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“Callum and Ruby, you have picked an excellent day to declare your love in holy matrimony. As Shakespeare famously said, and I’ll paraphrase,” he adds, smiling wider every time we look at him, “love is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and isn’t shaken. As someone who has been married to the same woman for forty-five years, I can tell you there are shaky times, but if you remain steadfast in your love for one another, it will carry you during those times. I’ll also paraphrase Buddha’s Sermon at Rajagaha—cherish goodwill, be free of hate and envy, and the rule of life that is always best is to be loving-kind. And finally, in the Bible, I Corinthians 16:14, we’re instructed todo everything in love. So, as you can see, the common denominator here is love. Hold onto it with everything you’ve got, fight for it, make your love a priority from this day forth.”
He glances at me and nods. “Callum, do you have a few words?”
“I do.”
Ruby’s eyes are shining with tears, but she smiles at my choice of words.
I swallow hard and grip her hands tighter.
“I’ve never thought of myself as spontaneous, but ever since you showed up, Ruby Sunshine Jones, my heart just saysyes. Whatever you need, I want to give it to you. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
A tear drips down her cheek and I reach up to catch it.
“I want to see you smile. Hear your laugh. Feel your lips against mine.”
I wipe another tear and smile at her.
“I’m a goner, pure and simple. I don’t care if this is impulsive or too fast or too much or any other things that we might hear from others about our relationship…as long as you’re with me…yes. I’ll honor and cherish you in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, ’til death do us part.”
Her lips tremble and she presses them together, taking a shaky breath before she starts speaking.
“I say yes to you too, Callum Henry Landmark. I’ve never known anyone like you. I love your kind, gentle heart. The way you nurture those cows and goats and me.”
She smiles and sniffles, and Mr. McDougal hands her a handkerchief that she uses to dab her nose.
“You make me want to dream big, to take risks, and not let anything or anyone dull my shine. You treat me like I’m your equal, respecting me, yet with just a look, you make me weak in the knees.”
Her cheeks turn pink when she says that last part, and if I didn’t want to hear every word so badly, I’d kiss her senseless right now.
“I can’t wait to be your wife. I’ll honor you and cherish you in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, ’til death do us part.”
When it’s quiet for a beat, Mr. McDougal speaks up. “Please present your rings to one another.”
I pull both rings out of my pocket, and hand her the one I bought for me.
“You thought of everything,” she whispers.
I slide her ring on and she does the same with my ring.
“These rings symbolize the strength of your commitmentto each other and the love you share,” Mr. McDougal says. “By the power vested in me by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I don’t waste any time. I kiss my bride and I make it a kiss she’ll remember. We’re both breathless when it’s over, and smiling like two maniacs.
Music flows through the speakers out of nowhere, and Mr. McDougal says, “Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Callum Landmark!”
Ruby and I look at each other and laugh because the room is empty. And also because, holy hell, we just gotmarried.
As we’re walking down the aisle, I say, “I forgot to ask if you want to keep your name. I love your name.”
“You think I want to miss out on a name like Landmark? There’s no way.”
I turn and kiss her again. And again. Mr. McDougal makes sure we make it out of there with our marriage license and the flowers, and we’re still kissing when we get to my truck.
“Ruby Sunshine Landmark.” I nod, as I open her door. “It does have a special spark, doesn’t it?”
“Mrs.Ruby Sunshine Landmark.” Her head falls back and she laughs, looking fucking radiant, as she adds, “We really did this. We gotmarried.”
She gets in the truck, and I wave the marriage certificate in the air, while I walk around to the other side.
