Chapter 18
After the ceremony, the family got together for a luncheon at a local restaurant. It resembled one of their Sunday dinners, with a lot of teasing banter but sincere congratulations, and then they went their separate ways. No first dances. No wedding cake. Just the way Gabe would have planned it if he’d had a choice.
“You know, Gabe,” Misty said back in their hotel room, “you don’t have to go through with this. Not on my account.”
He was startled. “Go through with what? Our marriage? Do you regret it already?”
“No!” She stumbled on her way over to him, and he grabbed her, then guided her to the bed.
“Are you okay? Are your legs tingling or numb?”
“No. There was a bump in the rug.”
He looked down at the old oriental carpet. Sure enough, it tented up in the very spot she’d tripped. He fixed it by pulling one corner.
“I meant you don’t have to go through with the whole transformation thing,” she continued. “I don’t care if you have scars or even if your hair never grows back.”
He laughed, partly with relief. Now that the wedding was over, he was happy they did it. Sitting beside her, he took her hand gently. “I love you, Misty. I know you just promised to take me in sickness and in health, but if I don’t have to be scarred and in residual pain, why would I choose to be?”
She sighed. “I understand.” After gazing into his eyes for a moment, she whispered, “I’m just going to miss you. That’s all. Are you sure it takes two whole months?”
“At least. About one month as a bird equals ten years as a human. I should actually wait about ten weeks. If I come back earlier, I’ll look even younger. Ryan got away with it, because he moved far away with Chloe. They look about the same age.”
“How long did he wait?”
“Only a few days past two months. He looks twenty-five at the most, instead of thirty-three.”
“But you’re only twenty-six now.”
“I’ll be turning twenty-seven in May. May fifth.”
“Oh! While you’re in bird form? But how can we celebrate your birthday?”
He smirked. “Just give me some special bird food. Maybe some pumpkin seeds already hulled. It will be just like cake to me.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I guess so.”
“I’m sure you’ll agree with the family’s decision after I return. Instead of worrying about whether I’m fully healed and able to do the job, I’ll be in top shape. All pain and scars gone.”
She sat up straight again. “Whoa! Two things. First, won’t that be suspicious? I hear it takes months and sometimes years to fully heal from third-degree burns. And second, do you have to be a firefighter? I know you said it was all you wanted, but—”
“But what? If you could dance again, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course I would. There’s no question about it. Okay. I get it. I think.”
“Misty, there’s nothing to think about. My mother has always been able to handle her husband and sons being firefighters because she knows if the worst happens, we’ll reincarnate, lay low at home for a while, and come back healthy. It’s only a couple of months. After that, we’ll have a lifetime together.”
She smiled and nodded. “I do love you, Gabe. I want you to be happy.”
“And I will be. I’ll watch our baby grow inside you, and I’ll be back in human form long before the birth. Do you have any important appointments lined up that I’ll miss?”
“Yeah. The ultrasound. Do you want to know the sex of the baby?”
A slow smile spread across his face. “The only sex I want right now has nothing to do with the baby.”Other than how it got here in the first place.
“I guess our wedding night is starting early.” She grinned.
“It will if you want it to.”
