“She definitely does.” Over the phone, I’d spilled the entire story of Willow and me and the truth of this past year, so Norton knew it all. Still, he didn’t miss the opportunity to punch me in the arm.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Me, your best friend, your roommate, your brother-in-arms and on the football field.” He shook his head again. “I gotta tell you, after we got off the phone, I started thinking about all the things I said to you . . . you know, about your girl. But I didn’t realize shewasyour girl. I knew something was hinky, and I was trying to get you to spill. Anyway, if I ever said anything offensive, I’m sorry, man.”
“No hard feelings, Norton.” I slung an arm around his neck. “And the only reason I didn’t tell you was that I didn’t want you to have to keep my secret, too. It was painful enough for me. I didn’t want to drag you into a possible honor code violation, too.”
“I know.” All trace of humor dropped from his face and his voice. “Dean, I know. I understand. And I can only imagine how all of that must have fucked you up last year. I’m sorry I ever gave you a hard time about being such a toe-the-line guy when you were dealing with so much.”
“Hey.” I clapped him on the back. “Water under the bridge, my friend.”
“Right.” Norton nodded. “We’re all good, dude, except I’m pissed you didn’t ask me to be your best man.”
“Willow and I decided not to have any attendants,” I explained. “Her mom and dad were so great to both of us over all these months that we asked them to be our official witnesses. But we wanted it to be just the two of us standing up, making our vows.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, man. Not for all the world.” Still grinning, he bent over the stroller. “Now tell me how to pick up the little bit so she can get to know her Uncle Norton.”
* * *
It had been Willow’s idea to have the wedding ceremony itself here at the Cadet Chapel. I’d been more than a little surprised since neither of us were religious, but she’d only smiled.
“I had a little of an epiphany at the Chapel, and it’s a place of such beauty and peace . . . I think it would be the perfect spot to officially begin our lives as husband and wife.”
She wasn’t wrong. The later afternoon sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, bathing the stone interior in a warm sort of holiness. Next to me stood the priest who would marry us, and in the first three rows of chairs sat all of the people most important in our lives.
Coach and Mrs. Casey—who were still insisting that I call them John and Patty—sat with my mother in first row. The three of them were taking turns holding Rose, who was all dressed up in a white cotton dress that showed off her chubby arms and legs.
Todd and Angie were in the same row, and behind them sat Norton with Violet, Cindy and their boyfriends. Some of the coaching staff—friends of the Caseys—had been invited, too. I spotted the nurse who’d let me back into the ER the day Willow had had her scare.
My former TAC officer had also accepted my invitation, and when he’d greeted me a few minutes ago, he’d muttered in my ear, “Glad it all worked out for you, Lassiter. Both the Army and your girl are lucky to have you.”
“Sir, with all due respect, I’m the lucky one,” I’d responded.
The quiet music that had been playing for the past ten minutes changed, and I lifted my eyes to see the most beautiful woman in the world making her way down the aisle toward me.
Her dress wasn’t a surprise; we’d chosen it together, eschewing the notion of any superstitions. It was long and white and simple with sleeves that ended at her elbows and a skirt that reached to the floor. Beyond that, I couldn’t have described it other than as perfect for my gorgeous bride.
Willow had opted to walk by herself for reasons she’d tried to explain to me before she’d shrugged and given up.
“Sorry, pal. You’re a man. You could never understand why this is important to me.”
She was wrong, though. Standing here as I waited for her, I sort of got it. This past year had forced my headstrong, independent woman into situations where she’d had to rely on others, particularly on her parents. I didn’t think either of us would argue that we’d learned the value of trusting family and friends, but now, as we began the rest of our lives together, I understood that it was important for her to stand on her own two feet and come to me of her own choice, in joy.
Since Willow hadn’t wanted to hurt her father’s feelings, the compromise was that he joined her as she passed by his seat and stood with the two of us as the ceremony began.
Since it hadn’t been easy to secure the Cadet Chapel on such short notice during what continued to be wedding season at the Academy, we’d promised to keep the service very short. Knowing our daughter’s very brief attention span, too, a short wedding seemed like a great idea.
We recited our vows and made our promises, and even though I was fully present as we spoke the ancient words of love and commitment, I found my mind wandering back to where the two of us had been exactly a year ago tonight. I could almost hear the echo of our voices.
“You should know that I am not going to fall in love with you tonight. So if you were driving me home on the off-chance you had a shot, forget it.”
“Don’t worry, Willow. For the foreseeable future, there’s only one love in my life—and you’re about to drive her.”
“Get in, pal. Now that we know we’re both on the same page—no falling in love for us—I plan to enjoy the hell out of this ride.”
“One last hoorah before life gets serious?”
“One last hoorah, pal. Just one more night of fun.”
“ . . . I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.” The priest paused to let that statement sink in, and holding Willow’s hands, I squeezed her fingers. “Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss your bride.”
