Page 130 of Thorns of Blood

“Today, it’s nearly perfect, husband. Thank you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Nearly?”

That wouldn’t do. I needed everything absolutely perfect for my wife.

“We’re just missing Mara,” she murmured. “I wanted to practice swimming with her and she’ll miss the flowers. They’ll probably all die out.”

My wife was eliminating her bucket list slowly but surely, leaving her with one final item to complete. Her graduate degree. She was working on it now, determined to live to the fullest, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

“I know, wildflower, but she’ll be here next week. I’ll import a truckload of daffodils and plant them if these die, and we can all run barefoot and dance.”

She chuckled softly. “You too?”

I grinned. “Damn right.”

“How did I get so lucky?” Lia asked in a soft voice.

“You didn’t shoot me when you had a chance,” I teased.

“Best decision of my life.” She put her arms around my neck, smiling, then kissed me on the lips. “I’m so in love with you, and life without you would be miserable.”

I chuckled against her lips. “I love you too, wildflower.”

We started dancing, our family’s laughter surrounding us, and the world had never felt more right than it did now with this woman in my arms. She made me so proud and happy, and she loved me unconditionally.

I was hers. She was mine.

In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer.

Until death do us part.

THE END