“Thank you.” She said the words to Chase before looking around at the others. “All of you. If you hadn’t shown up when you did…”
Archer shot her a quick wink. “We’re just glad it ended the way it did.”
“Me, too,” Scottie chuckled.
It seemed odd to be laughing and smiling at a time like this. But then she realized this was the perfect time to smile. The best time to laugh. Because she was alive, and she and Chase were in love. And…she prayed…still expecting their very first child.
The black and tinted SUV came into sight as she and the team made their way out of the trees. They were only a few yards away when Logan’s phone began to ring.
“It’s Nat,” he announced as he answered the call. “Hey, baby, we got her! Scottie’s safe, and the man who took her is in police custody, so we’re on our way back to the—” He stopped dead in his tracks, his hazel eyes growing wide with surprise. “What? When?” His expression went from surprise to concern. “Are Ellie and Cassie still with you?” A giant look of relief fell over the frantic man. “Okay, good. Have her and Ellie drive you to the hospital. I’ll meet you there. And Nat?” The man waited a beat before adding a heartfelt, “I love you.”
“The hospital?” Chase asked as soon as Logan ended the call. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I hope. Natalie’s water just broke!” The man’s lips spread into a wide, almost shell-shocked grin, his overwhelming excitement shining through as he hollered out, “Well, hot damn! We’re gonna have ourselves a baby!”
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
“By the powervested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Chase slid his palms along the sides of Scottie’s face before sealing the vows they’d just spoken with a kiss. A slow, unhurried, probably-making-the-judge-blush kiss to start the beginning of the rest of their lives.
There’d been a time not long ago when he’d feared this moment would never come. But it had, and they were here, and now…
She’s my wife.
“Woo hoo!” Lucky cheered with a big, cheesy grin.
A round of joyful clapping and boisterous expressions of congratulations filled the judge’s chambers as Chase’s teammates—along with Natalie, Cassie, and Ellie—celebrated his and Scottie’s special day.
They hadn’t wanted a long engagement or a big, fancy wedding. Apart from the fact that it wasn’t really their style, after everything that had happened, both he and his gorgeous new bride had no desire to wait for their new future to start.
Too much time had already passed between them. Too much time had already been wasted. For them, it wasn’t about the dress, or the flowers, or how many guests were in attendance.
For Chase and Scottie, it was about…
Forever.
And since the judge who’d justmarried them had also recently sentenced Levi Taylor to life without the possibility of parole, they could start their new life with confidence, knowing the homicidal maniac would never, ever be able to hurt her again.
“Congratulations!” Cassie squealed from Archer’s side. The pretty blonde lawyer practically threw herself in Scottie’s arms.
“Thank you!” Scottie giggled.
“Congrats, brother.” Logan was the first to shake Chase’s hand.
Natalie stood behind her husband, talking and laughing with the bride and other Eagle’s Nest wives. Her arms filled with her and Logan’s adorable, infant son.
Garrison Logan Hayes.
Chase still got teary-eyed thinking of how the new parents had honored Hunter’s memory by using their fallen teammate’s last name as their son’s first.
“Thanks, man.” He shook Logan’s hand with a wide, goofy grin. “It means a lot that you all were here.”
“You kiddin’?” Lucky joined in the conversation. “We wouldn’t miss the chance to welcome you into the club.”
His brows dipped with confusion. “Club?”