by Rebecca Deel
“Get him up,” Alex said, his voice flat.
A small smile curved Josh’s lips. He hauled the moaning man to his feet.
Alex shifted his weight, balled his fist and punched Lee in the mouth, splitting his lip. The other man’s weight sagged against Josh. Alex jerked Lee’s head back up by his hair, leaned close. “If you ever touch my wife again, I will kill you.” His voice was cold, deadly. “Are you hearing me, Hall?”
Lee’s eyes widened, darted to Ivy, focused again on Alex. Aside from the blood oozing from the gash and split lip and the reddened skin from the coffee, his face grew bone white.
When the other man nodded, Alex stepped away from him, wrapped Ivy in his arms. To Josh, he said, “Get him out of here before I beat him to a pulp.”
In the hall, Ivy heard Josh say cheerfully to Lee, “You got off lucky, dude. Compared to him, the most vicious terrorists look like a tame house cat.”
Ivy’s teeth began chattering. Crap. She hated adrenaline dump. She hoped this was the last time.
Alex helped her to the sofa. “Sit for a minute. I’ll get you a Coke. You need sugar.” In seconds, he was back, broke the seal on the drink and pressed it into her hand, sat beside her.
After she’d downed half of the drink, he eased her head against his chest, his arms holding her secure. Once the shakes had passed, Alex brushed her lips with a gentle kiss.
“I’m proud of you, baby.”
“You saved my life.” Ivy caressed his jaw. “I used what you taught me to escape.” She grinned. “And no panic attack.”
Another kiss from the love of her life. “Do you want to postpone the shopping trip? Del and Liz will understand.”
She sat up. “No way. I’m celebrating. Lee’s going away for a long time. Better than that, I’m marrying the man I adore in five days. I’m on a mission to find the perfect dress, one that will knock your socks off.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Alex’s eyes widened at the stunning sight of Ivy in her white, lacy wedding gown. She looked like a princess. He had always thought Ivy was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Today, on this breathtakingly beautiful Saturday morning, she glowed with happiness. Her eyes sparkled, her mouth curved in a wide smile. He thought his heart might burst from sheer joy.
He waited for her to join him, Josh, and Del under a flower-covered arbor in the Cahills’ backyard. With only the Cahill clan and his teammates in attendance and Marcus Lang officiating, the wedding was as small and intimate as Ivy had requested.
When Aaron laid Ivy’s hand on Alex’s palm, he said, “Take good care of our girl, son. We’re trusting you to do right by her and love her the rest of your life.”
Alex nodded. “You have my word on that.”
Aaron turned to Ivy. “Love our son with all your heart, sweet Ivy. Be his refuge when life grows rough.”
She kissed the Cahill patriarch on the cheek. “I’ll take care of him. I promise.”
With a kiss to her forehead, Aaron walked to sit beside his wife.
Marcus Lang’s eyes twinkled. “Well, Aaron didn’t leave me much to do.”
Laughter rang out in the crisp air.
“Alex and Ivy wanted to share this day with family.” Marcus smiled. “And so they have. Families support each other, love each other, and get in each other’s faces when it’s warranted.”
More chuckles.
“They’ve battled their way through danger in recent days. You’ve been a part of that. This is a celebration, not only of two lives joining into one and creating a new family, but a celebration of victory over evil. And now, Alex and Ivy have written their own vows.
“Alex, take both Ivy’s hands in yours and share your vow.”
He raised her hands, kissed the back of both, his thumb tracing the line of her charm bracelet. “I fell in love with you the first time I saw you, angel. Your courage and strength amazed me. Your smile captivated me. I promise to love you the rest of my life. You are a precious gift and I’ll cherish you with every beat of my heart. I’ll protect you and our children. I’ll walk through life by your side, support you when you falter, hold you when you need comfort. Together, we will create a family to last a lifetime.”
“Ivy,” Marcus said. “Share your vow.”
“When I first met you, I never dreamed we would one day be husband and wife. Your honor and character captured my heart. Your smile brought me joy. Your touch banished my fears. Your unfailing belief in me gave me the strength to stand. I love you, Alex. I will always love you. I commit my life to you. My heart is yours for all time. I’ll support you and believe in you. I’ll love you and our children with my every breath. When the storms come, I’ll be your shelter. I will walk beside you the rest of our lives. You are my greatest dream come true.”
Marcus nodded to Josh who passed Alex the platinum band for Ivy. He slid the band onto her finger, snug against her engagement ring. “This ring represents my unending love for you.”
Del passed Ivy a wedding band. Ivy slid the band onto his finger. “This ring represents my unending love for you.”
Marcus smiled. “It is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Alex, you may kiss your bride.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, angel.” Alex bent his head and kissed her, long and deep to the cheers of their friends. When he broke the kiss, he kept his arms around her. Finally, his angel was now his wife.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Marcus said, “I present to you Alexander and Ivy Morgan.”
About the Author
Rebecca Deel is a preacher’s kid with a black belt in karate. She teaches business classes at a four-year college in Nashville, Tennessee. She plays the piano at church, writes freelance articles, and runs interference for the family Westies. She’s been married to her amazing husband for more than 20 years and is the proud mom of two grown sons. She delivers monthly devotions to the women’s group at her church and conducts seminars in personal safety, money management, and writing. Her articles have been published in ONE Magazine, Contact, and Co-Laborer, and she was profiled in the June 2010 Williamson edition of Nashville Christian Family magazine. Rebecca completed her Doctor of Arts degree in Economics and wears her favorite Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt when life turns ugly.
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