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The sun was setting, the bottom edge just touching the water, turning the ocean to liquid fire.
Zach stared at it, his mouth dry, his chest aching, and more scared than he had been in a long time.
He took a deep breath, turned away from the beach, and knocked on the door.
Misty opened it, and immediately started closing it again.
“No.” Zach caught the edge. “I need to talk to you. Please, Misty.”
She studied him, her blue eyes narrowed. “You’re serious.”
Relief and nerves swept through him when she let go of the door and stepped back.
He moved inside and closed the door, bracing himself before he faced her. God help him, she was so beautiful, wearing a gown that skimmed over her body, revealing her shoulders, and her bare feet. She’d left her waist length blonde hair down, and it floated around her instead of a veil. The crown of flowers she planned to wear was sitting on a table next to the mirror.
“I—God, you’re beautiful.”
“So are you.” She moved to him, straightening the lapel of his dark blue suit. He was also barefoot, a condition Misty insisted on for everyone who was part of the wedding, including the guests. “What’s wrong, Zach? You’re not getting cold feet, are you? Because I’ll drag you out to the minister if I have to.”
“No. I wanted to make sure you were sure. I guess that answers my question.”
“Is all this hesitating because of your new gift?”
He closed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. For one blessed month after his confrontation with Ariel, he had been normal. Then he woke one night in a sweat, with the desperate need to find.
It was the only gift that had returned—so far. And it wasn’t nearly as powerful, or as debilitating, as before. Just as unpredictable as hell. He was still figuring out how to control it.
“It’s not going to be easy.”
“Oh, golden boy—you have never been easy. It’s one of the many things I love about you.” She kissed his cheek and gently pushed him to the door. “Now get out there, Zachariah Wiche, because I’m going to marry you.”
Before he knew how it happened, he stood outside the door of her hotel room, the cool fall breeze ruffling his hair. When he turned around, Simon waited for him, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, a smile tugging at his mouth.
“Last minute jitters?”
“No. Just—yeah.” He sighed, relieved to be able to talk to the only person who would really understand. “I don’t want her to be saddled with a defective—”
“Stop right there.” Simon closed both hands over Zach’s shoulders. “That gorgeous, smart, caring young woman is going into this with eyes wide open. She’s crazy about you, Zach, and I know you feel the same about her. Now let’s get out there so you can marry her.”
He grabbed Zach by the arm and led him across the wooden boardwalk and down the stairs to the beach. Mom had arranged for the private beach behind the hotel to be empty for the ceremony, and only a few select guests had been invited.
Alex waited at the back of the aisle created by the guest chairs, wearing the soft blue bridesmaid dress Misty had spent hours agonizing over. She set her bouquet of white roses on the closest chair and hugged him, hard.
“You look amazing, Zach. Misty’s been floating on clouds for weeks now.”
“She has?”
With a smile, Alex patted his cheek. “Get up there, gorgeous, and make my best friend deliriously happy.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him before she let him go. Behind her, Sam raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t look threatening, or threatened. The engagement ring on Alex’s hand probably had something to do with that. Misty had been doing double duty, with Alex and Sam planning a Christmas wedding.
Simon prodded him and he kept going, stopping in front of the minister. Simon tugged down on his cap, his sunglasses helping to disguise his face. It took a lot of convincing for Simon to be his best man. When Eric and Marcus agreed to wear caps and sunglasses, Simon finally said yes.
He stood next to Zach, and even with the glasses, Zach knew he was watching Diana. She sat close to the back, radiant in a soft green dress, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. They were an unlikely couple, but Simon hadn’t been this happy in—ever. And Diana looked like she wasn’t haunted by her gift. He was thrilled for his friend, and hoped the love he saw on Diana’s face went both ways. Simon deserved a woman who could love him, completely.
The soft sound of a guitar filled the air, and Zach jerked. This was it.
Mom walked down the aisle with Marcus, and took a seat in front, winking at Zach. She looked amazing, wearing a rich turquoise gown that highlighted her long, red brown hair. Annie walked down the aisle next, holding Eric’s arm, both of them glowing with happiness.
Alex came next, as maid of honor. She held Lizzie’s hand, smiling as the toddler carefully, methodically spread pink rose petals on the sand. Alex kissed Lizzie’s cheek when they reached the front, and she scampered over to Annie, hugging her leg.
He swallowed as the familiar music started. Misty appeared, holding a bouquet of pink and white roses and wearing the flower crown, more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. She walked down the aisle, tall, graceful, her gaze on him the whole time.
Like they had practiced it a hundred times, he stepped to her and took her hand.
“I love you,” he whispered.
Her smile was radiant. “I love you back.”
“Ready?”
“You bet.”
Laughter floated over them, and Zach smiled, no longer nervous, or embarrassed. He was in the right place, with the right girl. And he was going to marry her.
The minister raised his hands. “Friends, family, honored guests. I believe this young couple is anxious to get started.”
Zach barely remembered the ceremony, except when he repeated his vows, and finally slipped the thin, etched silver band on her finger. “I do.”
Misty smiled at him, tears shining in her eyes, as she did the same, holding his hand tightly after she slid the matching silver ring on his finger. “I do.”
The minister said the words he’d been waiting for. “I now pronounce you husband and wife, joined together, now and forever. You may kiss your bride, young man.”
Zach pulled Misty into his arms, leaning his forehead against hers. “Hey, wife.”
She laughed. “Hey, husband. So, you planning to kiss me?”
“Duh.”
Applause surrounded them when he kissed her—and the last, empty corner of his heart overflowed with the joy he felt.
When they came up for breath, he touched her face, tracing her cheek.
“Nervous, golden boy?”
He knew exactly what she was referring to. “Are you?”
“Excited. And nervous.”
“Me, too.” He kissed her again, smiling against her lips when several loudly clearing throats announced that they hadn’t quite finished the ceremony.
Taking Misty’s hand, he turned to his family and friends, the people who had changed his life in some way or another. The minister stepped to them and placed a hand on their shoulders. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present Misty and Zach Wiche.”
The roar of shouts and applause echoed across the beach, and everyone surged forward to congratulate them.
Mom reached him first, hugging him so tightly he expected his ribs to creak. “I am so happy for you, sweetheart.” She turned to Misty and hugged her almost as hard. “You look so beautiful, honey. Welcome to the family.”
Eric stepped forward to congratulate him, and he watched Alex throw her arms around Misty, both of them laughing wildly. Annie slid in next to him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Congratulations, bud. Damn, you make me feel old.”
“I only look twenty, Annie.” He winked, and she laughed, kissing him noisily on the cheek.
“Zach!” Lizzie tugged on his trouser leg. “Up! Up!” He picked her up, and smiled when she gave him an equally noisy kiss. “Kisses like Mommy.”
“Thank you, Lizzie. Now my day is perfect.” He nuzzled her neck and she giggled, twisting to get away from him. He handed her over to Annie, and hugged them both. “Thank you for being here, for standing up for me.”
“You’re family, Zach. We’ll always stand for you.”
She hugged Lizzie and turned, heading for Eric. Mom stood with Marcus, holding hands, watching Zach as she talked to him. He smiled and waved, understanding now why she’d fought so hard for Marcus, even when Zach had selfishly wanted her all to himself.
He looked at the people around him, an unlikely group, all of them so important to him. The most important slipped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. She had taken off the flower crown, and the evening breeze ruffled her silky hair.
“Ready to dance and eat until we’re ready to fall over?”
“Only if you’re there.”
She lifted her head. “Always, Zach.”
He kissed her, joy a light in his heart.
“I love you, Misty Wiche.”
“I love you back, Zach Wiche. Now and forever.”
“That’s good, because you’re stuck with me.”
Her laughter wrapped around him, as warm as the smile in her blue eyes.
“No place else I’d rather be.”
He took her hand and walked across the sand, toward the hotel.
Toward a future they would create. Together.
~ *** ~
Thank you for sharing Zach and Simon’s adventure. I’ve enjoyed sharing their stories with you.
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I’ll leave you with a sneak peek of Second Son, the prequel to an exciting fantasy series, The Shattered Throne, which is now available. Enjoy!