“Well, I hope you’ll be happy and get just what you deserve.”

“I’ll take that as a positive remark and let it go at that. Let’s go.” Brendan strode out of the house first, Ainsel following mouthing words to himself.

Brendan and Ainsel walked up the aisle of the tiny chapel and stood as indicated by the padre. The moment arrived, and a recording of the Bridal March began. Together, they turned and looked down the aisle.

The chapel held about one hundred total parishioners; today about ten or fifteen people had showed up for the ceremony in their Sunday best. Candles lit the interior, as well as the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows in the adobe. Brendan clasped his hands together and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. Suddenly he saw her.

Cassie entered the chapel with a handful of ivory roses. Their heady scent enveloped her and spread before her, scenting the nearby air. Her hair was swept up in a twist with curls and tendrils artfully hanging down her neck and over her ears. Her shoulders held up the barest of straps connecting her stunning gown of ivory satin and lace. The sheath of satin lay beneath a bodice of close fitting lace which flared out into an asymmetric overskirt and a short train. Brendan couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and his mouth curled into a crooked smile involuntarily. The whole of his world shrunk into her glittering eyes and hesitant smile.

At some point, the Padre spoke, and Cassie answered. Next question, Brendan answered. There was more music, softly playing in the background, and then Ainsel pressed a ring into his hand. The warm gold, heated in Ainsel’s pocket or hand, felt real and right. He closed his eyes for a moment and wished upon it happiness and joy, connection and communication, and most of all love, deep and abiding, never wavering, growing warmer and stronger year by year. He wove a quick spell over the ring and brought it to his lips to kiss it.

Cassie held out her hand, and Brendan placed the ring on her finger, repeating the words the Padre intoned. Solemn words for such a joyful event. Nonetheless, he followed the formula and held out his own hand for Cassie to place the other gold band on his hand. He felt a twinge of guilt for having stolen the ring from his father, but a moment later the feeling washed away in the upwelling of love he felt for Cassie. Nothing was too good for her, and he would do his best to see she got all the best of everything.

Cassie breathed a sigh of relief when the Padre said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” She looked at Brendan who was right next to her and a galaxy away, all at the same time. Smiling she leaned into his kiss, and as always felt the tingling starting where their lips met and flowing through the rest of her body. Today it had multiple colors, gold and purple with blue and red flecks, like tiny fireworks bursting inside her and behind her eyes.

The ceremony was beautiful, and it had been all she could have wanted, except for having her mother there to see it. She pushed that thought aside and pressed closer to Brendan, his warmth and solidity giving her a foundation to lean on. Ainsel scowled, but then that was his usual expression, nothing new.