Page 114 of The Killer Card

“I love you so much, Elias Santos. Will you please make me your wife?”

The guests laugh. Even the priest chuckles as he asks for the rings. Elias slides a beautiful rose gold band onto the finger still adorned by Nelly’s poppy shaped engagement ring. Then she slides a solid black one onto his left hand.

“Elias Gabriel Cristian Santos, do you take Penelope Violet Hastings to be your wife, in sickness and in health, to have and to hold, until death parts you?”

Elias has never smiled so brightly. “Sí, I do.”

The priest turns to Nelly. “Penelope Violet Hastings, do you take Elias Gabriel Cristian Santos to be your husband, in sickness and in health, to have and to hold, until death parts you?”

Nelly is practically vibrating where she stands. “Sí,” she mimics her new husband. “I absolutely do.”

“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband,” he looks first to Elias, then to Nelly. “And wife. You may kiss the bride.”

No one has to tell Elias twice. He pulls Nelly into his arms so fast she nearly trips on her train and plants one on her so passionately her back bows until I fear her spine might snap. But it doesn’t and she’s laughing when they part and the priest can hardly finish the final blessing upon the couple and their guests before Elias is kissing her again and again and again….

And they’re married.

“It is my honor to present to you, Mister and Missus Elias Santos,” the priest gestures to them and Elias holds Nelly close as she takes her bouquet back from Clara, holding it high in the air in triumph.

They’re married.

Elias and Penelope are married. Clara and Rowan are married and I’m… I’m…

“Naomi?” I turn to find Graham waiting to lead me back down the aisle, offering his arm patiently. “You ready?”

It was real for me. Every moment of it was real.

Swallowing I nod, looping my arm through his. “Yes… I think I am…”

He smiles, somehow gentle and mischievous at once and together we walk down an aisle littered with flower petals to a cacophony of applause. And for just a moment I let myself get lost in the noise and the familiar comfort of forest green eyes.

✽✽✽

The reception is being held at a beautiful event hall not far from the cathedral- after we take what feels like five thousand pictures and I am so starving I could eat my own hand. The very moment the wedding party is told its time to, I practically sprint toward the doors

Graham is laughing his ass off as he trails behind me.

We’re introduced in duos. Theresa and Elias’ brother, Emmanuel first. Then Ivelisse and Cristian, who gives his aunt a little twirl to the applause of the guests. Rowan and Clara follow and they immediately show up Cristian and Ivelisse when Clara does like seven pirouettes- so that slit in her dress isn’t because she’s a little slut- is snared dramatically by her husband, who plants one on her for so long it’s a wonder they don’t get shooed off by his family. His father- Elias’ uncle and therefore front and center at the tables- actually whistles.

“We don’t have an intro.”

I look at Graham who is nervously chewing at his thumb nail as he waits for us to be announced. “What?”

“We don’t have an intro,” he says again, gesturing to the doors through which we are going to be entering in less than ten seconds. “They’re all doing fun shit and we,” he gestures between us. “Have nothing.”

Right, because we’ve spent the better part of this week glaring at each other. I think on my feet as the lead singer of the live band takes to the microphone again to announce us.

“Next we have the Maid of Honor—”

“Can you flamenco?”

“What?” Graham blinks.

“Naomi Mychal! And Groomsman—”

“Can you fucking flamenco?!”

“Of course I can—”