Night Maneuvers

Epilogue

Nellis Air Force Base Chapel

HER MOTHER-WAS weeping. Again.

“Mom, you’re ruining your makeup.” Alex grabbed a tissue from the dressing table and handed it to her mother.

“I know, honey, but I just can’t help it. You’re so beautiful.”

Alex stood in front of the full-length mirror for a more realistic appraisal. She rubbed her scalp where the pins holding the small tiara and veil were digging mercilessly. The veil was attached to her hair so well, she could probably travel at the speed of sound right now and it wouldn’t come off.

And the dress?

The ruched bodice had a halter neckline, which was okay, but the straps dug into the skin under her arms and the tulle under her full skirt was itchy. And don’t even get her started about the freakin’ long train. On someone else, it would be beautiful, she was sure. But she just knew she was going to trip and fall flat on her face.

She adjusted the waist one more time and scratched under her arm again.

“Will you stop twitching?” Jordan stepped close and smoothed down the skirt. “You look gorgeous.”

“I just hate this.” She stomped away and paced the distance to the end of the bridal ready room.

“Alex,” Lily said. “Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and visualize—oh!” Her hand flew to her rounded belly. “She’s kicking like a high-stepper in a marching band.” She grabbed Jordan’s hand and placed it on her protruding stomach. “Here. Feel that?”

Jordan’s eyes widened. “Oh, Lily. It’s a wonder you aren’t black-and-blue.”

Both of them turned to Alex. “Do you want to feel?” Lily asked.

“I, uh.” Alex swallowed. “Nothing personal, y’all, but I think I’m going to throw up.” She rubbed her chest where a cluster of nerves had taken up residence and were inviting the rest of the neighborhood for a party.

Her mom grabbed the bowl of mints off the coffee table, dumped them out and handed her the bowl. “Here, honey.”

“Uh, thanks, Mom.”

“Come here.” Jordan led her to the sofa and sat down beside her. “What’s wrong?”

Alex blinked back a stinging in her eyes. Her hands were shaking. “Mitch has done this before and been hurt. What if he…changes his mind?”

“Oh, honey.” Her mom came to sit in a club chair kitty-corner to the sofa and patted her hand.

“What if he decides he doesn’t want to take a chance on us? What if—”

“Alex, I’ll tell you what,” Jordan said. “When you start to walk down the aisle, and you first see Mitch, you look in his eyes. And if you still doubt his love for you, you just turn around and run out of the chapel and I will personally explain to Mitch and everyone, okay?”

Alex stared into Jordan’s confident face. Jordan had been there, done that. She’d walked down that aisle and seen the look in Jackson’s eyes. Alex remembered that look. Had been downright envious of it at the time. If Mitch looked at her that way…

She nodded. “It’s a deal.” Then she smiled. This was her freakin’ wedding day!

There was a harsh knock on the door and Lily went to answer it.

Jackson peeked his head around the door frame. “Uh, ladies, Major McCabe would like a Sit Rep?”

“Tell him we’re ready to begin,” Alex called to him as she stood and smoothed down the elegant skirt of her stunning wedding gown. She was ready. After twelve years. It still seemed a bit surreal. But she’d wanted Mitch for so long now, to know they would finally be together. That he wanted her. Loved her. He’d even requested reassignment to a desk job so they could be married and she could still fly with her squadron.

He’d always supported her ambitions, her right to be treated equally. That’s why she’d gone behind his back and requested the desk job for herself. She loved flying, but she’d been there, done that. She didn’t have anything else to prove. And besides, she also loved the idea of having a kid or two with Mitch.

She couldn’t wait to tell him tonight. In bed.

Jordan gathered up the record-long train, and Lily took Alex’s mother’s hand. They exited the bridal room, made it down the hall and turned the corner, and then it was all really happening.

Alex could hear the string quartet playing the wedding march when the door opened for her mother to go through, then Lily, then Jordan. And then it was her turn.

She stepped through the door and saw her father in an elegant black tux waiting with his elbow extended, and slipped her arm through his. He was blinking a lot and his jaw was tight, but he held his shoulders back and his chin up.

As she made her way down the aisle, she saw all three of her brothers standing in the front two rows with their wives and kids, and behind them sat aunts and uncles and cousins. The rest of the pews on both sides of the aisle were taken up with friends and colleagues.

Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Grady, her squadron commander, her friend and mentor, stood as grooms-man, tall and rock-steady in his uniform. He’d been a steadfast presence in her life ever since she’d come to Nellis. A man of integrity and resolution.

She remembered last year when she’d been so worried about Lily hurting him. Lily had seemed so flaky, and yet somehow she’d managed to soften his tough exterior and bring a spark of warmth to his cold and lonely existence. It was hard to believe at almost forty years old, Grady was going to be a father for the first time.

Next to Grady stood Jackson. Wickedly handsome in a black tux, he still had eyes only for Jordan. When Alex met Jackson he’d been the consummate adrenaline junkie, risking his life for his country and for the thrill. She remembered being terrified after hearing he’d been shot down. He’d barely survived.

And the night Mitch had made that horrible bet with him. Alex had been furious. But Jackson had met Jordan that night, and now look at them. The former thrill-seeker now found excitement and adventure in being a cop and loving Jordan.

Alex’s attention moved from Jackson, the best man, to…Mitch.

She looked into his eyes.

Mitch stared back at her, his gaze so intense, so filled with love and awe and confidence that the power of his emotions washed over her and flooded her with a love so strong it made her chest squeeze tight. It filled her so completely there was no room for thought, no room for doubt.

Feeling a ton of weight lift, she smiled and walked the last few steps toward her soon-to-be husband. Her daddy kissed her cheek and handed her arm to Mitch, who took it while still staring into her eyes. The force of his love hit her again as she felt his warm hand close around hers and they turned together to the reverend.

The reverend started to speak and that’s when panic hit her hard.

She froze and bit her lip. “Um, Mitch?” she whispered out the side of her mouth.

“Yeah?” He glanced at her, his eyes darkening with worry.

“My mind’s a complete blank. I’ve totally forgotten my vows.” Her voice was quavering.

He looked at her and flashed that gorgeous grin, his dimples twinkling. He squeezed her hand. “No worries, Hughes. I’ve got your back.”