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MARCUS EYED LEAH, FINISHING ANOTHER spoonful of ice cream. “What about the wedding?”
“What do you want it to look like? Venue? Timeframe? People?”
He scrunched his eyebrows in thought. “I dunno. What do you want?”
“Nope. I asked you.”
Sighing, he set down his spoon. “I always imagined, you know, the whole big wedding thing. My aunt is the queen, after all. But I know that’s not what you want.”
She mulled it over. It wasn’t what she wanted at all. She’d faintly learned to imagine getting to a place where she was capable of enduring a giant ceremony with all eyes on her, back before she’d gotten pregnant, but now...
That didn’t mean this was going to be one-sided. He deserved to get something he wanted, and maybe that was a sacrifice Leah could make. Or maybe even if it was something small in the Green Lands, his mom could be there, to make up for missing the birth?
“You know me: crowds and I don’t get along. And I would have literally no one on my side of the wedding that wasn’t already on your side, because I’m absolutely not inviting anyone from my mom’s side of the family. But I can ... do what you want...”
“That doesn’t exactly sound like an ideal bridal situation.”
Her heart was heavy. Couldn’t she just have this special day without guilt? A bride getting what she wanted? “I know, but we agreed to compromise, to meet in the middle.”
His eyes were warm, his voice soft. “All I’ve ever wanted was you.”
She had to blush at that. Since they weren’t eating the ice cream anymore, she put the lid back on and took it to the freezer. “You know, that’s not completely true. You haven’t always wanted me.”
“Lies.”
“Hmm.” She nestled into his arms on the couch. “Exhibit A: dating that human girl after I asked you out.”
“What? Exhibit A: I thought a super pretty and bold girl asked me to shoot archery, and I made an idiot of myself by calling it a date and finding out she did not consider it a date.”
Leah let out a breathy chuckle. “But after I asked you on a real date, you went on two dates with some human girl! I was throwing myself at you!”
“Hey, now. I’d already asked her on the first, and I didn’t want to be rude.”
“And the second? That was torture waiting for you to decide.”
“She asked, and I felt bad saying no.”
“You admit you were spineless?”
His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered playfully. “You don’t get to be mad, because you didn’t even like me yet.”
She pouted. “I liked you as a friend. And I definitely liked the way your butt looked in jeans...”
He nibbled her ear, exploring her body ever so gently with his hands. She was putty in his arms.
“So, what do you want?” he asked.
“Right now?”
He knew exactly what he was making her want.
Kissing the back of her head, he slid his hands to her giant stomach. “How about we figure that out in a few minutes? For now, what do you want with the wedding?”
Right. Yes. That...
“Honestly, I’m willing to compromise, but my ideal right now is just ... us. Make it official. I kind of even would like to do it before the babies come. Is that weird? Would you hate having me this big for our wedding?”
“I’d be okay with all of that. I was the one who wanted to move up our timeline, remember?”
She narrowed her eyes, resting her head on his chest. “You’d really be okay with an elopement?”
“We’re already halfway there.”
There were two bridal shops in the area, and Leah went to them both. It was depressing. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t have entire sections dedicated to dresses designed for superpregnant mothers. And the plus-size options were abysmal.
And she was shopping alone. Marcus offered to join her, but she wanted to keep something a surprise for the wedding. If she hadn’t nearly died of mortification from her visit at the cottage, Leah might have considered breaking the no-family ban to shop with Camry.
This was one of those events she imagined she would have loved to do with her mom... At least ... the mom she’d known before coming to the Green Lands.
At the first shop, a spiteful voice told her it was a joke for a slut like Leah to even consider a white dress. She almost listened to it. But she wanted white, so she reminded that voice to take a hike. She prayed that someday down the road, it would be faint enough for her to not keep hearing those kinds of comments.
At the second shop, her own guilt told her she didn’t need a special dress to elope, and it wasn’t her money to spend. This was going to go on Kaylah’s card.
She tried to push past that one, because Kaylah would want her to be happy. But ... it was a hefty fee they were quoting to take a frumpy plus-size option and rush fit it to her.
Leah stared at herself in a mirror, adorned in a ghastly lace-covered dress that was tight on her stomach and baggy everywhere else. She did not feel like a bride.
They still wanted to make a sale. “I think it’s great you’re doing it now; that way you and your babies can share their dad’s last name, right?”
Leah laughed way more than she ought to. Ivy society was matriarchal. With some exceptions in the Elonta and Elanna royal line, the woman’s surname was taken by her husband and children. But none of that actually mattered for Leah and Marcus. They already had the same last name—Elonto. Exactly five people in both worlds—human or Green Lands—shared that last name, one designated for royalty-adjacent misfits like them...
After the failed assassination attempt, Leah was offered a choice as to what she would be called. She wasn’t fond of keeping her human-world alias—Edwards. It had all been a lie, and she’d wanted to leave it behind as she started a new life. She’d wanted nothing to do with her mom’s family because of the way they’d treated Bomen, so she also turned down their surname—Remsgard. As her dad had been a prince, Leah was given the Elonto option.
Leah’s shoulders slumped. Why was she in a dress shop letting someone try to talk her into this gosh-awful getup that she was going to pay way too much money on and feel guilty about, just to hate it?
“I’m going to have to think about it, but thanks.”
With all the charm and sweetness of condescension coated in a bucket of sugar, the saleswoman addressed her. “No offense, honey, but your wedding is soon, and that baby bump isn’t getting smaller.”
Yep, that sealed the deal. “Then I’ll pass, thanks.”
Leah returned home and did some online searching. She found a website that offered beautiful bridesmaids dresses, including maternity options, and you could change the color to white. Happy to pay for rush shipping, she whipped out the card and let out a huge breath of relief.
***
Human–green-folk relations had become more complex in the last two decades as Seeder and Ivy societies made drastic changes, and their interactions with humans took on new purposes.
Admittedly, a lot of what green folk did in the human world was technically illegal. They all used fake identities to travel, obtain bank accounts, and study. But as long as it was done in the right spirit, keeping the Green Lands secret and safe, then those in the know overlooked it.
The marriage license would be a fake, but despite that, all human-world marriages were recognized as legal back in the Green Lands.
Leah’s wedding dress arrived. It was a simple flowy design, and it made her smile. It fit just right around her stomach and chest, so she was grateful she’d ordered a size up.
They found a local pastor to perform the ceremony, but they needed a witness. It was awkward to confess they didn’t have anyone. The pastor offered to have his wife attend. Leah and Marcus said they’d think about it.
Lying in bed, they snuggled up to each other, chatting about their day and making final decisions.
“How was your meeting with the nurse today?” Marcus asked.
“Pretty good.” She threaded her fingers through his curly hair. “I definitely wish I’d started learning earlier.”
If left untrained, she’d have to endure the birth much like unmedicated humans did, which was a terrifying thought. With her trained, it should go much smoother—quicker and minimally painful, fast to heal. But the training was complex. It was similar to how she’d heard Seeder flight was achieved, in that she’d have to shift her energy to the right places in her body to help the process along. It would help prevent injury and aid healing, all the while she’d try to keep her calm and focus on her chemical arts to balance things out.
Marcus smiled. “You’ll do great.”
She adjusted herself on the bed. “And what are your thoughts on the wedding witness?”
He softly grunted. “It’s weird having someone witness who we don’t actually know.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, and there’s another option that doesn’t involve family... And they’re kind of mutual.”
“Yeah?”
Leah bit her lip. “What about seeing if Jake can make it?”
Marcus instantly lit up. “Really?”
She smiled as well. “Really. Why don’t you message him and see if he wants to come? As long as he can keep a secret. And ... you can enjoy a bachelor’s night with him.”
Marcus kissed her, then grabbed his phone from the bedside table. He typed up a message. After sending it, he gave Leah another smooch and cuddled back up. “But if we do a bachelor’s night, what will you do?”
Jake and his girlfriend, who Leah had met in high school, were still together, but long distance, as she’d started to attend a university a few states away.
Leah breathed deeply, something that came with more effort these days. “I’ll be happy here. I’ve been neglecting my journal with all the wedding and baby preparations.”
Marcus wouldn’t get drunk or have strippers; neither he nor Jake were like that. They’d probably play video games all night. “Are you sure?”
“My gift. Go have fun.”
He eyed her skeptically. “We’ll see what Jake says.”
Jake responded soon enough and cleared his schedule. It didn’t take much convincing for Marcus to agree to a bachelor’s night since they hadn’t seen each other in nearly a year.
And Leah really was fine hanging out at the apartment. Marcus came home shortly after midnight. He took a half day at work that Friday, and cleaned up, donning a sharp black suit. Leah wore a cute pink maternity dress she’d found, and Marcus carried her wedding dress in a garment bag.
It was a calm day in late April, and Leah’s birthday. She’d always grown up celebrating her birthday in late November. That had been one of many lies told to her by her mother. The lie had been somewhat understandable, given Beata’s paranoia about being found while in hiding. More than one of her aides had gone missing, and she’d always been afraid they had ratted on her, disclosing that she’d given birth in the human world.
Leah might have continued to celebrate on the November date if it had been any other day. Beata had been paranoid, but also too sentimental and guilt-ridden about her husband. She’d always celebrated Leah’s birthday on Soren’s birthday. The moment Leah had learned that, she’d chosen to celebrate on her true birthday.
It was a fitting day to be a bride. She celebrated another year of her life, and would soon bring new life into the world. This wedding would give her and Marcus a new start.
They met the pastor at the church, and Leah excused herself to get changed. Marcus lingered outside the door, and soon enough his voice became louder, joined by Jake’s. Leah had only seen Jake once since she’d moved to the Green Lands. This would be fun for her too.
As the guys shot the breeze, Leah struggled to zip up the dress; it got caught on the fabric. Her vines could reach the zipper, but couldn’t grasp it well enough to tug it free. She carefully cracked the door. “Marcus, I need your help,” she muttered.
“Yeah, sure.” He stepped up to the door. “But you said I couldn’t see you yet.”
She huffed. “Then close your eyes. It’s not that hard to feel a zipper.”
The door creaked as it widened, and his hands slipped inside the changing room. And then those hands roamed everywhere but the zipper. “I can’t seem to find it.”
“Stop it,” she scolded.
“Ope, there it is. I’m usually much better blindfolded, aren’t I?”
She blushed. “Stop it! We’re in a church,” she whispered.
“You never attended church a single time in this world,” he whispered back, freeing the stuck zipper.
“So what? I know how to act in one...”
He softly chuckled, zipping it and kissing her on the neck.
“Thank you. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She straightened her dress and touched up her kissproof lipstick. Did she feel like a bride? Kinda? None of this was going the way she’d imagined growing up. But a smile still came to her lips, her anticipation building.
Leah took a deep breath and stepped out of the changing room for her big reveal, into the hallway where the guys chatted again.
She smiled brightly at Jake. “Hey!”
He did not smile. His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened, staring right at her baby bump. “Wow, Leah, you’re... Wow!”
Rolling her eyes, she stood taller. “Pointing out how huge a massive pregnant bride is isn’t the most polite thing to do.”
Jake looked confused. “No. I just ... didn’t know you were!”
Placing her hands on her hips, she turned to Marcus. He stood there smirking. “You didn’t tell him?!”
Marcus let out a goofy laugh. “I thought it would be more fun if it was a surprise!”
She lightly smacked his arm. “Not funny.”
He kept laughing.
Jake recovered enough to pick up his jaw. “I mean, you look great, Leah.”
“Mhmmm...”
“And it’s twins,” Marcus said.
Jake looked as confused as they had been about that announcement, and Marcus clarified that they weren’t the first Bomen twins out there.
“Cool,” Jake said. “I was wondering why you guys weren’t having a big wedding back in the kingdom... So, this is why?”
Leah bit her lip. No talk of back home. No guilt or spiraling. “Nope. We just wanted it to be small, and to collude with our friend again. Like old times.” She winked.
He gave her an ironic grin.
“We shouldn’t keep the pastor waiting,” Marcus said, offering his hand.
Leah took it, and they headed toward the room the pastor had designated for the ceremony.
“You do look breathtaking,” Marcus whispered in her ear.
The ceremony was short. No pomp and circumstance. Just three friends and a stranger with authority to seal the deal. Leah held a bouquet, and they exchanged simple vows. She didn’t cry, but she was at peace, a calmness settling into her soul. Marcus’s smile was a mile wide.
They took a few pictures on their phones at the church and on the surrounding grounds. Everything was in bloom, and even if the spring here didn’t hold quite the idyllic beauty it did in the Green Lands, this particular one couldn’t be beat.
After Leah changed back into her more casual dress, the trio of friends went out for steak.
They gabbed and laughed. It wouldn’t be everyone’s idea of a successful wedding day, but it worked for them.
After occupying their table for far too long, the group said their goodbyes and parted ways.
Marcus had rented a car for the weekend, and he drove Leah to a resort forty-five minutes away.
It wasn’t until they checked in and settled in that Leah fully relaxed, fully processed everything. A simple brand-new ring she’d bought for Marcus now gleamed on his finger as he carried in their things.
They were married. Man and wife. Woman and husband. Soon-to-be parents. Best friends.
Leah rested on the sofa, glancing out the sliding glass door to a balcony.
“I only have one regret about our wedding,” Marcus said.
She frowned.
“We didn’t get to dance. But we can do that now...” He pulled out his phone, selected some music, and extended his hands.
Smiling, she took them and hoisted herself up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him lead.
“Music,” Marcus said. “I think I miss music most about the human world when I’m back home. Because you don’t need a band over here to listen to it. And you don’t have to hear me screeching out songs like a tree full of chatterbirds during mating season.”
Leah chuckled as they swayed. “You’re not that bad.”
He beamed, sneaking a kiss. “How does it feel to be married?”
She drew lazy circles on his neck with her thumbs. How did it feel? They’d already been living together. Had already started a family together. People said it was only a piece of paper all the time. Leah used to think that way. But something special clicked into place for her in that moment, as he held her in his arms, her belly poking against his. He’d promised in his vows that he would always be by her side, and she believed it. They’d come so far, grown so much.
Her life had been an incomplete puzzle, all askew, a mess. She’d been fighting to line up the pieces, to match up the colors and patterns, and most of the time floundering.
There were still a lot of pieces left to sort, so much unknown about the future. But this day, this little step, was like snapping the last piece of the border into place. It gave her a secure framework. It gave her hope and happiness. And Marcus had always been that for her. Marcus was her home.
Her heart full, tears gathered in her eyes. “It feels great.”