Page 108 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“Good, because that’s exactly what I’m doing. Reece and I can’t get marriedand leave Malachi out like that. It’s too soon to think of marriage with him, but we wouldn’t marry each other and leave him out. That’s cruel.”

Her mother was quiet for a few minutes. “But you have to think this through. Society may never accept your relationship. What about all the things that are legal for couples that you’ll never be able to do? Marriage, adoption, qualifying for health insurance, so many things – all of that will be off the table for you. You’ll permanently be in a relationship that’s not recognized by society. People will discriminate against you. Reece could even lose her job.”

“I should worry about that because we’ve never been down this road before? Ten years ago, who would have guessed that me marrying a woman would have been legal? Maybe that fight will open people’s minds to this.”

Jorah snatched a cookie off the plate and nibbled at it, lost in thought. In her head, Scarlet went through about a million things to say – some of them angry and unkind. But her mother wasn’t rejecting them, she was processing. It was time to stay quiet and let her think. Maybe she wouldn’t accept them today, but knowing her mother, it would come eventually.

“You really love him? Even though he’s a man?”

“Yes.” She sipped at her cooling coffee.

“Is he good to the two of you? He’s not bossy or abusive?”

Scarlet almost spat her mouthful of coffee out on the table. Um...hm...maybe a little bossy, but so was she, and Reece liked them that way.

“He’s good to us. He’s a sweet and decent man, Mom. This isn’t about us being a novelty for him. He cares about us deeply.”

Her mother sighed and leaned back in her chair again, then stuffed an entire cookie into her mouth. When she’d chewed for a while and swallowed, she looked at Scarlet and grimaced.

“Whenever I think I’m open-minded, daughter mine, you come by and force it further open.”

Epilogue

One year later

Quiet murmurs drifted up the front stairwell of Jude’s house. Reece paced across the guest bedroom, biting her lip so hard it was starting to ache. The silky fabric of her dress brushed against her bare legs as she walked back and forth in front of the doorway. She hadn’t expected to be this nervous.

Sabrina burst into the room. “They’re ready to start.” Her friend looked her over then covered her mouth with her hand.

“What?” Panicked, she looked down at her ivory gown. “Do I look bad?”

Tears formed in her eyes as she shook her head. “You look...” Her voice trembled. “Gorgeous.”

“I do?” Her throat started to close up and her eyes grew watery. “Don’t make me cry! My make-up is gonna run!”

Sabrina jumped into gear. “Sorry! Here.” She turned the window fan on and shoved Reece’s face in it.

Music started and Reece recognized the song. “They’re starting!” She moved for the door. “I have to go.”

“Shhh,” Sabrina soothed, standing in her way. “Take a deep breath.”

The guitar interlude played softly. They’d rehearsed this. She was pretty sure she was supposed to be walking down the aisle right now.

Sabrina grasped Reece’s hands. “They’re going to drag out the song because Zen refused to wear the tutu skirt you gave her. Q figured she wouldn’t cooperate with the whole flower part either.”

She nodded, taking in deep breaths. All of that seemed insignificant now. The decorations, the choice in music, the color of the flowers... It was superfluous. All she wanted right now was to take that last step.

Both girls paused at the top of the stairwell and Reece looked down. Just below, in the middle of Jude’s transformed living room, sat their closest friends inrows of matching white chairs lent to them by a friend of Q’s.

Q chased a giggling half-naked toddler down the red muslin strip that made up the aisle. As she turned a corner, she knocked over one of the mason jars with a candle lit inside. Jude caught it just before it hit the floor.

This wasn’t anything like how she’d imagined her wedding. Jude’s house wasn’t exactly the vineyard she’d been eyeing since Grade Nine. There was no flowered trellis. No harpist playing in the corner as she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. She hadn’t even invited him.

Barefoot with bright red toenails hadn’t been in her vision either. Even the season was all wrong. She’d wanted a summer wedding, not fall.

Finally the words to the song they’d chosen started.Grow Old with Youby Adam Sandler played from Jude’s stereo system. Sabrina gave her a little push.

Shakily, she descended the stairs. Friends had told her to keep her eye on the groom as she walked down the aisle so she didn’t get nervous. At the bottom of the stairs, all the heads turned and familiar eyes stared at her. Flutters took off in her stomach as she searched helplessly for Malachi. Then she spotted him and they locked gazes.

---