fidgeting, and she saw him swallow several times as the minister spoke.

A small chuckle escaped her as she realized these words were a blur to her too, because her only focus was on the man before her. Ryan’s eyes were shiny, and she saw him smile openly at her laugh.

“I’m so happy…” she whispered as the minister spoke regardless.

“Me too…” he breathed and hesitated, glancing up.

“Mr. Merrick? Your vows?” the minister urged gently.

Ryan cleared his throat, nodded, and smiled as he looked back at Sophie. She stood there, mesmerized and in rapt attention, curious as to what he would say…

“I’ve never told you…” he began gruffly before hesitating to clear his throat again, and she realized he was nervous.

Sophie stepped forward to touch his cheek, needing to comfort him, only to see his expression melt openly regardless of who was there.

He had earned his call sign, had a reputation, and yet – here - before her?

He was just her Ryan, her husband.

“I never told you that I saw you enter the plane,” Ryan whispered. “I spotted you buying the Reese’s, saw you trying to hold yourself together, and watched you for about five minutes before I boarded the airplane. That’s why I was wearing my sunglasses, so I could watch you without being a complete creep.”

He smiled tenderly as she chuckled, touched by his words.

“When I saw you walking up the aisle, I buried my nose in that stupid magazine, and was waiting to see where you sat down… and then you spoke to me,” he hesitated. “And I was such a jerk.”

“No surprise there…”

Someone muttered in the distance – and she saw the infamousReaperin that split-second. His face shuttered immediately, glancing over her shoulder to look at someone in the distance.

He was all business, cold, and calculating… analyzing the threat to their moment. She was stunned… and so incredibly proud that this fierce protector was all hers!

“Ryan…” she whispered, drawing his attention.

“You had this glow,” he began again, softening and turning back to Sophie. “This incredible vitality to you… and that sharp tongue,” he chuckled, smiling wryly. “Baby powder fresh deodorant is my favorite, by the way…”

Sophie shook her head, laughing.

“I was already hooked,” he admitted openly. “And then we started talking, having a conversation. Every time I turned around, you startled me, knocked me back on my heels, or slipped past my shields to draw me out. You were never scared of me, never shied away… but you do terrify me like no other,” he whispered, his eyes searching hers.

“What?” she uttered, stunned to hear him say that at their wedding.

“You terrify me because I cannot imagine a world where you are not in it beside me – and I am going to have to face that existence in less than five days, Soph…” he uttered, his voice cracking. “I love you so much and need you to know that. I want you for my wife, forever, because without you? I’m only half a person.”

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