Page 40 of Henri's Little One
“Not to my knowledge…she only has what she brought to Alaska. One suitcase.”
“Keep an eye on her. I trust in Vitas’ gift, but better safe than sorry.”
Aline brought out more scones along with some huge raspberry muffins with a crumbly topping, softened butter, and more of the raspberry jam that made Vitas’ eyes light up earlier that morning. This time the offerings were warm. These scones had a coating of thin icing. Vitas tried to eat quickly, but Henri could see he was still hungry.
“Eat some more muffins. We have time.” Vitas ate two more scones and three muffins.
After Vitas had finished the last muffin, Henri glanced at the clock. “Aline, could you call Bertrand? It’s time for us to go to see Judge Booker.”
Aline called Bertrand and Henri and Vitas put on their suit jackets and straightened their ties. They took the elevator upstairs and walked outside to climb into the car.
§ § §
Downtown Manhattan
New York Supreme Courts Building
Judge Booker’s Chambers
The ride downtown to the Manhattan Courts was short because there was very little traffic, and Henri and Vitas met the Mates and the other Alphas in Judge Booker’s chambers.
Julio looked at the clock and lifted an eyebrow. “You’re a little late.”
“I was hungry again,” Vitas stammered.
Julio had brought red roses for Henri and Vitas’ lapels and white roses for everyone else. When the grooms arrived, Julio saw that Vitas shook with nerves.
“How did Henri get the state to waive the waiting period?” Kane asked Julio.
Julio waved his hand. “The Alpha took care of it.”
Henri strode up to Julio. “Thank you for remembering the flowers. I was so anxious to get us married that I forgot. You and the rest of the Mates should have been at the house this morning. I’m sorry.”
Julio’s gaze rose to meet Henri’s. “You needed time to yourselves. This happened so quickly. I talked to Sean who consulted The Alpha. The Alpha agreed with me. Besides, you had to pick out rings, and you couldn’t do that with all of us trying to make your decisions for you. I like the band. Sean showed it to me. He and The Alpha are your witnesses. The Alpha insisted.”
Henri chuckled. “When The Alpha insists, it behooves us to listen.”
“Too true,” Julio answered dryly. “I’ll go and pin the rose to Vitas’ lapel. He’s probably spazzing out by now.”
“Thank you for everything, Julio. You’ve made Vitas comfortable with both the Mates and me from the moment he walked in Julien’s door.”
Julio zigzagged across the crowded room and found Vitas standing in a corner trying to hold it together. “Did you have a good morning?” Julio asked Vitas as he pinned the rose onto his lapel.
Vitas’ face brightened. “We had breakfast in the suite, then we picked out our rings. After that,” Vitas’ smile grew wider, “we went into the kitchen and had tea, blueberry scones, and raspberry muffins. I’ve never tasted scones so good, and Aline’s homemade jam is to die for.”
Julio patted Vitas’ arm. “Henri did say that Aline was an excellent cook. The dishes she put out for the mating, including the dishes that had wild game, were wonderfully prepared. I didn’t think I’d like elk or venison, never mind bear, but expertly prepared, it’s very good.” He looked up. Judge Booker came in. “Let’s line up for the ceremony. We’ll go in the same order as we did for Richard, only this time, you’re first.”
Julio ran to stand in front of Richard, while Henri and The Alpha joined Vitas and Sean at the front of the chamber.
A hush came over the room, and Judge Booker began to recite the loup garou wedding vows.
“It is your duty, Henri, to be to Vitas a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband. To support, guide, and cherish him in prosperity and trouble, to behave thoughtfully and enlarge carefully the place he holds in your life. To constantly show him tokens of your affection, to shelter him from danger, and to love him as your Mate in unalterable love for eternity. Do you do as I say?”
“I do.” Henri put his arm around Vitas’ waist.
“It is your duty, Vitas, to be to Henri a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband, to support and cherish him in prosperity and trouble. To give him counsel and help him to bear his burdens with grace, to comfort him in need and rejoice with him in plenty—to love him as your Mate for all eternity. Do you do as I say?”
“I do,” Vitas squeaked out in a shaky voice.
