The yacht moved far enough from the marina; then, everyone went upstairs. Only Aaron, Keeley, her father, and the minister participated in the ceremony; everyone else observed.

After her friends offered words of encouragement and departed, Keeley found herself alone with her father. She'd been terribly nervous; they hadn't been alone since she'd told him about her pregnancy and impending marriage.

"I'm not going to bite," he chuckled, sensing her apprehension.

"You aren't mad at me?" she whispered.

"Of course not. You're an adult; you're free to make your own decisions. I only care that they'll make you happy. Are they?"

She wasn't sure. She was grateful for the chance to be a mother and pursue her dreams, but those weren't the only factors. Things could easily go wrong. The truth was, she no longer loved Aaron. She was marrying him out of a sense of obligation, as if compelled by forces beyond her control.

When Keeley didn't answer, her father sighed. "That's what I thought. Does Aaron know you're conflicted?"

"Yes."

He settled deeper into the couch. His tone grew serious as he gazed out the window at the waves. "Marriage is more than romance; it's about commitment. You and your spouse need to be a team, facing problems together. I loved your mother deeply, but love wasn't enough. We had to work at it.

"I believe that boy will do anything to make you happy, but it's unfair to him if he's the only one trying. I know you like him, consider him a friend. If you support him, I think you'll be fine."

Support Aaron? She'd spent a lifetime supporting him, to no avail. But perhaps her father meant something else. Aaron no longer wanted to be part of that world. Supporting him wouldn't mean being the perfect businessman's wife; he wanted a family, a warm one. His primary goals seemed to be achieving that and removing his father from the company.

Keeley could provide the warmth he craved—he thrived on her presence—but she wasn't a businesswoman. How could she help him get rid of Alistair Hale?

She could probably figure something out. After all, he'd helped her research a paper, despite knowing nothing about genetics. Her dad was right; he deserved reciprocation, even if she wasn't in love with him.

She squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Dad."

Robert stood and helped her up. "You look beautiful, honeybun. I wish your mother were here to help you get dressed, but your friend did a great job."

"I wish they were both here," Keeley said, thinking about her father's solitary presence at both her weddings.

"Me too. But now's not the time to be sad. Aaron's waiting."

She carefully ascended the stairs in her purple heels, lifting her skirt. Someone—Aiden?—played the wedding march on their phone as she reached the top.

Keeley linked arms with her father and walked to the bow of the boat, where Aaron and the minister waited. His smile was wider than at their first wedding, and it pained her. She couldn't believe they were doing this again.

Robert placed her hands in Aaron's and sat beside Cameron.

Aaron's eyes shone, yet he seemed oddly heartbroken—probably because he knew this wasn't what Keeley wanted. Only she could read him that well.

Her grip tightened, trying to reassure him. She wasn't sure he understood.

They hadn't written vows; the minister performed a short ceremony. Their first wedding felt like a lifetime ago: five hundred guests versus nine; grandeur versus simplicity; love versus necessity.

"Aaron Hale, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death do you part?"

"I do," he said firmly.

The minister turned to her. "Keeley Hall, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death do you part?"

Death had parted them once. She never expected to see him again, let alone marry him. It seemed death couldn't separate them, whatever had brought them back together.

"I do."

"Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Aaron's first kiss had been brief, due to the onlookers, but this time, he held nothing back. He kissed her for thirty seconds, prompting catcalls from their friends. Aiden and Cameron cheered loudest.

Keeley's face was flushed when they broke apart, and Aaron triumphantly raised their joined hands, grinning. She laughed at his enthusiasm. Later, they learned the photographer had captured the moment perfectly.

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