The gasp that leaves her lips has my heart skipping what feels like a thousand beats before she cries out, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
I practically rip the ring from the box and slide it onto her finger, then stand and lift her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist as I kiss her hard. I faintly hear the cheers from our family and friends that surround us, but mostly, I just hear her voice over and over saying yes!
“I love you so much,” I say against her lips, after we break our kiss.
“I love you, too. I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Well, I did, future Mrs. Cole.”
“I like the sound of that.” She giggles before I set her back down on her feet.
We’re engulfed by hugs and congratulations from everyone before we settle back down to eat our desserts. I don’t let go of Lauren’s hand under the table for the rest of the evening. Feeling that ring—my ring—on her finger has me feeling something I’ve never felt before, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Epilogue
Lauren
One month later
The past month has flown by in a whirlwind. Being engaged to Sam was everything I dreamed of, but marrying him was my end goal. We decided within a day of getting engaged that we didn’t want to wait, and with neither one of us really wanting a large wedding, we buckled down and planned it all within a month.
I’d be getting my dream wedding to my best friend. My grandparents’ property, my grandfather officiating the wedding, magnolia flowers, just a few friends and family members, and best of all, Sam.
At last night’s rehearsal, I never once felt the hesitation I had when I was in this position about to marry Brad. I’ve moved on from the guilt I held on to for a while from that ordeal, and I’m happier today than I could have ever dreamed of being.
“Ready to go, sweetheart?” my dad asks from the doorway.
“Absolutely. I can’t wait!” I pick up my small bouquet and walk toward him.
“I’ve dreamed of this day for many years. You look more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Sam is one lucky man,” my dad tells me.
“Thank you, Daddy. I feel pretty lucky myself.”
We walk out, my arm linked in his, as he escorts me out of my grandparents’ house and outside. We walk the short distance of the makeshift aisle, where Sam meets us, and I’m sure the smile that’s filling his face matches the one on my own. I love this man with everything I am.
“You look amazing,” Sam whispers to me as my dad steps away from us. “I love you.”
My grandfather starts the ceremony and before we know it, he’s pronounced us husband and wife. Sam’s arms surround me as he dips me, bringing his lips hard against mine as he claims me in a scorching kiss. I can faintly hear the hoots and hollers from our family and friends as we finally come up for air. With our hands linked above us in victory, we make our way back down the aisle.
Being that the school year started a few weeks ago, we’re waiting to take a honeymoon until a later date. That was our one sacrifice with planning our wedding so quickly, and not waiting to get married until next summer when I’d be off. But we realized it was more important to us to be married than to go on a honeymoon right away, so that’s what we did.
“Good morning, husband,” I whisper against Sam’s chest the next morning, and giggle slightly.
“Good morning, wife,” he replies.
Lucy chooses that moment to jump up on the bed, letting us know she’s also awake, making us both laugh.
“Off the bed,” Sam tells her, and she jumps down. “I guess that means we need to get up and feed her. So much for staying in bed for a few hours.” He groans.
“We can always come back to bed!” I remind him.
“I like the way you think,” he says, dropping a kiss to my lips before he rolls out of bed.
Sam
Marrying Lauren yesterday was everything I could have dreamed of and more. When I first saw her walk out of the house on her dad’s arm, I forgot how to breathe, knowing she was walking to me.
To become my wife.
It did something to me.
She looked like an angel.
Seeing her glowing in the simple white dress she found a couple weeks ago on a sales rack, with the magnolia flowers, on her grandparents’ property. Everything was exactly how she wanted it. I was back in a black suit, sans the flask of whiskey this time, seeing as I wouldn’t need it to get through this wedding ceremony.
I was getting the woman.
The one I’d loved for twenty years and planned to love for the rest of my life, and longer.
THE END
Afterword
I hope you have enjoyed this book, and you would consider leaving a review on your favorite retailer.
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Coming Soon
Protecting Her Heart
Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 4
November 1, 2018
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Synopsis coming soon!
Acknowledgments
There are always so many people to thank when I get to the end of a book.
My husband and kids, for giving me the time away from them to sit in front of my computer screen (or iPad most of the time!) I spent many hours of our family vacation this summer while my husband drove us from place to place with my iPad and keyboard propped up on my lap as I tapped away at the keys to get this story down. Thank you to my three favorite men for encouraging me along the way. For bringing me food and drinks so I could keep in the zone, and for loving me along the way. The encouragement I get from you is what keeps me going! I love you all!
Next comes my team. From my PA and group admins, to my editing, beta, and proofreaders. Thank you all for your feedback, ideas, and help to polish this book to be the best that it can be! I couldn’t do any of this without you all! My team is small, but it is mighty!
Thanks to Mignon at Oh So Novel for the amazingly beautiful cover! This was not the original cover that I was intending to use for Marry Me! I already had another cover purchased, but when she posted this one, it just fit perfectly (don’t worry, that other cover works perfect for another book coming out next year!
Marry Me (Lyrics and Love Book 1) Page 18
