Clay stood before the mirror, adjusting his tie, and his eye caught Stella's in the reflection. They shared a smile, each recalling the night twenty-three years ago where they almost lost Jonathan Richard Spenser. Born at only twenty-six weeks old, their preemie son almost didn't survive. But he was a strong fighter, like his father and mother, leading them to the name selections. Jonathan for God had given, and Richard for Stella's grandfather and because the name meant brave and hardy.

"Dad, this is impossible," Jon grumbled as he threw up his hands, unable to get his bowtie to cooperate.

"Better let your mother help. I'm having no better luck than you," Clay replied and turned to face Stella. God, she was as beautiful today as the day he married her. He was one lucky man—she rode the ups and downs of his career with him—never willing to give up on them, no matter how dicey things got.

Stella stepped forward, going to their eldest son. Jon was the spitting image of his handsome father. He resembled Clay when she first met him—right down to the dirty, blond unruly curly hair and blue eyes. Her hands deftly manipulated the silk fabric as she said, "You two are hopeless."

Father and son chuckled.

Once she finished both ties, Stella leaned in and kissed Jon's cheek. "Your bride won't be able to take her eyes off of you."

Jon blew out a nervous breath as he said, "I hope she doesn't get cold feet."


Sonny halted as he entered the room, his eyes going wide and then misting as he gazed at LeAnn in her beautiful, flowing white wedding dress. Time flew by too damned fast, and his little girl was now all grown up—and getting married.

It seemed like only yesterday he was cradling her in his hands … reaching out to catch her as she took her first steps … running behind her bicycle after he took the training wheels off … cleaning his gun when the first boy showed up to take her on a date.

But his daughter had fallen in love and given her heart to Blondanator's offspring. He still recalled with delight the day Jonny stood before him, all anxious, and asked his permission to ask for LeAnn's hand in marriage. Oh, part of him wanted so bad to tell him to go to hell. He didn't want a frogman wife's life for his little girl. But he couldn't deny the connection that had developed during a lifetime of growing up together as best buddies.

"Cat got your tongue?" Lisa said as she moved to pull Sonny into the room so the door could close.

Hannah adjusted LeAnn's veil and smiled at her daughter—a mix of herself and Sonny. LeAnn had her general appearance and Sonny's temperament … which meant she was as stubborn as a mule and as noble as Sir Galahad. Though she and Sonny didn't work out because he loved and eventually wed Lisa, the three adults always worked together to put LeAnn's needs above their own. They wanted to show her family was built on love regardless of whether or not her parents were married to one another.

"Dad, do I look alright?" LeAnn asked … a little nervous.

"Baby Girl, … you are breathtaking." Sonny reached out to caress her cheek. "Don't ever forget … I loved you first, and if that Spencer boy ever causes you pain, tell Daddy, and I'll whip his ass."

LeAnn laughed and rolled her eyes. "Daaaad."

"Just sayin'."

"She knows what you're saying." Lisa turned to LeAnn and held out a little blue swatch of fabric. "This will satisfy the something old and something blue. It is a tiny piece off of the baby blanket Jonathon was brought home from the hospital in."

LeAnn's eyes teared up as she took the soft fabric. She knew the story of how hard Jon fought to survive those first few months of his life and how his parents waited to name him until they could hold him. It was a miracle he made it—and a miracle his dad survived the op he was sent on while Jon was in the NICU.

"Thanks, Mom." LeAnn hugged her second mother, grateful she had two strong female role models while growing up—she loved both mothers equally.


Jason, Ray, Trent, Brock, and Eric stood as Clay and Stella approached the front pews, and Jason asked, "Is the groom ready?"

"Yeah." Clay allowed Stella to enter the row first. Though he and Jason hit a rough patch over twenty years ago, they worked out their issues … and Clay became Jason's rock as he dealt with the effects of Breacher's syndrome. Clay would not allow Jason's life to end like Swanny's.

They all took their seats as Jon, and three of his teammates from SEAL Team Three entered and stood on the right side of the altar. The music started after Hannah and Lisa were seated, and the packed church all rose and turned to the back.

Jon's eyes locked with LeAnn's as she walked up the aisle on the arm of her father. Their past flashed through his mind. She was his earliest playmate … and involved in almost every childhood memory. They moved from the sandbox to riding bikes, doing homework, hanging out on Friday and Saturday nights with their crew, eventually to their first school dance and then their first tentative kiss under the mistletoe on their sixteenth Christmas.

He couldn't recall a time he hadn't loved LeAnn … like they were made for one another. He would've married her when he turned eighteen, but she was the pragmatic one and insisted they needed to grow and follow their dreams before committing to a life together.

Although he didn't agree, he accepted her desire to wait. He enlisted in the Navy the very next day, much to the chagrin of his mom. Jon threw himself wholeheartedly into becoming a SEAL—and he would eventually go for DEVGRU—but that would wait a few years because LeAnn had just graduated with her Master's degree in Psychology and agreed now was the time to get married.

"Who gives this woman to be wed?"

"Her mothers and I." Sonny gave baby blondie the evil eye to communicate not to hurt his little girl, but then grinned, showing his approval.

LeAnn clasped Jon's hands, and she smiled. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo … bursting with joy. Though she repeated the vows, she was in a blissful fog the entire time it, only clearing as the pastor said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jon lifted the wispy veil, his blue eyes lingering on her hazel orbs a moment before leaning in and pressing his lips to hers for a gentle kiss.

As one, Jon Spenser and LeAnn Quinn-Spenser turned to face their families … united.

.


Just a little flash fiction that popped into my head when I realized Sonny had a daughter and Clay a son. Hope you enjoyed.