Page 38 of Yes, Captain

Anson’s head pops over the side, his blond hair shining in the sun. He’s shaved off the scruff that was steadily turning gray, choosing to be clean-shaven instead. I don’t mind, he always looks good to me. His face breaks out into a breathtaking smile that threatens to have my legs crumpling beneath me.

His feet thud against the wood of the dock moments before I crash into him. His strong arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground and swinging me in a circle.

God, I’ve missed him.

He sets me down on my feet moments before planting his lips on mine. I moan, cupping his face in my hands before linking them around his neck. Strong hands lift me up and I wrap my legs around his hips.

“Hey, baby,” he croons against my mouth, his hands flexing against my hips. “Miss me?”

“You know I did,” I say, before pulling his lips back to mine.

Every bed without him in it feels empty, which makes it near impossible to sleep. Henry and Blue help, my two favorite Squishmallows clutched against my chest every night. But they don’t compare to the real thing.

Anson sets me down on my feet, reaching for my luggage with one hand and holding the other out for me.

My ring glints in the sunlight as Anson lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my ring finger softly.

He told me for months leading up to his proposal that he was going to marry me, but he kept me on my toes. When the time came, he kept it simple. He slipped the ring on my finger while I was cuddled against him in our bed, whispering the words he’d been teasing me with for months.

This was the last charter before we get married in two weeks. My mom flies into Greece next week to help with the setup and we couldn’t be more excited.

Anson and I will be getting married on the deck of our ship, our relationship coming full circle.

We’ve traveled all over the world together, but nothing will top becoming his wife. And that, I think, is going to be the greatest adventure of all.