“You’re lucky to have me.” Eliza reaches out and takes my hand in hers and carefully swipes a thin coat of pale pink polish over my nails. “I can do my best with those bruises, but I’m not sure if I can cover up that scratch on your face.”
“We can add a bit more healing balm,” Kristy suggests. She pulls my wedding dress out of the bag and hangs it up. It’s Saturday evening, and after spending the day at the spa with Eliza, I’m recharged and ready to get married.
“At this point I don’t even care,” I admit. “I’m here. Lucas is here. There’s a hellhound in my dressing room, but we’re all here.” I look up, carefully turning so I don’t risk moving my hand even a tenth of an inch or Eliza will yell at me.
“She’s so cute.” Abby tosses the squeaky potato and Scarlet takes off, scrambling after it.
“You would not be saying that if I took her collar off.”
“Does she look like Binx?”
“No. He’s a spirit, she’s…well, she’s a demon, I guess.”
“Who saved you by killing another demon?” Eliza looks up for half a second.
“Hey,” Kristy says, fluffing the skirt of my dress. “No demon talk. We are two hours away from the wedding. Happy thoughts only.”
I smile broadly, feeling my skin tug around the cut on my cheek.
Oh well. Really. I’m not going to get upset by a little scratch on my face.
Eliza finishes polishing my nails and then gets up, going into her room to get dressed and then to check on everything else. The sun has just set, and Kristy and Abby already went into the reception hall, making sure things were set up as they were supposed to be.
They took pictures and it’s gorgeous.
I hold my hands up in front of me, blowing on them so they dry. I’m not risking smudging the polish, though. I’ll give this a good ten minutes to dry.
I twist in my seat so I can see myself in the three-way mirror. I haven’t figured out a set way to do my hair, but it’s not really an issue. I point my finger at my head, magically pulling my hair into a low bun.
“Nope,” I say and shake my hair own. I try a fancy braid but don’t like it either. Abby watches, eyes wide, as I change up my hair with magic. Finally, I settled on a style that’s similar to what I wear most days, but with a bit pulled back. Kristy adds an antique hair pin, an Eliza comes back in to do my makeup.
An hour later, and I’m ready to go. I’ve never gotten dressed more carefully in my life, and both Eliza and my sister helped me step into my dress.
I haven’t seen Lucas since we arrived in Michigan last night. He texted me a few times, needing to make sure I was okay, but that’s the extent of our communication.
I’m dying to see him.
“Oh, Callie.” Abby looks at me with tears in her eyes. “You look beautiful.”
“She does,” Eliza agrees, looking as close to emotional as I’ll probably ever see her. “My maker does have good taste.”
I smile and look at myself in the mirror. I can’t believe we’re finally here. After everything we’ve been through, this day is finally happening.
“You have to stay here and be a good girl,” I tell Scarlet. “No barking and no ripping things up, okay?” I toss a handful of treats on the ground and look up to see Abby staring at me quizzically. Right. I speak angel-language when I talk to my hellhound.
“It’s a thing that happen. An, uh, angel thing.”
“Interesting.” She adjusts my necklace, centering it on my chest. “I’m going to make sure Penny is still semi-put together and then we’ll meet you outside for pictures.”
“Okay.”
Abby gives my hand a squeeze. “I love you, Cal.”
“I love you too.”
Eliza leaves the room first, making sure Lucas is actually in his room like he’s supposed to be. We both know he’s impatient when it comes to me, but I’m sticking to my guns about not wanting him to see me until I walk down the aisle.
Everyone I love and care for most in the world will be here soon to celebrate with us. I’ve never been happier in my life.
Tabatha and Evander are already outside, waiting with the photographer for me. I consider everyone here family, and Evander is just as much my brother as Abby is.
“My darling girl,” Tabatha’s eyes fill with tears and seeing her standing there makes me so emotional as well. I’m technically still part of the coven. She’s risking everything to be here. “You look like an angel.”
“Fine choice of words,” a deep voice says, coming from behind. I whirl around and my lips part as a shocked breath leaves me.
Michael steps from the shadows, followed by Julian. Tabatha and Evander both gasp and the photographer looks equally confused and awestruck. Archangels seem to have that effect on people.
“You’re here.” My eyes brim with tears that fall down my cheeks no matter how hard I try not to let them spill. “I’ve been praying for you for days.” Michael strides forward and takes me in his arms. “I am sorry, my daughter. It wasn’t safe to come. Though after that stunt my brother pulled, letting a legion of demons loose in New York City, our siblings were quite preoccupied.” Michael smiles and lets me go, running his eyes up and down me. “You look so much like your mother. She would be so proud.”
The photographer watched the exchange, not sure if she should start taking pictures or not. Julian holds up his hand and she stands frozen, eyes glossed over.
“I have something of hers for you.” Michael reaches into the suit jacket that he’s wearing and pulls out a delicate silver bracelet. “She wanted you to have this, if this day ever came.” He takes my wrist and puts the bracelet on. “I gave this to your mother when we found out she was expecting you.”
I blink away more tears.
“Now, let me fix this.” He puts his hand over my cheek. Golden light spills from his hands and the cut heals in an instant. “Can I walk you down the aisle?”
“Please do,” I say, voice thin as I try not to cry. “I need to tell you something.”
“Okay?”
“There’s a hellhound in my dressing room.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t kill her. She’s…she kind of saved my life.”
“Well, then I’ll take her back then.”
“To Hell?”
“Yes. Where she belongs. Don’t let my brother’s tricks fool you into thinking he’s kind. He cares about you, Callie, but not even I know his intentions.” He cups my face with his hands. “But don’t worry about that.” He closes his eyes and whispers something I can’t make out. A warmth fills me and the entire yard seems to glow for just a second.
“What was that?” I ask when he takes his hands off my face.
“A blessing.” He smiles and looks at Tabatha and Evander, who are standing there a little awestruck themselves. “I believe you need to have photos taken now.”
“Right.” Tabatha shakes herself and Julian waves his hand in front of the photographer’s face again. She blinks a few times and goes right back to where we left off.
Abby, Phil, and Penny come out next, and then I have several photos taken of me with Kristy, Nicole, and Naomi.
“I love you guys,” I tell my friends.
“We love you too,” Nicole gives me a big hug. “It’s almost time.” She smiles and I suck in a breath, excitement going through me. I go back inside, standing next to Michael.
Next to my father.
“Do you think I’m evil?” I rush out.
Michael turns to me and shakes his head. “No. You are many things, dear Callie, but not evil. I have no doubt in my mind. And your mother was sure as soon as she knew you were growing inside her, that you would do great things.”
I blink back tears again.
“Thank you.”
We wait a few minutes and then the music starts. I take in another breath. Michael hooks his arm through mine and walks me out of the little building. The night is perfect, being just warm enough to not need a jacket, but not overly warm. Stars dot the dark sky above us, and the sounds of the night meld in with the harp music perfectly.
Lucas is standing at the end of the aisle and he looks sinfully good in his black suit. His eyes get misty when he sees me, and everything else fades away.
The music.
The night.
The small crowd of people here to celebrate with us.
Michael gives my arm a little squeeze when we get to the end of the aisle.
“I am so proud of you,” he whispers and kisses my cheek before stepping back. My eyes are all watery as I look from him to Lucas.
“You look beautiful,” Lucas says. Kristy takes my bouquet and I hold out my hands for Lucas. His skin is cool and smooth, instantly comforting me. “I want to kiss you now.”
“You’re going to have to wait,” I whisper and blink back tears.
The officiant starts the ceremony, but her words are a bit lost on me as I stare into Lucas’s eyes. After everything we’ve gone through…how many times I almost died in the short time we’ve been together…we’re here now.
Together.
Lucas takes the rings from Evander and hands me his. Then he takes my left hand and smiles, unable to look away from my eyes.
“I, Lucas, take you, Callie, wife, my friend, my partner, and my love. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become. I promise you this, to love you freely and unconditionally, for all the days of my life.” He puts the ring on my finger.
I take his left hand and say the same vows. I, Callie, take you, Lucas, husband, my friend, my partner, and my love. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become. I promise you this, to love you freely and unconditionally, for all the days of my life.”
The officiant steps forward. “By the power of love and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss!”
Lucas grabs me, putting his lips to mine as our friends stand and cheer. We did it. We got married. We promised to love and honor each other for the rest of our lives.
And for us, the rest of our lives really does mean forever.