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𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙃𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

1000 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗚𝗢, 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗔

'It's more than a great way to honor you and Chase's legacy before you move on to reserve!' My Admiral said causing me to sigh

"I really do-" I began to say before Admiral Louis cut me off and said, "Come on Captain, this will get you to 0-7. Admiral Level and Admiral pay. You're still a young man and there are no other men I trust more than you and your guys to go in and finish the job you all started. You guys won't even be over there no longer than two months so you can get back to the wife of course!"

"When do we leave?!" I then asked with a sigh as I placed my hand on my forehead

"A week after the Military ball." He answered causing my eyebrow to raise

"That's 2 weeks from now!" I rebutted

"Yes, but I can promise you this is for the best." Admiral Louis then said

"After this, I'm done," I replied before hanging up and placing my phone on the couch

"Jesus, please don't let this cost me my marriage," I said lowly aloud as I stressfully sighed

Truthfully, there was no easy way out of this. I had to make a decision even I wasn't sure about because I didn't know which would be better long-term from the two choices I was given. But since I made this impulsive move sooner than later I am going to have to tell Dinah I am going back to Iraq.

"Good morning, baby," Dinah said as she walked down the stairs with a smile in nothing but my thin shirt

"Good morning, beautiful." I then replied as I leaned my head back against the back cushions of the couch

Dinah then slipped onto my lap and rested her hand on the back of my neck beginning to play with my hair as she looked me in the eyes.

"What's wrong?" She then asked causing me to sigh as I said, "Work."

She then smiled as she said, "They're not supposed to stress you out...that's my job!"

I then laughed as I rested my arms around her waist while saying, "You could never."

She then leaned her body against mine causing me to rub her back as I said, "You know, Bubba, I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you right?"

Dinah then pulled away to face me while laughing and said, "Of course, why?"

"I just wanted you to know that in case you ever think otherwise," I replied causing her to smile

"You know I do remember our vows right?" She said causing me to smile

4 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

I looked down at Dinah nervously as Dinah's Father whom was also a preacher started our small wedding ceremony which only consisted of me and Dinah's Mom, sister, and brothers.

I felt both nervous and sick to my stomach but not because I felt I was making the wrong decision but because I had never gotten this far with a woman.

I was marrying a woman who three and a half years ago stumbled into my life by accident and purposely changed it.

She did nothing but smile at me with the cheekiest smile while batting those alluring welcoming brown eyes causing me to smile in return.

We weren't even dressed in wedding attire, but the foolish smiles plastered across our faces were more than enough.

All that mattered is how in love we are with each other and as the days passed that love seemed to deepen by miles.

"Do you Dinah Washington take Colton Andrews as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" Pastor Washington asked

"Yes," She said while looking me in the eyes

"And do you Colton Andrews take Dinah Washington as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" Pastor Washington then asked me

"Yes," I replied feeling my heart beat out of my chest as my eyes began to water

"Dinah, you may now state your vows." Pastor Washington said with a smile

"Colton, you are what I pray will be the end and beginning of the unfolding story of our lives. The more you wrapped your arms around me it became clearer and clearer that I wanted you all to myself because the love you have brought to me has caused my heart to only beat for you. You are now my eternal blessing that I pray never vanishes simply because now that I know how it feels to have you love me with all your heart and soul I don't believe I could ever live without..." She stated before taking a deep breath as I gently squeezed her hand to soothe her nerves

"...I cherish my moments with you so much that if need be I'd destroy others just to make room for the growing memories I share with you. I promise to forever believe in us because the way we love each other is with a passion that can turn into a deep depression without. When I smile it's for and because of you. And now that I think about it every mistake, heartbreak, and choice I have ever made has led me to you just for me to tell you now and forever that I love you with all of my heart and soul." Dinah then said as she began to let her tears paint her cheeks silently

Pastor Washington then smiled and said, "You may state your vows, Son."

"Dinah, in your arms I have found eternity and in your eyes, I have found something no woman can compete with. You see right through me and if I was a man with nothing all I would need is you to feel like I have everything..." I said before resting my hands on Dinah's cheeks to look her straight in the eyes before continuing

"...Your love gave me the courage to live and that courage I am now able to give back to you in every feeling I have for you from the moment I wake until I fall asleep with you in my arms. I promise to protect and never let anyone hurt, disrespect, or disregard you and most importantly I promise not to ever walk away because our love is worth the fight. You're the freedom from what demons kept me bound and for that, I could never thank you enough." I said as I let my tears fall

"And Dinah, baby, you have a smile that lit up my once dull world. You steal my breath not only with your substantial beauty but the purity that rests in your big heart. And if I hadn't ever been sure of anything in my life, I am sure you are the one and only love of my life." I finished as I began wiping her eyes with a smile

Dinah's dad then smiled and said "Into this union of Dinah and Colton now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace."

Nobody in our little audience said anything but let their smiles speak for themselves before Pastor Washington continued simply asking, "The rings?"

We then slightly held up each other's ring possibly with the biggest and most foolish smiles on our faces.

"Bless, O Lord, these rings as a symbol of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Amen," We all said in cadence before I slid Dinah's wedding ring on her left ring finger and she slid my wedding band on my left ring finger

"Now that Dinah and Colton have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit...You may kiss the bride." Pastor Washington concluded

I then smiled before taking one step closer to her, leaning down and pressing my lips against hers as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

Her family then began to cheer causing us to laugh lowly as we slowly broke away.

𝙉𝙊𝙒

"Of course" I replied leaning in to press my lips against my wife's

"I love you, Mushy!" She then said as we pulled away

"I love you too, sexy," I replied leaning in, trying to bite her resulting in her laughing like a madwoman before trying to run away resulting in me tickling her

A/N: Hiii! How did you guys like the chapter? Who do you guys think Chase is? Also, how do you guys think Dinah is going to react about Colton going back to Iraq after he promised he wouldn't? Also, you guys finally got the invite to Dinah and Colton's wedding😂 How'd you all like their vows? Remember to vote, comment, share and add to your library!! Love yaaa🖤🖤🖤