I’m so careful not to make faces or noises. I don’t want this to be a negative experience for us. I want to be there to help when he needs it. Rolling the second sock on top of the silicone sleeve, I tell him, “You don’t ever need to do this alone. I’m always here, babe.”
Sliding on the prosthetic, I tell him, “Stand, babe. You have to walk around a little.”
Standing, I hear the first click of the pin fitting into the base of the prosthetic. He walks on the spot a few times and it clicks some more. Then it stops clicking.
Smiling up at him, I ask, “Okay?”
Face heated, he grunts, “Not okay.”
My face falls.
You shouldn’t have gotten involved, moron.
My shoulder slump, and I shrug, “I just thought-”
I’m cut off when his arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me close. So close, I can feel something long and hard poke my belly.
Well, hello.
Looking up at him in shock, he says in awe, “You are the sexiest woman on the fuckin’ planet.”
Flushing, I say breathily, “Oh.”
Pulling me even closer, he leans forward and mutters against my lips, “And I’m gonna fuck you right now.”
Slumping, I sigh into his mouth, “Okay.”
I feel his grin on my lips, “I thought we were going to be late.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I mutter, “It can wait.”
Chuckling, he pulls me back onto the bed and shows me just how sexy he thinks I am.
***
“Shit! We’re so late!”
“It’s our wedding, babe. They aren’t gonna do anything without us.”
My eyes widen as I straighten my hair in the car mirror. “I have sex hair!”
He smirks, “Yeah, you do.”
Running my hands down my long, plain, ivory strapless dress, I scowl. Turning, ready to spit fire, I take a look at him and my mouth snaps shut. My eyes water and my lips quiver, “And you look so handsome in a tux.”
Reaching across the cab, he takes hold of my hand and squeezes, “What’s all this shit, baby? We’re meant to be happy right now.”
Sniffling, I explain, “It was one of the things I felt cheated on. When I thought you were- you know. I felt cheated that we hadn’t done any boyfriend-girlfriend things. We hadn’t gone grocery shopping together, or bought bed sheets together. And I always wished I’d seen you in a tux. And now I am.”
Swallowing hard, unable to control myself, I lift my head and I wail, “On our wedding day!”
Squeezing my hand tighter, Nox chuckles nervously, “Freakin’ me out here, babe.”
Releasing him, I fan my face with my hands. “Shit. Okay, sorry. I’m cool.”
He chuckles again. “No, you’re not.”
No. I’m not.
Pulling up to city hall, I see our parents and Terah waiting for us. Parking right out front, I exit the car and all the women rush towards me, talking animatedly all at once.
I’m lead away from Nox, and he lifts his finger to his head in a silent salute.
Rolling my eyes, I mouth, “Love you.”
Kissing his fingers, he places them on his heart.
***
Signing the papers has got to be the most emotional thing I’ve ever gone through.
The tears just wouldn’t stop.
And I felt stupid.
That was until Nox came up behind me, holding me around the waist. “No tears today, baby. Best day of my life.”
I agree. One hundred percent.
The judge came over to us and shook our hands. He leaned in and said to Nox, “Proud to have you serve this country, son. Good to have you home.”
That is Nox’s cover story.
According to the Army (thanks to Mitch), Adam Christian Taylor went missing during a mission some years ago. He was declared dead with no body being found. Turns out, he was alive the whole time. He was found six months ago, gravely wounded and with a case of hardcore amnesia.
Wink, wink.
And Nox hates it.
But it was the only story Mitch insisted would work for Nox to have his old identity back. What Nox hates is being thanked for something he never did.
Steeling his jaw, he says, “Don’t thank me, sir.”
The judge smiles, “’Course not. Just doing your duty.”
Terah takes hold of Nox’s hand, clearly trying to save him. She says to the judge, “I’m sorry, do you mind if I steal them away for some photos? Mom’s getting snappy happy .”
The judge chuckles, “Not at all, dear.” He turns to us both. “I hope you have a long and happy life together. Truly, I do.”
With that, we leave the courthouse and make our way to a local park.
A gazillion photos later, we head to the restaurant for our wedding dinner with our family. And when we get there, Nox pulls me back a little. “I don’t want any crying, babe.”