Page 68 of Doctor Enemy

Fate incarnate, or some shit like that. Costas, one of my groomsmen, has been going on about fate all month. It’s started to stick with me. Mostly because Lori’s got eyes that you can get lost in, and our hands are tangled together, warm skin against warm skin.

The small scar on her temple from the surgery to stop the brain bleed has been carefully covered by a few strands of her silky black hair. Her smile is bright as lightning.

Fuck. I’m in love with her.

It’s not until our vows need to be traded that I snap back into being. By a small stroke of luck, Lori gives hers first, telling me, “You were always the man of my dreams. It took me a long time to realize that, but I’ve been happier this last year than… Than I’ve ever been in my whole life. And I’m so glad to have found you.”

I have to swallow twice to get my tongue to work enough to respond, telling her, “Lori, I had a whole big thing planned out. I did. I spent all night rehearsing it and memorizing it. And it was lovely. But I think— I think that there’s only one thing that I want to tell you.”

I give her hands a reassuring squeeze. Her eyes are bright with happy tears. Though there’s a whole crowd of people here, it feels as though we’re completely alone.

“I love you,” I say, my voice hushed.

“And I always will.”

The priest clears his throat. “Lori Lange, do you take Kurt Lockwood to be your husband? Through the good times, and the bad? Through the long roads, and the short ones?”

“Yes,” says Lori.

“A thousand times yes.”

“And Kurt,” starts the priest. “Do you take—”

“Yes,” I interrupt him, too impatient to stand there and wait. “I want to marry her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Can I kiss her now?”

The priest gives a low chuckle. “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. Yes, Mr. Lockwood. You may kiss your wife.”

And before God as my witness and our guests, that’s exactly what I do.

The End

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