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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

P aul stood at the altar, his heart thundering in his chest, his palms slightly damp even though he wasn’t nervous. At least not about his impending marriage. Never about that.

His thoughts swirled with everything else.

He had a dozen cases, a dozen lives he was trying to help stitch back together.

The young mother who came into the office last week looking like she hadn’t eaten in two days—her cheeks hollow, her arms wrapped protectively around her toddler like a human shield.

But Fish had started slipping extra meals into her pickup orders from the bakery, and Jules made sure she left with bread, muffins, and something sweet to remind her she deserved a little kindness.

Then there was the seventeen-year-old who'd filed for emancipation from a nightmare home situation, a kid too old for foster care but too young to carry that kind of burden. Paul had worried endlessly about him—until Noah mentioned needing help in the kitchen, and Jacqui said she could always use an extra set of hands at Chow Town. They’d taken him in and handed him an apron and a place to belong. It was a start.

He was still worried about looming budget cuts to youth outreach and after-school programs. But Mayor Teddy had sat down with him over coffee three times that week to go over strategy.

And Paul also knew he had an in with the mayor’s very persuasive fiancée who had told Paul on more than one occasion that he was her favorite brother-in-law.

Though Paul figured he'd won that spot by default since he was the only present brother-in-law.

They were applying for a grant next month. Paul wanted to get some good press ahead of it, maybe a human interest story that would show the program’s heart. Jed, who had one foot in the restaurant world and the other still in TV, said he knew a producer who owed him a favor.

So no, Paul wasn’t worried about his wedding. He wasn’t even worried about work—not really. He’d found a community of heroes. People who showed up not for glory but because someone had to. And he was about to marry one of the fiercest among them.

Birdy Chou didn’t just fight for people—she lit the way for them. Paul’s only prayer, as he stood there waiting to call her his wife, was that he could be the man worthy of walking beside her in that light. Every single day.

Warmth radiated from the crowd packed into the pews—family, friends, the entire town, it seemed. Smiling faces, glistening eyes, tissues tucked discreetly into hands.

And then—Birdy.

She walked toward him in a simple breathtaking gown that skimmed her figure like it had been stitched by angels. Her hair was down, loose and soft around her shoulders, like he’d always imagined. Like she trusted him enough to let him see her unguarded.

He almost left his place at the altar and walked to her. He wanted to be anywhere she was. She was everything.

When she reached his side, he took her hand in his. He threaded their fingers together, like a lock finally finding its key.

The pastor spoke, but Paul barely heard him. Because all he could see, all he could feel, was Birdy. His wife-to-be. When it came time for his vows, Paul’s voice was steady, sure.

“You told me once,” he said, his thumb brushing along the back of her hand, “that you wanted love that didn’t make you smaller. I don't want to take your light. I want to stand in it with you. Every day.”

A chorus of sighs rippled through the crowd. Someone sniffled audibly.

Birdy's face crumpled for just a second before she smiled—a smile that lit him up from the inside. When it was her turn, her voice trembled at first but grew stronger with every word.

“Paul, you support me. You make me feel bright. Whole. You don’t try to shrink me to fit yourself. You stretch yourself to meet me where I am. I vow to stand tall beside you. And be strong enough to let you hold me when I feel weak. To trust you to be my strength, my partner, my best friend.”

Paul’s heart swelled so big he thought he might not survive it. He dipped his head to kiss her, but a throat being cleared held him back.

The pastor smiled indulgently at him. “By the power vested in me... I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Finally! Paul cupped Birdy's face in both hands and kissed her. His kiss was soft and reverent at first, then deeper, more sure. He was vaguely aware of the church erupting in cheers and clapping and a few joyful whistles.

Paul didn't want to, but he knew custom dictated that he not make out with his new wife in front of the whole town. It was a stupid rule. But one he'd have to obey if he wanted to get out of here soon and get his new wife alone. And so he pulled back, just enough to rest his forehead against hers.

“Mine,” he whispered.

“Yours,” she whispered back.

He turned with her to face their family—their community. His parents stood near the front, his mom wiping her eyes unabashedly. His dad grinned so widely his cheeks might split. His brothers hooted and pumped their fists.

Beverly and Zeke sat in the second pew, the baby between them.

Zeke looked awkward but hopeful, his big hand tentatively holding the baby's tiny one as she giggled and gurgled at him. Beverly smiled softly, still a little wary, but there was kindness in her gaze. They were healing.

Around them, the Chou women and their husbands celebrated.

Jacqui leaned against her rugged husband.

Jules laughed with her gruff, adoring beast of a man.

Jami stole a kiss from her handsome chef.

Jacqui's fingers were entwined with Teddy's, who rubbed his thumb over the engagement ring on her left hand.

At the very end of the row, their grandmother, N?inai sat beaming smugly. She gave Paul a wink before her gaze lifted upward, as if she were silently telling her late husband, Another mission accomplished .

But then Paul noticed N?inai glance sideways—to Kitty.

Kitty sat smiling, clapping along with the rest, but there was a telltale shimmer in the young woman's eyes. A brightness that was all sadness, no joy. She was the only Chou woman alone.

Paul looked down at Birdy, glowing beside him, and his heart squeezed tighter still. They had helped so many already. Maybe it was time to help one of their own next.

He squeezed Birdy’s hand gently. Birdy’s eyes danced. A tear slipped free down her cheek. It did something to him that she let him see her this vulnerable.

Paul caught the tear with his thumb. Then he pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye.

“Thank you for not brushing me off,” she said.

“Thank you for taking my help.”

“Too bad there's not a snowstorm or power outage to get us out of this party so we can start a private chat.”

Paul grinned, leaning in close, his voice low against her ear. “Hmm… let me see what I can do. Forecast’s calling for a hundred percent chance of us getting snowed in… somewhere steamy.”

Want to meet Kitty’s husband?

So does she!

The reunion happens in

The Enlisted Engagement!