Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Two weeks later, Giles sat in a seat at the head of a long table in The Raven’s Den, celebrating his marriage. He’d always sworn he would never wed, and had dreaded even the possibility of it. The prospect of being chained to one woman forever. Of carrying the responsibility of a husband.
But as Christina sat beside him, holding his hand, she wasn’t his responsibility. She was his partner. He depended on her as much as she did him. Perhaps even more sometimes.
He was startled out of his reverie by a hand on his shoulder. “Mother!” She stood behind him, a loving smile on her face. He pushed back his chair.
“No reason to get up, Son.”
“Yes there is.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her for a long moment. “I’m afraid I must beg your forgiveness, once again.”
“I’m your mother. You’ll always have my forgiveness. But I’m here to celebrate your happy marriage. It is happy, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “More than I ever could have hoped for. And at least in part because of you.”
“Mrs. Henderson!” Christina left her seat to come and join them.
“What have I said about calling me that? Especially on this day. You are Mrs. Henderson today.”
She took his mother’s hands and bussed her cheek. “Thank you for coming, Julia.”
“This was your doing?” he asked.
“Yes.” Christina looked at him defiantly. “We’ve been corresponding regularly for a while now, and you hadn’t bothered to invite her.”
“Ganging up on me, are you?”
“Only when you’re being extra stubborn.” His mother patted his cheek. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
He had wondered why the chair to his left was empty. He helped her to sit, and settled in beside her. “I’m glad you’re here, Mother.”
“Mrs. Henderson,” Ash said from behind them. “I’ve taken the liberty of filling a plate for you.”
“That’s very kind of you, Ash. Thank you.”
That was supposed to be Giles’ job. “Always showing me up, aren’t you?”
“You were preoccupied with other things. That’s all.”
Christina gasped beside him. “Is that fish and chips?”
“You weren’t the only one with a surprise,” Giles said, reveling in her excitement.
“Arthur’s?”
“Of course. Only the best for our wedding celebration.”
She gave an excited little squeal and clapped her hands. “Stay here with your mother. I’ll bring you some.”
Ash placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t get too comfortable. We’ll all be expecting a speech from you when we’ve finished eating.”
He sighed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll go first, and ease you into it.” Ash gave his shoulder another squeeze before walking around to his own seat.
Christina sat down with their plate. Apparently they were sharing. She broke off a small piece of fish and held it to his lips. Somehow, eating it from her fingers always made it taste even better.
As the meal began to wind down, Ash got to his feet and a hush fell around the table.
“I’d like to make a toast. Giles and Christina have been through trials that most of us can only imagine.
And somehow, they’ve emerged, perhaps not unscathed, but instead, stronger.
I’ve watched the love between them grow.
I’ve watched it withstand and overcome tragedy that could crumble the heartiest of relationships, and fell the strongest of men.
I am proud to call Giles my partner and my friend, and am grateful to have Christina join our incredible family.
” He raised his glass. “To Giles and Christina.”
Giles met his wife’s loving gaze as their names were called out around the table.
He pushed down his nervousness and got to his feet.
There was no reason for his apprehension.
These were the people who loved him most. She stood beside him, holding his hand and giving him her strength, as she always did.
“I won’t lie, much of these past months has been difficult for me. And I have not always acted with grace or kindness. In fact, I’ve probably spent more time shouting and cursing. There may even have been a few outright temper tantrums.”
“He’s not wrong there,” Michael called from down the table.
Giles chuckled. “I’ve also repented, and groveled, and begged forgiveness from everyone around me.
And somehow, despite my wretched behavior, I’ve been gifted it.
” He wrapped his arm around Christina’s shoulders.
“Especially from this amazing woman. She put up with more than a wife should ever have to, and for some reason, she loves me anyway.”
“Should I tell them it’s because of your lovely backside?”
Laughter broke over the table, and heat burned up his neck and into his face.
“It would seem she’s intent on vengeance.” Her cheeks were flushed, as well. He raised his glass. “To Christina, the woman who lured me into a trap, and stole my heart.”
Her name rounded the table as they all toasted her.
Fitz stood further down and raised his glass. “To Giles’ lovely backside!”
He shook his head at his beautiful wife. “I will never live that down, you know.”
“Now,” he said over the table, “before I have to suffer anymore embarrassment, it’s time for us to dance.”
While things were being cleared out of the way, to make room for dancing, Michael approached him. “It’s time for a private toast, upstairs.”
Ash, Patrick, and Fitz were already in the office when they entered. Fitz handed each man a glass of brandy, and Michael a glass of barley water.
“I meant what I said down there, Giles.” Ash clapped his shoulder. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become, and I think I speak for all of us here when I say I’m proud to have you as a partner and a friend.”
“Thank you, even if I do struggle to feel deserving.” He was overwhelmed with gratitude. These men were all so good to him.
“We have something we’d like to give you.” Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. His keys.
“Really?”
All of their faces shone with pride. He held out his hand, never imagining a ring of keys could mean so much to him. But it wasn’t really about the keys. It was about their trust.
“You’ve earned it,” Michael said.
Ash raised his glass. “May your future hold only good health, happiness, love, and loyalty. To Giles!”
The others echoed him.
“To partnership.” Giles raised his own glass to join theirs.
“Now get back downstairs, before your wife misses you,” Michael said, taking his glass.
Even from across the room, Christina was the only thing he saw. She was talking with his mother, but when her gaze found him, everything else seemed to be forgotten. He held the keys out and she gasped. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
“I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
“And I love you, sweetheart.”
Perhaps it had taken losing an eye for him to be able to see clearly. This was what a perfect life really looked like.