Page 38 of Forgiving His Past (Eagle’s Nest Securities #5)

Nine months later…

“I, Donovan Matthew Braddock, take you, Kaamisha, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, in comfort or despair. I promise to forsake all others and to always be true to you. I will love you, honor you, cherish, and protect you. And I will do all of these things until the very end of my days.”

Van stared down at the woman who was about to become his wife. By fate’s design, she wasn’t his first, but he knew Kam would be his forever.

She was his, and he was hers. There was no taking it back, because now it was as official as these sorts of things could be. After all, the gorgeous woman in white had said as much a short moment ago when she’d spoken her own precious, handwritten vows.

Following Lucky’s command—because the crazy man had gone and gotten himself ordained from some pay-as-you-go internet site—Van and Kam exchanged the simple gold bands they’d chosen as a symbol of their never-ending love .

A few more words were spoken, but he wasn’t sure what his teammate said. He was too busy getting lost in the eyes that were his future.

After everything went down with Webb and McDowell that day on the farm, they’d all taken some much-needed time to recover.

For Kam, that recovery was as much physical as it had been emotional.

For Van, Chase, Lucky, and Archer, it meant finally being able to put the past behind them so they could truly move on.

Logan, however, had taken the bombshell revelation the hardest. Webb hadn’t just been a mentor or the man his SEAL team often took orders from when given a new mission.

The man had been like a father to him after his own dad’s death. He’d been Logan’s family, and for those first few weeks after everything came out, it had been almost like the poor guy had lost his father all over again.

Things were good now, though. For Logan. For them all. The country was still reeling from the news that their second-in-command was a lying, scheming, cold-blooded killer, driven by a need for power and his own unhinged greed.

As for McDowell and Webb, they were both sitting in solitary awaiting their separate trials to face charges for what was being called the political scandal of the century.

Van wasn’t worried about his country. They’d been through worse, and they always came out on top. Right now, in this moment, the only thing on his mind was his future. And of course, his gorgeous wife.

Well, his almost wife. There was just one more thing to do before it became official…

“So by the power given to me by God and those guys on the internet…” Lucky grinned. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The man’s crystal blue eyes slid his way with a playful gleam. “Okay, big guy. You did it. Now give your bride a big, wet kiss. ”

Normally Van would be tempted to punch the smartass smack dab in the middle of his perfect teeth. But today was different. He was different. And the only thought rolling through his mind in that moment was…

Don’t mind if I do.

Kam smiled up at him as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her body flush with his. Standing there, on top of a hill filled with gently blowing grass and wildflowers as far as the eye could see, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

He’d planned to make the kiss soft and sweet, but apparently his new wife had other plans.

She threw her arms around his neck, tilted her head, and took the kiss deeper. Following her lead, Van supported her neck and head while bending her backward in a careful but passionate dip.

His teammates and their wives all cheered. Logan and Nat’s toddler son—little Garrison Hayes—squealed with delight right on cue. The sound of a baby cooing reached Van’s ears, and he smiled to himself, knowing Chase and Scottie’s little girl was enjoying the moment, too.

They were all here to witness his and Kam’s union and to celebrate in their joy. In a word, the day was perfect.

“I love you,” Kam told him softly as he pulled her back up to him.

She’d told him every single day since he and his team had found her on that farm. And he’d damn well made sure she knew he loved her, too.

“Okay, boys. It’s time to party!”

Van laughed as the cheers grew louder and more boisterous. But even as they gathered around the happy couple to offer their heartfelt congratulations, he and the others knew there was still one other thing they needed to do.

Thirty minutes later…

“You sure this is okay?” He stood at the memorial site Logan and Natalie had built on a plot of land near their home in honor of their fallen brother.

“Of course.” Kam linked her fingers with his. “He was your family, Van. And now, that means he’s also a part of mine.”

God, he loved this woman. Until her, he hadn’t known this type of all-consuming, burn-the-world-to-the-ground-to-save-her kind of love existed. For his teammates, sure. Not for him.

But it did. And this day…this moment…was all the proof he needed.

“We finally got them, Hunt.” Logan spoke to the ornate stone etched with Hunter’s name. “The men responsible for what happened to you are finally paying for what they did.”

The air grew quiet as they all became lost in their own private thoughts. Van’s mind replayed the best memories it held of the man who’d been a vital part of his DEVGRU team.

But Hunter Garrison had been more than a teammate. Like those around him, the man was family. There wasn’t a day that passed that he didn’t cross all of their minds. And now…

Now, brother, it’s finally time for you to rest in peace.

After laying the flowers she’d carried for their wedding on top of the thick stone, Kam looked up at Van and waited for him to be ready. To say goodbye to his brother so they could begin the life they all deserved.

As they walked a few feet behind the others on their way back to his truck to drive to the small reception, Van watched with a smile as Logan and Natalie swung Garrison back and forth between them. Natalie held one of her son’s tiny hands while Logan held the other .

He watched and listened to the conversations and laughter of those around them. His gaze fell on the tiny baby nestled in a pink blanket in Scottie’s arms. Chase’s hand rested on his wife’s lower back, and together, they walked as a family back to Chase’s car.

“So I was thinking,” Van rumbled as he held his wife’s hand in his. “What would you think about us making one of those? You know…someday.”

Kam followed his gaze to Logan, who’d just tossed Garrison playfully up in the air. The boy giggled with his entire body, and just like that, Van knew he was ready.

“Funny you should mention that.” His wife looked up at him with a knowing grin. “As it just so happens, someday is already here.”

It took Van two full seconds for the meaning behind her words to fully sink in. He stopped mid-stride and pulled her back to him.

“Are you serious?” he asked her quietly. “Are you really saying what I think you’re?—”

“I’m pregnant.” Kam’s luscious lips spread wide. “I’ve known for about a week, but I wanted to wait to surprise you. I thought…” She glanced around and then back to him. “I thought today would be the perfect day to give you the news.”

It was perfect. She was perfect. And by some miracle, he would never understand, the amazing, incredible, beautiful woman belonged to him.

She’s going to have my baby.

“She’s going to have my baby!”

He yelled those words so loudly that everyone near their cars stopped what they were doing and looked their way.

If he thought the cheers for their recent nuptials were exciting, it was nothing compared to the celebration that had just ensued. Yes, this day, this woman, these men and their families …

They were all absolutely perfect. His l ife was perfect, and in the very best of ways…

It was only the beginning.