Page 29 of With This Witch
Petra stands, brushing off dirt from her butt, and heads back to care for her little gremlins.Holy shit, I’m getting married today.
* * *
When three thirty hits, Petra is out the door like her broomstick is on fire—not that she actually rides one. Thankfully, a few of the kiddos were picked up early, so she didn’t have to worry about staying late due to ratios. Working in childcare is no joke, and with them constantly being short-staffed, it’s not unusual for the early shift to have to stay late as they wait for little ones to be picked up and for the mandated staff-to-child ratios to be acceptable to be able to leave.
Parking her car in the first spot she can find, a block away from City Hall, a magic rush flows through her. Every inch of her tingles as power pulses in response to her nerves. She pushes down the apprehension and worry that builds alongside it as she collects her purse, makeup, and her mother’s veil from the back seat.
With her arms laden with necessities, she locks her car and walks the block to City Hall. She notices the colorful fall leaves on the trees planted along the street, the oranges, reds, and yellows making it look like a path of fire as she makes her way to Lachlan. She stands outside of City Hall for a moment, gazing at the gothic architecture of the building where her life is about to change. Another power rush and a pink magic tendril urge her on. Gathering her courage, she climbs the few steps to the front door, where Daisy and Gammy greet her. They lead her to a family bathroom where she can change.
She does her makeup quickly, opting for a natural look with a soft pink lip. After setting her makeup, she changes into her dress and swaps out her regular gold studs for the drop-pearl earrings Gammy has lent her. She takes a final look in the bathroom mirror, appreciating the simplicity of the look, before opening the door to the glowing faces of Daisy and Gammy.
Their eyes are alight as they take in Gammy’s simple, ivory satin halter dress that hits just below her knees. The ruched bodice flows down from the strap of fabric that loops around her neck to a cinched waistband, opening up to a softer, flowing skirt. It clings to her in all the right places as she moves and twirls in front of them to reveal the open back, showcasing the sapphire pink swirl and rose tattoo that climbs her spine.
“You are gorgeous,” Gammy says softly, holding her clasped hands up to her chest, tilting her head to the right as she takes Petra in.
A tear starts to well in the corner of her left eye, and she dabs at it with her finger before lightly admonishing Gammy. “If you keep looking at me like that, I will break down completely, and I can’t do that right now.”
“You know, I heard once that if you clench your butt cheeks together, it will stop you from crying,” Daisy shares, earning an amused snort from Gammy. “What, it’s true. I’ve been doing it this entire time, and not a drop. Your brain can’t focus on the two things at the same time. Try it!”
Petra laughs at her friend. “You… you are…” she says between giggles. “Thank you for being… well, you,” she finishes.
“Anytime, babe,” Daisy responds with a wink and a finger gun.
Gammy looks down at her watch and then back to Petra, “It’s almost time, love.”
Petra takes a steadying breath. Like many women, she has looked forward to getting married for much of her life. As a young girl, she dreamt of what her wedding would be like. It didn’t exactly involve getting married to someone as a fake arrangement to meet some arbitrary, archaic patriarchal ruling by a supernatural government. But this is clearly what the Fates had in store for her. They must have a bigger plan for her, and who is she to argue with the Fates?
She looks between them, staring at the door before her. Turning to Gammy, she asks quickly, “I’m not making a mistake, am I?”
“Absolutely not. I think this is the smartest decision based on the circumstances.”
“But will there be issues with me marrying another council member?”
Gammy pauses, thinking. “I don’t think it has ever been done before. But I can’t think of any regulations that prohibit it. You two will be trailblazers, that’s for sure. There’s certainly no laws prohibiting inter-being marriage, so you are allowed to marry a demon.”
“You can take a moment to think this through, you know. It’s a big decision, and you are being forced into it. If you don’t feel ready yet, we can come back tomorrow or every day after for as long as we can,” Daisy says.
Waiting only a brief second, Petra gives them a quick nod. “No, I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
Then Lachlan walks around the corner, and suddenly she forgets how to breathe.
He strides forward confidently in a navy suit, ivory shirt, brown shoes, and a pink pocket square combo, gazing at her with a huge smile on his face. He has no right to look as good as he does, but damn if he doesn’t cause things to stir inside her.
Reaching her, he gallantly puts out an arm for her to hold. “Well, witchling, shall we get married today?”
Her core warms, turning her insides to liquid. She smiles back and gives him a quick nod, words escaping her.
“Let’s go and get you Premier Witch,” he says, taking a step forward and bringing them into the ceremony room.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Lachlan
The officiant looks between them before turning to Lachlan and asking, “Do you, Lachlan Grace, take Petra Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and health, in both good and challenging times, from now until you both should expire?”
“I do,” Lachlan responds without hesitation.
The officiant now turns and looks at Petra, repeating the vows for her. He knows she repeats them, but he is too focused on Petra and how perfect she looks in her dress. Her fire-red hair cascades down her shoulders, and it takes great restraint for Lachlan not to reach out and wrap it in his hands. To pull her closer to him. Her soft pink lips are plump and enticing as he eagerly counts down to the moment where the officiant says they can kiss. She looks up at him, and her eyes sparkle with what he thinks—he hopes—is affection. As he continues to gaze at her, his heart nearly beating out of his chest, he can only think it should be illegal to be so beautiful. He can’t help but thank the Fates for allowing her to be his, no matter how brief or unusual the circumstances.
