“We’re ready,” she half-shouts, half-whispers. Shadow grins like an idiot and taps his thumb against his phone screen.The song we chose fills the room. A simple piano melody that reminds me of Rose each time I hear it.
“Good luck,” Shadow murmurs. He pats my shoulder once, then steps to my right and positions himself a step behind me, hands clasped behind his back. The doors open, and I freeze, every thought in my head evaporating in a cloud of wonder. My girl steps in, and I swear she doesn’t shine. She shimmers. Rose stands framed in the doorway like a creature heaven forgot to keep for itself. The dress hugs her silhouette from chest to knees, then opens like the tail of a mermaid rising from water. She’s wearing the pearl necklace I gave her for her birthday, resting in the hollow of her throat. Her hair falling in glossy curls, bouncing with each step. She must have fought the cold outside to get here. A small part of me aches with the need to pull her against me and warm her up. But I stay still as she walks, my soul wrapped tight around the sight of her.Is the music still on?I can’t hear it. All I pick up is the pounding in my chest. She’s holding a small bouquet of white roses she made yesterday in our kitchen. Her fingers curl around the stems delicately as she meets my gaze.
My Angel. What have I done in a past life to deserve you?
I drink her in with no shame and the blush that rises on her cheeks is my reward. She reaches me and takes her place by my side as Erin and Shadow stand beside us.
“You’re stunning, angel,” I murmur, leaning closer so only she hears. My breath brushes her bare shoulder. “Are you trying to kill me?” She laughs softly, her shoulders loosening.Good. I keep my hands behind my back because if I don’t, they’ll end up on her. The mayor clears his throat and starts talking. I try to focus, but my brain can barely function with Rose standing inches from me.
“We’re gathered here today to celebrate this joyful union.” He nods at us. “I’ve been told you wanted a private ceremony, sowe’ll keep it short and concise, as promised.” He pulls a folded note from his pocket and continues. “I like to start with a quote. Very suited, dare I say, for a wedding, um, well, this is from one of my favourite authors, Stanley Parts,” he clears his throat, almost blushing, “When the storm breaks, you may forget the hand on the shore calling your name. Swim through the waves anyway, keep your head above the water, and you will find me, your shore, your harbor.” All proud of himself, a thick red flush on his cheeks, he folds the piece of paper back in his jacket. “Well then,” he continues. “Are both parties consenting to this union?” Rose and I nod at the same time. “May I have the rings?” He glances around with puckered lips until Shadow steps forward, pulling the small box from his inside pocket. He hands it over silently, then steps back, winking at me. I smirk back because yeah, I’m glad he’s here. We might not share blood, but he’s my brother in every way that counts. The mayor opens the velvet box and clears his throat again.
“Rose Elisabeth Parksons, do you take Victor Oxen to be your husband?” Rose draws in a breath. I know her too well, recognising the determination in her blue pools. She wants to speak loud enough for the mayor to hear her. She wants to push past the injury in her throat. I want to tell her she doesn’t need to. That she doesn’t have to hurt herself for anyone. Not even me.
“Y-y-yes,” she whispers, broken and fragile. Her hand rises to her throat, pretending nothing happened. Only I know, I know exactly what that cost her. I look at my bride, wishing I could carry her wound. Pain and love sit heavy on my shoulders. The mayor turns to me.
“Will you, Victor Oxen, take Rose Elisabeth Parksons to be your wife?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. Rose regards me with glassy eyes. Tears coat the edges of them, and her breathing picks up in tiny waves.
“Here,” the mayor says, handing me the rings. I take them while Rose passes her bouquet to Erin. I catch her small hand and slide the platinum ring onto her finger. It matches perfectly with the stone I gave her. Then she takes the second ring and slides it onto my finger. I’ve never worn a ring before. Never thought one would suit me. I clench my fist and stare at it. Yeah, I see it. Feels right, like a piece of a puzzle snapping into place.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Washington,” the mayor says, “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The words land heavy and sharp in the center of my chest. I accept them like a vow carved directly into my bones.
Husband. Friend. Protector. Partner. Hers.
I cup her face gently between my palms, her hands landing on my chest. Our eyes stay locked as I lean in and kiss her. Lightning slams into my heart and flows into hers. The world around us dissolves and I picture us growing old, watching our kids and grandchildren in our backyard one day.
“I love you, husband,” she mouths.
“I love you, my sweet, sweet wife.” The wordwifetastes warm on my tongue. Erin claps, and Shadow adds a whistle.
“Guys, you’re married!” Erin squeals as Shadow wraps an arm around her waist.
“Congratulations,” he adds, smiling with a twitch of his mouth.
“Thanks.” I nod, patting his shoulder. “Let’s go home and celebrate.” We sign the documents quickly. Erin and Shadow head out first. I hold on to Rose's hand, stopping her before we exit.
“You look…out of this world, Mrs. Oxen.”
She blushes and signs, “You’re not that bad either, husband.”
“I’m gonna get used to you calling me that.”
“It feels weird to sign it,” she admits, giggling softly. “I still can’t believe we’re married.”
“I can. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day you woke up in my arms in the car.” We share a long, quiet moment. A silence holding everything we endured together. I take her hand, lace our fingers together, and lift it to my lips. “Come on,” I whisper. “Time to go home.”
Chapter 11
Rose
“Don’t forgetto write to me next week, I want to hear all about your honeymoon.” Erin hugs me tight, and I close my eyes. I may have been an only child all my life, but she does feel like a sister to me now. I'm so grateful I got to share this special day with her.
“I will, I promise,” I sign, and she signs back, “I’ll send you my crochet progress!”
“You guys come back anytime. We'll come to Knoxville next month, so it won't be long until we see each other again,” says Vox, his hand resting on my back. Erin and I smile wide.
“We could have a night out and bake stuff, how does that sound?” I sign, and she grins. “I cannot wait. Take care of yourself, hon. Thank you again for sharing this day with me.” I let out a silentthank you,and we exchanged looks like sisters saying goodbye. We wave Shadow and Erin goodbye as they leave back to the airport in the taxi, both of them back into normal clothes, looking like a couple of high-end criminals, and the irony is just too loud.
