Derek: It’s been three months since the day the gunmen came to get Nellie. The three men who lived went to prison on all kinds of charges. They will be too old for retribution when they get out. Apparently, their boss hasn’t been interested in sending anyone else here or coming himself. He probably realizes that there would be no point.

I asked Meredith to go to counseling just in case she was to have issues with killing Dave. I have not seen any Post Traumatic Stress Disorder signs. The same goes for Nellie. She was already in counseling. The counselor has said that she seems to be doing better now that she doesn’t fear someone coming for her. Of course, she misses her parents, but she is learning to live. She has had a couple of little girls come over for sleep overs; Lacey or Meredith, or both, usually spend the night here on those kinds of occasions. Nellie and Meredith have formed a special bond. They do all sorts of girl things together; like shopping for clothes and going out for ‘tea’. I don’t think for a second that they are really getting tea; I imagine them getting Latte’s, or soda, or ice cream!

The goats have grown quite a bit. They follow Nellie around like puppies. They have been great therapy for Nellie.

Ned and Lacey are doing great. I am so glad that I have them here with me. Lacey and Meredith have become good friends. Sometimes I wonder who Meredith likes more; me or Lacey.

Leo comes around every couple of days. He and his wife have become attached to Nellie. They hope to start a family soon. I think they are planning ahead for a baby sitter! Leo is like a brother to me, so I am happy that he has started spending time here. I think we provide a family for him; one that he hasn’t felt like he’s had since his parents passed away several years ago.

Dad has settled in here nicely. He went back to Denver to pack up his stuff and put his house on the market to sell. It sold in less than a week! His little cottage that is being built here will be finished in about six weeks. I thought it would get kind of suffocating having him live with me in the house for so long but it’s worked out fine; we respect each other’s privacy and understand that we both need our own space. It is great knowing that he is here. This little ranch has become a busy little home to all of us.

Meredith and I are getting married today. Not one day has passed in the last three months that I haven’t seen her. I love her more than words can express. I only waited for two weeks after that crazy, action filled, day to ask her to be my wife. She said I was crazy. She said most men want to date a girl for a couple of years before they pop the question. I told her that I don’t need years; that I know she is the only one for me. We decided that we would spend the summer getting to know everything about each other, and save the making love for when we are husband and wife. That’s been hard for me. Quite frankly, I stay hard – if you know what I mean. So, you must know that I am ready for the wedding march to begin! I am anxious to SEAL the deal, so-to-speak.

Meredith: I am so excited! Today is my wedding day!

I can hardly believe that Derek and I are getting married. We haven’t even known each other for six months. But, I know that he is the one for me. He once said he felt ‘absorbed’ in me. Well, I get it. That’s the way I feel about him. My every thought is connected to him.

Derek was concerned for me after the day of the shooting; the day I killed one of the men who murdered his sister. I went to counseling because he asked me to, but I don’t think I ever had a guilty feeling about what happened. As they say, “It is what it is.” The man was evil. I shot him in self-defense. He is dead. End of that story.

We are getting married out by the pond, on the dock. Derek had an extension put on the dock so that it is a ‘T’ shape now. We needed room for the small wedding party. He also put a rail up so that the pastor wouldn’t accidentally step backwards and fall in the pond! I love the dock extension for a couple of reasons. It will make a beautiful wedding location and after the wedding Nellie, Derek, and I will have plenty of room to sit out there and fish, or read books, or whatever.

Allison is going to be my Maid of Honor, Lacey and Angela my bridesmaids, and Nellie the flower girl/ring bearer. It’s my wedding so I can do it how I want. Nellie wanted to carry the ring and I wanted her to carry the flowers, so, she is doing both. Ron is the best man; Leo and Ned are groomsmen.

My family is coming to the wedding, of course. They absolutely love Derek, Nellie, and Ron. How could they not? I wanted a small wedding but it’s turned into a fairly large event. We just had to invite the men and women at the police department; after all, it’s a small town. Then there were all my teacher friends. And then there’s Mr. Foster and the people who worked so hard to help plan our first date. We couldn’t leave out Hank and the girls who work at the diner. I am certain that the low profile that Derek liked to keep is now blown! Everyone knows him now. Well, they know the parts of Derek that he can let them know.

Derek and I have spent a lot of time together getting to know each other. There are plenty of things that will still come up, I am sure, that we have forgotten about over the years. Like the little scar behind my thigh where I accidentally sat on a long nail sticking out of a wooden park bench. That happened when I was twelve. There’s the time when I went home all bloody below the waist and my mom thought I started my period. That scared me because I didn’t want to have periods if that’s what was going to happen! It’s all those little stories that take a lifetime together to come out.

Derek told me about some of his tours and assignments that he went on while he was in the military. He explained that he can’t tell me all the details and that is fine with me. I understand the secrecy expected of Navy SEALS. There are times when I wish I hadn’t been locked in that little shed that awful day. I could have seen Derek in action. That would have been SEXY! Although, he is sexy either way.

As for sexy, we decided to wait until our wedding night to have sex. I have wanted to let go of that idea so many times. I know he has too. The body easily betrays. I am certain Derek would say, “It’s time to SEAL the deal.” So, let’s get this party started!