* * *
Forty minutes later,Mary was standing in front of the magistrate, her world whirling around her in a chaotic manner.
They’d stopped for only a moment, and Jax had left the car running. He raced inside of a jewelry store to purchase two wedding bands, hopping back in the car and speeding through town, pulling up at the courthouse at almost a frantic, breakneck pace. The couple held hands, running up the steps, and could hear their friends behind them trying to keep up… causing her to laugh at the realization.
Now, they were there, just in time… and saying their vows.
She was getting married again – something she never dreamed she would ever do. Her hands were trembling almost as much as his were, and this was quite unimaginable, to say the least.
There was sand in her shoes, her hair, and her underwear. Her hair was still tangled, despite brushing it frantically in the car and managing to get some of the snarls out. Both of them were covered in this weird residue from the saltwater… and she couldn’t imagine doing anything differently.
“I, Jax Michael Cunningham, do take thee Mary Elizabeth West, to have and to hold…”
She couldn’t help but stare at him as he gazed at her with so much unfettered love and affection. His voice broke as he whispered his vows to her, his eyes shining unabashedly with emotional tears.
“… I promise to love you, provide for you, honor and guide you. I will be your friend, your partner, your spouse – and ask that you allow me to be at your side for eternity,” Jax whispered, his voice trembling as she realized he wasn’t following the words from the magistrate, but rather speaking from his heart.
“I want to make you laugh, need to make you smile, and want to spend so many moments making you feel loved. Someday we’ll have a home full of joy and fill it with children made together during those moments alone. We’ll teach them just how much two people can care, value, and love each other – and how beautiful life can be when you spend it with the right person.”
Mary choked back a sob as she stared at him, realizing everything he said was not only true… but a promise to her as well. He was pledging himself before his friends, the magistrate, and God to fill a home with happiness and love, giving her deepest wishes in life.
“I, Mary Elizabeth West, do take thee Jax Michael Cunningham, for my lawfully wedding husband, to have and to hold…” and she hesitated, realizing just why he went off script.
Words were not enough.
“But I never expected any of this,” she murmured in an emotional voice, staring into his dark eyes so full of promise. “I want everything you’ve ever said with a ferocity that startles me. You speak to me of love, protection, passion, and a future, saying the words that reach beyond anything and touch my soul.”
She drew in a shaky breath, unmoving, as she held his hands and let it pour from her.
“I look at you and see the person I’ve always wanted beside me,” she said openly, tears streaming down her face as the intensity flowed between them, and saw even Jax had tears on his cheeks.
“I see that man, that smiling person that just wants to make me happy, and while I don’t deserve someone as good as you… I can never let you go. I want that home filled with love, children created in love, and laughter between soulmates who have finally found each other.”
She laughed softly, releasing his hand for a moment to swipe the tears off her cheeks as she beamed at him.
“I want the man that claims every time I see him it’s a first date,” she wept, and saw him wipe his face as he smiled. “I would be proud to be the wife of the man before me, who let me wax his nose just so I would trust him…”
“What’d she just say?” someone hissed from nearby.
“Shut up and pay attention. I am eating this up…”
“Y’all, pass me the tissues. Oh my gosh, the hormones…”
“What?”
“You noob! I’m pregnant again…”
“Yes!”
“AGAIN?! Good gravy…”
Mary and Jax laughed, not looking away from each other, lost in each other’s eyes as they promised forever.
“… And I can’t wait to spend eternity showing you how honored I am that you entrusted me with your precious, tender, heart. I love you, Jax.”
“I’ll never make you regret giving me a chance,” he promised softly.
“I know,” she smiled tearfully.