Page 275 of The Baby Bargain

I move closer to him with every step.

Then close enough to touch him.

Dad kisses me on the cheek. "I love you, sweetie." He crosses the altar. Takes Charlotte from Holden. Sits in the front aisle.

I look at my daughter for a moment. She's so big now and she looks so much like her daddy. Big blue eyes. Long limbs. Bright smile.

My little girl. Our little girl.

We're already a family.

This is where we make it official.

My gaze shifts back to Chase.

I take his hands. Squeeze them tightly. Stare at him as everyone sits.

The officiant moves to the podium. He makes some joke about how we did everything out of order. And how he's never seen such a tall couple.

Then he's reciting Mom's favorite poem. Talking about love and marriage and forever. Taking the rings from Forest.

He hands the shiny silver wedding band to me.

My fingers close around the metal.

I'm surrounded by people. I'm speaking in public. But the second I stare into Chase's eyes, my fears dissolve.

I recite my vows from heart, then I slide the ring onto his finger. "I do."

He takes the ring. Stares at me with every bit of love and devotion in the world as he slides it on my finger. "I do." His hands go to my hips.

He pulls me into a slow, deep kiss.

The officiant is saying something.

Friends and family are clapping.

The waves beneath us are crashing.

But there's only one thing in my head:

Chase is my husband.

I'm kissing my husband.

He's really mine forever.

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