Jimbo cleared his throat. “We come together today, to celebrate the union of two souls who—in this often heartless and frightening world—managed to find each other. Love matters. Love makes the shadows bearable, love dries our tears, and comforts us in the darkest hours. Miranda and Chess have elected to share their lives, to bind their fortunes and destiny together. They’ve written their own vows, to share with us, asking us to bear witness to their union. Chess, please recite your vows.”
Chess took a deep breath. She took hold of Miranda’s hands and looked deep into my daughter’s eyes. “Randa…the day we first met, I knew there was something special about you. I was so afraid to ask you out, because I thought you might say ‘no.’ But you said yes. Today, as I ask you to say yes—again—to be my wife, I pledge to you my loyalty, my honesty. I pledge to be your cheerleader, and your consoler. I pledge to always make you macaroni and cheese when you’re sad, and to always help scoop the litter box. I’ll be there for you, whatever comes, and love you forever and together.”
Jimbo turned to Miranda. “Miranda, now your vows.”
Randa’s voice was shaking, but she stood straight and sure. “Chess, after that first date, I knew that I wanted you in my life. Everything fit so well—we fit together so well. When you proposed to me, there was no question—it was always a ‘yes.’ And today, on our wedding day, I pledge my loyalty and love to you. I’ll always be honest. When you come home sick at heart from work, I’ll comfort you. Whatever victories you have—large or small—I’ll be cheering you on. I pledge to always keep fresh roses on the nightstand for you. I’ll rub your feet after a long shift. And every time I look at the stars, I’ll see you shining against the sky. I’ll be there for you, whatever comes, and love you forever and together.”
I tried to stifle my tears, but it wasn’t going to happen, so I let them fall. Kip, standing beside his sister, was crying. Joe was crying. So many tears, and so much joy.
Jimbo cleared his throat again. “Do you have the rings?”
Eileen, Harlow’s daughter, stepped forward, carrying an ice blue pillow on which rested two platinum wedding bands. She stood to the side, presenting the pillow.
“Chess, take Miranda’s ring and repeat after me. I, Chess, wed thee Miranda, for today, tomorrow, forever and together. Let this ring be a promise of my love.”
“I, Chess, wed thee Miranda, today, tomorrow, forever and together. Let this ring be a promise of my love.” She slid the ring on Miranda’s finger.
Miranda took up Chess’s ring and, following Jimbo’s instructions, slid it on Chess’s finger. “I, Miranda, wed thee Chess, for today, tomorrow, forever and together. Let this ring be a promise of my love.”
Jimbo closed the book. “Then, with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you wife, and wife. You may kiss.”
Chess reached forward, cradling Randa’s face as she kissed her. They both looked radiant. I glanced over in the corner and saw the glowing outline of Nana, my beloved grandmother. She winked at me, and blew me a kiss as outside, the snow began to fall in earnest.
***
After the festivities came to a close, and Randa and Chess were off to their honeymoon, Joe and I snuggled on the sofa. James and Jimbo had helped get all the furniture back before everybody left. We settled in, sparkling cider in hand. I didn’t drink—once a long time ago, it had been too much of a comfort for me—but the sparkling cider was crisp and cold, and the leftover wedding cake was just the right note of sweet.
“Well, that’s one down. One to go,” Joe said. “Did you ever think you’d see this day?”
“No,” I said. “I didn’t even think about it. Life takes you by surprise, sometimes.” I stared at the snow as it piled up. “Jimbo said he’d come plow our driveway in the morning.” Murray and Jimbo had bought my old house and they lived next door. Joe and I had the new house built so he could get around with his disability, and I no longer mourned the house I’d brought up Kip and Randa in. It was full of life, still, and that’s all that mattered.
“What are you going to do tomorrow? The roads will probably be closed due to the snow. I’m glad the girls got off on their honeymoon before we got snowed in.” Joe yawned and finished his cider.
“I think I’ll write.” I was writing a book. Harlow had become a famous romance novelist, and now I was writing how-to’s on the paranormal. I had decided—though I hadn’t told anybody yet—to sell the tea shop. New adventures awaited us all, it seemed. I stood, yawning. “Ready for bed?”
“Am I ever,” Joe said. He shifted back over to his wheelchair and headed for the bedroom.
As I made sure the doors were locked and turned off the lights, I paused at the solarium. My daughter was officially married. My son was working at a job in the Seattle area and doing well. The cats were snoozing—at their ages, they did a lot of that now. And as we moved into our mid-life years, I was ready for whatever might come.