Chapter Twenty

H aving Ellie back with him, right where she belonged, made Wes the happiest man in the world. A million times over. For the next ten days, they didn’t leave the house. Hell, they’d barely left the bed. But they needed that precious time to reconnect, refuel and renew their relationship. As impossible as it seemed, their connection felt even stronger than before. The love he had for this amazing woman was so deep, so all-consuming, that it went beyond time and space and any logical explanation.

All he knew for certain was Elizabeth Marie Murphy was his other half.

Their love was unconditional and unwavering and, somehow, they’d managed to forge through the deepest parts of hell and find each other all over again. It was a miracle and a blessing. One he couldn’t quite wrap his head around, but one he would spend the rest of his days being grateful for.

Corey and his team had been calling the last few days, demanding they stop having sex long enough to make an appearance at Old Glory. Wes knew they had to go or else someone would decide to come over and check up on them. He’d just pulled into the bar’s graveled lot, parked and turned to face Ellie. He had a surprise for her and wanted to give it to her before they went inside.

When she reached out and laid a hand over his, he knew she felt his nerves. Their emotional connection was deep, completely effortless. “What’s going on in that handsome, silver-threaded head of yours?”

He chuckled then took a deep breath. “Do you remember when I proposed to you?”

A smile broke out over her face. “You proposed to me with a piece of candy.” She twined her fingers through his as he nodded. “We were so young and had nothing. You knelt down in front of me, and said, ‘Marry me, Elizabeth Marie Wright.’ And I said yes and split the candy with you.”

“Even though we only had that one piece, I told you we could build an entire life together and one day have more.”

“Have everything,” she finished. “Including endless bowls of jelly beans as far as the eye could see.”

He chuckled then instantly sobered again.

“I’ve tried to give you everything. Maybe I couldn’t always, but I’ve tried every single day since you said yes, Ellie. Seeing you happy means the world to me. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

He reached into his pocket and removed a small velvet box.

“I have something for you. I just hope you like them.”

Ellie’s eyes widened, curiosity swimming in their depths.

“I hate that your wedding rings were taken, so I got you a new set.”

“When did you do this?”

“Corey helped me. I gave him implicit instructions, a description of what your old rings looked like and sent a picture of what I wanted. I may have upgraded by several carats.” He opened the box to reveal a glittering square-cut diamond in an antique setting along with a matching wedding band. “If you don’t like them, we can go pick out—”

“I love them,” she whispered, leaning in to better see the diamond rings. “They’re stunning.”

Wes removed the rings and Ellie lifted her hand. Very carefully, he slid both of them onto her left ring finger. A perfect fit.

“I never wanted you to regret telling me yes,” he said.

“Never,” she whispered, taking his hands in hers and squeezing. “How is it possible for one man to be so incredibly amazing?”

Wes’ mouth edged up. “I’m the lucky one.”

“We’re both lucky,” she amended. “So damn lucky.”

Their mouths crashed against each other’s and things heated up fast. Just as Wes was contemplating a quickie in the backseat, a knock on the driver’s side window made them jump apart.

“C’mon, you two kids,” Lex interrupted with a laugh. “Everyone’s waiting for you inside and you’re out here making out like a couple of horndogs.”

Wes shook his head and sighed.

“Busted,” Ellie murmured, and they grinned at each other. “Shall we?”

“Let’s go. Hopefully it’ll be painless.”

“With these guys? Who knows what they’re plotting?”

◆◆◆

The party Wes’ team had planned for them was beyond sweet and Ellie was truly touched. Everyone was there, including Julia and the very lovely Lottie, Brand’s bartender who Chaz couldn’t stop staring at. They had decorated the bar like they were celebrating a wedding reception—champagne flowed, silly toasts were shared, silver balloons and streamers hung everywhere and there was even a big, white cake. When she saw the Precious Moments statue on top of it, her eyes filled with tears. They’d really gone all out to celebrate Wes and Ellie being reunited, and her heart nearly burst with joy, gratitude and love. So much love.

Ellie was sitting on her husband’s lap and laughing her ass off at the current conversation. She’d nearly spit her champagne out twice as Chaz and Lex went back and forth, trying to one-up each other. And every time Lottie laughed at something Chaz said, the man puffed his chest out.

“I like them together,” Ellie whispered into Wes’ ear.

“Chaz and Lex?” he joked.

“Chaz and Lottie, silly.”

“Brand forbid it. Poor Chaz. He better wipe the drool off his face.”

“I think it’s cute.” Ellie flicked her tongue against his ear, shifting on his lap. “No one can stop true love. Not even Brandon Ward.”

“We know that better than anyone, don’t we?”

She couldn’t miss his arousal pressing into her thigh. “Yes, we do,” she said with a little mischievous wiggle.

He barely stifled a groan. “You’re killing me.”

“You need to cool off, Mr. Murphy. How about some more champagne?” She offered him her glass, tipping it toward his lips, and he took a drink.

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Mrs. Murphy? So you can have your way with me when we get back home?”

“Always.” She dragged her fingers through his short brown hair, looking deeply into his matching eyes. As if on cue, their song came on, Billy Joel’s “She’s Got A Way” pouring from the speakers.

“May I have this dance, my love?”

“You can have every dance,” Ellie promised.

Wes smiled then helped her slide off his lap. They stood up, clasped hands and took a few steps away from the table before falling back into each other’s arms, swaying to the music.

“Holy hell, I want what those two are high on,” Lex announced, sitting back until the front legs of his chair lifted up off the floor. He propped his hands behind his head and winked at Ellie.

“Stop flirting with my wife,” Wes growled.

“They’re high on love,” Brand stated, reaching for Julia’s chair and dragging it closer.

“Yes, they are,” Julia agreed. They leaned in and began kissing.

“So, what’s the key?” Xander asked, eyeing Wes and Ellie. He set his beer down and crossed his arms. “How are you both still so in love with each other almost thirty years later?”

Ellie looked up at Wes, considering Xander’s question. How could they explain what it felt like when two souls fell in love? When you’ve found your other half and everything inside of you yearns to be with that person forever?

“Yeah, any advice or words of wisdom for the single men in the house?” Jayson asked.

“Stay single,” Chaz joked, and the guys chuckled.

Wes focused on Ellie and the smile he gave her lit up her spirit. “True love doesn’t care about time. Clocks and calendars mean nothing when you’ve found the one who loves and understands you on every level.”

“Aww, she completes him,” Jayson teased.

“Soulmates don’t complete you,” Wes murmured. “They inspire you to complete yourself.”

Ellie’s heart tightened and, before the tears could threaten, she pushed up onto her toes and kissed her husband.

“Well said,” Julia commented, looking misty-eyed.

“Does that mean we’re moving the wedding date up?” Brand asked. She answered him with another kiss.

Chaz tore his attention away from Lottie who was gathering empty bottles and snorted. “Love is for suckers,” he grumbled.

“Hey!” Wes shouted over Ellie’s head, pretending to be offended, and she chuckled.

“He’ll learn,” she predicted quietly. “One of these days.”

“You don’t really mean that, Chaz,” Lottie said, stopping beside his chair. Her blonde curls framed her heart-shaped face and her sunny disposition reminded Ellie of a Disney Princess. Watching them closely, she didn’t miss the way the big man gritted his teeth when Lottie innocently brushed against him as she reached over to grab an empty beer bottle from the table.

“I mean every word of it.” His stony facade cracked when she pushed a small finger against his broad chest.

“Grumpypants,” she chided playfully.

He automatically reached up, encircling her hand with his, and Ellie watched with bated breath to see what would happen next. After murmuring something she couldn’t hear, Chaz released Lottie’s hand, turned to grab his beer and took a long drink. Lottie, looking a smidge dazed, stepped away and hurried toward the bar.

Hmm. Well, that was interesting. Ellie planned to keep close tabs on those two and see what developed. Right now, however, she was in her husband’s arms and she looked up, giving him her full and undivided attention.

“When’s the last time I told you how much I love you?” she asked.

“About five minutes ago.” He grinned like a schoolboy. “But, don’t let that stop you.”

“I love you, Wes.”

“I love you, too, Ellie-Bean.” He lowered his head and caught her mouth in a kiss that was pure poetry.

Ellie leaned into him and returned the kiss with all the love in her heart. At long last, she was finally home.