Annie insisted on finishing the picnic lunch she’d prepared. She said she wanted to savor the moment, remember the place we got engaged. She took photos of the trail, the foil ring, us.

We finally made our way back down the trailhead, found my truck and drove off toward the Douglas County Administration Building to get our wedding license. Annie called en route and we were able to get an appointment, and the chapel had an opening in an hour. Getting our license didn’t take long, and we drove to a jewelry store to get her a ring.

I picked out a small white gold princess cut diamond for her and she bought me a titanium band. I couldn’t afford to get her a huge rock, and I never lived beyond my means. Annie had to be happy with my lifestyle, as a Navy wife. There would be no luxurious vacations and no beachfront mansions. But she’d never starve and I’d always provide for her. And she knew that.

I didn’t feel nervous. I was fucking sure about it. Once I made a decision, I never wavered.

The attendant signaled that we were next. The chapel overlooked the lake.

Annie pulled me aside. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Positive.”

“I never thought I’d get married. I used to think that even if I escaped, no man would ever love me. That I’d always be Star. I’d always be seen as nothing but a whore. Then I met you and you gave me hope. Not hope that you would love me, I didn’t love myself. Just hope that I would one day get my life back. Even after you saved me, I didn’t think there could ever be a chance for us. You seemed so tough, so strong, so invincible. And you’re so sexy. I mean, you look like an action movie star. You could get any girl, why would you want a former hooker? And you constantly said over and over that you didn’t want a relationship until you retired. I figured what happened on that boat was just you taking pity on me. When you told me at the embassy that you never wanted to see me again, I thought that was it. And I was actually trying to make peace with living in a world without you in it, and I focused on getting strong and healthy. Seeing you returning from deployment was bittersweet, because I didn’t think you wanted to even get to know me. I don’t know what switched inside your head, but you’ve made me the happiest woman ever. I’m so happy you chose me in the brothel. Everyday in captivity I played the ‘what if’ game. What if I hadn’t gone on the cruise? What if I hadn’t been drunk that night? What if I hadn’t decided to go take pictures? There are no more ‘what ifs’ in my life. I’m present. I’m here now. And if I could go back in time and choose not to get kidnapped, I wouldn’t change a thing. Because that nightmare brought me to you. To think you were living in San Diego when I was in high school and we never met. Did I see you on the beach? We are meant to be together. Forever. I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life trying to make you happy."

I didn’t cry, but I became choked up. I almost told her I loved her but the officiant interrupted our moment and came back to the center of the chapel and started the ceremony.

Annie glowed. We were still dressed in our hiking clothes, but this was our wedding, our way. I’d give her the wedding of her dreams when I returned from deployment. But I’d pay for everything, and her parents wouldn’t be invited.

It came time to say our vows. I repeated what the officiant told me.

“Do you, Patrick Joseph Walsh, take this woman whose hand you now hold, to be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND PROTECT HER: to forsake all others for her sake; to cleave unto her, and her only, with her forever until death shall part you?”

My heart pounded in my chest. “I do.”

“Do you Analía Rose Hamilton, take this man who now holds your hand, to be your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND PROTECT HIM, to forsake all others for his sake; to cleave unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall part you?”

Annie beamed. “I do.”

The officiant finished the ceremony. We exchanged rings. And then he said the words I was waiting to hear.

“Therefore, by the power vested in me by the laws of the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

I cupped Annie’s face and kissed her. She jumped on me and I twirled her around.

“I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh.”

There was no one in the chapel but I didn’t give a fuck. Annie was mine now. Forever. She was a Walsh. And no one would ever hurt her again.

26.

A few days later, I woke up with her in my arms. Her head was tucked under my chin and she was curled up in front of me, leg thrown over my thighs and hair strewn across my pillow. Normally, and I know it makes me a fucking douche to say this, but I wasn't the type to have a woman stay over at my apartment. I couldn't afford those kind of connections due to the amount of time I was on assignment. I simply didn't want the complication. With Annie, though, I didn't have any objections to waking up with her shit all over my house or having her in my bed.

I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I needed the connection that only she seemed to be able to provide. The movement startled her and her eyes shot open and she gasped. When she realized that it was me her body relaxed and she gave me a sleepy smile.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"What time is it?"

"It's early. I didn't mean to wake you."

"That's okay." She snuggled closer and kissed my jaw line. "This is nice. What do we have planned today?"

"Well, I figured that we could stop by my mom's on the way back to San Diego, say hi. I haven't called her since I got back and she would probably want to know that her baby boy has gotten himself married to a beautiful woman."

She jerked backwards. "You haven't called your mom? Patrick Walsh how could you!" She paused, then her eyes widened and she rolled out of bed. "Oh my God I have to get dressed."

I grabbed for her but she pulled away and started babbling to herself as she sorted through her things. "Baby, come on. She's not going to care what you look like, I promise."

"Says you. Of course she's going to care what I look like. I can't meet your mom for the first time looking like...like...like a hooker!"

She grabbed a pile of things and headed towards the bathroom, but I jumped out of bed and stopped her. "All she will see are the same things that I see when I look at you. Someone who is strong, loyal, and kind. I don't want you to freak out about this and trust me, she will think that you're the best woman on earth."

Tears filled her eyes and I crushed her to my chest. "Please don't worry," I told her. "She's going to love you."

She sniffled. "I still really need to get ready. I can't just go over there looking like a mess."

"You look beautiful in anything."

"Fine."

I followed her into the bathroom. "But I should do my husbandly duty and help you."

So I did. Enthusiastically.

Later, we pulled up to my house. It looked the same, and even though it was a dump, it was home to me. My mom had scrapped away everything to buy this place, because she wanted me to have a permanent home.

My mom ran out the door. Her hair had a few more gray streaks than the last time I’d seen her. “Pat, I’m so happy you’re home. Is this your new girlfriend?”

When I called to tell her I was coming by, I had simply said that I was bringing someone special. I owed it to my mom to tell her in person. “Mom, this is Annie. Annie Walsh.”

My mom clutched my arm. Her eyes immediately darted to Annie’s left ring finger and then to her belly. “You eloped and didn’t tell me? Pat, how could you?”

“Sorry, mom. I proposed last week and we got married that day. Wanted to do it before I deployed again and we were in Nevada. We’ll have a big wedding later.”

My mom and I had always been close. She knew my views on marriage and that I would never ever enter into it lightly. I’d been raised to respect women. Even if I had veered off course. “Am I going to be a grandmother?”

“Jesus, mom. No. She’s not pregnant.”

Annie stood by my side. Her own parents were so icy. I figured she didn’t even know what to say to my mom.

“Well come inside.” My mom hugged Annie. “Welcome to the family. I always wanted a daughter.”

“It’s an honor to meet you Mrs. Walsh.”

“Please, Annie. Call me Tracy. Or Mom if you feel comfortable. I have to get to know the woman that tamed my son.”

We went inside and sat on the sofa. My mom had prepared all my favorites: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, zucchini boats, chocolate chip cookies. All from scratch.

Annie went into the bathroom to freshen up and my mom pulled me inside the kitchen.

“That’s Annie Hamilton? The girl from the news who was kidnapped and forced into sex slavery? Patrick Joseph Walsh, were you the one who saved her?”

I could never lie to my mom. “Yes.”

I don’t know how most moms would react to finding out that their son had married a former prostitute, even it the girl had been kidnapped. But my mom wasn’t most moms.

“I’m proud of you, son. You’re a great man. As a woman, I’m even prouder of the fact that you can love her and look beyond her past. Not many men would be able to do that, and treat her with respect. She’s lovely. I love you.”

“Love you too, mom.” I still hadn’t told Annie I loved her. I was her husband and I still couldn’t do it. What was holding me back? I told myself that I was waiting for the right time. But I wondered if there was something else in my subconscience that was preventing me from truly opening up to her.