“I’m sure this is a coincidence, but I watch Nat Geo all the time and began noticing some years back that there was a Marc Adamos credited as the documentarian.”

Marc grinned. “That’s me.”

Now Lawson was in awe. “Oh man! You have my utmost admiration. I don’t know how you survived some of those shots you got, but my hat’s off to you, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And by the same token, you have my utmost admiration…all of you do…for helping keep my son alive until we could find each other. It’s been a pleasure meeting all of you,” Marc said.

Before anyone could ask another question, the alarm went off. Sully gave them all a thumbs-up, and then they were gone, with the captain right behind them.

Melissa watched, in her mind seeing Sully as one of these men, and took a slow, shaky breath, grateful that part of his life was behind him.

“And that’s how you clear a fire station,” Sully said, as two of the three trucks left with sirens screaming.

They got back in the car and returned to the hotel, only to say their goodbyes to Marc again an hour later.

“We have a wedding coming up soon,” Melissa said. “Don’t go so far on your next trip that you can’t make it back.”

“I promise,” Marc said.

Sully waved. “See you soon,” he said, and drove away.

Marc stood at valet parking, waiting for his car as he watched them leave.

“Nice family,” the attendant said.

Marc looked at him and smiled. “Yes, they are, and thanks.”

* * *

During the next two weeks, Sully and Melissa finally cleared the wedding date with the pastor. She made a solo trip to Savannah and found a wedding dress she liked, then hid it in the closet of another bedroom. She found someone in Savannah who agreed to make their cake and deliver it to Blessings, and had Myra Franklin on notice for the flower order.

When she asked Lovey if she’d be her matron of honor, Lovey beamed.

“I’ve been a few too many brides, but I’ve never been in someone else’s wedding. I am honored!”

Sully called his dad to ask if he would be his best man, and Marc quickly said yes, without letting on there were tears in his eyes when Sully asked.

They’d both agreed they wanted to keep the whole service simple. They weren’t sending out invitations, just a blanket invitation to any of their friends who wanted to come.

* * *

While Sully and Melissa were making plans for their future, Hoover Slade’s plans were being made for him. He’d been released from the hospital and was on his way back to prison in a wheelchair. The only good part was they weren’t taking him back to Coastal State.

He didn’t know how the rest of his life would play out, or if he’d even survive prison in this handicapped state. What he did know and accept was that it was every bit his fault.