Epilogue
Early July…
Standing on the deck of the lakeside cabin, surrounded by the friends and family she loved, Charity listened with tears in her eyes as Justin spoke the vows he’d composed for the binding ceremony. Ethan stood before them conducting the ceremony, the first of its kind in Divine which affirmed their wedding vows while at the same time binding Val and Ransome to them.
Her heart thumped with love that seemed to fill her chest and spread outward as he kneeled before her and spoke with his heart in his eyes.
“With all my heart, I accept and welcome Valentine Teller and Ransome Cross as equal members into our union . Charity, I share your heart with them, sure in the knowledge that your love has multiplied, more than fulfilling us, rather than dividing between us.”
The water rippled in soft waves against the piers of the deck as Val kneeled before her, speaking simple vows to love, honor, protect, trust, and be faithful to her. Tears threatened as Val slid the slim, diamond-studded ring next to her wedding band and then wrapped his arms around her hips.
Sliding her fingertips around his nape, beneath the fall of his black silky hair, she leaned down as he gazed up at her with love in his eyes, and she kissed him long and tender.
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, she didn’t know how she’d continue without breaking down and blubbering, but she managed somehow as Ransome took his cousin’s place down on one knee before her.
“I’ve loved you most of my life, Charity, and I gladly bind my heart to yours, promising to love you, cherish you, be there for you in good times and in bad, for the rest of my days and beyond.” He paused for a moment before speaking what his eyes were also saying. “I love you with all my heart.”
He took the other wedding band from Justin and slid it up against the one Val had put on her finger and then wrapped his arms around her and stayed there, the two of them just breathing for several seconds before he rose to his feet.
Finally, Val and Ransome stood before her and she took the first ring that Grace held out to her. With words of love and commitment that came from her heart, she slipped Val’s wedding band on his left ring finger and then gently lifted his hand to her cheek and nuzzled it, glorying in the fact that he now wore the tangible proof that he was joined to her. She took the second ring and slipped it on Ransome’s finger with words meant just for him, and then caressed his hand against her cheek as well. She could hear the sniffles of many of the guests all around her and chuckled as Grace passed a handkerchief to her with tears in her own eyes.
Rose Marie chose that moment to chime in, providing comic relief with her chirping voice. “Why’s everyone cryin’?”
The four of them took a moment to join in an embrace, each of the men kissing her before Ethan formally declared they were bound, husbands and wife, and then presented them to the assemblage.
Amidst cheers and applause, Beau and Justine broke from the congregation and were happily welcomed into their midst.
“Congratulations, Mom! Dads!” Justine said with tears in her eyes as she hugged them all individually while Beau exchanged hugs as well. “I’m so happy for you! I hope someday I’m as lucky as you are, Mom.”
Charity chuckled and kissed Justine’s cheek, and whispered to her, “I hope you are too, sweetie, but more than anything, I wish you all the happiness your heart desires.” She raised her eyes and noticed Noah standing right behind her, his eyes shuttered as though cloaking his reaction to Justine’s happy declaration. A memory of the same expression on a slightly younger Justin’s face flashed in her mind.
Only the two of them could chart their course, their future, either together or separately. As much as she wanted to tell him that life had a way of working things out, she didn’t, knowing that sometimes experience was the best teacher.
She laid a gentle hand on Noah’s forearm and she kissed his cheek and hugged him as he congratulated her. “Noah, thank you for taking a break from your summer trip to come back for the binding with Beau.”
He ducked his head and nodded as he glanced at Justine. “I wouldn’t have missed it, ma’am—I mean Charity. Sorry.”
She leaned closer and said, “It’s all right, hon. I think Justine was happy you came back, too.”
He nodded and she delighted in the way the blush in his tanned cheeks deepened. “I’ve missed her.”
“So your next stop after this summer is the University of Alaska, huh?” Justin said as he joined them and shook Noah’s hand. “You ever settle on a major?”
Noah nodded firmly. “Native studies. I’ll be studying and working abroad every summer.”