Page 99 of Monstrosity
The crowd chuckles at their different approaches.
Someone—probably Tor—whispers loudly about taking bets on whether Cali will run out of petals before she reaches the end.
Saga goes next, and I definitely notice Emil's jaw tighten as she walks past him.
His hands clench and unclench at his sides.
She keeps her eyes forward, but there's a slight flush on her cheeks.
Oh yes, there's definitely something there.
Then Meghan, my maid of honor and best friend, who gives me one last wink before starting her walk.
She does a little shimmy halfway down that makes everyone laugh and breaks some of my tension.
And then it's my turn.
The aisle seems both endless and too short.
I'm vaguely aware of the faces turning to watch—Runes and his wife, Ivar and Starla, Tor and Meghan, all the brothers and their families who've become ours.
I see Liam Mackenzie from the Irish, here because his nephew Doran is part of our extended family through Revna.
I doubt he’s here for our wedding, though, probably just stopped in for business.
Even some of my regular customers from the coffee shop made it.
But mostly I just see Rio, waiting for me with tears on his cheeks and love in his eyes.
When I reach him, he takes my hands, squeezing tight.
"You look beautiful," he whispers.
"You clean up pretty good yourself," I whisper back.
"You two know we can all hear you, right?" Runes says, making everyone laugh.
As club president, he's officiating, and he's taking his job seriously—or as seriously as Runes takes anything.
"We're gathered here today to witness the union of Rio and Dasha," he begins properly. "Two people who found each other in the aftermath of loss and built something beautiful from the ashes."
I hear sniffles from the crowd already.
"But before we continue," Runes says, "Florencia and Cali have something they'd like to do."
The girls step forward, each carrying a small candle.
Rio lights them with a larger candle, and together they walk to a small table set to the side.
On it is a photo of Flora—not prominent, but present. A part of our story.
"For our first mommy," Florencia says clearly. "Thank you for watching over us and sending us Dasha."
"We love you," Cali adds, placing her candle carefully. "And we promise to take good care of Daddy and our new mommy."
There's not a dry eye in the house as the girls return to their places.
Rio reaches for my hand again, and I squeeze it, letting him know I'm here.
