Page 200 of Toxic Salvation

“Okay, well, things have felt a little off at the hospital for the last few months. I don’t know if it’s because of the FBI investigation or if something has changed for me, but…”

“Yes?”

“I think I want to leave St. Raphael’s.”

He looks stunned. “And do what?”

“I was thinking private practice,” I explain. “I could start up a clinic of my own. Like Dr. Mann, except I’d hire better architects. And better security.”

He smiles. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

“You think?”

“As long as it’s what you want.”

“I think it is. The last six months have been so intense. I’ve missed more bedtimes than I can count, and being on callmeans I have to keep disappointing the boys every time I get summoned away. This way, I’ll still get to practice medicine, but I’ll have more control over my schedule. More time at home with the boys and more time with you.”

“Sounds fucking perfect.” He pulls me onto his lap.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you all day, but you’ve been so busy. Was it because of the FBI meeting, or is there something else going on that I should know about?”

Kovan smiles. “Well, since you asked…”

He gets to his feet and pulls me up, too. Then he leads me through the garden until we reach the alcove—the pretty little half-lawn that’s cut off from the rest of the grounds by tall trees and flowering plants.

Except it’s not the alcove as I know it.

A gorgeous, ten-foot arch looms against the willow trees, decked out in lilacs, yarrows, and lupines. The entire space is covered in fairy lights hanging down over…

Well, over everyone. Mom. Pavel. Charity. Waylen. Osip. And, of course, our beautiful boys.

I turn to Kovan and shake my head. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“What’s happening is I got your name cleared today. And I figured, what better way to celebrate than to make it official and get married? Legally.”

My jaw drops. “You mean…”

“I’ve gotten ordained,” Waylen chimes in as he saunters up to us. “And all the legal paperwork has been processed. There’s nothing left to do but say your vows.”

“But we already said our vows.”

“Not in front of us!” Luka cries, balancing Tali on his hip.

“We love you both, Vesper,” Mom says. “And we should get to see you get married.”

I turn to Kovan, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. He kisses me softly on the lips.

“Well, Doctor? What do you say?”

Blinking away my tears, I laugh and nod. “Let’s make it official.”

Everyone whoops and claps. Luka rushes over to us, and we do a big group hug—just the four of us. Then Kovan cups my face, his eyes bright with happiness.

“I’ll be waiting for you under the arch,” he says, plucking Tali from Luka before walking to the other end of the lawn.

Luka stands up straight. He’s almost up to my shoulder now. “Come on, Mama. I’m walking you down the aisle.”

I can’t help but laugh through my tears.

As we walk toward Kovan, everyone starts throwing rose petals. Mom and Charity are already sobbing, and Tali’s chubby little legs are shaking with excitement as he watches Luka and me approach.

It’s not the wedding day I’d imagined.

It’s so much better.