Page 30 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

The two rings felt like a burning weight lying against my chest. Something inside my soul, or hell, I don’t know, maybe it was the magic of the night, or my best friends blessing me from the beyond. Whatever it was, I moved into action, pulled out the chain I held and yanked it off my neck. The two gold bands fell into my palm.

“Summer, I love you. I will always do my best to put you and TJ first in all things. Our little family starts today, and like this perfect circle, it will last forever.” I held up my hand and she placed hers within it. I gripped Ellen’s ring and slid it on Summer’s fourth finger. “I think us wearing Ellen and Troy’s wedding rings while we raise their son and show him the love they didn’t get to give would provide them both the peace they need.”

Summer stifled a sob as she nodded, accepting Troy’s ring to complete the gesture.

I held out my left hand.

“Jack, you and TJ are my home now. Where you are, I want to be. I love you. I will do everything within my power to be a good partner and loving mother to TJ. Like this perfect circle, my love and commitment is unending.” She slid the ring on my finger. Shockingly, it too fit perfectly.

“Now, I bless this union.” Ann chuckled. “Blessed be.”

“Blessed be!” everyone hollered as I pulled Summer into my arms and kissed her.

Joy, love, and hope filled my entire being as I tasted my wife’s lips.

“My wife,” I whispered against her lips, awe lacing each word.

“My husband,” she responded, eyes twinkling, her lips still glistening from my kiss.

* * * *

Congratulations were shared and pictures were taken against the backdrop of the moon and Northern Lights to capture the moment. Still, we had come here for a different reason, and it was time to set my friends’ souls free.

Once we settled down, Erik reached for the bag that held two urns.

“It’s time, brother,” Erik clapped me on the shoulder and squeezed. Then he reached into the bag and pulled out a silver urn and passed it to me. “Ellen,” he croaked, his voice raw and jagged like our emotions.

I held the urn like I would a newborn babe, with reverence and love.

Erik removed the copper urn. “Troy,” he whispered as though his heart had been ravaged by even saying our brother’s name.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

Summer picked up TJ and held her hand out. Savannah passed a small, thimble-sized brass locket hanging from a silver necklace. She’d taken it upon herself to handle securing a small amount of ashes from both Troy and Ellen’s urns and sealing them into a locket. This was so that TJ would always have a piece of his parents close. It was an incredible gesture and a gift I hoped the child would treasure.

Our group walked to the riverbank. The Northern Lights seemed even brighter here. The moon shed its light like a beacon of hope.

“Ellen, you were loved. By Troy, me, and Erik. We were the three musketeers from the day we met. I’ll always mourn the loss of my brother and sister. You represented everything good and right in the world. I can already see that goodness in your son. TJwill know nothing but love because you and Troy showed us the way.” I couldn’t help the sob that tore from my body.

“Troy, our brother, our friend. You showed us what it meant to be a brotherhood. You showed us what true love looked like through your love for Ellen. We will miss you both for the rest of our lives but will remember you and honor you through the love we give to your son. We are grateful for the years we had.” Erik let out a broken sigh.

“Please open the urns,” Ann said, also instructing us on this process. “Spread the ashes as you set them free.”

Erik and I did as we were told. Together, we tipped the urns and let the ashes fall into the stream. The group watched in silence as the ashes mingled and flowed along with the current.

“Now you are free to be together forever.” I whispered as Summer sidled up to my side, TJ on her hip.

The three of us watched the river until our noses were red-tipped and our bare skin was bristling against the cold.

“They’re gone.” I gulped, staring at the dark water as the colorful sky and moon reflected off its inky surface.

“But never forgotten,” Summer said, cuddling TJ who’d fallen asleep against her chest.

“Now we live for them.” It was a statement and a vow.

Summer smiled as I reached out and cupped her chilly cheek. “I love you, Mrs. Larsen.”

She grinned wide, her smile imprinting on my mind, body, and soul.

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