Scott shrugged. He really hoped she wasn’t repulsed by the idea. “This baby’s going to tie us together for a lot longer than most of those that’ll get hand fasted today, so why not?” The idea now made more sense to him.
She laughed again and sat up, Sorrell and Zack now within earshot.
“I’m glad he’s making you laugh,” Zack sat down next to Keren. “I hope you’re laughing at him though, and not with.”
Keren laughed harder. Scott wondered if he should feel offended. He hadn’t been joking about the hand fasting.
“Is she okay?” Zack looked at him. “She seems a little hysterical.”
Zack was half-right; she was descending into hysteria.
“I suggested we are hand-fasted.” He heard Keren laugh even harder. “This was her reaction.”
Zack looked as if he was about to choke. A band started to play, a few cheers from the early crowd upping the decibels.
Sorrell spread out another blanket and sat down. She had a picnic basket too, and a cool box that Scott hoped contained beers.
“Keren, do you need something to drink?” Sorrell actually looked concerned.
Keren shook her head and wiped tears from her eyes. “I’m good, thank you.” She almost choked.
“I was being serious,” Scott muttered. “I wasn’t trying to make you laugh.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about this.
She gave a little nod and laughed again. He felt like even more of a twat now.
“You took me by surprise,” she had stopped laughing now. Her hand went over his. “Let’s do it.”
He turned to look at her, just catching the look of shock on Zack’s face. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” She gave him a nod. “And do it sooner rather than later.”
“I won’t change my mind.” He knew he wouldn’t. Every day he was more and more sure as to what he wanted: Keren, their baby, a house for them to live in. That was what he needed to be happy. He just still wasn’t sure if she needed the same thing.
“I didn’t think you would. I’d rather go before we’re in a queue of drunken couples that probably include your cousin.”
“Good plan.” He stood up and offered her a hand. “Now it is then. Zack, Ells, are you coming?”
He helped Keren get up, recognising the slightly stunned silence from his brother and his girlfriend.
“Where are you off to?” Alex’s voice was echoed by the gentle woof of a dog.
“Scott and Keren are getting married.” Zack’s tone was deadpan and guaranteed there’d be no reaction from Alex.
“Hand-fasted? I’ll leave the dogs here and come watch.” Alex took some treats from his pocket and put them on the ground next to the blankets. “The dogs can watch the food.”
“So much irony in that statement.” Scott muttered and shook his head.
The five of them walked over to the now decorated area with its wall through which lovers would grab each other’s hand, before having their hands entwined together with ribbon.
“A year and a day,” he said quietly to Keren as they queued up. “So why don’t we buy that house?”
She laughed, a sound just for him. “We’ll buy the house.”
“Good.” He took her hand and went to the pagan priestess who was performing the ceremonies. Reena was an old school friend of his father’s and now ran the curio shop in the town, specialising in pagan artefacts and tarot cards.
“Scott Maynard and Keren Leigh. Colour me surprised,” she muttered, waving off the couple who were now grinning at the corn band that had tied the knot around their hands.
“Why does no one seem surprised to see us together?” Keren shook her head. “We’ve spent the last decade arguing.”
