United Eden (23 page)

Opening the door a crack, Abigail stuck her head out, holding me back. Boys! she hol ered down the stairs. Shes ready. Get out there and wel be right behind you.

We heard a raucous of movement as bodies sprung to attention and I thought I even made out Wil iam mumbling, Its about time.

I smiled”my thoughts exactly.

Bouquet, Cora said militantly, handing me a simple bouquet with a potpourri of white flowers.

Taking it, I said with sarcasm, I thought this wasnt your typical Mortal wedding?

Its not, she said, sweeping around me to fan the train out. But you fidget like no one else and this wil give your hands something to concentrate on. If thats alright with your highness, of course, she added, only partial y teasing.

You real y have thought of everything, I said, gripping the bouquet harder.

Was that a thank you? Cora asked as Abigail opened the door wide for me, content the boys were trudging to their destination.

I looked back at her and winked. That was a thank you so much Im going to owe you for the rest of my existence.

She beamed back at me, instantly mol ified. Youre welcome.

Abigail headed down the stairs first, stopping at the bottom one and waiting for me, perhaps anticipating I could come fal ing down them at any step. Against al odds, I made it down without so much as a stumble. A true feat in my present mental state and attire.

I glanced over to the sofa and loveseat, where the indents were stil fresh from those whod just left them. This was happening. It was real y happening. It seemed like this would be the point most brides would start trembling or experiencing that last bout of cold feet jitters, but I felt neither.

I was so confident in my decision it had managed to stifle my equilibrium of fidgeting. In fact, Id never been so confident of a decision in my life as I marched towards the man I loved. It was freeing and centering at the same time.

Pausing at the slider door, Abigail inhaled, like she was the nervous one. This is it, Bryn, she said, winding her fingers around the handle. Are you ready?

I know this wil sound terribly cliché, but given its how I feel and Im too anxious to come up with a more clever quip . . . I said, fixing my gaze out the window. I was born ready for this.

I was met with dueling rol ing of the eyes before Abigail whished open the slider. Your man is waiting. Go spend the rest of your eternities together, she said it in the most everyday kind of way, making me laugh.

Here I go, I said, stepping onto the porch as the girls fol owed behind me. I caught sight of the five men waiting for us down at the oceans edge, their faces al turned our direction. The day was fading away, but the sun beginning its drop into the encroaching dusk didnt shadow his face when my eyes focused on it. It was the strongest mix of emotions Id seen. It was proud and victorious, overwhelmed and awed, peaceful and expectant, but most of al , it was happy.

Happy in a way that made me drop my bouquet and break into a run towards him. Having to cross that distance with him looking at me the way he was now would have made me combust, so running was the only option and”going in the face of generations of dress construction”the gown clinging to my body like lycra didnt tear.

When Cora said shed had it hand-tailored for me, shed meant it. It was like shed looked into the future to find out her intended Betrothal gown for me would become my Union gown and she knew Id be running down the aisle and had had every seam reinforced with Immortal strength thread.

Go get him, girl! I heard Abigail cheer behind me.

Yeah, dressed to the nines in Chanel vintage, Cora muttered in the space separating us. Perfect running attire. Dont worry, though, wel catch up.

I didnt look over my shoulder at them or pause for a moment to take in the sky flowing into the vibrant pinks and oranges only nature could create. There was only Wil iam in my journey down the aisle. It wasnt about the guests or the décor nature provided for us or what I looked like running down the beach in a flowing ivory gown. I only cared that I couldnt get to him fast enough.

I sprinted the last few paces to him, throwing myself into his arms, very nearly punching Charles square in the nose as my arms wound around his neck.

Good to see you, too, he whispered into my ear, spinning me a few circles before situating me down. But let me
see
you, he said, winding out of our embrace to take a few steps back. His eyes roamed over me, not hurrying and not missing a single thing. His careful inspection ended at my eyes as he let out a breath. My god, Im the luckiest man to have ever walked the planet.

Yeah, were aware of that, Patrick mumbled, clasping his hands in front of him. Enough with the oogly eyes. Youre making father uncomfortable and me sick to my stomach.

As if to prove his point, Charles shifted, clearing his throat. Shal we get started?

Not breaking our stares, Wil iam and I nodded at the same time, our grins stretching wider at each others enthusiasm. He closed the space between us, clasping my hands into his.

Wait just a sec, Joseph spoke up, glancing over his shoulders. The girls are going to be beyond appeasing if we start before they get here.

Maybe if theyd hurry it up we could get started, I said, not feeling near the impatience levels I had now I was with Wil iam.

In their defense, Nathanial said, I dont think they were expecting you to break the Olympic record for the four hundred meter dash on the way here.

They should have known better, I said, squeezing Wil iams hands, affirming this wasnt me lost in another one of my dreams.

Did I tel you how beautiful you look? Wil iam asked, stal ing as the girls continued towards us.

Only a few hundred widenings of your eyes, I answered, doing my first look at his attire. The tux was a tad snug being Josephs, but that was one downfal I was not going to complain about. It pul ed across his body just enough to make me long for a short Union ceremony.

And a long honeymoon.

Okay, slow those thoughts down, Wil iam whispered over to me. Or else Im going to have a tough time getting my vows out. His face flushed just enough to give away what he was talking about, causing mine to flush way beyond
just enough.

That was some walk down the aisle, Abigail said, announcing her and Coras arrival. She grinned over at Nathanial, taking her spot to the side of me.

I dont know why I even try, Cora said, pouting with her strappy shoes removed and my sandy bouquet in her hand.

Because youre the most thoughtful person I know, baby, Joseph answered, wrapping an arm around her as she marched up beside Abigail.

You real y are, I said, glancing back at her in her frazzled state. Im sorry I ruined your whole sashaying down the aisle expectations, but I took one look at him and knew I was entirely incapable of sashaying. I threw a look of accusation at Wil iam, like it was al his fault I couldnt control myself when he was around before looking back at her. Would you like us to wait so you can put your shoes back on?

No, she said, smiling at me for the concession. It seems barefoot is the theme of the day. Her eyes pointed first at mine, then circled around at the remaining six. I hadnt noticed it, since Id barely let my eyes move south of his, but Wil iams feet were also bare, the cuffs of his pants rol ed up a few inches, as were his brothers and fathers.

I laughed. I knew I was in good company.

Yeah, yeah, Cora said, wiping the crusted sand from her toes. No need to rub it in. Im al too aware of the fashion disasters Im faced with everyday in this family. And now, after today, Ive got one more to add to my list of fashion intervention projects.

If weve exchanged enough banter for the time being, Charles interjected, pointing his eyes at al of us. Perhaps we can get on with the whole reason were gathered here tonight.

Wil iam drew me back to him as we looked to his father, al too ready to pledge ourselves to one another.

He looked between Wil iam and me, his face nearing the same level of happiness as Wil iams. A Union between one Immortal to another is the highest honor our kind can be granted, he began, as the world seemed to stand stil . The wind whistling around us stil ed, the sun descending before us stopped, my heart stil ed. It was one of those moments that made a person believe that time real y was capable of stopping at certain events in time.

The vows you take today are forever, not in theory, but in practice. The one you stand before now wil be the one standing with you to the end.

The very end, Charles continued, needing no text to read from or squinting of the eyes to recal . The words flowing from him were natural, like hed said them a mil ion times, although it was like he was saying them for the first time from his depth of passion. By making your vow today, you are promising to each other an eternity of loyalty, honesty, and, most importantly of al , love. Are you both wil ing to make this pledge? he asked, looking earnestly between us.

I am, Wil iam and I answered in unison as the sniffling of noses began behind me.

Charles nodded his acknowledgement. Wil iam Isaac Samuel Hayward, this woman before you is your Betrothed, your intended, he said, turning to Wil iam. It is of your free wil to take her as your United, as your forever. Is this your intent?

Wil iams eyes didnt waver from mine as he answered, It is.

Do you pledge yourself to her, protecting, honoring, and loving her for an eternity?

I do, Wil iam vowed, his words solemn, his face soft.

Charles lifted his hands. Make your pledge as you place a ring on her finger.

Keeping a hand locked with mine, Wil iam looked back at Patrick, whose face was forming around a mixture of shock and terror. He patted his pants pockets first, moving up his jacket, searching for something.

Patrick, Wil iam growled. I just gave it to you a minute and a half ago. Nice try, though. Youre going to have to think of something infinitely more creative if youre trying to stal the inevitable.

Just offering up a little comedic relief to the intensity of the situation, Patrick muttered, pul ing a band from the pocket of his dress shirt. Setting it in Wil iams open palm, he gripped his brothers hand. Congratulations, he said, as intently as Patrick could. I mean it.

Wil iam squeezed his brothers hand. Thank you, he said, his throat bobbing. And I know you do, brother. Releasing his hand, Wil iam rol ed the ring between his thumb and index fingers, settling it at the tip of my ring finger on my left hand. I am yours forever, no matter if time, circumstance, or death separates us. With this ring, he vowed, sliding the band into place, my soul is now yours. He grinned, the mischievous one that had been my first of his. Actual y, its been yours for awhile now, he added, winking.

Lets keep to the vows, people, Patrick said with mock reverence. Were in the presence of a great Chancel or here, he continued, wagging his hands in his fathers direction.

As always, your boundless aptitude for sucking up to those in higher ranking stations than you is greatly appreciated, Charles said, smirking at his last single son by days end. But youre right, lets get back to and keep to the vows, Charles continued, turning to me next. Bryn Michel e Dawson, this man before you is your Betrothed, your intended. It is of your free wil to take him as your United, as your forever. Is this your int” It is, I interrupted, not able to say it soon enough. A rumble of laughter chorused around me.

Charles continued, trying to fight the smile that had burst, Do you pledge yourself to him, protecting, honoring, and loving him for an eternity?

I made it a point to wait for Charles to finish his sentence this time. I do, I whispered, my throat tightening as I watched Wil iams eyes grow shiny.

Make your pledge as you place a ring on his finger.

This time, instead of Patrick, it was my turn to wear the face of shock and terror, but mine wasnt fake. Oh my gosh, I said, my stomach dropping as I absently patted down the sides of my dress, searching for non-existent pockets that held a non-existent ring. I dont have a ring for you, I said, nearing a cry when I wondered if this would mean Wil iam and I couldnt be United until we did it properly. I was planning on going, but then I was . . .

Kidnapped, Patrick said, fil ing in the blanks.

Wel , yeah, but then I was going to get one for you if I ever got out of that awful box, I continued, looking apologetical y at Wil iam. But then we kind of decided to”

Put the cart before the horse, Patrick spoke up again, covering his mouth with his hand. Or, in this case, put the Union before the ring. You know what they say, Bryn, he said, removing his hand to flash it my direction, pointing at his ring finger. No ringy, no dingy.

Patrick Bartholomew Hayward, Charles scolded as Patrick forcibly winced at his fathers use of his middle name, maybe because it was a hideous one or maybe because of the tone Charles had said it in. He didnt need to say another word, Patricks mouth clamped shut in such a way my guess was it would stay that way the remainder of the night, or at least until we made it through the ceremony.

That was, if it hadnt just come to an end because of my lack of having a ring to offer my almost husband. Of al the things to overlook in my life, this was the worst.

I believe I can offer up a solution, Charles said, the kindness returning to his voice as he turned to me. If youd both be agreeable to it, Id like to offer you my ring, Bryn”the ring that hasnt left my finger once since Catherine placed it on there nearly three hundred years ago”that you can, in turn, offer to Wil iam.

Father, Wil iam said, shaking his head.

We couldnt, Charles, I added. Thank you so much for the offer, but its too much. Its al you have left of her, I whispered, his gesture choking me up al over again.

He raised his hands between Wil iam and me, silencing our rebuttals. Its not the last thing I have of her, not even close to it. I have memories that havent lost their vividness with the passing of time, he said, clearing his throat. And I have four of the children we made together . . . and I have her here, he said, resting his hand over his heart. Il always carry her with me here. His hands clasped together as he began the work of twisting and pul ing the simple gold band from his finger. Please, Catherine would want it so. It wil be like shes here with us, giving her blessing to this Union.