She closed the remaining feet between them and threw her arms around his neck. “I was such an idiot. A coward. Forget everything I said earlier.”
He pressed one hand to her back and then cradled her against his chest. “I’m the idiot who got scared earlier and screwed this all up.”
“Yeah, you’re both a couple of idiots,” Karine quipped. “But that was last year. It’s a new year, a new start for everyone.”
Emma pulled back, her eyes brimming with tears of relief. “You’re right, Karine.”
Karine replied with a sage nod. “Of course I’m right.” She grinned and then waved, “Now get out of here and start the new year off right together.”
Emma furrowed her brows. “What about everything that’s going on at the hotel?”
“I’ll deal with it if they deem it safe and let us back in. Besides, I brought you both into this situation by asking you to help tonight. So lessen my guilt by going and having some fun together.”
“I’d suggest you head home too,” Vince added. “It’s a big hotel and it will take a while for them to clear it.”
“Right. Good idea,” Karine replied. “Good night.”
Emma hugged her. “Thank you. And Happy New Year.” She put more into it this time rather than the pathetic sentiment she’d uttered earlier.
After Karine walked away, Emma turned to Vince. “What do you say?”
Vince
Vince stared into Emma’s hopeful eyes and so many emotions bounced through his chest. Most of all gratitude and relief. She was safe.
“There’s nothing else I’d rather do than go anywhere with you.”
She sighed. “I was so scared I might never see you again.”
He brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and behind her ear. “Same here.”
Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. “I know you’re not my ex or my father. You’re you, Vince. The bravest and most considerate man I know. I regret letting my issues blind me until now.”
“Everyone has issues.” Vince swallowed. “Demons. We know each other’s now and I have nothing more to hide. Do you think we can deal with them together?”
She nodded and grinned through glistening eyes. “Yes.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and he wiped it away. “You okay?”
“Yes.” She dabbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “Just give me a minute.”
“Of course.” He glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the hotel. No sign of Angelo. “I better tell my brother what’s going on.”
Emma clutched him as if reluctant to let him go, but then released him. He kissed her forehead and then texted Angelo.
Found Emma outside. We’re both safe.
After thirty seconds, Angelo responded, The things you’ll do to get the girl…
Ha. You okay?
Yeah, I’m with Cate. Where are you?
Vince texted their location. A few minutes later, Angelo and Catherine turned from around a corner.
“There’s my brother and sister-in-law,” he pointed out to Emma.
Once he introduced them, they exchanged quick greetings.
“What a night to meet,” Catherine noted.
“Exactly.” Emma nodded.
“I got some intel.” Angelo glanced at Emma and explained, “I’m a first responder here.” Then he turned to Vince. “A man had called in the bomb threat. He demanded money or said he’d blow up the hotel. It wasn’t a hoax this time. They found one in the boiler room and neutralized it. They’re still searching to make sure there aren’t any others.”
“Shit.” Vince covered his mouth and lowered his arm to his side. “I should go back.”
“Vince,” Angelo said in his common sense, big brother voice.
Right. Vince had to accept that some things were out of his control.
Besides, Emma might need him. He sure as hell needed her.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll just get in the way.”
Angelo nodded. “I’m going to stand by a bit longer, just in case.”
Right, if shit went down, they might need a paramedic.
“It’s been a long night,” Angelo added. “Do you both want to crash at our place?”
“We have a sofa bed and an inflatable mattress—whichever you’d find more comfortable,” Catherine offered.
“Thanks for the hospitality, but I think I need the comfort of my own bed,” Emma replied.
“I’m going to head back to Newport as well. Happy New Year.” Vince hugged Angelo and Catherine. “Thanks for coming down tonight.”
“Happy New Year,” Angelo replied.
Emma and Catherine repeated it as well.
After they walked in opposite directions, Vince slung his arm around Emma.
She leaned into him, resting her head on his side. “Are you coming with me back to my place?”
“If you want me there.”
“I do.”
He exhaled. “Good. All I care about is that we’re together, and that you’re giving me a second chance.”
She turned and smiled up at him. “It’s a new year. And there’s nobody I’d rather start it with than you, Vince.”
He turned and stared into her eyes—so beautiful and filled with warmth and appreciation. He’d never do anything to break her trust, knowing how hard it had been to be earned.
He caressed her cheek. “In that case, I think we should start it out properly.”
“Oh, and how’s that?”
“3-2-1. Happy New Year.” He bent down and met her lips in a kiss to start their new year together, hoping it was the first of many.
Epilogue
Vince
Christmas Eve
Emma put down her final Scrabble letter, ending the game with cheers in Vince’s parents’ living room.
“Let me add up the final scores.” Angelo grabbed a pen and tallied up the points. “Looks like it’s Vince with a narrow lead.”
More loudness ensued. What a difference from last Christmas when he’d been stuck on that damn puzzle while consumed by thoughts of Emma. Now she was here with him, happy to take part in limoncello and game time with his family. Since they’d be back again tomorrow, it was enough family time. He had plans and it involved spending time alone with her.
“We’re gonna get going,” he said.
“So early?” His mother protested. “We’re having such a good time.”
“Which will continue tomorrow,” his father added.
Neither of his parents played the four-person game, saying they’d watch, but Vince wouldn’t have thought it with all their “helpful” suggestions during the game. That was just like them, and it made him smile. Too bad Matty couldn’t make it back this Christmas. Maybe next year.
“We should head out too,” Angelo added.
His mother’s mouth opened, as if ready to protest.
“Let them go, Marissa. Everyone will be back tomorrow.
“Everything was delicious,” Emma added, capturing his mother’s attention.
“Thank you.” His mother beamed. “Make sure you’re here by three tomorrow.”
“We will be.” Emma hugged his mother, and then Vince followed suit.
An hour later, Vince carried hot chocolates with candy canes into Emma’s living room. She brought over a small bag of chocolate chip cookies that Karine had dropped off earlier. The sweet scents and those of the pine tree infused her place with the scents of Christmas.
They had picked out a giant tree together, which didn’t fit into her apartment without him sawing off four inches from the trunk. A few nights ago, they had decorated it together. He never thought a domestic holiday tradition could bring him such happiness.
Once they settled onto the couch, Emma picked up the remote and turned on the TV. “A Christmas Story?”
“Of course.” Vince remembered last Christmas Eve when he had ended up here after Emma had been spooked by the break-in. She had fallen asleep in his arms while they watched
the movie. This year he wanted to create a new memory for them and wipe away any of the negative ones that might linger in her mind.
“I’m so glad you were able to come home again this Christmas.” She turned and glanced at him. “Especially since we don’t know if you can make it home next year.”
“I’ll do my best.”
They’d spent the past year trying to see each other as often as possible, which generally worked out to two weekends a month. He’d fly up to Newport or she’d come down to visit him at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. But he had orders to ship to Okinawa, Japan, all the way on the other side of the world from Emma. Too far from her.
They sipped the hot cocoa and ate the cookies while they watched the movie. He adjusted his position several times.
After several minutes, Emma glanced at him with furrowed brows. “What’s going on, Vince? You can’t seem to sit still.”
Nerves, that’s what. What he was about to do was huge, something he’d never considered with anyone before.
And it could blow up in his face.
He took the remote and turned off the TV. He then grabbed a different remote to play Christmas music. Frank Sinatra’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played, one that always choked him up when he had been away during the holidays. But this year, he was home—because he was with Emma.
“Must be this thing in my pocket.” He stood and made a show of pulling the small box out before he lowered himself to one knee.
Emma covered her mouth with both hands and gasped.
He took one of her hands. “Emma, I’m so grateful to have you in my life and will never take for granted how you’ve been there for me. I know being with a jarhead isn’t easy.”
She laughed. “True.”
“I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you and want to be with you, however you’ll have me. I’d love for you to come to Okinawa with me but understand if you don’t want to. If I need to leave the Marines when my tour is up, you’ve got it. You’re my future now. Whatever makes you happy, sign me up because that is what you’ve made me.”
“Oh, Vince.” She placed a hand on her heart.
He sucked in a breath before continuing. “Emma Bradford, will you marry me?”
He opened the box with the marquise diamond set in white gold and offered it to her.
Her eyes glistened. “Yes!”
Vince’s eyes widened. An elated sense of lightness filled his chest. Did he hear correctly or just imagine it from rehearsing this so many times before tonight? “Yes?”
“Of course, yes.” One side of her mouth turned up into a grin. “I love you, Vince. You made it kind of hard not to.”
His hands were shaking as he slid the ring on her finger. He couldn’t believe she said yes. After he rose, he whooped and wrapped her in his arms before he twirled her. Once he set her on her feet, he cupped her cheeks, searched her bright eyes, and kissed her. It was slow and unhurried, but soon left them both breathless.
After she pulled back, she said, “And yes, I want to go to Japan with you.”
His eyes widened. “You do?”
She cocked her head and gazed at him. “I’d much rather explore a new country with you than stay here missing you.”
“Oh, Emma.” He kissed her again. “Thank you.”
She grinned. “One request if it’s possible. Can we live off base?”
He didn’t know all the particulars with family housing but knew of a couple who lived in a great little apartment in a residential area the last time he’d been there. “I’ll look into our options.”
“Perfect.” She nodded. “And after this tour ends, we’ll figure it out together.”
He nodded. “Right. From now on, we decide on our future together.”
For someone who enjoyed spending so much time alone, together never sounded so blissful.
“How do you think your mother will take the news today?” Emma tilted her head with a smile.
“She’s going to be insanely happy, fretting all over you. The pressure for grandchildren will be on.”
Emma laughed. “Karine will flip out with excitement as well.”
Vince cocked his head. “Hmm, should we enlist her for some cupcakes at our wedding?”
“Right. Her confectionery creations are critical.” Emma arched a brow and her eyes glimmered.
He chuckled at the alliteration, a nod to the first time they’d met over fallen cupcakes at Angelo and Catherine’s wedding. “I have an idea if you’re up for it.”
“Another good idea, I hope.”
“I’m thinking we should go away for the new year—just the two of us.”
After what had happened last New Year’s Eve, a quiet escape sounded perfect. They’d arrested the man responsible. A disgruntled worker who had been fired from the hotel had called in bomb threats to gauge the response before following through with an actual one and a demand for cash.
“What do you have in mind?”
“We could head up to the White Mountains. Maybe some cross-country skiing. A little cabin in the woods. Just you and me.”
Emma nodded and then gave him a luminous smile. “That sounds like the perfect start to a new year together with my fiancé.”
“Fiancé,” he repeated. “I like the sound of that.” He leaned down and kissed her again. “It’s time we make some new memories and traditions. Together.”
“Then I have the perfect date for our wedding.” She peered at him with a bright gleam in her eyes.
He knew what she was thinking as they now spoke in that secret communication he’d seen with other couples. “New Year’s Eve?”
“If we can make it happen, let’s do it.” She then took his hand and led him to the bedroom. “How about some alone time right now?”
Matty
Nine Months Later…
Matty caught the damn garter. Shit.
He hadn’t meant to do so and had even stood off to the side in the back row. He gaped at Vince who watched with a sly grin. Had it been intentional for him to throw it at Matty? Probably. When it had come at him, he had instinctively reached out to catch it.
Cheers followed, with the loudest coming from Angelo. He strode over with Vince and patted him on the back. “Hey brother,” he used the tone that Matty used when quoting Buster from Arrested Development. “Looks like you’re next!”
“Ha, funny. It’s just some silly wedding tradition.”
“No, no, no.” Angelo waved his hand. “I’ve seen it happen. The guy who catches the garter indeed ends up being the next one to get married. Right, Vince?”
Vince nodded with a straight face. “True.”
Matty’s gut hollowed. “It’s just a superstition,” he scoffed. “Just because my brothers have gotten soft, doesn’t mean I’m going to follow their lead.”
“Why not? You followed us both into the military,” Vince noted.
“That’s different. And then I went my own way.” Being a K-9 handler was nothing like what either of his brothers did in the service.
“Never say never.” Angelo raised his index finger. “When you meet the right woman, strange things can happen, changing what you thought you wanted.”
Matty forced a grin. “We’ll see.” He grabbed his beer from the nearby table. He was going to need ten more if there was anything to that superstition.
Nah, it was just his brothers messing with him. He’d already heard the “You’re next” line countless times tonight. Now that he’d caught the garter, he was going to get hell about his fate.
Matty glanced at his sixteen-year-old cousin who had caught the bouquet. She covered part of it with her hand, apparently horrified that a relative had caught it.
Oh well, time to slap on a smile and put on a show. He could do that. It was less intense than heading into hostile territory to search for explosives.
Right?
He strode over to Ayla. Her face turned red showing her mortification. He’d make a joke about it to make her fee
l more comfortable.
The DJ stopped him. “Oh no, no, no. You can’t just walk over to her. You need to put a little effort into it. A little show.” He switched to the Hot Chocolate song, You Sexy Thing.
Angelo and Vince roared with laughter along with their cousins, Jack and Antonio, who were both Marines from Boston. Great.
Matty snapped his fingers and wiggled his hips, putting on the performance that everyone wanted to see—everyone except for Ayla that was. She turned away, mouthing with mock horror to her sisters. Matty shifted toward his brothers and cousins, who were the ones who really wanted the show. He jumped and turned 180-degrees and then twerked for them. They hollered and cheered.
Matty finished shaking his ass and then strode back to Ayla.
“Don’t worry, the worst is over.”
“On her ankle,” the DJ directed. “She’s family.”
Matty slid the garter on her.
Ayla skittered off the second the deed was done, rushing back to her sisters. “That was so embarrassing!”
Matty laughed. He turned to face the still boisterous crew and bent forward with an dramatic bow.
“Nice moves, DeMarchis,” Jack said.
“I try.”
“You’ll need them for your wedding night,” Antonio added.
Matty walked away with an exaggerated prowl to complete his performance. With a casual glance over his shoulder, he added, “This tiger is not ready to be tamed.”
Author’s Note:
Find out what happens next when Matty runs into Jenna, his best friend’s little sister, when he’s back in Newport. When Matty and Jenna pretend to be a couple to convince her ex that she’s moved on, a fake relationship with someone off limits is more difficult than he anticipated. Read more in Matty’s story in the Anchor Me series!
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Vince: One Night with a Marine: A Second Chance Military Romance (Anchor Me Book 2) Page 18
