Since we were back in Navarre, we could’ve invited all of our old friends. Had a huge party. Celebrated all night long. But, at the end of the day, we decided to keep it low-key. We just wanted each other and our families. That would be enough.

As I stood in front of the walkway, part of me wanted to run, sprint, even fly, because I knew what was awaiting me. Jeremy. Forever. My husband. The other part, however, wanted to glide slowly, soaking up every single detail along the way.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Even though it was late June, the temperatures were unusually cool that evening. The sun was setting. The breeze was blowing. And the waves were chipping in, creating their own beautiful soundtrack to highlight this day and where we were.

The beach.

Our beach.

This place had always been home for me, ever since I’d met my best friend, the love of my life. At least, it had been until we’d moved to Ohio and I’d realized Jeremy was my home. My head against his chest, our fingertips laced and held on his stomach as we stole moments of intimacy. The way he reverently paused for a split second every time he sank into my depths and whispered my name, a sound so perfect coming from his lips. As if he really did believe that it was his love sanctuary and he was offering his reverence. Jeremy’s arms, Jeremy’s embrace, Jeremy’s heart. That’s where I was home. That was my home. It always would be.

“It’s time.” Mom’s soft whisper interrupted my thoughts. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

I smiled and answered straight from the heart. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for thirteen years. Yeah, I’m ready,” I said.

She smiled. “I love you, Sierra.”

“Love you, too, Mom,” I replied, keeping it simple, already overwhelmed with all the emotion bubbling up inside me.

Dad approached, and Mom gave my hand a squeeze then laughed when Dad kissed her cheek. She ventured down the walkway to the gazebo, where my groom was waiting. I wanted to follow quickly, but then Dad cleared his throat and I turned to look at him. The shimmering tears in his eyes startled me, causing my own to form.

“My baby girl,” he whispered, placing a thumb and forefinger underneath my chin. “This day came a hell of a lot sooner than I expected.” He chuckled. “This day came a hell of a lot later than I expected, knowing that boy. He would’ve proposed when he was twelve years old if he could have.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I think we did it right,” I told him, unashamed of how unabashedly proud I was of the path Jeremy and I had taken.

Sure, we could’ve gotten married and started our forever at eighteen, but instead, we had taken our parents’ guidance and assistance, and now, he was a twenty-one-year-old college graduate with a steady job, and I was nearly done with my nursing degree. Neither of us had any student debt, and we’d be comfortable as we began our lives as a couple. Like I said, relatively easy. Completely comfortable. Pretty much perfect.

“You did,” Dad said, interrupting my thoughts. “And I couldn’t be prouder. That kid, as much as I hated to admit it, was always going to be the one who’d put a ring on your finger. You couldn’t have picked a better man to love you, Sierra. As much as it pains me that I’m giving you away today, I know it’s to a good man, which lessens the pain a little.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “You can’t make me cry, Dad,” I laughed. “It’ll ruin my makeup.”

He leaned in close and placed a kiss on my forehead. “The guy at the altar? He wouldn’t care.”

“Just another reason to love him.”

He smiled and took a deep breath. Then he slowly exhaled and held his arm up, and I set my hand in the crook of it.

“Remember what comes after marriage, Sierra,” he said in a teasing tone. “I’m not too young to be a grandpa.”

I laughed even though my belly tightened at the prospect of being a mom. “One thing at a time, Dad.”

His eyes gleamed. “We’ll see.”

“How about you marry me off first? Then we’ll talk babies. In a couple of years,” I informed him.

He sighed. “I guess I can live with that.”

“Didn’t I tell you she couldn’t get married until thirty? I mean, I know you only passed calculus because of Sierra, but I thought you could at least do simple math. You’re a bit early.”

Nick was teasing—I was killer at calculus. And a cocky grin formed on my face even though I was nervous as hell on the inside.

Not that I had any idea why. Sierra and I’d been together for two-thirds of my life. Hell, I barely remembered the time when she hadn’t been there. This was just another normal day at the beach.

Except that it wasn’t. This day was monumental. It signified the beginning of everything I’d ever wanted. And, for some reason, it was…daunting as hell.

But probably not for the reasons you might think. I wasn’t worried about having a ball and chain or anything like that. No, I was fucking terrified out of my mind that, after thirteen years, Sierra was finally going to wise up and realize she could have any man in the world. Why would she want me?

Just as quickly as that stupid thought had come, a plethora of memories hit me like a tidal wave, drenching me with a flood of emotion. In my mind, I saw Sierra, eight years old, standing at the top of the steps, the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I could hear her teasing me about Michelangelo. Then it was the image of Sierra in her homecoming dress, stopping my heart and tightening my pants from the sight of her all dressed up for me. Sierra launching herself into my arms and telling me that she loved me for the very first time. A million I-love-yous followed, and I heard each and every one loud and clear. And then I saw Sierra, sweet and sensuous, writhing beneath me as I made love to her, right there at that very spot. The sound of her panted breaths as she whispered my name played on repeat in my mind, and if it hadn’t been for Nick placing a hand on my shoulder and shaking me out of my reverie, I might have gotten hard all over again.

I laughed, all the fear draining from my body. Sierra was mine. She always had been. Always would be. Just like I was hers—for now, forever, and whatever eternity awaited us on the other side.

Where she went, I’d follow.

Always.

But enough with the mushy stuff.

“And I’m pretty sure I told you no way,” I finally answered, lifting my chin and setting it in defiance at my soon-to-be father-in-law.

Nick laughed, clapped me on the shoulder, and squeezed. His smile softened, as did his eyes. “You’re the only one I’d ever allow be the exception to that rule, Jeremy. I hope you know that.”

I returned his smile. “I appreciate that, sir.”

For as long as I can remember, he’d been Nick to me. Not Mr. Sullivan or sir, but in that moment, it’d felt right.

He nodded his appreciation. “I always wanted a son, and God changed my mind when he blessed me with two beautiful daughters who grew up to be two beautiful women. But, today, I’m gaining a son, and I couldn’t be happier. Because that’s what I consider you, Jeremy. A son,” he told me.

“Does that mean I can finally call you Pops?” I asked, grinning at the memory of the first—and only—time I’d tried calling him that.

“Absolutely not,” he responded with his own smile.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Look, Nick…I have to thank you.”

He started to hold a hand up, but I continued.

“You’ve changed my life. Not only did you create the beautiful girl I’m about to marry, but you took me in when you didn’t have to. I wouldn’t be standing here, about to marry the love of my life, if it weren’t for you and Vicky. And I know I don’t say it as often as I should, so thank you. Truly,” I said.