I heard most everything as I stared at my bride, but what resonated with me the most was the death do us part. I’d give my last breath for her, almost did in that alley a few weeks ago.
There wasn’t anything we couldn’t face now.
I couldn’t wait to be with my Lina. To haveallof her.
“Okay,now, you can kiss the bride,” the Justice of the Peace said as he winked.
And boy, did I ever.
* * *
Epilogue
Angelina
“Look at us, back where we first met.” I threaded my fingers with Hunter’s as we stood in front of the elevator. “Only we’re on campus!”
“And you’re not unconscious.” He waggled our connected hands.
“Not yet, anyway,” I giggled as we stepped into the tiny box, and I tightened my grip even more. Good thing he was a tough guy, he could take it. “I made it, Hunter. Graduation day!”
“You sure did.” He brought the back of my hand to his mouth and pressed a tender kiss to it. “I’m so proud of you.”
I could see it in his eyes, too. He meant it. “I’m proud of you, too.”
He quirked up his eyebrow, something I’d learned about him over these past few weeks as husband and wife. It was his silent way of showing me he didn’t understand something or was working to figure it out.
“For taking care of me and Lisa. Your family.”
With his father finally in military prison, possibly awaiting a death penalty, and his mom happy with Marshal, Hunter was finally free. Like I was. I’d never seen him so relaxed and… content. He deserved it.
And here we were graduating. It was our goal, both of ours, and we’d made it. Together. Lies and his father tried to interfere, but we’d busted through them. We’d found our way back to each other.
We were freaking married. I still couldn’t believe it. I’d come so far this year. I’d found my strength. I’d found my soul mate.
“I’ll always take care of you, Lina.” Promise laced each word and helped blast through the nerves threatening to weaken my resolve of walking through graduation.
I still wasn’t quite to the point of sitting in the crowds and walking down that long, long aisle to the front of the auditorium, so we arranged a back way in, the one used by the professors, and Hunter was going to walk with me.
Small steps.
“Got you something.” Hunter pulled out a little red cloth sack form his pocket and smiled as he handed it to me. “You know, for sentimental reasons.”
I grabbed the present and pulled it open. There was a handful of candy corn inside. I dug in and grabbed a few and popped them in my mouth. “You’re going to make me fat, you know.”
“You could stand to have a little more meat on you.” He patted my butt. “Doing okay?”
“Great.” I leaned into him and realized I really was doing great. Minimal anxiety, normal breathing, and best of all: no passing out.
Progress noted!
The elevator stopped, and the lazy doors slid open. A small group of people gathered before the elevator, smiling.
I stood straight, a rush of anxiety clenching my stomach, but as quickly as it came, it vanished. Especially when I saw Drey. He was holding an iPad up, and Lizzie was smiling at me, clapping.
“What’s…going on?” I looked up at Hunter as he guided me out of the elevator into the hallway leading to the stage entrance.
“Brought a few people along for moral support.”