“It’s a big day, sweetie,” Teri murmured, rubbing my back.
At least I had an excuse for my tears, one that formed part of the truth.“I just wish my mom could be here.She passed when I was seventeen.”
“Oh, honey.”Teri wrapped me in a warm, motherly hug.I let her sweet scent wash over me, and for a moment, could almost feel my own mother’s arms around me again.The rest of our crew crowded around us, forming a supportive pod.By the end of it, we were all laughing and crying a little together.
“I think this means I’m ready to get married now,” I joked.“What do you think, Nash?”
“We’ve all been blessed.Let’s do this.”He scooped my hand into his, flattening my palm onto his chest.The butterflies swarmed my belly again, erasing the sadness that had taken root.
We filed through the building to our designated hall.The ceremony room was a simple space with wood paneling.A clerk stood behind a desk, her expression pleasant but detached.
"Do we have the witnesses?"she asked.
Teri, Archer, Zoey, and Trojan came forward, Mia in Zoey’s arms.The clerk directed them to sit in the chairs facing the desk, and then asked Nash and I to approach the podium.Mia sat in one of the chairs, swinging her legs and clutching the small basket of flower petals we'd given her.
"All right then," the clerk said, opening a worn book."Let's begin.”
The clerk began reading the standard City Hall ceremony text, and I tried to focus on the words.I really did.But my mind kept drifting to what my mother would think if she could see this.What my grandmother would say if she were still around.I felt like a fraud, even though from the outside, I looked like I’d finally struck gold.
And I had struck gold.
It just wasn’t mine to keep.
"Do you, Nash Jameson Nightingale, take Clara Marie Whitehall to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Nash's hand tightened around mine, his electric eyes searching my face."I do."
His voice was steady.Certain.Like he meant it.
"And do you, Clara Marie Whitehall, take Nash Jameson Nightingale to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
I opened my mouth, and for a terrifying second, nothing came out.The room felt too small.Too hot.This was it.The moment that would change everything.I’d been hired to say yes.
Just say it.Say it.
"I do," I finally managed.
"The rings?"
Archer produced two simple platinum bands that Nash and I had picked out the week before.Nash slid the ring onto my finger, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.And then it was my turn, sliding the band onto his finger, feeling the weight of what we were doing settle over me like a blanket.
"By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.You may kiss."
Nash's hands came up to frame my face, and he leaned in close enough that only I could hear him whisper: "Thank you for saying yes to me."
The words hit me like a freight train.For a moment—just a moment—I forgot this was staged.Forgot about the contract and the money and the pending hurdle of the committee.
His lips met mine in a kiss that was supposed to be quick and perfunctory.But it wasn't.It was soft and deep and full of something I didn't have words for.When we finally broke apart, I was breathless.
"Congratulations," the clerk said, her brows raising.“That was quite a kiss.”
“Must have been good if we impressed her,” Nash murmured, catching my waist with his hand.“She’s probably seen eight million of these.”
"Flowers!"Mia announced, jumping up from her chair.She began throwing flower petals with wild abandon, most of them landing nowhere near us.My heart swelled as I watched the air fill with unevenly delivered petals.With Zoey, Archer, Teri and Trojan here, somehow it was perfect.
Archer and Zoey rushed forward with hugs and congratulations, and for a few minutes, the small room was cacophonous with joy.After the marriage license was signed, the clerk stamped it with a huge seal that boasted the emblem of New York City.Just like that, I was officially Nash Nightingale’s wife.
The six of us filed out of the room, buzzing from the quick yet meaningful ceremony.
