Page 75 of Keeping Kara

“Would you be opposed to my mom being there?”

Her smile slowly faded as she gazed at him. “No,” she whispered.

“What season?”

“Fall.”

“You want a traditional white dress?”

She shook her head. “Not important.”

“And after?”

“We have lunch or dinner with your mom, eating food she’s spent the summer growing. We laugh, reminisce about how we met and how awesome it is that something so great came out of something horrible. Then we head off to our tent, or yurt, or cabin, and spend the next week solidifying our commitment to each other. Just us, nature, and the occasional moose wandering by.”

It hadn’t escaped Chaos’s notice that they were no longer talking hypotheticals. They were planning their own wedding ceremony.

“Noted,” he said softly, resting his forehead against hers.

“You want a ring?” she asked.

“Yes. I can’t wear it when I fly, but I definitely want to show everyone that I’m taken by the most beautiful, amazing, talented, smart woman in the world.”

Kara smiled at that. “An exaggeration, but lovely all the same.”

“Not exaggerating. I know when I’ve got something good, and I’m not going to screw this up.”

“Same,” she told him. After a beat, she giggled and lifted her head from his. “Did we seriously just plan our wedding?”

“Apparently. I mean, when you love someone, it seems natural to want to make promises to spend the rest of your lives together.”

She froze—and Chaos panicked for a second, wondering what he’d said to make her stiffen. Then it hit him.

He lifted a hand and caressed her cheek. “I love you, Kara Guthrie. I knew from the moment I saw you that my life had changed, and I wasn’t wrong. I want the first thing I see in the mornings and the last thing I see before falling asleep every night to be your beautiful face. I can’t think of a better gift than navigating whatever time I have left on this Earth with you by my side.”

“Arrow,” Kara whispered.

“You make me happy. You make me want to be a better man. You make me more aware of the injustices in the world against women, and I want to do everything in my power to make your life as easy as possible. To be your greatest supporter and cheerleader, and your staunchest protector.”

“I love you too,” she said, when he took a breath. “It took me a little longer than you to understand what I was feeling, as I was a little preoccupied and traumatized when we first met. But you’ve treated me with nothing but respect and care, and you’ve gone above and beyond what anyone has ever done for me before. But my love isn’t based on material things. I have a feeling we would still be happy and in love if we lived in a tent on the street. I’m so proud of you, and in awe of your skills.”

“I feel as if my heart’s going to explode out of my chest. I’m so happy,” Chaos told her.

“Me too.”

“How long do you think we have to stay?”

Kara rolled her eyes and playfully smacked his arm. “Behave.”

Chaos grinned but was only half kidding. The desire to get her into their bed and show her without words how much he loved her, how proud he was of her, how much it meant to hear her say that she loved him, was almost overwhelming. But if she wanted to stay, he’d stay. Period.

“Feel free to let loose tonight. I’ve got you.”

She tilted her head. “Really?”

“Yes. Getting drunk isn’t going to hurt you. In fact, drunk sex with my girlfriend sounds like a perfect end to a great day.”

She grinned. “Yeah. Will you dance with me? I mean, after I’m drunk? Because I don’t dance in public unless I’ve lost all my inhibitions.”