Chapter 50

"Thank you," Jess whispered, squeezing Sylvie in a tight hug. "It was the perfect wedding." Both her weddings today had been perfect, she added silently, meeting Adam's—her husband's—eyes over Sylvie's shoulder.

Sylvie held Jess just as tightly. "I'm so happy for you."

When they finally let go and stepped apart, Adam moved forward to take Jess' arm. "You ready to go?"

She looked around the crowd gathered at Molly's. Their friends, their family, laughing and celebrating under the strings of white lights. She needed a minute to take it in.

"I'm ready," she breathed out on a happy sigh. Adam tucked her tightly to his side and Jess savored the thought that she fit there perfectly.

She caught Jay and Will's eyes on the way out the door. Her brothers knew she didn't want a big send-off with all eyes on her. And she'd see them soon, anyway. She and Adam hadn't planned a honeymoon. Just time together.

Jay gave her a small smile. Jess' heart clenched again at the sight of him in his uniform. She knew what it cost him to put it on again. But he had done it, for her. She returned his smile.

Will gave a wave and Jess lifted her hand, her silver wedding band catching the light. He looked not just happy for her. She tried to place his look…He was proud. Jess blinked at the rush of heat in her eyes. Her big brother was proud of her.

She turned back to Adam, gave him a smile, and let him walk her out the door of Molly's, the sound of celebration fading as the door closed.

The night air was damp and cold, warning of snow and sleet. But Adam didn't walk her to his car. There was a black towncar at the curb. Atwater hopped out and came around to open the back door for Jess.

She gave Adam a puzzled look. "You hired Kevin to drive us to your apartment?"

"To our apartment. Home," Adam corrected her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "But, no." He got her seated in the car and closed the door. She saw him and Kevin give each other a little fist bump before Adam jogged around to the other side and got in.

"We're going to the Hilton tonight," he said.

Jess blinked at him. "But…we weren't going to…why?"

He lifted his eyebrows at her. "Because I'm taking my bride on a honeymoon. And our flight doesn't leave until tomorrow afternoon, so we needed somewhere to stay tonight."

Jess wasn't sure she understood what he was saying and it must have shown on her face.

Adam reached forward to the console between the front seats and opened it, pulling out airline tickets. "Mexico, baby," he said with a grin.

Jess looked from him, to the tickets, and back at him. She closed the space between them, kissing him with all the love that had built up over the day. All the feelings that had built up from the very first time she came storming out of Molly's and saw him standing there, waiting to rescue her.

#

Adam had carried a protesting Jess over the threshold of the hotel room. When she had argued with him, he had given up on sweeping her up in his arms and just tossed her over his shoulder instead, carrying her to the bed and tossing her onto the soft mattress with a laugh. She had laughed with him, until her smile had softened, her eyes warmed and she had pulled him toward her…

Now, in the morning light that slanted through the windows, brighter because it reflected off the light coating of snow that covered Chicago, Jess slept next to him.

Jess Ruzek.

Everything he wanted—everything he needed—was right there next to him in one pretty package of messy hair, self doubts, and love. And she was perfect.

She stirred, one of her curls falling across her cheek and he brushed it back lightly. Her eyelashes fluttered against her skin, her breathing slowed again to the relaxed even breaths of sleep.

Adam studied her, memorizing everything about her until he remembered he was going to wake up next to her every morning just like this.

She rolled over, her eyes slowly opening. When she saw Adam, a smile spread across her face.

"Morning," she said, her voice rough with sleep.

"Morning to you," he said, grinning right back. "Mrs. Ruzek."

Jess laughed, wrinkling her nose self-consciously. Adam kissed her on the nose. She laughed again and found his lips.

They had four hours to kill before they had to head to the airport.

Adam's hands tangled in her hair.

He wouldn't mind all that much if they missed their flight.

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