Chapter 23 #2
“Ravishing?” Joy supplied.
“Stunning?” Montana added.
“Like an absolute vision?” Mercy tossed out there.
His brown eyes fastened on mine. “You look more beautiful than the art you create.”
I wrapped my arms around him, tempted to kiss his soft lips. “Good answer.”
Before jumping into it, I cast my gaze on the scene and memorized every detail.
The dappled light on the grass, how lovely Cecilia looked in her brown skirt and blouse and the way Archer couldn’t take his eyes off her even though she wasn’t the star of the show.
Little Violet wore a yellow dress like her mother, who was struggling to hold the wiggly girl.
Lakota stood behind Melody, his arms wrapped around her.
Robyn had on a teal dress, and Montana sported a copper suit jacket.
The men must have all gone to the same store and bought a jacket in a different shade.
Lucian stood to the left of the floral archway next to a tripod, which held his phone.
“Is that my mom?” I asked in surprise. Sometimes reception could be unreliable.
He nodded. “The microphone’s clipped on the archway so she can hear everything.”
I waved at the camera and then blew multiple kisses. “I love you, Mom. This is Salem, the love of my life. I can’t wait for you to meet him in person.”
Salem smiled. “We had a long video chat while Lucian was testing the connection. She has lots of interesting stories.”
When I spotted the microphone clipped on a stem, I walked over and whispered, “You better not have told him about the time I shifted at the zoo.”
As I rejoined the confused-looking crowd, Atticus held a fist to his mouth to conceal his laugh.
With her hands clasped in front of her, Eden smiled patiently.
She must have officiated all types of ceremonies and seen everything.
We discussed expectations a few days ago, and she said it was up to us how we wanted the ceremony to go.
Whether she would do all the talking, if we had written vows, if we wanted everyone attending to give their blessings. There were no rules.
I nodded, signaling we were ready.
Eden addressed the gathering. “Salem and Quinn asked me to say a few words.” She cleared her throat, and Bear nudged Virgil, who was still singing at a lower volume. Virgil waggled his eyebrows at me after quieting.
Catcher trotted up to the floral archway, sniffed one of the flowers, then plopped down on his stomach with his hind legs stretched back.
I hooked my arm in Salem’s and faced Eden.
“You two look lovely,” she began. “Every mating ceremony is special for a different reason. That’s why I never memorize a speech.
When I look at you two, I see the epitome of unconditional love and devotion.
Truth be told, I never imagined Salem settling down.
” She locked eyes with him. “It has nothing to do with your personality. All kinds of people find love, but your work ethic is like mine. It takes a special individual with patience, respect, and understanding to be willing to share her time with your career. It doesn’t hurt that she has her own business. ”
A few chuckles circulated.
“Something we all eventually learn is that love has a beginning and an end. As long as you don’t close off your heart, that love creates a continual circle. If you turn around, you’ll see that circle behind you.”
We both did, and the weight of her words landed on my heart. I wished my father were here to see this, but even with his loss, love had never left my life.
“We are all gathered to celebrate another joyous coupling between two people who are chosen life mates. Every moment we have with our other half is precious. Time is never promised to any of us, but you two live in the moment more than anyone I’ve ever known.
I speak for everyone here when I say that we wish you a lifetime of happiness.
” She turned her eyes to Salem and smiled.
“Salem Lockwood, do you take Quinn Ruble to be your life mate? Do you promise to be brave in difficult times? Will you be faithful and true, a partner she can always count on who will never take her for granted?”
Salem let out a breath. “I do. And I promise all those things.”
She turned her gaze to me. “And Quinn Ruble, do you promise to make this man smile and remember that life isn’t always serious?” Everyone quietly laughed. “Will you be brave in difficult times? Will you be a faithful and true mate who will never take him for granted?”
An awkward silence passed.
Eden flicked her eyes between us. “Quinn?”
I smiled nervously. “I was waiting for the part where you ask if I take him to be my mate.”
Tak’s laughter startled me, and when I smiled over my shoulder at him, I caught Hope squeezing his arm.
Eden canted her head and gave an earnest smile. “Do you take Salem Lockwood to be your life mate?”
“Yes. I choose Salem to be my mate, and I promise all of the above.” I turned my gaze up to Salem. “Forever.”
“Then go on and kiss your man!”
Thunderous applause erupted when I wrapped my arms around my husband’s neck and delivered a long and passionate kiss. Not the hurried kind with tongue, but one more binding than any vow.
Then I gazed into his soft brown eyes and rubbed my nose against his. “You’re mine now, Salem Lockwood. I guess this means I’m Quinn Lockwood.”
“I thought you wanted to be like Cher or Madonna with one name?”
“That was before. Now I want everyone to know I’m yours and you’re mine.”
“How will they know I’m yours?”
“Because I’m going to tattoo my name across your chest.”
When he blinked with surprise, I stepped back and laughed at his reaction. He was so adorable.
Then I pulled his tie free from beneath his suit jacket. “Don’t be so serious, my love. Councilwoman’s orders.”
Lucian sidled up to Eden. “That was the longest speech yet. I was about to tie you up and drag you back to the house.”
She poked him in the chest. “Don’t threaten me with a good time. Wait, is that microphone still on?”
Everyone’s attention drew upward when a cardinal landed on top of the archway.
“Salem, look!” I exclaimed. “It’s just like the one I gave you.”
Tak appeared with a giant stick of burning sage. He began smudging the area where we stood, the smoke swirling around in the air until the red cardinal flapped its wings in protest and flew off.
“That’s bad mojo,” Lucian remarked. “You scared off the good luck charm with your giant ganja stick.”
Tak waved it all around him. “You need extra.”
After placing my crown on Cleo’s head, I gave Salem a quick kiss. “And now the second-best part—the window unveiling.”
“We’re heading back,” Salem announced. “Everyone stay outside until we call you in.”
Krys wolf whistled, which made a few of the guys cackle.
“That’s not what we’re doing,” Salem griped.
I took my cane from Hope. “Maybe it is.”
It was an arduous walk back to the house, and while Salem offered to carry me, it would rush the moment.
I wanted to hear the laughter and conversations behind us as we distanced ourselves.
I wanted to savor the sound of the wind chimes tangling in the chilly breeze while I fought to keep the chiffon fabric from flying everywhere.
It wasn’t fair that my sickness was accelerating so quickly. My left foot had been unforgivably numb all morning, but I didn’t mention it to anyone. Talking about every symptom wouldn’t make it go away. I was just grateful I still had my vision.
“I need help up the steps,” I admitted.
Salem hooked his arm around my waist and lifted me up each step with the utmost patience. When I glanced back, everyone was gradually making their way toward the house. All except Catcher, who shot like a bullet across the yard and around to the front.
Once inside the house, I admired the white lights strung up at nearly every turn. Part of me had hoped for a gloomy, dark day so we could stay indoors under this spell, but we didn’t need twinkle lights to make this day any more magical.
Striding across the living room, Salem headed out front, and I listened to the sound of him ripping away the paper outside. I stared up at the one inside, nervous butterflies tickling my belly.
When Salem returned, he had a startled grin on his face. “That looks incredible.”
“Does it?”
He circled his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead. “I meant all those things I promised you.”
“Same.” I unbuttoned his jacket and slid my arms around his waist. “You look like a movie star.”
Salem’s eyes darkened with desire. “Do you want to go upstairs?”
“Not yet.”
Our insatiable appetite for each other knew no bounds, and we were full swing in our honeymoon phase.
Sometimes in the shower, often in bed, and once in the garage.
We’d thought we were alone until the gym door opened and Archer scurried off without a word.
If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, he shut the garage door for us.
“Can we see?” Melody called out from the back.
“What if they hate it?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Impossible. They watched you work day and night and pour your heart into it.”
I made my way to the window while he escorted them in. A toasty fire crackled. When I glanced up at the warm lights that framed the window, which glowed behind the paper, my anxiety went through the roof.
While the pack eagerly shuffled in, I took a calming breath before gripping the long sheet of brown paper with both hands. Salem grabbed the other one hanging beside it and waited for my signal.
Tak emerged from the group, still wearing his red jacket, arms folded, his brow furrowed.
I nodded at Salem. With a hard jerk, we pulled the paper free from the tape. As it fell to the ground, glittering colors drew my attention up.