Page 39 of Forever Fallen

“What if there is a runny nose or raccoon eyes?”

“I don’t wear mascara… and them’s the rules, buster. Take ‘em or leave ‘em,” she shrugged, holding back a laugh, knowing she had him cornered.

“Ughhhh… fine,” he said dramatically, huffing, before smiling at her.

“Then I pronounce you my husband,” she said with finality, glancing sideways at him and feeling a slight smile touch her soul.

“And I pronounce you my wife,” he agreed, holding up his cup and tapping it against hers with an audible clink of ceramic. “Do I get to kiss the bride?”

“Again? Fine…” she said theatrically, but a little part of her was thoroughly pleased that he wanted to do so.

He leaned over the arm of the chair, lifting from the seat bottom slightly.

She hesitated and leaned towards him, her breath catching nervously, because the only times they’d ever done anything remotely like this was rushed… or a burst of uncontrollable emotions.

This was different.

This was planned, calculated, and giving between the two of them – a shared moment that neither had taken a chance on before. His breath touched hers, in the streetlights that barely illuminated the porch of the house, and hesitated.

“Let me set down my cup,” she said nervously.

“Good call,” he said, backing up and setting down his too. “Hang on. I have an idea.”

“Okay…”

He grabbed her rocker and turned it slightly towards him noisily on the porch before doing the same – and pulling hers towards him, causing his knees to touch hers.

“We could have just stood up.”

“We could have… or we can take our time, remain seated, and enjoy the evening air together on the porch,” he replied softly, leaning towards her again. This time, he took her hands in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles, before brushing his lips against hers.

There was such infinite tenderness there, such gentleness from Ryan, that it brought tears to her eyes as he backed away slightly, his breath catching, as her heart beat wildly in her chest.

“Start the timer,” she whispered thickly, realizing that there was so much to him that she was only starting to comprehend. “You have less than three minutes to do that again.”

“With pleasure…” he breathed – and kissed her again.

CHAPTER13

SOPHIE

Getting dressed,she turned and looked in the full-length mirror in her room. She was wearing a very sedate black dress with a crocheted lace collar that her grandmother had made her, as a way to honor the woman she adored.

As a young girl, racing around the house and digging in drawers in rooms she wasn’t supposed to play in, she found a handkerchief that she had always admired. There were little, blue-ribboned roses on the corners that had been hand-stitched.

Her grandmother had once told her that she had made it when she was a young girl for when she got married – and that someday, when Sophie got married, she could carry it, too.

Welp, that day had sure come and gone without any pomp and circumstance. So, using it today, gave her another object to feel close to her Grammy’s memories… and something to wipe her tears.

Taking a deep breath, she heard Ryan moving around downstairs and glanced at her watch. They were going to need to get moving soon so they could be there to go over any final details before the funeral started.

Opening her door, she started down the stairs and heard him humming lightly from the kitchen. He always hummed, but the moment she caught him – he would stop. She liked his voice, and the humming was comforting.

Walking into the kitchen, she did a doubletake.

Ryan was standing there in his military dress uniform – and looked impressive. His crisp dark suit was dotted with color from the ribbons on his chest, and white gloves hung from his pocket, waiting.

His serious expression eased the moment she walked in the room.

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