I barely register someone announcing “Princess Carolina Saber of the Florida Sabers.” I only have eyes for my bride.
Carolina is decked out in a floor-length sparkling white gown. A fancy crown tops her black hair. And she is carrying a bouquet of blue… something… in her hands. I squint. What the hell are those things?
As she gets closer, my eyes widen in surprise. She’s carrying a bouquet of sonic screwdrivers.
You cannot wipe the shit-eating grin off my face as I take in the stunning awesomeness of my bride.
We’re getting married.
Carolina didn’t make the same mistake Celia did when she eloped. Celia and Flint mentioned it to one family member, and everyone showed up in the Cayman Islands to celebrate their big day. When I proposed, Carolina said, “Hell, yes. Let’s go to Vegas, take Faylor, and tell no one until after we’re married.”
I spare a glance at my daughter/niece. She’s already crying as she watches Carolina join us on the dais.
I turn my full attention back to Carolina and take her hand. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Carolina.”
“Ditto Dread Pirate Rand,” she leans closer and whispers in my ear. “That costume is doing things to me. Let’s get this show on the road. What do you think?”
Dick lets out a resoundingHELL YESfrom my pants. I can only nod.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to…” the officiant starts.
“Skip to the end,” Carolina glares at the official. “You know - husband and wife!”
“Puffin, don’t you want the whole lovey-dovey part?” I ask.
She raises one shoulder. “Maybe we could get to the vows?”
I motion to the officiant.
“You’ve written your own?” He asks.
“We have,” Carolina confirms. “You first, Rambling Man.”
“Oh shit, no pressure,” I hiss.
She hands her sonic screwdriver bouquet to Faylor, then smiles at me. My heart lights up like a thousand Polaris stars.
I take Carolina’s hands in mine. “When we met last year, you didn’t even know I existed. You were unconscious.”
Random witnesses in the audience gasp. I turn to them. “It’s kind of our thing.”
I turn back to my wife-to-be. “You showed me your strength by saving your sister and yourself from an explosion. You didn’t quit until you were both out of harm’s way. Even covered in cuts and bruises, you were the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen. I knew someone who put family first like that had a beautiful heart and strength of character. You proved that again to me recently, when the chips were down and Faylor and I needed help. You put yourself in the line of fire to save our family. And I will never forget that in a thousand lifetimes.
“I’ve always thought the sayinghead over heelsin love was a stupid expression. I mean, we’re always walking around head over heels. It’s called walking. It’s called being a human. Then, I met you, and you turned my world upside down - many times over. The phrase suddenly made sense to me.”
Carolina snort-laughs as she wipes the tears from her eyes.
“When my sister died, and I was faced with a decision that affected the rest of my life, I didn’t hesitate to adopt Faylor as my own. We created a family, just the two of us, that was fine and dandy until you came into our lives. I realized I wanted more. I wanted there to be three of us.
“Carolina, I love you. I promise to bring you many more firsts in our lives together. I vow to be by your side, no matter the obstacles we face. You will always be my puffin until the day I die and then some. I love you - heart, mind, body, and soul. Times infinity.”
Chapter 52
“Snot bubbles were not on my Pinterest wedding mood board.”
-Carolina
When I imagined my wedding day, it didn’t include me ugly crying all over a rented princess gown, complete with snot bubbles coming out of my nose. But Rand’s vows turn me into a quivering mess.
