Page 121 of Forever Fickle

“Yeah, it’s not some big fancy gas stove like your mother has…” she teased, playfully, reminding him of his words the first time he came over and made dinner for the two of them. “No warmer tray.”

“No warmer tray,” he smiled tenderly, brushing a lock of her hair back. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“Feel free to tell me as much as you can over the next seventy years or so.”

“Is that all?” he asked.

“That puts us both close to a hundred years old…” she chuckled and let out a yelp as he rolled her over, pinning her beneath him.

“I’m going to think you are incredible for as long as the tides rise and fall…” he breathed, his eyes holding hers. “The sun will burn out before I ever lose this feeling inside of me…”

Her eyes searched his beautiful golden ones, and she reached up to trace his lips, caressing his cheek, and felt tears sting her eyes at seeing such open, carefree emotion glowing in those warm depths.

“And our bodies may wither and fade, but I promise you that my soul is… was… and will forever be… yours. You had my heart the moment you threw that sign at me at the airport,” he smiled softly. “I love that electricity I see in you, and it makes me feel so alive just to be near you.”

“Oh J-Jace…” she whispered thickly, choking with emotion at this loving man she’d met by sheer chance.

“I love you,” he uttered, leaning down to kiss her tenderly. “I willalwayslove you,” he began, dropping a soft kiss on her lips as if to punctuate it, before pulling back slightly, smiling, before speaking softly. “… And plan on doing just that, until the Air Force pries me out of your warm arms.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she smiled as he grinned at her, before deepening the kiss between them, and made good on his promises.

CHAPTER33

HOT CAKES

Ghazni, Afghanistan

Jace couldn’t believehe was already back here, and the weekend had gone by much too quickly. They met up with Karen’s family for breakfast on Saturday and then spent the rest of the time secluded at their home alone, in each other’s arms.

It just felt so good, so right, to be there doing the simple things like washing the dishes together or getting the towel out of the dryer for her to surprise her when she got out of the shower.

He enjoyed showing Karen how much he cared and treasured the incredible woman he’d somehow managed to marry.

… And was planning on marrying again in November on their anniversary.

She shared with him the plans for the wedding, smiling as she asked his opinion, yet knowing she’d already made the decisions. He was glad, grateful, and felt overwhelmed just looking at the planning she’d put into their moment.

Jana, his sister, was flying down right after Halloween so they could put together some last-minute touches. Karen’s sister, Emily, whom he’d only met a few times, was also going to be coming over and helping out.

Sophie had agreed to open the bed & breakfast to anyone needing to stay in town, and her parents had offered up their guest rooms as well.

Dixie was making two cakes – a bride and groom’s cake – and everything was Air Force themed or covered in shades of blue. Romeo helped give suggestions and she’d taken them to heart.

He was also touched to hear that she’d asked the men to walk down the aisle, paired with their families, in their uniforms… leaving Jace to pick who stood up with him at the front of the church.

“Welcome back, stranger…” X-Ray joked, smiling at him. It took everything in Jace not to ask about his sister.

“Heyyyy Hot Cakes is back!” Caboose replied easily, seeing Handsy, Reaper, Houdini, and Sparky look up from their bunks. “So, are the rumors true?”

“What rumor?” Jace asked bluntly, already knowing what the man was referring to.

“That you got married at the courthouse because you couldn’t stand the wait… and that you are both planning on having some big, fancy wedding in November?”

Jace gave a smile and nodded – only to hear the team start congratulating him, making several lewd comments, and smiling at their reactions.

Reaper glanced up and hesitated, meeting his eyes. This was the man he’d leaned on, questioned, talked to, and had offered advice before meeting Karen, so it only felt appropriate to ask him to be at the wedding.

“Will you come stand up with me, brother?” Jace asked quietly – and you could have heard a pin drop in that moment as everyone got quiet around them.

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