Page 97 of Destined for Eternity
Epilogue
Cori
It was a perfect late-June day, beautiful and warm. The geraniums, orchids, and Northern Yarrow that Joy had planted over a month ago were in full bloom, and the additional decorations they’d placed on the lawn brought the whole scene together. Cori couldn’t have asked for more since she was getting married in a few minutes. The only thing shielding her from the groom was a white tent they’d set up next to her house where she could get ready in privacy. There were too many guests, including her sister and her family, who’d come to stay for the occasion to prepare in there.
Cori had barely been able to sleep the night before, but thankfully Sybil hadn’t shared the same problem and only woke twice briefly for feedings. For now, the baby rested in the bassinet they’d brought into the tent so Cori could nurse her one last time before putting on her wedding gown. Everything had to be timed perfectly when one had a six-week-old child to consider.
“You look amazing,” Melena said, standing behind her where she checked herself in the mirror. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
Cori stared at herself. The top half of her black hair had been pulled away from her face and clipped with a long, white veil, and the bottom half had been curled and left to flow freely a little past her shoulders. Her dress was cream silk with a heart-shaped bodice that fit snuggly up top before flowing down in an A-line that just brushed the ground. She’d dreamed of wearing such a gown when she was younger, but she and Griff had done a courthouse wedding with no frills. Cori might have preferred jeans and tank tops most of the time, but she still liked to dress up when the occasion called for it.
She smiled at the sensor. “Thanks.”
“Everyone is ready and waiting,” Joy said, coming into the tent. Her mother had gone out to let the band know they could start playing the wedding march in a minute. It was headed by Micah, who had handled Melena’s after-wedding party.
Cori turned to Kariann. She was doing a surprisingly good job of rocking Sybil in her bassinet and keeping her calm. Who knew the tough old vampire could have a soft spot for babies? She claimed she was glad to have never experienced motherhood for herself but had no problem living vicariously through others. They’d made certain she had fed before she came—not that she was known for drinking the blood of innocents, but it couldn’t hurt to be cautious.
“Are you sure you’ve got this?” Cori asked.
The vampire—who wore a blue sheath dress in the same design as the bridesmaids—nodded. “I can easily carry her down the aisle. She hardly weighs a thing.”
“Great,” Melena said, another of the bridesmaids, and gestured at everyone. “Then let’s get this started.”
Joy peeked her head outside, letting Ginny know she could send her girls down the aisle to spread the flower petals. After a moment, she and the sensor went out next. Cori joined Kariann at the bassinet, picked Sybil up, and gently kissed her forehead. The baby smiled and cooed back at her. For the occasion, she was dressed in a pretty pink dress with lace trim that looked absolutely adorable on her. The photographer would be getting a lot of pictures of that after the ceremony.
Taking a deep breath, she handed Sybil over to the vampire, watching as Kariann gently cradled her. “You’re next.”
“I can handle it. Don’t worry.”
Cori watched her friend and baby leave the tent, music wafting gently over to her. Micah usually played rock music, but he and his guys had practiced for the wedding so they could use the appropriate songs for the occasion. She was amazed at how well they sounded.
After waiting a few seconds more, she stepped outside and gave herself a moment for her eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. Then she turned toward the front lawn and found the long stretch of burgundy carpet between aisles of chairs that led to a makeshift altar. There was a flower arch just before it where she’d join Bartol. Since her father wasn’t alive to give her away, she’d chosen to make the walk alone.
Everyone was “oohing” and “ahhing” at her. Despite her resolve to remain calm and collected, it made her blush. Cori wasn’t used to being the center of attention. Everyone she and Bartol knew was there. Her sister with her husband and kids, along with a bunch of her aunts, uncles, and cousins she hadn’t seen in ages. Derrick, Eli, Lucas, and Tormod—with both of his parents—were there as well as a few other nerou she’d gotten to know over the past year. Raguel and several more archangels had shown up just before the ceremony, too.
But the most surprising guest was Kerbasi. Cori and Bartol had talked about it and decided to invite the former guardian. He still didn’t remember anything from the last fifteen hundred years, but that meant he’d lost his crassness and sarcasm, so he wouldn’t cause trouble. Oddly, she sort of missed the old version of the man. It was much easier to harass and give him a hard time before. This version of him was cold and emotionless. A part of her hoped he’d get his memory back soon since at least then he’d be more interesting.
Kerbasi was sitting at the back row of seats by himself, rigid with his hands resting on his lap. He gave her a nod as she passed. She smiled at him, but no light entered his eyes. Had he been that way until he’d started guarding and torturing nephilim prisoners? What had changed him to become the man everyone hated later?
Leaving those questions for another time, she focused her gaze forward and found Bartol up ahead. He stared at her with warm, loving eyes that made her want to rush forward. She’d never seen him in a tuxedo before and couldn’t believe how good he looked in one. It was too bad they needed to finish the ceremony first because she wished she could sneak away with him right then and rip his clothes off. More and more, he was letting her touch and explore him. He wasn’t totally relaxed yet, but he was far better than a couple of months ago. She could even put an arm over him at night now without him freezing up.
As soon as she reached him, he took her hand and they faced the minister—who happened to be Remiel since he’d done this sort of thing before with Melena and Lucas. The archangel had his wings folded behind him, but they jutted high over his shoulders. He wore the same white robe with golden trim she’d seen when he did his press conference, but he’d foregone the halo. He was impressive enough without it. No doubt her relatives would have all kinds of questions after the ceremony about how she had such a colorful array of friends. Her mother had been sworn to secrecy about it until now and hadn’t told them anything.
Remiel started with a speech about love, patience, and kindness. Cori listened with half an ear while staring at Bartol. Despite the audience, he didn’t look frightened or nervous at all. He’d said the previous night he would concentrate on her to help him get through it, the same as when he’d proposed.
She smiled and mouthed the words, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said, then pulled her close to press his lips to hers. Bartol wasn’t a man known for long, pretty speeches, but he had other ways of showing he cared. He had overcome major obstacles for her that would have been impossible for most others. He was worth the wait, and she was glad she’d ridden out the storm until he’d found a way to get past his trauma.
Remiel cleared his throat. “Could you two save that for later?”
“I think it’s a little too late, archangel,” Kariann said, rocking the baby. Sybil was waving her arms around and smiling, totally capturing the guests’ attention.
The audience laughed.
Cori and Bartol looked at each other once more. They would have forever, and neither one of them could wait to get started.
“Hurry and finish,” Bartol growled. “We don’t have all day.”
A smile played at Remiel’s lips. “In fact, you do have forever.”
He was right. Once Sybil was weaned, Cori would take the final step to become immortal. The world had its dangers, but she felt confident her little family would make it through with the help of family and friends. After what happened with Griff, she never imagined being in such a happy place. It went to show that life really could get better if one just waited for it.
