Del grinned. “She and Doug.”
He’d met the army vet once after moving from intensive care to a regular room. A cavalcade of visitors had paraded through, causing even the jaded Cedars-Sinai staff to be a little dazzled by the star power. Wynn liked Cady’s new boyfriend. He was at ease around everyone, from Rob to the leading men of Hollywood that had been regular visitors this past week. Wynn hoped Cady had found her person. It was already obvious Del had.
Del pulled onto the street and headed for the nearest county courthouse. No one followed them. The streets of LA were already growing busy at the early hour. Del took side streets and, half an hour later, turned onto Ramirez, where the courthouse was located. They found a nearby parking place and walked to the front. Though the facility didn’t open until eight-thirty, an armed security guard with a clipboard opened the door and greeted them.
After they entered, the guard said, “Everyone in your party has arrived, Mr. Gallagher, if this is Mr. Youngblood and Mr. Delgado.”
“It is.”
The guard locked the door. “Follow me.” He led them to a bank of elevators, telling them the floor. “Someone will meet you upstairs.”
They stepped onto the elevator. Wynn took Scarlett’s hand, his fingers lacing through hers. Her gaze met his and he almost swept her into his arms right there. Instead, he tightened his fingers around hers and mouthed, “I love you.”
The doors opened and another security guard met them. “If you’ll come with me.”
He led them down a long corridor, where they made several turns before he stopped at a door.
“This is Judge McGarity’s chambers. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Wynn and Scarlett said in unison.
They entered the office, which had a small anteroom. A petite, dark-haired woman rose from behind the desk.
“Good morning. I’m Ronda Rios. I have your marriage license. All I need to see is your driver’s license or passport.”
Wynn had found an online marriage application for the State of California so he and Scarlett had applied for their license via the Internet. It wasn’t valid until they picked it up in person and showed proper identification. Though good for up to ninety days, he wanted to use it immediately.
That’s when Knox stepped in. One of the actor’s biggest charity donors was Judge Hugo McGarity. Two of McGarity’s four children had dyslexia and he believed in the early intervention programs Knox’s foundation supported. When Wynn made it known he wanted to marry Scarlett as soon as he was released from the hospital, Knox took him aside and pitched the idea of a courthouse wedding—and a kickass party afterward.
He pulled out his wallet and removed his driver’s license one-handed, glad he was right-handed since his left arm was in a cast. Scarlett had already presented hers to the clerk and was signing. Wynn did the same.
Rios smiled. “You’re all set. Judge McGarity is in his chambers, right through there. Congratulations.”
Wynn took Scarlett’s hand. “Ready?”
Her eyes twinkled. “You bet I am.”
The moment they entered the packed room, all the lively conversations died down. Del and Rob slipped past them to join Cady and Doug, who stood next to Carreen and Bob. Also present were Rhett and Cassie, Dash and Sydney, Mac and Keely, Knox and London, and Breck and Jo. Everyone welcomed them. Keely handed Scarlett a beautiful bouquet of calla lilies and took her purse.
Judge McGarity shook Wynn’s hand and then Scarlett’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Knox thinks very highly of you so I was happy to accommodate your unusual request.” He chuckled. “I’ve never married any couple at seven in the morning.” He glanced at his watch. “Make that seven-fifteen.”
“Thank you for going out of your way, Judge,” Wynn said. He glanced at Scarlett. “This woman’s worth it, though. I promise you.”
“Let’s save the promises for Scarlett,” McGarity teased. “Now, if everyone will get situated. I know we’re in tight quarters but this won’t take long.”
As Del and Keely took their places beside them, Wynn saw Sydney discreetly take out her phone and snap a photo. With her director’s eye, Wynn hoped she would get a few good pictures to capture the occasion.
“Stand here,” the judge ordered. With that, he began the ceremony.
They made all of the promises mentioned in the ceremony and exchanged rings. Then Wynn asked if he could say a few personal words to Scarlett. McGarity agreed and Wynn faced Scarlett, her hands held in his.
“Scarlett, from the moment we met, my life changed for the better. Because of you, I have a larger family now, which includes a host of wonderful friends. You’ve taught me about love and how to open myself to it. Not just with you—but with Del and Cady. You’ve helped me start a new career trajectory and supported me in the charity I want to create. You’ve given me confidence when I didn’t even know I lacked it. I look forward to every day we’ll spend together. Laughing. Learning. Living. Loving. Not just with each other but with our children.
“I pledge to be a man you can respect. A husband you’ll be proud of. A man who’ll do his best to keep the lines of communication always open. One who knows to admit when he’s wrong and ask for your forgiveness. I’m yours, Scarlett. Now and forever. Beyond forever.”
Wynn would never forget her face at that moment. Even when decades had passed and they were wrinkled and gray-headed, the love shining in her eyes was sealed within his heart.
“With that, I declare by the power invested in me by the State of California, that you are husband and wife. Wynn, you may now kiss your bride.”
He smiled at his wife, the love of his life, and Wynn let his kiss tell Scarlett everything she needed to know.
EPILOGUE
Five years later . . .
Scarlett Gallagher smoothed the skirt of her champagne-colored cocktail dress and then reached for an earring. As she fastened it,
