Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
Serena stepped out the Big House’s door onto the front porch and was stunned by the number of people who were milling about on the front lawn, waiting for the handfasting ceremony to begin.
Sadie had been a godsend, helping her find a denim skirt and peach colored blouse to wear when she admitted that as a child she had stated she wanted to wear jeans to her wedding. She also bought a pair of cowboy boots that she could wear back home.
After doing some quick research on handfasting and its history, traditions and ceremony, she decided to wear her hair down. She did agree to a crown of wildflowers woven into a circlet. The flowers matched the bouquet Sadie carried.
Looking around, she was not surprised to find Noah and Ford standing at the bottom of the porch steps, waiting for her. They had decided to escort her to where Derek stood instead of having someone else act as father of the bride.
Her men also wore jeans, with white snap-front shirts, matching bolo ties, and leather front vests, adding a western touch to the proceedings.
As she began to walk down the stairs, the crowd grew quiet and parted, opening a wide aisle to where Derek waited just in front of a wicker arch.
She scanned the crowd and noted that it included everyone they’d interacted with during their stay and everyone was dressed in their brightest, happiest clothing. Even Carolina and Tori were here, Caroline wore a bright pink cast on her ankle and Tori looked alert and happy as she gave Serena a small wave. She blinked as tears filled her eyes and her lips parted in a wide smile.
Once she stepped off the last step, Ford and Noah moved in on each side. They leaned in and kissed her cheeks, once again proving that they seemed to share a brain, at least when it came to her.
“Ready to tie yourself to us?” Ford whispered.
“And be our subbie and queen forever?” Noah finished.
“Yes,” she managed to say.
She continued blinking back the tears that seemed determined to fall and ruin the makeup she had so carefully applied. It had been a challenge and she’d had to wash her face and try again three times before she and Sadie were finally pleased with the results. The last thing she needed right now was to ruin it.
“Then let’s do this,” Ford said, holding out his left arm.
She looped her arm in his and then did the same with Noah. This was why she didn’t have a bouquet to carry, she needed both hands to hold onto her men.
Together they walked up the aisle and moved to stand before Derek, who looked official in a black suit, white shirt, and the bolo tie he always wore. The man smiled at her, and she relaxed. She had her vows memorized and only hoped she didn’t falter when it came time to speak.
After he exchanged nods with both her men, Derek turned his attention to the crowd that had moved closer and filled in to make a half circle around them.
“Welcome, friends, as we gather to celebrate the joining of Serena, Ford, and Noah as they begin a new journey together. A journey of love, partnership, and shared life. In an ancient and beautiful tradition of handfasting, we will bind their hands, not just in a physical way, but also symbolically as a testament to their commitment to each other.”
Derek then looked at them with a happy smile. “Today marks a day where three become one. As your hands are joined and bound together, remember you are not just joining your hands together, but also your hearts, your hopes, and your dreams. These bindings are a symbol of the strength and resilience of your commitment, a promise to stand together through good times and bad, joy and sadness, to support each other as you grow together and individually, and to create a life filled with love and understanding.”
With that, Ford and Noah turned and stood facing her as they each extended their right arm. She did the same, moving it so their wrists lined up. Sadie then stepped up and laid the braided cord over their arms.
Green, blue, and peach colored ribbons represented their favorite colors while black and red ribbons represented their life work. The ribbon of white lace stood for the fragility of life made stronger by weaving it with the other ribbons.
Derek then said, “With each wrap of the cord, we acknowledge the unique and individual life paths you have each walked and celebrate how those paths now intertwine. You are not just individuals, but a collective and your life together will be a tapestry woven with the individual threads of your unique strengths and perceptions.”
As Sadie wrapped their arms the first time, Noah spoke, looking deep into her eyes and then to Ford’s. “I vow to cherish and support you both, to be your confidant, your partner in adventure, and your rock in times of need. I promise to listen with an open heart, offer unwavering support, and always seek to understand your needs and desires. I love you both so much, today, tomorrow, forever and beyond.”
Sadie wrapped the cord a second time and Ford looked from her to Noah as he said, “I vow to keep our family at the center of my life and my heart. I vow to be intentional in the time I spend with each of you, to honor each of our sweet loves with kind words, compassion, forgiveness, honesty and trust. As our love and our family grows and changes, this promise will only deepen. I love you both so much, today, tomorrow, forever, and beyond.”
And then it was her turn. As Sadie laid the third wrap, Serena looked through eyes filled with tears at the two men who had held her heart since the first time she’d met them but had always thought she could not have them. Taking a deep breath she spoke.
“I vow to stand beside you both, to share in your joys and challenges, and to always be a source of comfort and love. I promise to be your partner in life, to build a future with you filled with laughter, love, and mutual respect. I also vow to submit to your wills and make you proud to be my Masters. I love you both so much, today, tomorrow, forever, and beyond.”
As she finished speaking, Sadie tied the cord in a square knot that lay on top of their joined wrists and stepped back.
Derek then stepped forward and placed a hand above and below the cord. “These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes: both tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness and hold you in fear or grief. These are the hands that will hold you as you struggle through difficult times and give you support and encouragement as you chase your dreams. And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken love and tenderness with just a touch. I now pronounce you a loving, committed triad. May you find a lifetime of happiness together.”
With that, Serena’s tears spilled over, racing down her cheeks as her men eased the knotted cord from their arms and placed it carefully in a box Sadie held out to them. Once the cord was safe, Ford stepped forward, pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her. As soon as he broke the kiss, Noah pulled her away from him and kissed her as well.
By the time he released her, Serena’s knees were wobbly and she was not sure she would be able to stand without one or the other of them to help hold her up. As if they could read her mind, both men stepped in close, bracketing her between then.
Once they realized the ceremony was over, the crowd swarmed forward, congratulations, hugs and handshakes of their new friends adding to the joy of the day. Then they were led back to the main building where Chef Connor and his minions had laid out a picnic lunch of chicken tenders, spicy chili, and a number of salads. There were chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes with red frosting and what looked like chocolate flames for dessert.
Serena looked at her men and could only grin. “You guys are amazing to have done all this without me.”
Both men shrugged. “We had a lot of help,” they said in unison.
* * *
That evening, Ford watched with a smile as Noah waltzed Serena around the lobby. He’d had the first dance and now his husband and their subbie were celebrating. He wondered how awkward it would be if he joined them for the next dance.
The staff member running karaoke seemed to understand that slow songs were called for, and whoever was singing had an amazing voice. He only hoped she continued for at least another song or two.
When she began to sing a country song about a dozen roses that he recognized, Ford crossed to where his loves were dancing and wrapped an arm around each one. “May I join you?”
“Absolutely,” Noah said with a grin. “We were wondering how long it would take for you to come to your senses and realize your place was here on the floor with us.”
Shifting so they once again formed a three-person huddle, they shuffled and swayed and circled as the love songs kept playing.
Looking at Noah, Ford leaned in and gave the man a quick kiss. “We did it, lover. We got the girl.”
“We sure did. Plan Seducing Serena was a success,” Noah said as they both turned and kissed each side of their woman’s head.
She looked happy, but looking deep in her eyes, he saw she was worried about something. “What’s wrong, honey?”
She licked her lips and then looked from him to Noah and back again. “I was just wondering what happens when we get back home? What are we going to do about work? Do we go back to our own beds like we used to or are we going to share a room? And how do we do that without having everyone talk?”
Ford looked at Noah who met his gaze before slowly grinning. “You have your own room on the main floor. We can visit you after everyone else retires for the night. No one needs to know until we’re ready to tell them.”
“But—”
“Stop, subbie,” Ford ordered gently. “This is a matter for your Masters to deal with, not for you to worry about. Remember, as our woman and submissive, you follow our orders and life will be all imported beer and name-brand chips.”
Serena giggled and nodded. “Sorry, I forgot that part.”
Ford leaned down and kissed her. “For now, I think it’s time we retire for the evening since we have an early flight home tomorrow.”
Noah and Serena exchanged a quick look before they turned to face him again. “Aye aye, Captain.”
The End