Chapter 40
B enedict and Lucy walked leisurely, hand in hand, under the stars into the town. It was long past midnight, and the All Hallows’ Eve festival had closed, but she’d wanted to walk with him and let all they’d overcome in the last month wash over them. They had each other, and she was sure that no matter what life threw at them, they’d be able to handle it together. So long as they didn’t kill each other first.
At the end of Lover’s Lane, Lucy paused when she saw everyone gathered on the green surrounding the gazebo in the town square.
“What’s all this?” she asked, stepping forward to get a better look at the long tables decorated with food platters and wildflower centrepieces.
“Surprise,” Benedict whispered in Lucy’s ear, kissing her cheek. She stared at him in complete shock as the whole town came forward to greet the newly-weds.
Not wanting to smudge her mascara, she dabbed at her tears. “When did you have to the time to do all this?” She looked to her mum, walking down behind them, for answers, but Wilhelmina only shrugged.
“It was all Rosie! And many of the coven members helped,” Benedict said. Her hands flew to her mouth; Rosie was waiting at the head of the group, looking stunning in a plum gown with her hair all pinned up with flowers. “When did you start? How could you keep this from me? You’re terrible at surprises!”
“I had to bite my tongue! We sourced a lot from Willow Valley so you wouldn’t find out,” Rosie admitted, glancing to a grey-suited Emerson, who was offering Benedict curt congratulations. “Emerson and I picked up the tables and the centrepieces on opening night so you wouldn’t find out.”
“I should’ve known something was up when you said you were bringing him there!” Lucy squished her friend in her arms, counting her blessings to have a friend like this. “I can’t believe you all went to so much trouble for us,” she added, addressing all the townspeople and coven members sitting at the tables. This explained why so many members had been absent from this year’s festival planning meetings. They’d been too busy planning her reception.
As music played around the square, the couple made the rounds thanking everyone for celebrating with them.
“I know you said you didn’t want a big reception, with everything going on with the festival, but we couldn’t congratulate our new High Priestess and her partner without a grand celebration,” Mrs Crawford said, shaking her hand – which was as close to a hug as the woman ever gave.
“Now we don’t have to worry about either of you destroying the town during one of your petty squabbles,” Mr Emery chuckled, eating a tiny quiche. His wife elbowed him, nearly causing him to choke. Lucy tried not to laugh, but Benedict did nothing to hide his amusement.
“I don’t know, marriage isn’t always so rosy,” Mrs Emery said slyly. Benedict’s face fell, but once he wasn’t looking, Mrs Emery winked at Lucy behind her glass of wine.
The festival was the perfect background. Seeing all the food on the tables, she wasn’t sure where to begin. All that mattered right now was seeing everyone having a good time celebrating their union with Benedict by her side. Lucy couldn’t believe she’d wanted to forgo the tradition.
“I can’t believe this is all for us!”
“It wasn’t all their idea.”
Lucy spun around as she recognised the familiar voice. Her dad, with a shaggy grey beard and tanned skin fresh from the dessert, greeted her with open arms.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” she squealed, and looked to her mum, who could barely contain her tears.
“I wasn’t going to miss this night, or I think your mum would have turned me into a frog,” he whispered as he embraced her tightly. He’d lost weight since she’d last seen him, and he smelt like sun cream, but she didn’t want to ever let him go.
“Did you know about this?” she asked Benedict.
“I swear I didn’t have a clue.” He shrugged innocently.
“It was a last-minute decision,” her dad said, patting his son-in-law on the shoulder. “I surprised him at the Manor this morning, and he was kind enough to hide me in one of the guest rooms. I thought about coming to the ritual, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you before your big moment.”
“All I care about is that you are here to celebrate with us.” Lucinda hugged the most important men in her life, lost for words.
“I had just enough time to ask for his blessing,” Benedict said once she gave them some room to breathe.
“It was never a question. Your grams has been telling me you’d find each other one day since you were in school.” Lucy’s dad rested a hand on his shoulder, and she found herself hoping that he might fill some of the space in Benedict’s heart where he was missing his own dad. Her family was his now, and his was hers.
“We’ve one more surprise,” Benedict said gently, resting his hand on her lower back and guiding her away from the table. Lucy wasn’t sure if she could take much more.
Benedict lifted his glass, and the lights in the town went out. Lucy frowned, barely able to make out what was going on. However, one by one, lights flared around the courtyard, and she realised everyone was holding a floating lantern, which they released into the sky.
“I know they aren’t fireflies, but it was the best I could do,” he whispered, reminding her of their first night together. It was like the stars had come down from the heavens to celebrate with them. She swatted his chest playfully. He moved behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“You’ve given me the moon and stars – I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she murmured over her shoulder. Warmth poured from those dark eyes she loved so much, and she reached up on her toes to kiss him.
The band on the gazebo started up again, and in his arms, surrounded by their loved ones, Lucy danced the night away with the town until the sun started to rise.
She couldn’t imagine a better way to spend All Hallows’ Eve. It was the perfect start to their story.