"I do." Sofia's tone conveyed that a smile had accompanied her words as she continued to stare at the sun. Her hands moved to cover Allie's at her belly. "And I love you."
"I know." Allie placed three kisses along the supple neck up to Sofia's ear. "I am so looking forward to marrying you."
"I can't wait." Sofia spun in her arms, her hands coming up to cup Allie's face as she pulled her in for a long, slow kiss.
When they broke, Allie licked her lips and steadied her breath. The moment had arrived. Her pulse thundered in her ears. "Really?"
"Yeah, really." Sofia chuckled and kissed her again.
"Then, Sofia..." Allie's hand slid up and claimed Sofia's, she pulled them down to cover her racing heart as she looked into her eyes. "Let's do it."
"Do it?" Sofia asked, confusion evident.
"Yeah. Right here. Right now. Marry me, Sofia. I don't want to wait another day."
"But..." Sofia looked around to see the smiling faces of her friends. "We can't. We need a license and-"
Allie silenced her with a kiss. "I looked into it. Captain Finch has a permit to marry at sea and we are in international waters. We can take care of the formalities later, but right now, Sofia Delacruz, I would love nothing more than to tie the knot with the most beautiful, caring, amazing woman I have ever met before our friends, the sunset, and well, two guys we just met." They laughed together. "What do you say?"
Wide-eyed and clearly flabbergasted, Sofia stood speechless for a long moment. The pause sent Allie's heart sinking into the depths of the sea they floated upon. Yes, it had been one thing to tease about eloping and something entirely different now that it was staring them in the face, but for her, it was a no-brainer. She'd marry Sofia anytime, anyplace. Did Sofia truly feel the same?
The shocked expression gave way to a soft smile and glassy eyes that spoke more than words. Sofia finally answered with quiet confidence, "I told you I was all in, so I say yes, Allie. Let's get married." Her smile stretched across her face as wide as the ocean's horizon.
An eruption of complete and utter joy rumbled through her chest. Allie didn't ask twice. She kissed Sofia tenderly, smiling against her lips, then took her by the hand and led her to the front of the boat to meet the captain. They took their places standing face to face, arms width apart, as they held hands. Reyna and Kat flanked the couple and Runa took charge of the camera, clicking away. There were only a handful of minutes left before the sun disappeared, so they needed to get going if they wanted the perfect backdrop for photos.
The clearing of Captain Finch's throat signaled the start of the ceremony. "We are gathered here today to join Allie Elizabeth O'Leary and Sofia Amelia Delacruz in holy matrimony."
As he read through the standard opening, Allie's gaze remained locked with Sofia's. The Captain turned to Allie and said, "Allie, place the ring on Sofia's finger and then repeat after me; With this ring, I, Allie, choose you, Sofia, to be not only my wife, but my best friend."
Allie repeated each and every word in earnest, then waited for him to continue. Again, she recited the very same words he'd spoken, her eyes never leaving Sofia's. As she repeated the vows given, she could feel the love between them overwhelming her, forcing her to dig deep to make it through the ceremony without turning into a crying mess.
Finally, he reached the end. "I, Allie, marry you with no hesitation or doubt. My commitment to you, to our lives together, is unconditional. Do you take me to be your partner in life, through sickness and health, until death do us part?"
After reciting the first line, Allie stopped. For the first time since they had taken their places, her eyes slid from Sofia to Captain Finch. "Excuse me, Captain, I don't really know how all this works, but could I say something to my beautiful bride before I ask her the question I am dying to ask?"
With a soft chuckle he nodded and replied, "Of course, Allie. This is about the two of you. By all means, speak from your heart."
Allie paused and choked down the lump in her throat. "Sofia..." She turned back to the woman she loved. The smile that greeted her made her heart so full she could hardly stand the feeling of giddiness it brought forth. "For the longest time, I drifted. My personal journey was full of emptiness. I never knew I could have a love like this and I feel so very lucky that the heavens saw fit to bless me by sending you. I promise never to take you, or us, for granted. And I promise to love you and support you with every ounce of my being for as long as you will have me, and then some."
A deep steadying breath, followed by a long, slow exhale led her final question. "Sofia Delacruz, do you take me to be your partner in life, through sickness and health, until death do us part?" Even knowing the outcome, Allie's breath retreated into the depths of her lungs as she awaited Sofia's answer.
♥♥♥
"I do," Sofia replied without waver. Her eyes welled at the amount of love emanating from the woman across from her.
"Very nice. Now, Sofia, it's your turn." The Captain directed his attention to her as he read the script once again.
Sofia placed the ring on Allie's finger and then she, too, recited the vows word for word. Her voice broke at several points as she fought back tears of joy. Just as Allie had done, she also paused before asking the final question, wanting to add her own promise. Wiping a tear from her eye, Sofia looked up at the sky and then down at their joined hands, pausing to find her voice.
"Allie, I also drifted, believing that I had already had my time. I was content to go through life status quo, never dreaming of finding love again, much less marriage. But then, you came along…and you not only brought me back to life, but you made me dream again. I am finally whole again because of you. I love you so very much and I also feel so very lucky that the heavens have blessed me with you. I will cherish every moment we have together. Allie O'Leary, do you take me to be your partner in life, through sickness," a sharp intake of breath, "and health, until death do us part?"
Tears broke free and Allie quickly corralled them with her free hand as she nodded—a momentary pause before she gathered the words Sofia knew begged to be set free. "I do. I really, really do."
Sofia laughed as she made sure the ring was secure. She stared at their hands with matching wedding bands and her breath hitched. Yes, she had done this before, and everything about this second love had been different than the first—including her—but there was something profound about this moment with Allie. Her first time, she'd been young, naive, not as present as she should have been, believing they'd have forever.
This time though, she knew better. Life went fast and could be brutally short. She'd meant every word of her vows. Not a minute would be wasted of this second chance at happiness with the woman who had literally brought her back from the land of the living dead. Looking back up at a beaming Allie sent her heart skipping. That kiss needed to happen, and soon.
"With the power vested in me, it is with absolute pleasure that I now pronounce you married. You may kiss the bride."
They both rushed forward, pulling one another into a loving embrace as they engaged in a slow, deep kiss. The moment was everything. The official start to their life together—hopefully a long and vibrant one.
Allie's hand slid up and cupped her cheek, her thumb gently stroking back and forth. The intent in her caress was clear and Sofia could feel it with her entire being. She would be cared for and without a doubt, loved. A final, gentle nip to her bottom lip had Sofia humming her approval as they slowed and pulled away to the hoots and hollers of their guests.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Sofia smiled as she trailed her fingers softly down Allie's cheek with complete adoration.
"I just couldn't wait to marry you, Sofia. But I have one more surprise." She took her hand and led her around the corner to a small table arranged to perfection with plates, champagne-filled glasses, and a nontraditional wedding cake. "I finagled your favorite dessert from your favorite place for our wedding cake."
"Chocolate torte with
raspberry sorbet?" Sofia was practically drooling at the thought.
"Yes ma'am."
"You really know how to take care of your wife."
"I like to think so." Her pride was evident, leaving no doubt Allie would always take care of her.
Pausing to take it all in, Sofia looked at the guests around her—old friends, new friends, and her new sister-in-law. Then, her gaze settled on Allie with those deep chocolate eyes and a smile that made her melt. Warm fuzzies filled her being and her heart swelled with love. I am the luckiest woman in the world. "Thank you for this."
"Anything for you. All I want to do is make you happy each and every day."
"You do. You're all I need. Your love, your smile...just you, Allie. My wife."
"I love the sound of that."
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S.W. Andersen writes sapphic romances for those who believe love knows no boundaries. This is her sixth novel, two of which became Amazon best-selling lesbian romances. Having been raised by her mother, a strong female character in her own right, she has always been attracted to stories that depict independent, capable, determined women. While life tends to surround us with negativity, she prefers to fill it with happily ever afters.
S.W. has spent a large part of her life around horses and rodeos and has always had an affinity for the cowgirl lifestyle. Her love of the mountains and westerns were the driving forces behind her Sarah Sawyer western series. When she isn’t working, she enjoys outdoors activities and traveling with her wife, Dianna. They share their ten acres in rural Florida with a rambunctious crew of one dog, four cats and two horses.
CONNECT WITH SW:
swandersenwrites.com
MORE NOVELS BY S.W. ANDERSEN
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY - ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY - THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY - FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY - SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY - SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY - EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY - ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY - TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY - THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY - FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY - SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY - SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY - EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY - NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY - ONE
CHAPTER FORTY - TWO
CHAPTER FORTY - THREE
CHAPTER FORTY - FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY - FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY - SIX
CHAPTER FORTY - SEVEN
CHAPTER FORTY - EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY - NINE
CHAPTER FIFTY
CHAPTER FIFTY - ONE
CHAPTER FIFTY - TWO
CHAPTER FIFTY - THREE
CHAPTER FIFTY - FOUR
CHAPTER FIFTY - FIVE
CHAPTER FIFTY - SIX
The Love Doctor Page 26