Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
I don’t miss the sadness flooding her eyes as she says those words. “How about this?” I start, taking a step toward her and reaching for her hand. “What if we FaceTime with them? We can have Erik and Hannah serve as our witnesses, and they can hold the phone. Maybe even two phones. Whatever we have to do.”
My words seem to flush any unease right out of those green eyes. “That might work,” she says eagerly, yet it doesn’t completely erase the hurt I see at knowing her family won’t be in attendance at our wedding.
“Good. I’ll be back shortly. We can call our families tonight, if you want. In the meantime, if you think of anything else, text me.”
“Okay.” She nods as I turn to head for the door once more. “Wait! What are we supposed to wear? I didn’t exactly pack a wedding dress in my luggage.”
“You’ll be beautiful in anything you wear,” I tell her honestly.
She swallows thickly and blushes. “Uhh, okay. What are you going to wear?”
A smile tugs on my lips. “My full dress uniform.”
Her eyes widen just a bit. “I can’t wear jean shorts if you’re in your dress uniform,” she mutters.
“You can wear whatever you want, darlin’.”
“There’s that secondhand place on the main drag in town. Maybe I can find something there,” she says, almost absently to herself.
“I’m serious, Faith,” I tell her, returning to where she stands and placing my hands on her upper arms. “Wear whatever you want.”
She nods once, and my lips find their way to hers once more. This kiss is chaste, though, and not nearly long enough. But we have a lot to do this afternoon and the sooner I get back to the base, the sooner I set everything else into motion.
“I’ll be back.”
“All right. See you soon,” she replies just before I shut the door to her hotel room.
I can’t believe this is happening. I’m going to marry Faith. Tomorrow. And not entirely for a sense of duty.
I want to marry her, make her mine, and even though she insinuated it would be for four to six months, I have no intention of ending it. Once I have my ring on her finger, I will do whatever it takes to ensure it stays there for the rest of our lives.
What once was friendship has grown into something more.
Something great.
This is only the beginning.
I’m smiling as I leave the chaplain’s office with the paperwork we need to complete for tomorrow’s ceremony. He ensured me he’d be ready at noon but requested we arrive by eleven thirty to finalize the paperwork with the administrative assistant, Lois. Knowing that I’ll be marrying her in less than twenty-four hours has added an extra spring to my step.
My next stop is the administrative office where I will take care of adding Faith as my wife and apply for married housing. I walk to the building and give my name and reason for being there to the security team inside the door. They direct me to the correct office, which is just a short walk down the main corridor and to the right.
“Good afternoon,” I greet as I enter the office.
“Hello. How may I help you?”
I go through my reason for being here and earn a wide smile from the woman at the desk. “Wow, congratulations. There are several forms you’ll need to fill out, and some that cannot be submitted until after the wedding ceremony tomorrow,” she informs me, pulling different folders out of a filing cabinet and placing them on the desk.
“Can I turn them all in tomorrow?” I ask, wanting to get back to Faith as quickly as I can.
“Sure can. Just bring these all back, along with your pretty new wife. I’ll get the ball rolling for your application for married housing. In light of your deployment on Wednesday, we can expedite the process and get you into a unit as soon as possible. It might not be before you leave, though.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make sure she has help moving,” I tell the woman, making a mental note for when I leave. I’m certain Hannah will be able to assist her, but it would be helpful to have extra aid.
Especially with me out of the country.
“Thank you, ma’am,” I reply, gathering the newest stack of papers and exiting the office.
“You’re welcome.”
When I reach outside, I pull out my phone and fire off a text message.
Me: Two more stops and then I’ll be back to the hotel.
Faith: Hannah is picking me up in ten minutes. We’re going shopping.
A smile spreads across my face at the thought of Faith purchasing something to wear to our wedding.
Me: No rush. Have fun. I’ll see you soon.
Faith: Be safe.
Me: You too.
I decide to add purchasing a car to the list, but know that might not get done before I leave. There’s a used lot in town which caters to members of the military living on this base and their families. Faith is going to need something reliable to get around town, and everyone recommends buying from Lon’s Used Cars.