Page 5 of Valor
I’d never admit it out loud, because otherwise they’d start dragging me off places where there’s people, but a part of me was excited to be around my boys as well. The groom, Scott, had been a baby boot when the bomb that took his leg almost took his life. He likes to say I saved him, but when he pulls that shit, I just tell him his girlfriend, Faith, would have killed me if I hadn’t.
They didn’t know each other when I rescued Scott, and you wouldn’t think from her sweet demeanor that she could be tenacious. But that’s the thing about Southern women you don’t expect. Behind that sweetness there’s a spine of steel. Maybe that’s why I like my own so much.
My little Spitfire.
Chapter Three
Olivia
We arrivewith time to spare, which I consider a blessing with two small children in tow. The ushers are seating the guests into pews. Soft candlelight flickers in lanterns frothing with floral arrangements along the aisle. Ben’s hand tightens in mine as we’re led to our seats.
When I meet his eyes, they’re sparkling and I know he’s remembering when I walked down the aisle to him. I squeeze his back before we settle into our places, a few rows away from the front. Thankfully, Cole and Phoebe don’t put up a fuss. Both are too busy taking in the elaborate decorations. I won’t lie, I am, too.
Faith’s parents were so excited to see their daughter marrying Scott they went all out. I couldn’t blame them. You wouldn’t find two sweeter people. They deserved their happily ever after and dammit, I’m already nearly crying just being a part of it.
Thick white fabric drapes behind the dais where the officiant is patiently waiting. It’s accented with lush greenery and soft hues of pink and cream in the floral arrangements. Scott, the typical Marine, wasn’t a fan of pink. But he was a fan of Faith and he’d walk down the aisle bedecked in a pink pimp suit if it meant he’d get to marry her in the end.
Ben’s arm goes around my shoulders and I fit myself to his side, where I’ve been every day since we said ‘I do.’ Our ceremony wasn’t nearly as elaborate or as opulent as this one, but it was intimate and special—perfect for us. We’d invited our families and several of our closest friends. Cole was still a toddler at the time and Phoebe was tumbling around in my belly, as I was six months pregnant.
It couldn’t have been more perfect for us. Full of love and happiness, the promise of our future together, surrounded by our friends and family.
Tears prick at my eyes and I sniffle, wiping them away.
“I knew it,” Ben hisses slyly in my ear. “I told you it would only take you five minutes before you started all that crying.” He and Cole shared a look as though to commiserate over their hardships.
“The last time we were at a wedding,” I whisper, “I was hugely pregnant with Phoebe. Do you remember? I came down the aisle and you were standing there, all big and strong, and I couldn’t stop looking at you.”
His expression grows serious. “I remember,” he answers in a gruff voice. “I thought you were the prettiest thing in the world. Still do.”
“That’s why I’m crying already. I can’t help it. Weddings get me every time.”
Ben tips my chin to the side so his lips can kiss the tears from my cheeks. “I don’t mind, baby. As long as you’re happy.”
“Shh, shh,” I say, wiping my face and sitting up straight. “They’re about to start.”
A pianist begins a soft intro and the groom enters from a side door, followed by his groomsmen. I only recognize one of them, Ford. Scott introduced us a while back during some get together, Fourth of July, I think. Ford is basically Scott’s Jack, I think with a smile as they take their places.
I like a good wedding in their dress uniforms, but there’s something inherently sexy about a man in a tux. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always love a man in uniform, but it was hard to walk away from Ben in his tux. I admire him out of the corner of my eye as the bridesmaids begin their march to the front of the room. He catches my gaze and grins.
My stomach flips, as it always seems to do for him. Then the pianist switches to the bridal march and a hush goes over the crowd. Everyone stands and turns toward the entrance where Faith will make her appearance. Much as I want to see the bride, what I love about weddings is the expression on the groom’s face the first time he sees his future wife. Gets me every time.
Scott’s reaction doesn’t disappoint. Murmurs of delighted surprise ripple throughout the room as Faith begins the walk down the aisle. Scott has eyes for no one else, and his hand is pressed over his heart as though it’s about to leap straight from his chest. Even from a distance away, I can see the sheen of nervous tears in his eyes, and I’m almost positive if I were close enough, I could hear his jittery heartbeat.
“Hi,” Faith says to Scott when her father’s taken his seat.
Scott’s smile is a mile wide. “Hi.”
Ben twines his fingers with mine as we watch two of the people we care about the most take their first steps toward their happily ever after.
“Congratulations,” I tell the happy couple at the reception. “You two looked great up there.”
“We’re just happy the fuss is over. My mother was about to drive us both insane with the wedding planning,” Faith says.
We share a laugh. “Well, now it’s time for the fun part—the party and the honeymoon. Where are you two going?”
Both of their eyes light up and Scott wraps his arm around Faith’s waist. “We’re doing a whole tour of Asia over the summer: South Korea, Thailand, Tokyo. We can’t wait.”
“That sounds wonderful! I’ve heard Asia is beautiful.”