Page 69 of Blueberry Cake
“I do.”
Boyd turned to Luka, his best man, and took the rings that he’d been keeping safe. The officiant held the small box, while Boyd slid Queenie’s sleek gold band onto her finger.
“With this ring I take you, my sweet Queenie, as my wife. Through rain and sunshine, I promise to be your provider, protector, and lover. I will be the anchor in the storms that lay ahead of us and the voice of reason when you plan our weekend getaways.” Then with a chuckle he added, “Because we both know I won’t be able to get on a rollercoaster every week.”
“Oh, Boyd,” she huffed, the words she’d rehearsed for months suddenly melting away. She took his ring in her quivering hand and carefully slid it ontohis finger. “With this ring, I promise to love, cherish and take care of you. Through the busy and the lazy days, I’ll be by your side. I promise to love you even when we argue and to have your back when you’re not around.”
“By the power vested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Boyd’s arm wrapped around her waist, and threaded his hand in her hair before the words even left the officiant’s mouth. His lips crashed on hers and with a skilful move they’d practised for over a year, lowered her into a dip. Somewhere far away cheers filled the air, but she was drowning in his love, her fingers curling into his beard.
“I love you,” she panted when they came back up.
Turning to their friends and family, Boyd kissed her knuckles. “I love you too, Mrs. Rickmann.”
The End
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Epilogue
Five Years Later
Boyd
“Boyd, sweetheart?” Queenie called. “Can you see if Alic is ready?”
Boyd manoeuvred around the unopened moving boxes and out of the office, finding Queenie in the kitchen. She’d just placed a cake in the oven and was setting a timer, smiling widely when she noticed him. Even after the better part of a decade, Queenie still had the power to turn his insides to mush. “Do you need help with anything else?”
“I was hoping you two could set the table while I change?” Then she stretched and kissed his cheek before nudging him towards the stairs.
They’d only moved into their first house a month ago. With Boyd navigating a maze of boxes and pictures waiting to be hung, he made his way up to Alic’s room. The fifteen-year-old was their third foster child, and surely wouldn’t be their last. Opening their home to teenagers in need had been fulfilling in a way Boyd never knew possible.
With a gentle knock, he called through the closed door. “Alic, would you mind helping me set the table?”
A shuffling sounded behind the wood, then a pair of timid, unsure eyes met his. “Okay.” But as he followed Boyd down the stairs, he hesitantly added, “I can stay in my room tonight if you like, Mr. Rickmann.”
With a gentle smile over his shoulder, he chose a soft voice. “You’re always welcome to join us for all of our family’s weird and awkward traditions, including Sundaydinners with my son and his girlfriend. But I also know it can be very overwhelming to come into a new home. You can stay as long as you are comfortable.”
“I don’t think you’re weird,” he quickly protested.
Boyd let out a laugh. “Wait until Uno.”
As they set the table, he tried to reassure Alic with small talk. He’d come from a home where he’d been neglected and though it couldn’t be confirmed, abuse was highly possible.
When the doorbell rang, Queenie rushed out of the master. “I’ll get it.”
Over the years she and Luka had warmed up to being around each other. Now that he’d introduced Lana,things were even better. Queenie loved her like a sister and slowly that love had drizzled into her relationship with Luka too.
“Guys, this is Alic,” Queenie introduced.
Alic could barely meet their gazes, only speaking throughout dinner when he was prompted. Though when it came to Uno—and the chaos that ensued—he easily relaxed.
Boyd loved seeing those little moments when he could bring joy to dull hearts. He’d always wondered how well he would do fostering but with Queenie’s loving guidance, he’d grown more confident in himself. With his queen by his side everything seemed possible, and he would cherish her for the rest of his life.
