Chapter 21
Sasha
What was I thinking? That leaving Carter was the right thing? That he wouldn’t come after me?
We were meant to be together.
Forever.
I’m wearing the dress that proves it.
I stand, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. My beautiful mother is behind me, her hand sits on my shoulder. There are happy tears in her eyes.
The white silk is almost creamy to the touch. I brush my hands down, smoothing the wrinkleless gown.
It’s perfect.
And he bought it for me.
It fits me like a glove. I look like a Greek goddess.
I almost want to cry when I think of the tennis dress I’d bought to be married in. Thank goodness he saved me from that.
We will be wed on the beach.
The aquamarine water, clear almost to the sandy bottom, will be our décor.
We will be surrounded by our family. My parents will get to hear us exchange vows. Luckily for their broken English, Bronson gave us the go-ahead, and we’ll be able to unify our wedding and Bachman ceremony as one, as they’ll have no idea what’s going on.
I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he’s done all of this for me. Organized the flights. The ceremony. The reception. It was all his big plan—he was going to take me on a trip and surprise me with this wedding.
I just happened to get here a few days early.
At least that’s what Carter tells me before he kisses me when I apologize for the hundredth time.
We will be wed. Then we will have a short honeymoon and I’ll finally get to experience the family’s island for myself. Then we will go home.
Where I will be properly punished for my little escapade.
Now I walk down the makeshift aisle to him. My father’s arm linked with mine. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of my groom… He looks striking in the tux he’d worn here to rescue me from myself. His golden hair is slicked back, his beautiful green eyes smile down upon me.
“You look stunning, my bride,” he whispers to me. The smile that stretches on his face is one of pride and love. Our hands interlock as the sun sets behind us. Our family dabs at their happy tears, their hair ruffling in the breeze against their sun-kissed faces.
The string quartet that has been playing quietly in the background stops. There is no sound save for the gentle crash of the waves upon the shore. The time has come for our vows. The ones I was so looking forward to.
The ones I thought I’d lost my chance to say.
My voice trembles as I repeat after Rockland, our acting officiant.
“Carter Bachman, I promise to love and care for you, and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal wife, accepting of your guidance and your protection. I love you.” When he slips the ring onto my finger, tingles dance down my arm.
The platinum circle signifying eternity, a never-ending union of our two souls.
The metal feels heavy, grounding on my finger.
With shaky hands, I slide a wider matching band onto his strong finger.
Now it’s time for me to become an official member of the family.
The sun is setting over the ocean. The sky becomes dusky. The family each has an unlit candle in their hand.
John approaches us. He hands a red leather Bachman’s jewelry box to Carter.
Carter speaks, his gaze fixed on mine. “All Bachman women wear this necklace. It is a symbol of our creed, the way we live our lives, the eternal care of a man for a woman. For as long as the stars have lit the sky, men have cared for and loved the woman they have pledged their lives to. And women have loved and obeyed those men, accepting them as the headship of their family. Choosing to give the gift of their submission to these men—men who would lay down their lives for the ones they love. The sword is our symbol—the lengths we are willing to go to, the sacrifice we would willingly make.”
Carter takes the necklace from the box. I get a glimpse of it and my breath catches in my throat.
It’s gorgeous. The prettiest one I’ve seen. In a platinum setting, the sword is made of dazzling black diamonds.
He steps around me. His body brushes up against my back.
He brings the chain around my neck. The little charm sits heavy against my chest. His fingers are at the back of my neck, clasping the delicate necklace into place.
His hands rest on my shoulders. “Sasha, I freely give you this symbol and pledge my very life to you. Do you accept?”
“I do.”
I throw my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. His hands press into my lower back, strong and warm.
When my eyes open, I find each Bachman holding an unlit candle. Carter turns to John, taking his candle, and lighting John’s. John lights Mary’s, and the gesture continues down the line until there are dozens of twinkling lights dotting the beach.
Rockland continues overseeing the ceremony.
He stands tall and proud, his linen suit jacket fluttering in the wind.
He holds a candle in his own hand, holding it high as he speaks.
“Fire, also as timeless as the Earth, symbolizes the Bachman family’s pledge to one another.
To guide, care for, and protect one another above all others.
Bachmans, do you accept the union of Sasha and Carter? ”
We do, the hushed voices reply.
The sound is beautiful. My heart wells.
“And Bachmans, do you pledge to care for and protect Sasha and Carter, as you would your own blood?” he asks.
We do.
“And how long will you hold these two in your care?”
Forever.
I stare up at Carter, his face shining back at me. A smile stretches across my face as joy fills me. Forever isn’t long enough.
Rockland turns to me. He leans over me, kissing me softly on the cheek, his beard tickling my skin. He whispers to me, “Welcome to the Bachman family, Sasha. Give ‘em hell.”
The quiet reverence of the evening is broken with rowdy cheers.
Carter gives me one long kiss, then releases me to my parents. They hug me and kiss me and whisper words of adoration in their native tongue. Then I’m passed from person to person, my new family welcoming me.
Bringing me into their fold.
Forever.