“I promise to be your partner and take care of Olive. I won’t do anything without your knowledge and consent first.” Her voice gets closer. “We can do this. You won’t regret this. None of us will.”
I close my eyes and hang my head.
For our little girl, Gill. She deserves better than what I’ve been able to give her alone.
I drop my hands and face her. She’s closer than I thought. Her lips tip up into a soft smile, and she reaches her hand out.
“Don’t think. Just jump?”
I stare down at her delicate hand, somehow knowing it’s strong and has worked hard. Her eyes smile, but behind them are nerves.
Fuck, she’s brave.
“Alright,” I say, taking her hand.
I was right. Her bones are delicate, but the calluses under her fingers tell another story of strength.
Twenty minutes later, we share clinical, vague vows. I ignore Keith’s fake sniffles and stare into my soon-to-be wife’s eyes. Again, it’s a warped dual reality of past and present happening at once.
Iris squeezes my hands before the officiant says, “You may kiss your bride.”
What?
“Make it good,” Keith whispers loudly in my ear.
I swear, if he wasn’t my boss.
“We don’t have to,” she whispers, trying to assure me.
We glance at the court official who’s definitely suspicious.
“We’re not big on PDA,” I tell him as an excuse to avoid it.
“Oh, come on, Ellis,” Keith insists. “You’re husband and wife. It’s almost bad luck not to seal the deal with the kiss.”
“Keith,” Laura reprimands, failing to hold back her laugh.
“It’s okay if you’re not comfortable,” Iris whispers for only my ears to hear.
Why does that feel like a challenge?
“If you two can sign the—” the officiant decides to move on, and that too feels wrong.
“Wait,” I tell everyone. I pull Iris closer.
Her eyes are greener as they widen. I cup her delicate face in my hands. “Is this okay?” I whisper to her.
She nods, resting her hands at my waist.
Don’t think, just jump, right?
I lean down as her face tips up. Her hands glide around my back as she stretches up on her toes and…
Holy shit.
Soft, pillow lips press against mine. Both of us, hesitant at the mere touch. Prickling tingles rush from my toes to the base of my spine, then land in my chest. My head tilts, and we both slightly open our mouths, delving a tiny bit deeper.
My hands comb through her silk hair until I’m cradling her head. Her fingers dig into my back as our bodies find each other and are flush, hip to hip again.
