He squeezed her arm. "But you start pulling rank on me just because you're a queen, and I'll still beat your ass, you hear me?"
She kissed his cheek. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She really couldn't care less about the title. All she cared about was Luke and their baby. Their own little family to live happily ever after.
When the music started, she took a deep breath. This was it. Colton took a step, and she automatically followed. When they stopped at the entranceway, she locked eyes with Luke. She could see the admiration in his eyes, along with the love. She never took her gaze from his as they headed down the aisle.
A tear threatened when Colton handed her hand to Luke before he went to sit next to Vinia. Sarah gripped his hand and swore she was never going to let go. As they repeated their vows and made their lifelong promises to each other, she had never known anything that had felt so right. They had come a long way in the last two years, but it was the next many years that she was looking forward to.
When they were finally announced husband and wife, Luke kissed her with so much happiness and exuberance that it left her breathless. She leaned closer to his ear.
"If I wasn't already knocked up, I'd say let's skip the reception and go back to our bedroom."
He cupped her face. "Sweetheart, I will do whatever you want me to do. Just say the word."
She kissed him again. "Let's go eat."
He threw his head back and laughed. "I wonder if your appetite will decline once the little food monster is born."
"I hope so," she replied. "I'm hungry all the time."
Everyone cheered when they entered the ballroom. It took them a long time to actually get to their table so that they could eat by the time they went through the receiving line and accepted all of the handshakes and best wishes.
After dinner, the music started for their first dance. Luke led her out to the dance floor, and Sarah was more than happy to lose herself in his arms. She put her head on his shoulder as they swayed to the music, and she swore that she never wanted the music to end.
"I love you, my queen."
She smiled up at her husband. "I love you, my king." She winked at him. "But don't let that go to your head."
"I'd love you even if you were the cook," he teased. "You know I treat everyone the same."
"I know," she responded. "And I'm the baker, not the cook."
After their dance was over, she danced with each of her brothers while Luke danced with all of his new sisters-in-law and his new mother-in-law, along with his sister and grandmother. Sarah watched him interact with her family, and she truly believed that her heart was going to beat out of her chest.
Once the family dances were over, Luke motioned for her to join him. They walked back out to the garden where they had just gotten married.
"I have something for you."
He pulled out a small box. "I know you grew up in Colorado, and the ranch was a special place to you."
She nodded. "I'll miss it. Especially going off riding on the nights of the full moon." She grinned at him. "But we can go back to visit. Just because I don't live there anymore doesn't mean it's gone forever."
He pulled a chain from the box. "Well, just in case you need a memento, I got you this."
She grasped the pendant so she could get a better look at it. "Oh, Luke, it's beautiful." It was an exquisite silver horse.
"This will remind you of your wild rides under the full moon." He latched it around her neck. My wedding gift to you"
Vinia called out to them. "You know this party is for you two, right?"
Sarah waved. "We'll be back in a minute."
They headed back in. Sarah paused and looked around. "It's amazing that everything has ended the way it has. Especially considering how pissed off I made my family for almost a year."
"That's all behind us now. And we're not telling our children about it, because if they try any shit like we did, they're grounded forever."
They spent the next hour working the room so they could chat with everyone, especially the guests who had travelled. By then, Sarah was feeling the effects of being on her feet, and her lower back was starting to ache.
You're a queen now. Suck it up.
