Page 90 of The Neighborhood Ghost

Alice laughed. She took Hugo’s ring and did the same. It, too, was a black onyx band with inlaid, polished amethyst. Their eyes met once again, and almost as if they were speaking an unspoken language, they both twisted their respective rings twice.

The Oaken King pulled out a red ribbon, about a yard in length and an inch in width, from his flowing, shimmering robes. “Please take this ribbon with your right hand and then hold each other’s hand with the ribbon in between. Then cross your left over the top.”

Hugo and Alice did as instructed. They held the red ribbon in their right hands as they took each other’s hand. They crossed their left over the top.

The Oaken King took the remaining ribbon and wrapped it around their hands and arms. The ends of the ribbon drooped down from their forearms. He placed the open ends in between each other’s left hands.

“With this ribbon, I have bound them to their vows,” the Oaken King proclaimed. “This ribbon is not tied, only held together by each other’s love. For as long as they have the will to love each other, they will be bound together for all time. With this, they have become husband and wife. Hugo Dodds and Alice Primrose Dodds, you may kiss and become one.”

Hugo pulled Alice in close, and they kissed—soft, gentle kisses. It was an eternity, yet it was an instant. The crowd gathered and cheered the union of Hugo and Alice. Oliver patted Hugo on the back.

The Oaken King puffed out his chest and raised his arms above his head. He shouted, “Now we celebrate!”

Later in the evening,an elegant feast prepared with the finest foods had been laid out for the gathering guests. An assortment of fruits, cheeses, breads, and wines all for the guests to enjoy. Music filled the great palace hall of the Oaken King. The few guests who arrived mingled with the fairies. Outside of the Raskins, most were friends of Ez and Alice.

Hugo and Alice sat at a large, sprawling table at the front of the crowd. They were flanked by their flying broomsticks. Max sat next to Hugo, her head resting on his lap. She begged for food, but Hugo gave her none.

Alice nibbled various cheeses, fruits, and breads, but she was far too preoccupied to finish anything. The past few days—the past few weeks—had been such a blur. The sleepless nights. The endless research. The longing for Hugo’s touch once more. The battle with a banshee’s ghouls. Her body was exhausted, but her soul was alive. She was made whole once again. Alice grinned, her heart fluttering.

Alice found the Raskins in the crowd. They struck up a conversation with some of Ez’s associates. Carol appeared to scold Oliver for something he said, no doubt his next brilliant idea for the store. She chuckled at the thought. Everything was right with the world.

Alice took a sip of wine. The sweetest wine she had ever tasted. Far superior to anything she created. The right mixture of grapes, fermented sugars, and an earthy undertone tantalized her tongue.

“This is really great wine,” Alice said.

Hugo took a sip. “Not as great as yours.”

“You don’t have to lie,” Alice said.

“I’m serious. Give me your wine over this anytime.”

“Don’t you meanourwine?” Alice asked.

“You make it. I’m only there for moral support,” Hugo said.

“It’s our wine.” Alice took another sip. “And thank you.”

“You’re welcome, and I know it’s our wine,” Hugo replied with a wink. “But it’s your wedding day, so you get all the credit.”

“It’sourwedding day.”

“Yeah, it is,” Hugo said as he offered up his wineglass in celebration.

They clinked their cups together, and they each took a sip.

A group of women approached them, all dressed in black with black eyeliner. A perfect fit for Alice’s stylistic choices.

“Allie, aren’t you going to introduce us to your man?” one of them asked.

“Allie?” Hugo asked as he leaned over to Alice.

Alice rose and bounced around to the other side of the table while holding up the train of her dress. She embraced the three women in a hug. These were Alice’s closest friends: Circe, Tabitha, and Zoe.

They were her companions and the original coven from her school days. They had formed a bond and friendship as they learned their magical ways. Everyone in school created their own coven, and they were together throughout their learning. Excluding the time period that Alice had to hide in Newbury Grove, the four of them were inseparable.

“You made it!” Alice said.

“You didn’t think we would miss this, did you? Even if you only gave us a day’s notice,” Circe said.

---