Page 239 of Storm of Bells
But that was for later. Right now…
‘I am quite sure indeed.’
And then I slipped the ring onto her finger.The insignificant backdrop called ‘audience’ began to prattle, someooing, some awwing, others uttering even more inane noises. Ididn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to them. I could see orhear nothing but the woman beside me. I could do nothing but gazeinto her eyes while the vicar spoke a prayer. As his last wordsceased, the reverend reached for our hands and, joining themtogether, held them into the air.
‘Those whom God hath joined together let noman put asunder!’
And may God have mercy on anyone who tries.Because I will not!
A thunderous cheer went up from the crowd.Hats and bonnets were hurled into the air. Out of the corner of myeye, I saw my wife—yes, wife!—smile from one ear to another, herface shining like a beacon of happiness. That very moment, my listof priorities rearranged itself, and suddenly, making her smilelike that every day was right at the top.
Well…maybe just below the top. Right aftermaking money.
‘Husband.’ Her voice tore me from my thoughtswith the one word that could make this moment even better. I felther soft hand come to rest on my chest, and my spine wentstiff.
We’re in a church, I reminded myself.We’re in a church. Ravaging a woman in front of a vicar and twohundred churchgoers is not socially acceptable!
‘Husband,’ she repeated, her hot breathtickling my cheek.
Don’t do it! Calm! Restraint!
‘Husband,’ she rolled the word around in hermouth once more, her breath caressing my skin again. ‘That’s goingto take a while to get used to.’
To hell with restraint!
Grabbing hold of her, I roughly pulled hertowards me. ‘You’d better get on with it, my littleifrit.I’m not a patient man.’
Beside us, the priest cleared his throat.‘You may kiss the br—’
Not bothering to wait for the man to finish,I tore off my bride’s silken veil and pressed a searing kiss ontoher lips. Only vaguely did I notice the vicar spreading his arms tohis congregation.
‘Let us pray!’
‘Let’s not!’ I countered and, tossing theveil away, grabbed hold of the woman who would be forever mine. Ifelt her squirm in my arms. Did she want to get away?
Well, too late for that! What’s mine is mine!And, not wasting any time, I proceeded to demonstrate that to herwith my mouth and tongue. It didn’t take long before she stoppedsquirming, turning to putty in my arms.
‘Congratulations!’ an annoying gnat thatwanted to die really badly interrupted us. ‘Oh, Lilly, my dear!It’s happened!’
I turned around to see who was unlucky enoughto be eviscerated today and came face to face with…
My mother.
Oh, and my sister.
Calm. Be calm.Taking a deep breath, Istarted to count to ten thousand. One thousand pounds, two thousandpounds, three thousand pounds…
‘It’s finally, truly happened!’ Shoving measide, my mother grabbed hold of the woman who had just beendeclared exclusively mine. ‘I just can’t quite believe it, and,oh…I…I hope you will be so very, very happy!’
‘So do I!’ Sliding past me, Adaira attachedherself to my wife like a limpet. ‘And make sure you give me atleast one cute little nephew before you kill each other, allright?’
Why did I return to reunite with my familyagain? I suddenly felt nostalgic for the icy mountains of my goldrush days.
That is, until I felt my wife’s hand squeezemine.
Maybe, just maybe, having family is not sucha bad idea.
‘I wish you all the best, the both ofyou.’
