“Jaxon, what are we doing?” Whatever it was, he ought to be able to take care of it tomorrow. The last thing she wanted to do right now was spend time in the courthouse.
The older man looked up from his desk, surprised to see them. He stood and asked, “May I help you?”
Jaxon got straight to the point. “I need you to perform a marriage.”
The judge blinked, then reached for his calendar. “Of course. When were you thinking?”
“Now.”
Tazzy’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t have heard him right. “Jaxon, we can’t do that.”
He turned to her, eyes steady and full of love. “Hide and watch, Darkling. Consider it an elopement without the trip to Vegas.”
She stared at him, heart racing. She’d always pictured a big wedding with flowers, a pretty dress, and all her friends there. Or maybe even a little outdoor ceremony with the mountains in the background.
But looking at Jaxon now, covered in soot and blood from saving her life, she realized none of that mattered. She didn’t care about anything more than being with her Daddy forever. If the past fewhours had taught her nothing else, it had taught her you never knew how much time you had left. She wanted to spend every second of it by Jaxon’s side.
He cupped her face with both hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks. “You can have whatever ceremony you want later, babygirl. I promise. Big dress, flowers, the whole thing. But we’re getting married right now. I’m not waiting another minute to make you mine in every way that counts.”
She swallowed hard, tears pricking her eyes. “We don’t have a ring.”
Jaxon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet bag. He dropped to one knee right there in the judge’s chambers, soot and all.
“Taziana Thomas,” he said, voice rough but steady, “will you marry me? Right now. Just as we are.”
She stared at the box, then at him. “Where did you get that?”
“I’ve had it for eight years,” he said quietly. “It was in my pocket the day I was arrested. I was going to give it to you when I got back from that last op.”
Something inside her chest cracked open and healed at the same time. She had thought she was over what happened eight years ago, but knowing he had already chosen her back then soothed a wound she hadn’t even known was still there.
She nodded, tears spilling over. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The judge made a business of looking at his watch. “I don’t know if…”
“Oh, George, just do the damn wedding,” Vivi said from behind Tazzy. “I’ve never been a witness for a wedding before and I don’t want you messing that up.”
The judge cleared his throat, and Tazzy turned back to face him. He smiled at Vivi, and then Jaxon and Tazzy. “I suppose there’s always time for a wedding, isn’t there?”
Vivi stepped forward, smiling through her own tears. They signed the license quickly. The judge performed the short ceremony with quiet dignity. When he pronounced them husband and wife, Jaxonpulled Tazzy into his arms and kissed her like the world was ending and beginning all at once.
And then it was done. She couldn’t believe they were married. Georgia was going to be so upset.
But when they stepped outside, the Musketiaras were already waiting in the parking lot, having heard what happened through the grapevine. All her besties swarmed her with hugs and squeals.
“You got married without us!” Georgia cried, half laughing, half scolding.
“We’re fixing that right now,” Breezy declared. “Impromptu wedding reception at the warehouse. The men already have it covered.”
They piled into cars and headed back. All except for Tazzy. Tazzy got back on her Daddy’s bike and stared at her ring all the way to the Deep Dive.
Georgia ran out to meet them. “You can’t leave later without this.” She bent down, tied some ribbons with cans at the ends, and hung a “Just Married” sign over the license plate.
Tazzy was amazed at how the warehouse had been transformed. Streamers hung from the rafters, balloons floated everywhere, and a long table was set up with snacks and drinks. In the center sat a decorated Bluey birthday cake with the word “birthday” scraped off and “Happy Wedding” written in bright icing instead.
Tazzy looked at Jaxon, “Give me a minute to get a little cleaned up before we start.”
Jaxon nodded, “Good idea. Hey, I know what.” He reached behind the bar and brought out matching Dive t-shirts. “Here, now we’ll match. Go to the dressing room, and we’ll meet back here in ten minutes.”