Once and For All: An American Valor Novel

by Cheryl Etchison

  “Just another minute,” she yelled back.

  The plan, as far as she knew, was for a weekend getaway to Tybee Island. It included a night at a bed-and-breakfast and candlelight dinner for two on the beach. And to make up for not having a single picture from their courthouse wedding, a professional photography session at sunset.

  What she didn’t know was that a hundred of their closest friends and family were waiting for them at the beach.

  The idea of a second wedding came about while he was still recovering at Walter Reed as they sat upon his hospital bed and whispered words of love and renewed commitment to each other. Despite it being just the two of them, no witnesses, no officiant, their vows held greater meaning than the first time they were spoken. But something was missing and Danny soon realized renewing their vows in front of their family and friends would mean even more.

  But paying for a wedding would mean financially they would have to sacrifice something else.

  When given the option of buying a house once his apartment lease expired or renewing their vows in front of family and friends, Bree chose a home for them to start their new life together. For the next few weeks they searched the real estate listings online, made wish lists and budgets, and looked forward to the next step in their lives.

  More than once Danny suggested they wait another year to buy a house. Each time, Bree refused. “A wedding is nothing more than one big party,” she had said. “A waste of money in the grand scheme of things.” Although she said it more than once and quite convincingly, the disappointment was there in her eyes.

  And so he decided a surprise for his wife was in order.

  He heard her coming down the hall, flip-flops smacking the bottoms of her feet as she walked. She wore denim cutoffs and a Gamecocks T-shirt, carrying her dress in a garment bag instead of wearing it.

  Maybe pulling off a surprise wedding wasn’t going to be as easy as he previously thought.

  Danny took a deep breath, his nerves stretched to the limit.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I decided to change after we checked in at the bed-and-breakfast.” She sauntered up to him and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You look nice,” she whispered, her breath fanning across his jaw. “Smell good, too.” Her empty hand smoothed over his chest as she nipped his earlobe.

  Damn, she was making this difficult.

  And late. Very late.

  Danny put his hands on her shoulders and stepped back, forcing space between them.

  “No time.”

  “What’s the rush?” She attempted to close the distance but he kept her arm’s length.

  “We’re running late as it is and won’t be able to check in until after the pictures. So you need to get dressed now.”

  He took hold of her shoulders and turned her toward the bedroom.

  “But Danny,” she said over her shoulder to him, “my dress will get wrinkled in the car.”

  “This is Georgia, sweetheart. Everyone wrinkles the minute they step outside. Trust me when I say no one will notice.”

  “But the pictures—”

  “Will be beautiful anyway.” He placed a kiss upon the curve of her neck and followed it with a little swat across her behind, starting her down the hallway.

  After being discharged from Walter Reed, they returned to Savannah where Danny continued with his physical rehabilitation, working hard to rebuild his strength and endurance to return to active duty. Not far from where Ben and Marie lived, they found a single-story bungalow in desperate need of renovation. Marie went with them the first time they looked at the house and she and Bree chatted excitedly about all the possibilities. He could practically hear the cash register ringing up in his head as they spoke of how to balance historic charm with modern amenities, especially in the kitchen and bath.

  In the end, he couldn’t deny her. Once they closed on it in a matter of weeks, they’d be living in the middle of a construction zone with all of his weekends and vacation time dedicated to honey-do’s for the foreseeable future.

  He could hardly wait.

  Using the spare minute or two made available to him, Danny pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed his brother. This was one time when his brother’s penchant for secrets and weakness for sweets worked in Danny’s favor, Michael’s silence only costing him a dozen snickerdoodles and a freshly baked peach pie from his favorite bakery.

  “Everything good on your end?”

  “All good,” Michael answered. “We’re on the way now. ETA fifteen minutes. Everything going as planned?”

  Danny groaned, scrubbing his palm over his face. “She’s still getting dressed.”

  Michael laughed. “Should’ve told her.”

  “Too late now. I’m committed to it being a surprise. See you in a bit.”

  After ending the call with Michael, his phone buzzed with a text message from Marie.

  All ready to go. Just waiting on you.

  Thank you for all your help, he replied. On our way.

  His phone buzzed a second time. Gibby wants to know if they can tap the keg.

  Jesus Christ. Yes, it was hot as hell. Yes, the guys were likely wearing more than board shorts and flip-flops. At least they’d better be. But knowing these guys and the amount they could drink, they’d float the damn thing before he and Bree even got there. He glanced at his watch again and yelled down the hall. “Bree, we’ve got to go.”

  Then he texted back. Not just no, but hell no.

  With the message sent, he tucked his phone into his pocket and looked up just in time to see Bree step into the hall. His heart stopped.

  The dress was long and flowing, transforming her into a Greek goddess, her short, trendy hair accentuating her neck and shoulders and collarbones. Simply stunning. And then she turned around and he forgot how to breathe. The dress dipped low, low, low in the back, overwhelming him with an urgent need to trace the length of her spine with his tongue.

  God Almighty.

  “Is this okay?” She searched his eyes for an answer because he didn’t respond quickly enough as far as she was concerned. Actually, he couldn’t respond because she’d successfully short-circuited his brain.

  “It’s too dressy, isn’t it?” she questioned. “And white? I really wasn’t sure about this but Marie insisted. She said light colors look best in beach photos and the photographer agreed. But I don’t know. It screams wedding dress to me.”

  She started for the bedroom again. “Give me one more minute. I bought a backup. Something less—”

  He grabbed hold of her hand, pulling her back to him, her palms splaying across his chest. “It’s perfect,” he whispered. When she tried to protest again, he silenced her with a gentle kiss before emphasizing his point. “Perfect.”

  Of course, one kiss led to another, and another, leaving them both breathless in the end.

  Bree caressed his face, her thumb dipping into the dimple of his chin. “Maybe we should reschedule the photo shoot?” Her lips were wet and rosy and swollen from his kisses. A pretty blush stained the hollow of her throat and spread upward to her cheeks. There was no doubt what she had in mind.

  Danny groaned, wanting nothing more than to oblige. “I promise you’ll be glad we didn’t cancel.”

  Bree pouted her lip. “Promise?”

  “Absolutely.”

  It took every ounce of self-restraint to not spill the beans and tell her they had a hundred people waiting for them. But he’d made it this far. No way would he ruin the surprise now. He grabbed her things and ushered her out the door.

  SO THEY WERE running a little bit late. Not a big deal. Traffic going to the island was fairly light considering it was tourist season. No accidents. No backups. And yet, Danny was super impatient, cursing under his breath at each and every slowdown. Not to mention fidgety, tapping his thumb atop the ste
ering wheel whenever the traffic began to crawl. He caught her watching him more than once; in each case he’d taken another deep breath and smiled at her.

  Something was definitely up.

  And so she started mentally preparing herself for what was to come. Were they not getting the house? Were they being transferred? Was he being sent overseas far sooner than they expected?

  When he found an open parking spot on the north beach of Tybee Island, Danny threw the Tahoe into park and hopped out, quickly placing a call on his cell phone before he’d even closed the car door. “We’ve made it. Finally,” he said. “Give us a few minutes.”

  “Are we meeting the photographer at the lighthouse?” Bree asked when Danny offered his hand to help her out of the car.

  “No. He’s waiting for us just down the beach.”

  Danny closed the door behind her and hit the lock button on his remote. Twice. After patting down his pockets, he took a deep breath and quickly swiped at his brow. Taking Bree’s hand in his, he was raring to hit the beach. Except when he took a step, Bree remained firmly in place.

  “Are you okay?” she asked. “You seem really nervous.”

  “It’s only pictures. Why would I be nervous?”

  Bree shrugged her shoulders. “Got me.”

  “Just come with me. I promise I’ll explain everything in a minute.”

  This time she allowed him to take her by the hand and lead her down the beach to where a large group of people gathered.

  “Oh, look. Someone’s getting . . .” Bree stopped in her tracks. “What are my parents doing here?”

  Danny stepped in front of her then, taking both of her hands in his, momentarily blocking out the rest of the world. She looked up into his deep blue eyes to see his earlier nervousness replaced with confidence and strength.

  “When we married six months ago, a courthouse wedding was good enough for the short term. But you deserve better than that. Actually, we both deserve better. We’re kind of like cats with nine lives, you and me,” he said, smiling wide, that rare dimple creasing his cheek. “We’ve both been through the wringer and survived the worst. Seems to me the odds are on our side now and things will only be getting better for us here on out. Starting now.” From his jacket pocket he pulled out a diamond solitaire ring and knelt on the sand before her. “Aubrey Grace Dunbar MacGregor, will you marry me? Again? This time, once and for all.”

  She stared down at him, stunned speechless.

  Danny squeezed her left hand and whispered so only she could hear, “This is where you’re supposed to say something. Preferably a yes seeing as we’re already married.”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “The answer will always be yes.”

  Danny wrapped his arms around her middle and twirled her in a circle, finally setting her on her feet and kissing her lips.

  Their friends and family cheered and clapped and whistled, while one lone voice shouted out from the group.

  “You’re not to that part yet!”

  IN THE SHADOW of the Tybee Island lighthouse, Bree watched as Danny spun her mother across the dance floor. Laughing and breathless, it was clear her mother was having the time of her life. Mac followed suit, albeit at a much slower pace while dancing with Marie. And seated at a table at the edge of the dance floor sat her father, holding court of sorts, telling who knows what kind of stories to a dozen men from C-Company. They all listened intently as he spoke, then when he must have reached the punch line, laughed boisterously in unison.

  And just as he’d promised all those months ago, Danny’s marriage proposal not only helped her out of her rut and start anew, that newfound happiness also extended to their family members. All except one.

  She raised her chin to meet her dance partner’s eyes. “I never thanked you for saving Danny’s life.”

  Michael blushed slightly as he maneuvered them across the dance floor. “All part of the job, ma’am,” he said with a faux twang. The only thing missing was a cowboy hat so he could flick the brim.

  “It makes it easier knowing you’re there with him. Wherever the army sends you.”

  “For Dad, too.”

  “But who takes care of you, Michael?”

  He looked directly at her, the surprise evident in his eyes. It was there only a moment before the walls went up and he looked away. “I’m rarely placed in the same kind of danger as him.”

  “That’s not what I mean and you know it,” she said, poking him in the chest. “Your whole life you’ve looked after your father and Danny. After me. And now all of these men. You deserve someone who will put you in their safekeeping.”

  He chuckled at that. “Don’t go getting any ideas, Bree.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Sure you aren’t.” He smiled and shook his head. “The minute you started working for Marie, Ben, Danny, and I just knew it was only a matter of time before you’d be sucked into Marie’s matchmaking ways.” He leaned closer so only she could hear. “Too much time together and too little supervision.”

  “Hardly.” Bree slapped his chest. “We just want you to be happy, Michael.”

  “I am. But I’m even happier for you and Danny.”

  She studied him closer, trying to decide if he was just paying her lip service on her wedding day. “You mean that? Not too long ago you were against this marriage.”

  “I was never against you two marrying,” he said, shaking his head. “I was against the imminent divorce. I hated that you two would be so stubborn as to willingly walk away from each other. Again. Because you both hadn’t been miserable enough for the past ten years. So yes, I’m very happy.” He leaned over to press a noisy kiss to her cheek. “I’m especially happy you’re officially my sister-in-law. It’s been a long time coming.”

  “Yes, it has.”

  The song ended and Danny made his way across the floor to retrieve his wife.

  “It’s about time,” she said as Michael handed her off to his brother. “I was wondering if I’d get to dance with my husband again.”

  “Of course. But before that happens there’s one thing we need to do before Lucky heads out. This includes you, Mikey.”

  In a far corner, the men of the 75th gathered around a lone table beautifully decorated like all the others. Except this table was set for one and went unused. As they made their way across the dance floor, Danny told her of the regiment tradition, how a table is always set in memory of those who did not return from combat.

  Her eyes misted at the memory of how close he came to being one of those men, of her losing him forever. As if reading her mind, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple.

  Bull handed out whiskey-filled shot glasses to each of the men and offered one to Bree, as well.

  “Are you certain? Shouldn’t this just be for the men?”

  “On other occasions, maybe. But today you’re drinking, too, Mrs. MacGregor,” Bull said with a wink.

  Once everyone had a drink, Gibby raised his glass high, offering a toast. “To those who fought alongside us and now watch over us from above. Fair winds.”

  “Fair winds,” they replied in unison before quickly tossing back the tiny glasses of amber liquid. Bree followed suit, the whiskey burning a path from her throat to her belly. She’d barely caught her breath before Bull was attempting to refill her shot glass for a second round.

  “Oh, no.” Bree placed her hand over the glass. “No. No. No.”

  “But we’re not done yet,” said the giant blond warrior standing in front of her. “And it’s practically un-American to refuse a toast to those who protect your freedoms.”

  Bree gave Danny the side-eye as he chuckled at Bull’s manipulation, but she reluctantly lowered her hand, allowing him to fill her glass. “How many more?” she whispered for Danny’s ears only.

  “Not sure.�
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  “Are you wanting them to get me drunk?”

  “Do you think I’d complain?” Danny suggestively waggled his eyebrows.

  Bree narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re so bad. So very bad.”

  Gibby turned to face Lucky and raised his glass. “To goodbyes—may they never be spoken. To friendships—may they never be broken.”

  “To Lucky,” they all said in unison before downing the second shot.

  Afterward, Danny slapped his hand upon Lucky’s shoulder. “Seriously, man, good luck in Oklahoma. Put that GI Bill to good use and show those snot-nosed college kids how Rangers do things.”

  “Will do,” Lucky said. “Just as long as you promise not to take any more bullets. The organs you have left are essential items.”

  They finished off their conversation with a bro-hug as Bull made his way around the circle, filling their glasses for a third time.

  “Gibby’s really good with these toasts.” Bree leaned heavily against Danny’s chest as she hoisted her glass. “I have to admit I’m impressed.”

  Danny lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “He Googles them all.”

  Oh.

  “To Danny and Bree.”

  This time the group turned to face her and Danny, and she couldn’t help but smile at these brave, strong men raising their glasses in toast to them. And then, much to their delight, she threw back her shot. Which surprisingly went down far easier than the first two.

  Bree took a deep breath and steadied herself. “Please tell me we’re done?”

  “Even if Gibby’s not, you are.”

  DANNY PRIED THE shot glass from Bree’s hand and placed it on the table before leading his wife to the center of the floor for one last dance.

  He liked thinking of Bree that way—his wife. More than he ever could have imagined. And he couldn’t believe there would ever come a day when he would tire of hearing those two beautiful words.

  His beautiful bride, who was more than a little tipsy, limply tossed her arms around his neck and leaned into him. Which of course gave him a good excuse to hold her a little closer than appropriate in his arms.