Chapter 8

8

CHLOE

"Are you ready?"

Chloe looked up at her father's smiling face and shining eyes, knowing that his pride was the only thing holding him together right now. This was the same man who'd held her hand when she got stitches in her knee from a bicycle accident as a child. This was the same man who volunteered to be her prom date when no one asked her out, and the same man who would always be there for her, no matter how far away they were.

"Daddy, I am more than ready," she whispered emotionally as they stood near the small church where J.J. had arranged for them to get married. Apparently, squeezing in a marriage was worth the cost of processing whatever Pastor O'Ryan hunted this year – for free.

It sure gives new meaning to ‘Deerly' beloved…

Chloe smiled, peering up at her father, who was clearing his throat once more. She was standing there, her hand resting on her father's arm, and wearing her dress uniform since she didn't have a wedding dress. It would match J.J.'s as well, because he was doing the same. Neither was wearing the traditional outfits for marriage but instead opted for what they had currently.

Hearing the recording play, she looked at her father – who hesitated.

"You love this boy?"

"Daddy, he's my everything."

"And you're happy?" he asked, his eyebrows pinched. "You say the word, and no one will ever find him…"

" Daaaddy !" Chloe laughed, slapping at his arm. She knew he was teasing but someone overhearing them might not. "He's everything I could ever want in a relationship, and I love him dearly."

"Just double-checking."

"Are you worried?"

"Well, your mother listed the house for sale today, so yeah – I'm a little worried," he said simply, looking forward as the doors opened. That was just like her dad to drop a bombshell at the most inappropriate time. She saw J.J. standing near the podium as her father began to step forward… and Chloe yanked on his arm.

"Wait a second. Mom is selling the house?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Her father turned to look at her – and she could feel J.J.'s curious gaze watching them in the distance… yet he waited. He always knew his place in her life and always waited for her.

"Because," her father began and pointed at J.J. "If that's my new son-in-law and my daughter is settling in Alaska, then why would we stay in Annapolis? We want to be close enough to babysit and pester your young man. Besides, how am I supposed to be the imposing father-in-law if I barely know the twerp?"

"You're moving… here?"

"Yup. I'm gonna go hunting since his dad doesn't do that, show him what a real man looks like, and then spoil my grandkids something awful."

"Oh, Daddy…" Chloe whispered, tearing up as she stared at her father's serious face. "That would be amazing."

"I love you, little queen."

"I love you too."

"Now, we've dawdled long enough, and your man is starting to look green around the gills," her father chuckled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Don't ever change, sweetheart. You're an amazing girl, and he's lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have him."

"Then let's go."

As they began walking down the aisle, Chloe barely saw J.J.'s beloved face as she smiled at him. Everything she could have ever wanted was happening and coming true. The man of her dreams that she waited for was finally marrying her today. They were going to begin their lives together, their parents were getting along(ish), and her parents were planning to be a part of their lives, accepting her choices.

"Is everything okay?" J.J. whispered tenderly, looking at her.

"It's beautiful – and my father wants to go hunting with you."

"He's telling you that on our wedding day? "

"The man loves you because you love me…"

"Ah… I see."

"I hope so," she chuckled. "Because once you have the heart of a King, you'll never settle for anything else."