Shatter (40 page)

“I choose you,” he said, low and smooth, “Halina Heather Raiden Sintrovsky Dubrovsky Beloi—”

She burst out laughing, dipping her head as her face flushed with embarrassment. But everyone else was laughing along with her and Mitch’s eyes twinkled with pleasure.

He waited until the room quieted to continue, serious, sincere, painfully sweet. “—to be my wife, my partner, my best friend, my soul mate,” he paused and squeezed her hands, “above all others.”

Halina’s heart swelled to painful proportions. Tears glazed her eyes.

“When you need encouragement,” he said, “turn to me. When you need a helping hand, let it be mine. When you need someone to trust, look to me. When you long for love, know it will always be here.” He lifted one of their joined hands to his chest.

“I believe in you. I believe in us,” he continued with so much conviction, Halina was lost in his words. “Together, we are strong. Together, we are eternal. You are the only woman I have ever loved, the only woman I have ever needed, the only woman I have ever truly wanted. And I promise you . . . all of me . . . from this day forward.”

The tears spilled over. Her air stuttered into her lungs. The judge allowed a moment of silence to linger before he murmured, “Halina.”

She swallowed, held on to his hands tight for reassurance. For a second, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, she couldn’t fathom the depth of love she saw gazing back at her. And as always, he gave her the strength to push the words forward.

“Mitchell Raiden Foster,” she said, “you are everything I’ve ever wanted or ever needed, and at this moment I know all my prayers have been answered, all of my dreams have come true. I promise to always be truthful with you. I promise never to run from you, never to hide from you, always to believe in you and to never, ever, take another false name.”

His grin broke into a laugh. Wetness glistened in his eyes.

“In sickness,” she continued, “I will nurse you back to health. In health, I will encourage you on your path. In sadness, I will help you to remember. In happiness, I will be with you to make memories. In poverty, I will do all that I can to make our love rich. And in wealth, I will never let our love grow poor. I vow to share with you everything I have and everything I am. You are the only man I have ever loved and forever will.”

Emotion washed over Mitch’s face, so potent, so rich it gripped her heart and squeezed hard.

They exchanged rings with simple vows and Mitch pulled her hand to his lips to kiss it before he threaded his fingers with hers and lowered them again.

“Halina and Mitch,” the judge said, “with quite possibly the most eloquent expression of love and commitment I’ve ever witnessed here in front of God, friends and family, by the power vested in me by the District of Columbia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Halina broke into a giddy smile. Her heart floated in her chest.

“Mitch,” the judge said, “kiss your beautiful bride.”

They were both laughing as he drew her into his arms, his gold eyes open and on hers as their lips pressed the first time. Then Halina let her eyes drift closed. Lost herself in their new and thrilling fantasy come true.

Mitch held her tight and kissed her as if he hadn’t kissed her in months.

They broke apart to the urging of the others for hugs and kisses and laughter. With their limited time, cake and champagne quickly followed. And with the room filled with more happiness and love than Halina could have ever hoped for, Mitch pulled her aside.

He slid one arm around her waist, kissed her temple, and murmured, “I want to smear you with cake and lick you clean.”

She laughed, kissed him. “Okay.”

“I have something to show you,” he murmured.

She pressed her hand against his chest, felt the quick beat of his heart beneath her hand, and leaned into his hips. “I think I already feel it.”

He laughed, low and deep. “That’s for later.” He lifted his phone. “A wedding present.”

She turned her head and glanced at the picture of Schaeffer, red-faced and indignant, eyes bugging out, arms cuffed behind his back. He looked so ridiculous, she burst out laughing. Then she turned to Mitch, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her face to his shoulder. Her laughter turned to tears. And he held her tight, stroking her back.

“Hey, baby,” he crooned. “I’m sorry, I thought you’d be happy.”

She nodded, pulled back, sniffling. “I am. I am. My emotions are just . . . kinda all over the place.” She put a hand to his face, drawing his gaze to hers. “I have something for you too.” She leaned close and whispered, “I’m pregnant.”

He gasped. Stilled. His hand closed around hers. “Really? For sure?”

She nodded and pressed her forehead to his jaw. “Teague felt it when he was healing some of my cuts.”

Mitch dropped his mouth to hers and took her in such a searing, passionate kiss, she had to fist her hands in his jacket to keep herself from swaying right off her feet. He pulled away, holding her face in both his hands. Tears lined his lashes.

“Oh my God,” he said, breathless. Then a heated smile came over his face. “Maybe we can work on perfecting your skills with the ferrite bead. See if our kid’s going to be a Supreme Court judge or the next Nobel Peace Prize-winner or . . .” His brows rose. “A pitcher for the Padres like his . . . or her . . . old man once upon a time?”

Halina laughed and shook her head. “I think I’d rather enjoy watching our baby follow his or her very own path, choice by choice.”

“Agreed.” He kissed her again. Pulled back and pressed his forehead to hers. “Hali, God. I love you so much. You’ve filled my life beyond my wildest dreams.”

She smiled and whispered against his lips, “That makes three of us.”

BRAVA BOOKS are published by

 

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

 

Copyright © 2014 Joan Swan

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

 

BRAVA and the B logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

ISBN: 978-0-7582-8827-1

 

 

First Electronic Edition: January 2014

 

ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-8828-8
ISBN-10: 0-7582-8828-X