“Ready?” Warren asked her.
Maverick couldn’t take his eyes off his bride as his dad escorted her over to him. His dad kissed her cheek, patted him on the back, and stood beside Desiree.
As Carly and Maverick faced each other, he collected her hands in his. “You are beyond gorgeous.”
Her smile was filled with love. “Thank you. I love that you shaved.” She stroked his cheek with soft fingertips. “So handsome.”
When they faced the judge, the anguish and heartache that plagued him lifted a little as peace settled into his soul.
“Welcome, Ashton and Carly,” Judge Reynolds said. “Your wedding is a special day for you and your family. It signifies the beginning of a new adventure that you’re choosing to take together. From this day forward, you are a team. Every decision you make will affect the other. Every day you share is a gift. Cherish it and each other. Are there wedding rings?”
“Yes.” Sinclair displayed both bands.
“Would you like to say something to each other?” the judge asked.
“I would,” Maverick said. “But you’re welcome to go first.”
“You go,” Carly replied.
“Carlyle Elizabeth Stone, I promise to love you always, treat you with respect and kindness, protect you, and make you laugh. I will make the most of every moment we have together. I will listen when you speak and only yell if something is on fire…or if one of our children throws up.”
Laughter filled the room.
“You were always the cutest girl in school and you’re the most beautiful woman now,” he continued. “You’re smart and kind, patient and funny. You work hard and never give up. You and I made great work partners and, now, we’re going to make great life partners. Thank you for turning my birthday into a celebration I will look forward to every year. I love you so much.”
Sinclair passed him the ring and Maverick slid it onto Carly’s ring finger. “My wife, my friend, my lover, my life partner, my spy…for the rest of our lives.”
With an adoring smile, Carly clasped his hands in hers. “Ashton Miles Hott, there’s never been anyone for me, but you. You are the bravest man I have ever met and I love that about you. You go out of your way for others, but you shoulder so much alone.” Love danced in her eyes. “From this day forward, we’re in this together. Our friendship and your family have been such an important part of my life, I can’t imagine going through it without you, without all of you.” She paused to look at each of them before turning back to her groom. “You will always be my best friend and I will always be so proud to call you my husband. I love you completely.”
She slid the wedding band onto his finger, pausing to shove it over his thick knuckle. “I will be your life partner, your friend, and your lover for the rest of my life. We are bound together for all eternity.”
Gazing into her eyes, a sense of completeness washed over him. Before turning back to the judge, he whispered, “Love you, wife.”
Carly threaded her fingers through his. “Love you, husband.”
The judge cleared her throat. “That was lovely. I have every confidence you’ll have a beautiful life together. I’d like to add my two cents, if that’s okay.”
“Please,” Carly said.
“Life is short. We don’t realize it until we have more days behind us than ahead of us. Cherish each one of them. Keep your individuality and grow as a couple. You’ll find if you put your spouse first, the love you show them will be returned tenfold.” She smiled. “By the power vested in me by the District of Columbia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations to you both. Ashton, you may kiss your bride.”
Maverick pulled Carly into his arms and his lips melded with hers to loud applause. When the kiss ended, he grinned. “We did the deed, woman. It’s you and me, baby, for the next seventy years.”
Beaming, she said, “That sounds perfect.”
The judge snapped a few pictures of the happy group. After hugs and congratulations, they decided to celebrate at Hudson’s.
On the way to the restaurant, Maverick’s phone rang. “Caller ID is blocked.”
“You should answer,” Carly said. “Could be work.”
He picked it up on speaker. “Hott here.”
“Mr. Hott, this is Senator Wynona Applegate from the Senate Select Committee.”
“What can I do for you, ma’am?”
“As the newly appointed committee head, I’m reopening the case made against ThunderStrike by Senator Internado. New evidence has been brought to my attention. Can you come in Friday morning, ten thirty?”
