Surrounded by friends and family, we started our first dance. I spotted Nolan and Lacey with Maple among the sea of cheerful faces. It amazed me how much Maple had opened up over the last six months. While she could still be shy at times, she had welcomed “Aunt Lacey” and “Uncle Nolan” into her circle of family. She sat happily on Lacey's lap—what little was left of it. Mrs. Maxwell was due any day now, and she still looked stunning in her pink satin maternity dress. Maple had been fascinated by that bump when she first saw it, gently touching Lacey's belly and staring back at me with huge, questioning eyes. It was a sweet moment.
“You having fun?” Grey murmured as he guided me through a graceful spin.
“Of course,” I chuckled.
“So the 'big fuss' was a good idea after all.” He gave me a knowing smirk.
I rolled my eyes, though I was still smiling. I had suggested that we just go down to the county courthouse, file our marriage certificate, and be done with it. But Grey had tempted me into a real ceremony with all the trimmings. I want the world to know, he'd persuaded. Just let me spoil you. And I had to admit, this was awfully nice. I closed my eyes to feel Grey's heartbeat against mine. My husband might be a badass ex-Navy SEAL, but he was also tender and sweet. What a combination.
The song ended all too soon. Our guests clapped again as we took our seats. Maple hopped off Lacey's lap and toddled towards me at warp speed. Somehow her poofy, frilly white dress hadn't gotten dirty yet. I thought she was the cutest flower girl in the history of weddings, but then again, I was pretty biased.
After the buffet was unveiled and everyone had filled their plates, we stood up briefly to thank everyone for coming, then yielded to Nolan for the best man's toast. He stepped in front of the microphone and smoothed his tie.
“I'm going to keep this short and sweet,” Nolan said. “My name is Nolan Maxwell, and on behalf of the bride and groom, I'd like to thank you all for coming today. I have the honor of standing with these two fine people as they start their new life together.
“I met both Greyson Archer and Marcus Sutton in my Navy SEAL platoon. Let me say, Finley, that you really know how to pick your men. I've never met two more upstanding soldiers. I trusted them with my life. We've been through hell together...and as many of you know, not all of us made it back.
“But as we honor the fallen, we must never forget to keep on living. Today is a day for celebrating love, happiness, and new beginnings. It was truly the greatest luck that brought you two together. Everyone, please join me in a toast to Mr. and Mrs. Archer: May your marriage be as long as the bride is beautiful.” Nolan raised his eyebrows exaggeratedly at Grey. “So I'm afraid you're in this one forever, buddy. Make it count.”
Blinking back tears, I laughed and cheered along with the rest of the audience. The emcee waited for the applause to die down before announcing the father-daughter/mother-son dance.
Maple squealed when Grey swept her up. “You ladies enjoy dinner,” he said with a wink. “I've got a hot date.”
My heart swelled as I watched them on the dance floor. Maple stood on Grey's feet while he held her tiny hands, shuffling back and forth to the music. My bighearted husband, who had once represented the end of my world and now began it anew. My precious daughter, who looked so much like her father sometimes. Past and future together.
“Aren't you going to dance with your dad?” I asked Lacey. Sometimes I felt a little sorry for Nolan, having his boss as a father-in-law. Mr. Barton wasn't an asshole or anything, but he could be pretty intimidating.
Lacey blew a loud sigh. “I would, but...” She patted her round belly with a wry smile. “This one doesn't like exercise. And he's already busy with Brynn. I might take the next song if it's a slow one.”
I squinted out at the dance floor. There was Mr. Barton, foxtrotting with the gorgeous girl who had been seated next to Lacey. I couldn't help but giggle; even in the middle of a party, my boss looked so grave. “So that's your sister. I'm glad she could make it.”
“Yeah, me too.” Lacey sipped her ice water. “Normally she'd be at college or at home, but she decided to visit me for Spring Break.”
“Good timing,” I commented.
We sat together for a while longer, eating our dinners and watching the dancers, commenting on this or that guest. I was grateful to get off my feet after standing in high heels for the entire ceremony.
When the song ended, the emcee announced that the floor was open to all guests. About half of the dancers headed for the open bar. West, another one of Grey's old SEAL buddies, had graciously offered to provide free drinks and bar service as his wedding gift to us. Grey came back to our table with Maple in tow, plus a whiskey for himself and red wine for me.
I took a sip, but quickly swallowed it to say, “Check that out.” I pointed to the bar, where Brynn leaned far over the counter, absorbed in whatever West was saying.
Grey and Lacey both turned their heads.
Lacey chuckled. “Oh, boy. I know that look...Brynn's into him.”
Grey studied the scene for a moment, then went back to his whiskey. “It'll never happen.”
“Why not?” Lacey asked.
“He just got out of a bad relationship.” Grey hesitated. “You didn't hear it from me, but his ex cheated on him. And he's not the type to love easily...it'll take him a while to get over this.”