Page 236 of Allegiance

When Dakota was done, he was smiling.

“Feels right, huh?” Zayn asked.

He couldn’t deny it.

“It does.”

And that was how they knew.

Dakota, while an asshole, and difficult, wasn’t dragging his feet like he had with Sarah. The man knew, and they did too.

At the door, Tommy peeked his head in.

“The ladies are ready,” he said. “They want this wedding done fast.”

“Why fast?” Dakota asked.

He laughed.

“Apparently, someone told the bride that you’re a flight risk.”

They all found that amusing.

Only, he was done running away. He was running toward her.

He wanted to be with Eve.

Forever.

As they headed out, the judge was standing there, and Gene was keeping him busy. When the ladies came down, they stood at the door, keeping Eve outside the room.

“Are you ready Dakota?” Stella asked.

He was.

He’d never been more ready in all of his life for this moment.

“Please let me see my wife-to-be.”

And that said it all.

When the doors opened, it wasn’t just Eve. Violet was holding her hand, and both women were in pretty dresses and looked ready to do this.

Dakota smiled.

When the music started, from Stella’s phone, to give them a wedding march, the smile changed.

The tears came.

He’d never wanted anything more than this. He now had the family he never thought would be possible.

As Eve and Violet began walking, he knew in his heart that she was meant to be his wife.

I love you, he mouthed as she got closer.

She had tears too.

He looked handsome, and she couldn’t wait to start this journey with him. From his Marshal belt buckle to the five o’clock shadow, she was at home, happy, and finally done fighting that war.