Chapter 272 Chapter 272

Chapter 272 Chapter 272
The ceremony was being held in the garden. Her parents had transformed the backyard into something out of a fairy tale. White chairs arranged in neat rows, an arch covered in white roses and greenery at the front, string lights strung overhead even though it was still daylight. They'd be beautiful once the sun set and the reception started.
Everyone they loved was there. Family and friends, all dressed up, all smiling.
Emma stood at the top of the back steps with her father, looking down at the aisle she was about to walk.
Luke was quiet beside her, one hand covering hers where it rested on his arm.
"You okay, Dad?" Emma asked softly.
"I should be asking you that. But you always thought of everyone else before yourself. The biggest heart." Luke's voice was rough. "My little girl's getting married."
"Would you stop calling me little? You make me sound like a teenager… just." Emma teased.
"You'll always be little to me." Luke looked at her. "Emma, I want you to know…I'm proud of you. Of the woman you've become. Of how you handled everything this past year. You forgave Daniel even though you were hurting."
"I think I had the best role models," Emma said, squeezing his arm.
"Your mother, you mean." He grinned at her.
"You both." Emma smiled. "Thank you, Dad. For being the best dad a girl could ask for."
Luke kissed her forehead through the veil. "You ready to do this?"
"Let's get this show on the road."
The music started for her bridal march. Classical guitar, soft and sweet.
The bridesmaids had already taken their places. Honey, Lauren, Maggie, Prue. All standing on the left side of the altar, smiling at her.
Then it was Emma's turn.
As she and Luke stepped into view, and every head turned.
But Emma only had eyes for one person. Daniel.
Standing at the altar in his dress uniform. He'd insisted, said he wanted to wear it one last time before officially becoming a civilian. He looked devastating. Tall and broad-shouldered, dark hair neat, jaw clean-shaven. The scar on his back was hidden beneath the fabric, a reminder of what he'd survived for her.
And the way he was looking at her.
Like she was the only person in the world, in his world at least. Like he couldn't quite believe this was real.
Emma's breath caught. She knew the feeling.
But this was happening. It was real. They had been given this second chance.
They'd survived everything: the shooting, the recovery, the therapy, the nightmares, the fear. And now they were here, about to promise forever to each other.
Luke walked her down the aisle slowly. Emma barely registered the faces turning to watch. She saw Grayson standing beside Daniel as best man, looking proud. Kyle beside him, Daniel's Marine buddy who'd helped fake his death and had apologized to Emma at least a dozen times. Nate next, Wyatt bringing up the rear. They were a handsome lot.
She saw Eric sitting in the second row, watching his fiancée with a smile.
But mostly, she saw Daniel.
When they reached the altar, Luke carefully lifted her veil and kissed her cheek. "Be happy, baby girl."
"I will," Emma whispered.
Luke placed her hand in Daniel's, then stepped back to sit beside Faith.
Daniel's fingers closed around hers, warm and strong and steady.
"Hi," he murmured, just for her.
"Hi yourself." Emma couldn't stop smiling.
"You look beautiful," Daniel said, voice low. "I mean it. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Emma felt her eyes prick with tears. "Don't make me cry already."
"Can't help it. It's true."
The officiant cleared his throat, smiling at them both. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Emma Taylor and Daniel Morris. These two have been through more than most couples face in a lifetime. They've weathered storms that would have torn others apart. But they're still standing. Still choosing each other. And that's what marriage is—choosing each other every single day, no matter what."
Emma squeezed Daniel's hands tighter.
"Emma and Daniel have chosen not to write their own vows," the officiant continued. Emma had told Daniel she couldn't, because she'd cry through the whole thing and make a mess of her makeup. He'd understood immediately. "Instead, they've asked me to speak for them. Daniel, do you take Emma to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, protect her, and stand by her side through whatever life brings? In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Daniel's voice was steady, certain. "Absolutely, I do." Making people laugh.
"And Emma, do you take Daniel to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, trust him, and stand by his side through whatever life brings? In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?"
Emma's throat was tight. She could feel the tears coming, couldn't stop them. "I do. With all my heart."
"The rings?"
Grayson stepped forward, holding the rings with a grin. He'd been the one to punch Daniel in the face when he'd come back from the dead. Now he was handing over the symbol of forever. Life was strange.
Daniel took Emma's ring first. A simple platinum band with small diamonds set into it. Nothing flashy. Just perfect to fit around her engagement ring, which was currently sitting on her other hand.
He slid it onto her finger slowly, his hands steady even though she could see the emotion in his eyes.
"With this ring, I marry you," Daniel said. "And I promise you, Em, I will always put you first for the rest of our lives."
Emma took Daniel's ring. Matching platinum, plain and simple. Her hands were shaking as she slid it onto his finger.
"With this ring, I marry you," Emma said, voice breaking. "And I promise you—I'm all in. Whatever comes, I'm not going anywhere."
"By the power vested in me by the State of New York," the officiant said, voice rising so everyone could hear, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Daniel, you may kiss your bride."
Daniel didn't even wait for him to finish the last word before pulling Emma into his arms and kissing her. Like he'd been waiting for this moment forever.
The crowd erupted. Applause, cheers, whistles from Kyle and Wyatt. Grayson didn't join in with the whistles because she was his sister and that was just... weird.
Emma kissed him back, hands fisting in his uniform jacket, not caring that everyone was watching. This was their moment.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Daniel pressed his forehead to hers.
"Mrs. Morris," he murmured.
"Mrs. Morris." Emma grinned through her tears. "I like the sound of that."
"Me too. Has a nice ring to it."
They turned to face their guests, hands linked, both grinning like idiots.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the officiant announced. "Daniel and Emma Morris!"
More applause. More cheers. Emma saw her mother crying, saw Daniel's mother dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
Daniel and Emma walked back down the aisle together, past smiling faces and happy tears. Past friends and family who'd stood by them through everything.
Married. They were married.
Emma's hand drifted briefly to her stomach as they walked, today was everything she had ever dreamed of.
Soon, she'd tell him. Tonight, after the reception, after the dancing and the cake and the celebration. When they were finally alone.
She'd just married her best friend. Her protector. Her partner.
And soon enough, they'd be parents.
Life didn't get much better than this.