After the initial shock and the Boolt family embracing their.. new daughter, the other sixteen girls the first time ever by the way, all found partner of their own. Considering how usually about 50% of them refused since they didn't find the suitors acceptable, it was a resounding success.
We surrounded Miri and waited for her response once the crowd thinned a little. She woke up and smiled with a mature air around her.
"It's.. a shock. But her.. desperation was a stench. I'll be glad to be rid of.. at least know we now why dear Stuart refused my advances."
""Mnnn.."""
"It's time..!! ZEPHYR..let's go." Alexander's voice scared us all as Zephyr was taken away by the man abruptly, now rejoined by Carlos and the creep wanderer. I saw him one last time with a bright smile before they disappeared through the door.
I was spun around and almost toppled as Demelza and Liz started our final preparations.
"What are you going to say..!?" Eli asked a little panicked.
"I.. will repeat what he says.. if it's good. If not.. I'll make up something. Hopefully, his will be good enough."
Mother brought one of the expensive whiskies Carlos got drunk on when we met him.
"Let us toast .." she gave each of us a cup and filled them to the brim. "..to my daughter. Sweetheart, you were ..sad.. as long as I can remember. It used to break my heart, how you might carry that sadness forever."
She wiped the sad memory away from her expression and quickly continued.
"Look at you now.. Everything came together just as I always dreamed. To you sweetheart the soon to be Lylly Wold Astoria CHEERS!!"
We all emptied that cup with little difficulty.
I had to go and take a seat. It was a lot. The situation, the drink, the memories of this place. I watched the room where we spent some important moments. It was an incredibly important place.
"You ready, Sisi?" Eli knelt in front of me, her eyes shining with tears.
One breath, two..
I stood up and took her hand. "Don't let me fall.."
"Right back at you.."
~
The tavern was left to others to finish, but I had nothing to worry about. The music was light and happy fitted perfectly, just as sampled a few days ago. The long hall, the fireplace running in the middle, more than a hundred inside the rest near the building. Identical chairs filled with beautifully dressed people all of their eyes on me.
My eyes?
There he was!!.. waiting with granny at the end of the tavern under a beautiful carved wooden altar surrounded by the same flowers like the rest of the walls.
He smiled, and I was glad for the whisky. My hands were sweaty, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Before I made my walk, they took seats, and the one walking down the aisle was my daughter. With each step, I felt wobbly and delirious.
We arrived. I leaned down, and Anna tiptoed, gave me a big kiss.
"Good luck.. don't wobble.."
"Thank you, princess.."
She sat between her grandmother and big grandmother.
I stood in front of the man who never looked more relaxed or sure of himself. His confidence gave my legs back and settled my mind.
Granny waited until the people settled and the music died down.
"Ehlite bless those.. all those who stand in front of him with pure and open hearts. Today, we witness.. two hearts join as one." She teared up doing the best she could.
"Have you prepared anything, Zephyr Astoria?"
He smiled confidently. "Yes."
"I will love you my whole life.. you, and no other."
Hmm.. I almost ruined it with my tears.
"And, I you.. you, and no other.. forever."
Less than twenty words.. each perfection.
Alexander stepped over and handed us our wedding bands. We placed it on each other's fingers, mine joined the engagement ring harmonizing beautifully.
Granny wrapped a black and blue cloth around our joined hands.
"You may kiss your wife.."
And he did.. it was sweeter and gentler than ever before, I felt his tears mix with mine.
"Forever..
"Forever..
The crowd almost ruptured our ears.
"""CONGRATULATIONS!!!"""
..and with that.. our life as husband and wife finally beginning.