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  “I love you, Mike,” she breathed softly, staring up into his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her. His lips were infinitely tender and barely grazed hers.

  “Perfection.”

  The hours flew by as they met the other couples for dinner. Cora really felt like she was starting to fit into their group. She didn’t feel so threatened and truthfully, they expected nothing from her. If she sat there silently or chatted in a conversation, everyone still had a good time. There were no underhanded comments, no sly insinuations – they were upfront honest people. This made her wonder at what kind of company she’d kept before now! She had no idea people could actually be this friendly and not expect something in return. She unfortunately also realized now that growing up she didn’t have the best home life having seen her mother be manipulated by others. Nothing would diminish the love she felt for her, but it made her see things a bit more clearly as well.

  Dino was another matter.

  She didn’t understand the dog at all. He literally would stop what he was doing, flop down onto the floor and show his belly. He did it several times at Daisy’s house, shocking her each time. The dog would let out a massive ‘whoomph’ as he threw himself bodily onto the linoleum flooring.

  “Is he alright?” Cora asked warily. “He doesn’t have an equilibrium problem or injury – does he? Why in the world does he keep collapsing?” Mike laughed at her question and got down on the ground beside the dog, scratching his belly. The shaggy golden tail swept the floor and his pink tongue hung from his mouth eagerly.

  “Cora, have you ever had a dog before?”

  “No. I had a bunny when I was much younger and I promise you, Cadbury did not do that. He would kick up his heels if he was in a playful mood.”

  “When dogs feel secure or want affection, they expose their underside as a show of trust. Dino didn’t do this for me the other day,” Mike explained, smiling up at her, “He’s doing this for your benefit. Come pet him.”

  She knelt down beside Mike and tentatively reached out a hand only to have the large yellow dog flop over again quickly, alarming her as he began shoving his nose in her hand. Cora flinched as the cool, wet nose left moisture on her palms and fingers.

  “Ughh! He snotted all over my hand.”

  Mike burst out laughing, as well as Daisy, Ethan, John and Lily, who stood nearby. The dog’s ears perked up at Cora’s voice and he wagged his tail even harder.

  “What? Do you think you speak English? Do you understand what I’m saying?” she cooed to the dog, realizing he had a gleam of intelligence and adoration in his eyes. “You are just a big ol’ lummox of sweetness, aren’t you? Yes, you are!”

  “You think you’ll be okay with him?” Mike asked tenderly, tucking her hair behind her ear from where it had fallen forward, blocking her view of him. “Dino will be a commitment and if you aren’t sure or worried about him…”

  “No,” Cora interrupted, scrunching up her lips and making kissy faces at the golden retriever mix before her. “You remind me of Mikey, don’t you? You’re just a softie that wants to be loved all the time. Oh no, you are coming home with me, Mr. Dino,” she crooned lovingly and smiled up at Mike.

  “I love you so much,” she admitted boldly in front of the others, seeing his wide smile. “I adore the fact that you seem to just ‘get’ me, Mike. Dino is perfect.”

  “I’m glad you said you loved me,” he teased, kissing her at the temple. “I was starting to worry that Dino was going to replace me. I’ve never seen you make little kisses like that towards me.”

  “You don’t flop down on the ground at my feet when I walk in the room.”

  “Cora, don’t you know that I adore the ground you walk on?”

  “Then maybe you should show your belly a little more?” she quipped and instantly heard John smarting off towards Mike playfully.

  “Good gravy, no! Have you seen the glare off his skin? The man has the same ‘farmer tan’ the rest of us developed in Afghanistan. Trust me, if the sight of Mike’s bare stomach doesn’t blind you, the reflection of light off of it certainly would.”

  “Let’s not get mean now, ol’ man,” Mike teased lightly, winking at John. “You are just jealous of my six pack.”

  “Six pack? Obviously you can’t count.”

  “I wasn’t going to brag about how beautiful my rock-hard abs are but if you want me to… I’d be happy to impress all of you here.” Mike got to his feet and everyone started laughing. Cora was certain he was about to yank off his shirt and show his stomach. Mike was goofy as could be sometimes and this was just the sort of crazy antic she could picture from him.

  She shielded her eyes bashfully but instead Mike dropped right into view on the floor in front of her right next to where Dino lay gazing up at her adoringly. Mike looked at her expectantly and stuck his tongue out to the side, practically mimicking the dog. Cora burst out laughing at the sight of them practically parallel and in the exact same pose.

  “Do I get my belly rubbed?”

  Mischievously, she reached forward and tickled him only to have him begin laughing uproariously as he tried to get away. Mike pulled at her hands and rolled Cora underneath him. Dino barked loudly nearby before shoving his nose between their faces. They stared at each other; both of their faces alit with sheer happiness in this very moment.

  “I love you,” they said at the same time and grinned. Cora knew in that very moment that she’d discovered the other half of her soul. Mike was everything she’d wanted and nothing she could have ever expected.

  How was she ever going to say goodbye to him?

  Chapter 10

  Cora wore sweatpants and a t-shirt to the church that morning so they could get ready together. Her dress had already been staged the night before, as well as her shoes and makeup. Today Ava and Colin would be getting married and it also signified that Mike had just over two weeks in town. He had to fly out on Christmas Eve in order to be able to return in time. Post adjusted his flight in order to be able to travel with Mike, making her feel a little better. He wouldn’t be alone and that was some comfort to her, if nothing else.

  Hours later, her hair was curled and pulled back with a comb, creating a cascade of curls down the back of her neck that fell just below her shoulders. Her rose colored dress fit perfectly, and she couldn’t help but smile as the women put the finishing touches on Ava.

  Her dress was stunning in its simplicity. It looked like something Grace Kelly would wear. White satin with no embellishments, fitted at the waist with a flared skirt, and just off the shoulder. She slipped a pair of tiny satin gloves onto her hands as Lily pinned a tiny veil into place on top of her head. It barely came down to her nose but seemed to fit the retro bridal outfit that she wore.

  Daisy was sitting on a bench nearby and feeding Aurora a bottle before the ceremony started. Hearing a knock at the door, Cora and Daisy looked at each other curiously.

  “I’ll get it,” Cora said and waved at Ava’s panicked expression. “If its Colin – I won’t let him in. Don’t worry.” As she opened the doorway, she saw Mike standing there looking antsy.

  “Mike? Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s actually pretty great,” he admitted awkwardly and then smiled at her. “You look stunning. Do you have a second to talk?” Cora slipped out of the room and shut the door behind her.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You look like you had a bad meal or something – are you okay?”

  “I’m perfect now that I’ve seen you. Here,” he said in a high-pitched voice and grinned. Cora looked down at her hand where he’d crammed something into her palm. It was a small box.

  “What is that?” she gaped and stared at him.

  “It’s a little something to match your dress. Put them on for me, we are fixing to start. I love you,” Mike uttered in a rush, grabbing her on the shoulders and kissing her on the cheek. “Gotta go, sweetheart. I’ll see you in a few.”

 
Cora stood there staring at him as he took off, practically running back down the hallway of offices to the side of the church building. Standing there, she gingerly pried open the box like it contained something dangerous or venomous. Inside was a pair of pearl earrings that had a slightly pink tinge of color to them.

  She glanced up the hallway to see if he was peeking around the corner watching her reaction because she knew that would be something he’d do. She was utterly alone and could hear the women talking behind the closed door that was to her back. Pulling the earrings from the package, she slipped them on and felt her eyes mist with emotion barely held in check. He was so utterly wonderful and had brought so much to her life in such a short time frame.

  “Cora? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes – Mike had something for me.”

  “Oh okay,” Lily said, smiling as she tugged on her ear knowingly, “A little something special?”

  “You knew?”

  “Maybe,” she admitted. “John just texted, they are heading up the aisle now. Ava is ready to go.”

  “Sounds good,” Cora nodded, following the women down the hallway and waiting at the doorway. As they lined up at the entrance of the chapel, she smiled up at Mike as she put her hand on his arm. “You’re the best, you know that?”

  “That’s funny – I was thinking the same thing about you,” he chided gently, teasing her. “You look beautiful.”

  “You didn’t have to get these for me.”

  “My beautiful girl should always get pretty little things.”

  “It’s extravagant.”

  “It’s your turn, lovebirds – Go!” Daisy interrupted, as Ethan tapped Mike on the shoulder. Startled, Mike and Cora glanced at each other and immediately started down the aisle, parting when they reached the end. Mike went to stand near Colin and was quickly joined by Jamie, John and Ethan.

  Cora lined up on the opposite side, followed by Lily and Daisy – who carried Aurora on her hip. Ava joined Colin’s side in a breathtaking display of emotion between the two. Both had tears of joy in their eyes and the love they felt for each other was evident to see. Colin broke down during their vows, his voice cracking.

  She couldn’t help feeling emotional at being able to be a part of this event they were sharing. Glancing at Mike, she saw him watching her, that upturned smile that told her he knew just what she was feeling or thinking. She nodded in acknowledgement and wiped her eyes carefully as to not smudge her mascara. The small ceremony was over in no time it seemed and everyone stepped out into the reception hall attached to the chapel. It was a tiny event with only about twenty to thirty people in attendance – mostly family and coworkers that Ava knew.

  “Cora, are you ready to boogie?” Mike asked playfully, pulling her down the hallway towards the reception area. She could hear the loud music from the seventies and eighties playing in the background. He turned around and untied his tie, letting it dangle around his collar on his dress uniform, coaxing her towards the dancefloor where several people were gathering.

  In that very moment that she was about to say ‘no’ to the dancing, she heard the lilting strains of ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ begin to play. She always loved that song growing up. Sighing happily, like it was a sign to her to let loose and enjoy herself – she clapped her hand into his as Mike began to sing to her. Laughing, she let him spin her around the floor.

  “Mike,” she cried out a little embarrassed, “People are looking at us.”

  “I don’t care,” he grinned. “Let them look. I’m going to dance like an insane man with the woman I love for as long as I can. Look at me, don’t look at them – and then it won’t bother you.”

  He began rolling his arms in front of him and trying to bump his hip against hers as if to do a bad rendition of the dance move, the hustle. Bursting out laughing again, she saw John was doing the exact same dance with Lily – who was emphatically swinging her hips with abandon left and right, bumping into John. Ethan and Daisy were dancing off to the corner of the dance floor while Ava was speaking with the D.J.

  As the song ended, she swirled out onto the dancefloor with an older man as Colin watched proudly from the side. Cora leaned her head on Mike’s shoulder as she sighed heavily, seeing Ava dance with her father. Her own father would never dance with her at her wedding, nor would her mother be there.

  “Whatcha thinking, sweetheart?” Mike whispered, leaning down to kiss her brow. “You should be smiling right now.”

  “I’m just thinking and a little bit of an emotional mess.”

  “Weddings do that to you?”

  “I was thinking that Ava was really lucky to have her parents here with her.”

  “Ahhh,” he said knowingly, “Let’s get you some punch while they finish their dance. We can get the next song.”

  Cora followed him without question over to the long table laden with different finger foods, cookies, the wedding cake, and a massive punch bowl. He put some of the red drink into a plastic clear glass and handed it to her with a little napkin. Pouring himself one, he took her hand and exited the hall without a word. He led her back into the now empty sanctuary and sat down on one of the pews at the back of the church. She could still hear the faint melody playing in the background.

  “Let’s sit for a minute and talk before we head back in,” Mike said, unbuttoning the top button of his shirt and tugging at the collar nervously. “Dang, is it warm in here?”

  “Well, you were just dancing like a cat having a seizure?” she teased only to roll her eyes at the mock horror on his face at her words.

  “I will have you to know that women like a guy that can cut loose like that.”

  “Where are all these supposed women?” she bantered quickly.

  “I don’t really know or care – because they aren’t the ones that matter to me anyhow,” he said quietly, looking at her from under his eyelashes. “I wanted to talk to you about something I’ve been thinking about and I don’t know how you are going to take it.”

  “Are you breaking up with me?” she asked suddenly, feeling the punch take a sour turn in her stomach almost immediately. “What did I do?”

  “What? No, honey,” he balked, looking horrified before his features smoothed out after a second. “I was talking about us maybe getting married.”

  “Huh?” Cora blurted out stupidly and put her hand on her cheek, feeling her skin. “Am I running a fever now? I think I might be delusional. Feel my face, Mike.” His finger brushed her cheek ever so tenderly, making her catch her breath. His dark eyes practically gleamed with unfettered love.

  “I’m serious, Cora. I want us to get married before I head back.”

  “You are leaving soon, Mike. What happens then? I don’t want to just marry someone who’s suddenly gone from my life?”

  “I plan on asking to be reassigned as soon as I can,” he admitted. “I’ve been thinking about this the past several days. We can get married and then I can provide for you – I want to take care of you.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I love you and I want you to know you can always depend on me.”

  “Except when you aren’t here.”

  “Cora, I am coming home – here – to you,” he said firmly, grasping her hand in his. “You are my home, my everything, and I can’t imagine life without you anymore. I want to make you laugh, smile, and dance like we’re in the middle of an earthquake,” he grinned as she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.

  “I said seizure,” she reminded him. Her heart was pounding with happiness and anticipation at his words.

  “As my wife, you would have everything and I know you’d be taken care of if something happened…” Cora immediately held up her hand and put it over his mouth to silence him.

  “Don’t say that,” she whispered in a voice she didn’t recognize. “You can’t die on me, Michael Cooper. Do you understand that?”

  “I don’t plan on going anywhere for the next fifty years.”

  �
��Good.”

  “But we have to be real about this too. I have to go back to Afghanistan and if something happens to me, I want you taken care of. I want you to have my benefits, my life insurance, and to know that I trust you with everything I am.”

  “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Cora – I love you. Do you love me?” he asked simply.

  “You know that I do. I love you more than the moon and stars,” she admitted softly, smiling up at him. He pulled her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles tenderly.

  “Then what’s a little slip paper when you already have my soul, darling?” he asked gently, growing serious as he nudged the kneeler down. He took her hands in his as he managed to squeeze down between the pews.

  “I obviously didn’t think this out very well,” he confessed, grinning happily. “I might be stuck.”

  Cora snorted with laughter at his words, which made him start giggling. He was attempting the craziest proposal she’d ever heard of – and it was memorable, completely perfect, and utterly ‘classic Mike’.

  “Cora Dillion, ever since you came into my life you have been the center of my world. You rock Candy Crush, make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and kiss like a girl under the bleachers at a high-school football game,” he said playfully.

  “MICHAEL!” she snapped, trying to pull her hands from his only to have him tug them up to his face, kissing each palm, as he tried to keep from laughing.

  “You interrupted me,” he chastised with a smirk and cleared his throat noisily, “As I was saying: you are truly the perfect woman for me. You’re the Yin to my Yang, the salt to my pepper, the macaroni to my cheese…”

  “Oh, you are cheesy alright,” she interrupted again, seeing him frown just before he placed her hands directly on his shirt front over his heart. She sat there feeling his heart beat strong and sure under her fingertips. She knew deep down inside that he would never hurt her or betray her. Everything he did, even down to how he acted, was all an act simply to make her laugh or smile. She loved his crazy antics and how he made her feel special.