Page 116 of SEAL of Valor

“I love you, too.”

The last few weeks have been a dream come true. We wrapped up the repairs to Vivian’s house, and I’ve almost finished building her a new dining room table. All while being married to the most amazing woman in the world.

Last time, our marriage felt like a tainted secret. Something we kept to ourselves because of the chaos around us. Now it’s a bright light shining on everything that has ever gone right in my life.

Reese steps up to my side, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders as I look around.

Sawyer and Anastasia twirl around the dance floor, sharing conversation with Zane and Tessa, and Ryker, who is leading Momma Knox in a two-step.

Not too far in the distance, Garrison and his wife stand side by side while their son, Thomas, lingers nearby, talking to Kyle Harding.

We may not have been born brothers, but that’s exactly what we are.

And I may have lost my sister, but over the years, I have gained three more.

My mom may not want anything to do with me, but Momma Knox and Vivian will always be there.

So while the family I was born into might be gone, the family God brought me is here. Right here with me, celebrating this wonderful blessing of a life.

I’m a lucky, lucky man.

Thank You, Lord. I didn’t do anything to deserve this, but thank You.

“You doing okay?”

I glance down at Reese. “I have never been better.”

“Good.” She pulls away and takes my hand. “Then come on.” She tugs me through the crowd and out of the barn. I follow, love and desire swirling within me as she glances over her shoulder and grins.

Finally, we reach the bed of my pickup truck, where there’s a white take-out bag and a blanket waiting.

“What’s this? You do know there’s food inside.”

She laughs and climbs up on the tailgate. “I know, come on.”

I hop up next to her, and she hands me the bag, which is unusually light for one of Ed’s burgers.

Curious, I open the top of the white bag and look down inside. My heart kicks in my chest, my stomach twisting into nervous knots as I reach in and withdraw a small onesie.

“What—” I stare at it, so afraid to trust what it is I’m seeing. “Reese?” Her name comes out barely louder than a whisper.

Surely we aren’t this lucky.

It’s only been a month.

I turn toward her to see tears glistening in her eyes.

“I took the test three times just to make sure. It’s still early, but—” I slam my mouth onto hers and snake a hand around the back of her head as I pour everything I have into this kiss.

Every promise for a future where I will do anything and everything to make her happy and loved.

Where I will be the father our child deserves.

Breathless, I pull back and rest my forehead against hers. “A baby.”

“A baby,” she whispers and grips both sides of my face to look into my eyes. “And you are going to be a wonderful father, Weston Hayes.”

My bottom lip quivers, emotion I spent years running from fighting its way out. As the fear of what happened last time tries to surface, I shove it back down. Because this time, I know that, no matter what happens, so long as we keep our faith, everything will be just fine.