“We can FaceTime them,” Carson said. “They’ll be here.”
That seemed to satisfy Lennox. “Yeah, okay. That works.”
It never failed to amaze me how good these men were. Always looking out for each other and being there when you needed them. Was I going to miss Hudson being here when I did this? Absolutely. But I knew him well enough to know he’d want me to be happy. So I turned to Lennox. “You can get ordained online. We’ll file the license in California when we get home.” I looked down at my list again. “The girls are taking care of a couple of things, and beyond that, it’s just the venue.” I turned to Carson. “Can you guys go over there and help his sisters set it up?”
“Definitely. But what about his dad?” Carson asked. “Should you invite him?”
I rubbed my hand over my jaw, thinking it over. “That’s a question for Axel. I’ll text him and let him decide. I think he’ll do what’s best for Mason, and my feeling is no.”
Once we had everything nailed down, we went our separate ways as I headed out to find a jewelry store for the perfect wedding rings.
Standing on the walkway that led to the place we’d marry, I’d thought long and hard about how to ask Mason to be my husband. After last night, I knew he would say yes, but I wanted something that spoke to who we were, where we’d come from, and something personal. As I sifted through conversations and things we’d done over the last eighteen months, one memory stood out. It was the night I knew I didn’t want to be without him. It was when I realized his smile lit up a place in my heart that I thought would never see the light of day. He made me hope for a life of love and happiness. With that in mind, I sent him a text I knew he would understand.
Me: SOS SOS SOS
As I waited for him to respond, I turned to look at the little wood and glass chapel that sat nestled in a patch of pine trees, overlooking the sea. The tiny little gem was a perfect choice for our ceremony, and now, thanks to our friends, it was filled with the things every wedding should have.
Something old was the long-lasting bonds Mason shared with his teammates.
Something new was the brother we’d found in London. The one waiting to stand by his side as we made our love official.
Something borrowed was the flowers from Maddie and Zane’s wedding. They were detoured here before making their way to the local hospital and hospice center.
Something blue was the ring in my pocket with a cobalt blue stripe inset in the platinum band. It was a close match to his uniform with the Storm. Dane held mine to give to Axel for the ceremony.
My heart filled with gratitude for all those people who loved him. And as I breathed in the sea air and pine, my phone vibrated in my hand. Looking down to read the text, I smiled when his reply confirmed he understood immediately.
Mason: Level?
Me: 5
The dots started and stopped, then started again, making me smile even bigger. The whole SOS bit had never really been about extracting him from a bad date, but a convenient excuse to be together. From the very beginning, he preferred my company over anyone else, but didn’t want to disappoint Lennox. He would sacrifice himself for the happiness of the people he cared about. That selfless man had stolen my heart, one text and taco run at a time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Mason: 5? There is no 5.
Me: Humor me. Next question, please.
Mason: Okay…Animal?
Me: Swan
More typing, dots started and stopped as he tried to decipher the meaning. Didn’t he know they symbolized love?
Mason: Um… a swan? I’m confused. You’re going to have to spell it out for me.
I laughed, knowing that might be the case.
Me: Tell Axel I need you. I’ll explain when you get here.
Mason: Okay…On my way.
Turning to everyone waiting in the afternoon light, I held up my phone. “He’s on the way.”
Carson made his way to where I was standing, extending his phone. “It’s Hudson. He wants to speak to you.” Clapping me on the shoulder, he handed me my friend, smiling at me over FaceTime.
“Look at you,” he said, “going out there, making the most of your life.”
I smiled and bit my bottom lip. “I love him. It’s different this time, but the love is so deeply rooted in my heart.”
