Page 84 of Caged in Desire
Taking a fortifying breath, I nod. I’ve had nightmares of Linda kidnapping me and bringing me to the greenhouse, dark and pulsing with sinister vines of evil plants. Dr. Benedict says that because the plants grew here, and I associate them and death with Linda right now, it makes sense to be a foreboding place of peril in my dreams.
Henry moves from blocking me and takes my hand, leading me around the final curve to the clearing where the greenhouse…was?It’s not there anymore. At least, there isagreenhouse, but it’s not the old one that’s been haunting my nightmares. This is a glass architectural dream, reminiscent of a larger version of the orangery from my childhood home. I’m immediately at peace, and none of the negative energy I was worried I would feel is present.
Leading me inside, Henry shows me the replanted species from the old greenhouse before assuring me all of the harmful plants have been completely eradicated. He moves us to a back corner where a swing sits facing west, and we watch the sunset as he pulls out the finger foods he packed earlier. Polishing off the entire basket, he surprises me by pulling out a much smaller box, just as the sun is setting. Tears fill my eyes as I realize what I’m almost certain it contains.
“Henry…” I whisper tearfully.
He says nothing, but as he meets my gaze, I see that I’m not the only one emotional at this moment.
“You,” he says so softly, I can barely hear him, “are the greatest gift that I have ever been given, and the one I was least expecting. It’s unfathomable to me that someone got so close to taking you from me.” His voice cracks, and he stops, head bowed before taking a deep breath and continuing.
“I know that legally, we’re married, but I want…” He stops to clear his throat before continuing in a stronger voice. “I want you to have your dream wedding, whatever that looks like, in front of only our families, people who matter…although I suppose if you want to invite two hundred people to this one as well, I won’t stop you.”
He laughs as he moves to one knee and opens the tiny blue box he’s been holding. Inside is a dainty gold wedding band half-encircled with diamonds.
“Your engagement ring is your mother’s, and I would never presume to replace it. Plus, you don’t like to wear it too often since it gets in the way of your shenanigans as you gallivant around here and cause mischief,” he says, giving a watery laugh. “But I would very much love to give you something shiny for everyday wear.”
Looking up, he finally asks me the question that has him so emotional he’s trembling, ever so slightly.
“Katarina, I love you, and I want to give you the world. Will you do me the honor of marrying me again, by your own free will?”
I can’t help but laugh at that, giggling before reaching down and holding Henry’s precious face in both my hands.
“Yes, you romantic man. Yes, I will marry you. Of my own will,” I squeal as he stands, picking me up off the bench and spinning me around. The gorgeous ring fits perfectly onto my finger as he places it, matching the gold of his wedding band. I can barely tell it’s on, and even though during my daily activities I usually don’t wear jewelry, this won’t bother me at all.
Finally stopping his spins, but not putting me down, he kisses me until I’m breathless, then gives me the goofiest grin I’ve ever seen on his face.
“Well, Mrs. Sinclair. Let’s plan a wedding.”
It’s early April before my plans come together, and my tiny wedding is finally upon us. We waited for Margot and Sloane to each give birth, although I don’t think any of us expectedthem to go into labor on the same day. I thought Blanche would faint from joy the day all three babies were born. The funniest part of the day was watching Jack and Ledger sobbing, holding their own daughters, then swapping to hold each other’s, then panicking as they tried to remember who was who. Of course, Margot and Sloane had both put the girls in coordinating outfits, so the risk of baby swap was low.
Now, a knock on the door tells me that Ivan is here.
“Come in,” I say, smiling when I see how handsome he looks in his suit. We’ve been spending more time together, bonding over trying to sort through the family records in the Taranov archives that Pavel had neglected for years. It was hard to hear about my mother from him, and both of us cried over how much we missed her. But it’s been healing as well, and I think before long it’ll be natural to call him Dad. He’s already given me more love than Pavel ever did. And I can’t imagine anyone else walking me down the aisle today.
“You look absolutely stunning, Katarina. I’m so proud to be on your arm today,” he says, kissing my cheek and wiping a tear from his eye. “I actually have something for you, as I was recently informed you’re missing something blue.”
I roll my eyes teasingly, knowing immediately that he and Blanche must have been in cahoots about my something blue. She had promised me a bracelet of her mother’s, but suddenly she had “misremembered” this morning, and it was in fact a gaudy citrine rather than a sapphire. Now I see that she had been keeping Ivan’s surprise.
He pulls a box from his inner suit pocket and produces a dainty sapphire and diamond bracelet, understated and perfect for my wrist today.
“This was the only piece of jewelry I ever gave your mother. It was thin enough that it was usually tucked just under her watch band. But every so often, it would catch the light just right andsparkle, and we would both smile to ourselves just knowing it was there,” he says, clearing his throat as he clasps the bracelet around my wrist.
“You’ve inherited so many of her positive qualities, Katarina. And as I’ve gotten to know Henry, I’ve realized the two of you are a truly special match. I’m so happy for both of you.” His voice cracks on the end as he pulls me close for a tight hug. Finally asking if I’m ready, I nod as I hear my processional swell, indicating it’s time for us to start our short walk down the aisle.
This wedding is entirely different from our last, with a guest list consisting of only our closest family members and favorite staff. My dress, a far cry from the puff ball that Mrs. Nixon picked out, is a sleek silk number with barely there spaghetti straps and a nonexistent back. It’s cut with no forgiveness to my body, intended to show off my toned shoulders and back, and I feel gorgeous and strong, just what I had always wanted for my wedding dress. My thoughts quickly focus back in as Ivan and I reach the beginning of the aisle.
Henry waits for me at the end, in front of the fountain in the garden, flowers surrounding him, with a quack now and then reminding me of our resident ducks that are thriving these days. Our friends and family turn to look at us, and I can see Sasha’s beaming smile from here, but my focus is on my Henry. He’s not even pretending not to cry, letting his tears track down his face as he smiles at me. Reaching him, Ivan shakes his hand and whispers in his ear, before I hand my bouquet to Sasha and take Henry’s hands.
Jack was already ordained, so he proudly begins the short ceremony we decided on as Henry and I melt into each other’s eyes. Before I know it, we’ve arrived at our vows.
Clearing his throat, Henry begins.
“Katarina, my love. Thank you for making me the luckiest man in the world not once, but twice, by agreeing to marry me all overagain. I’ve told you before that you are the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, and I feel that’s doubly true today.” He gives me a soft smile.
“I’ll follow you wherever you lead, and I promise to always be your protector and haven, to love and cherish you above all others. There will be no secrets between us, and there is nothing that we can’t face together. The world is ours, and I intend to take it on with you by my side until my last day,” he finishes, tearing up again by the end as I squeeze his hand.
I’m lost in his stormy eyes when he returns my squeeze, reminding me that it’s my turn to speak. Taking a deep breath, I try to get through as much as possible without tears.
