He was what I was walking towards. It was silly, short-sighted, even. But I didn't care. My heart leapt when I saw him.
I wanted to sprint down that aisle, to wrap his arms around me and just forget the rest of the world.
But we were doing this for the rest of the world. This marriage was not of our making.
My uncle handed me over after a series of words from the priest and Greyson stepped forward, taking my hand where Dennis offered it.
As soon as his skin touched mine I felt reassured. My heartbeat slowed, and the knot in my stomach untangled.
He kept his eyes on me the entire time. Through the mass, through all of the rituals.
Even when we took the Eucharist.
"I have it on authority that you've written your own vows?" Father Brennan asked.
I hadn't. So I froze, but Greyson spoke up. "I have," he said.
"Joanna, I've been wrapped up in your spirit from the moment we meant. And I have a feeling this is just the beginning of it. Everytime I look at you I learn a little bit more about myself. I do take you as my wife, and I cherish this moment. I promise you that I will protect you with my last breath. I make these vows before both our families, before God. Will you have me?"
I swallowed. It wasn't what I was expecting, but I couldn't say I hated to hear it. In fact, the tears streaming down my face said otherwise.
As much as I wanted to call this whole thing a hoax a little part of me hoped he was genuine. Hoped that this was something he wanted as much as I did. I wanted to hold onto him, onto this sweet moment for the rest of my life.
But it was just a charade. A poison meant to infect our families. To get what my uncle wanted. To worm our way into a position of power.
And it made me sick.
But I didn't want to wake up from this moment. From the look in his eyes, so I nodded and said. "I do."
It was my turn now.
“I never expected to find someone like you, let alone get married. It was not part of my life plan.” I swallowed, my nerves getting the best of me, but he held on to my hands and gave them a squeeze. He was there, reassuring me. “It wasn’t something I dreamed about late at night. But now that I’m here, I don’t want any other outcome.”
A few people awed out in the pews and I blushed, determined to finish. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Greyson. And I keep falling in love with you. Every single day. I know that together we can do amazing things. We can slay all the demons that threaten to destroy our world. Do you promise to love me through it all?” I asked.
“I do.”
The priest stepped forward and said, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
This wedding was real. It was happening. I was a wife.
Greyson wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him, kissing me softly, sweetly. It wasn't like him, but I certainly enjoyed the kiss. I even lengthened it until there were a few coughs and a couple of chuckles in the audience.
"You still owe me for last night's stunt," he whispered in my ear. I knew exactly what that meant.
Tonight wasn't going to be nearly so saccharine, and I was looking forward to it.
Greyson
I couldn't get her out of that dress fast enough, but first thing was first. We had to deal with our families. Our families and alcohol.
It wasn't going to be as fun as it sounded.
As we stood outside the church receiving the line of guests, I kept one eye on Dennis. He was a slimy little weasel. The kind that only did things for personal gain. I knew that, and so did my father.
But now that he knew my weakness he was going to exploit it. She was my weakness. Joanna was my everything.
Still, I doubted she would ever betray me. No, I saw that look in her eyes. She felt the same way as I did. She might not even know it, but she did. I was sure of it.
"Welcome to the family," Dennis said as he took ahold of my hand, squeezing it.
I didn't hold back. I crushed his like it was nothing.
He might have the power of an army, but I had my youth, my body. And I had her.
"I expect you at the family meeting bright and early Monday morning. We have a merger to discuss," Dennis said as he walked away.
There would be no honeymoon. I knew that. We'd make time for one later, once I showed Joanna just how much she loved me.
Once she realized this wedding was the best thing that could've happened to her. It would take more than just my skilled fingers to get her to that point, but I would.
I would fight for her to see just how good I was for her. Just how much I loved her.
I turned to look at her as she bent down and hugged my grandmother. They'd never met, but that gentle smile on her face only made my heart swell.
Granny was a mean little biddy, but Joanna would come to find that out later. Right now I was just appreciating her personality.