Safeguarding Kelly(53)
Author: Zoe Dawson
“I’m so happy for you, Kelly. You deserve everything and I’m going to work at giving you it all.”
“I do have everything. I have you and Kiko and our family. That’s all that matters to me.” And Kelly knew that was really all she’d ever need. Easing back into his embrace, she looked at him, her eyes shimmering with happy tears, loving him so much—so very much—that it filled her up. She had no idea she would find him again, that they would find each other, but she was so grateful they had.
“I love you, Jason,” she whispered, a deep, heartfelt joy making her voice tremble.
Tightening his hold on her hand, he pressed her knuckles against his mouth, his face carved with emotion. Drawing in a deep breath, he whispered, “I love you, Kelly.”
Jason stared down at her, his gaze dark, intense, unwavering. And that was how they would live their lives for the rest of their lives.
EPILOGUE
His mom’s house had been decked out with so much purple. It was everywhere. In Japanese heritage white was for funerals, so purple dominated everything: in the guest book, the groomsmen and bridesmaids’ favors, the flowers festooning the chairs on the lawn with a spectacular view of the ocean. Twisted in the arbor where he was standing with Davis as his best man and soon, his bride would join them. Her favorite color was even in the small twinkling lights.
He was ready for this huge shindig to get going.
The weather was Southern California perfect, the sky cloudless and the temperature mild. Guests filled the chairs, his mom in the front with Joel, looking like a million bucks in her yellow sheath dress and his impeccable gray suit, sans tie. Kelly’s family was on the other side, her mom looking lovely in a salmon pink dress.
Seated behind her was Amber and her husband Tristan, Derrick and his wife Emma, Austin and his wife Jenna, and Kai. Jason didn’t miss the sparks between them. Maybe one of these days they would smell the coffee and give it up. Nova Buchanan and her husband Logan were also there, along with Neve and her husband Russell.
The music cued up and Kelly came out of the house, and he lost all sense of time and space as he focused on the love of his life, the woman that centered his world and was about to pledge her life and love to him.
He had to admit, it had been a crazy whirlwind affair till this moment, but now that it was here, everything just faded away.
Nothing was going to be dull with Kelly and Kiko. They would be keeping him on his toes, and he would have to rise to the challenge of stories, baths, school lunches and buses, homework and holidays, vacations and weekends.
She stole whatever breath he had left after seeing her eyes. She was so beautiful, in a gown that started with the palest lavender getting darker and darker until it was almost black at the hem, hugging a body he couldn’t get enough of.
But it was the look in her eyes that captured every bit of his attention. Fierce love, trust, and commitment. He believed he could take over the world with that kind of look.
Kiko, looking like an adorable angel in a dark purple dress, started down the aisle, throwing purple petals onto the ground. Kelly’s sister Kim was dressed in the same color, walking behind her.
When she reached him, he took her hand and drew her toward Commander Jensen, who was ready to get them hitched.
Before he turned completely, he saw his father, and two men he’d only ever seen in pictures. His half-brothers. He met his dad’s eyes and a silent communication passed between them. Jason smiled. No more secrets, no more lies, no more deception.
They exchanged rings and he kissed his bride for several seconds after his commander declared them married, holding her and looking forward to when he would get to have her. She was the only woman he had ever loved. He sealed their vow, the lonely years away from her, lost in the passage of time and forgotten. New memories overflowing.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
“Good start to our married life,” she whispered back.
“I’m no dummy. You’ll always be beautiful to me. All the happily ever after days to come.”
That’s what they would have as they grew their family and lived that happily ever after every day.