Page 105 of Forever Fickle

Jace let out his breath nervously, giving her a half smile.

“It’s a deal, wife.”

“A ring, well – notthisring, is a symbol of love. A promise to Karen to be there wherever the journey takes you…”

“We are getting a ring today,” Jace said tautly, looking at her. “I want you to have a promise of my love and this keyring isn’t going to cut it for me, Tinkerbell.”

Karen chuckled nervously and heard several others laughing in the room. She wasn’t sure if it was because of his disagreement with the stand-in wedding band, or at her nickname, but she realized that this is what the officiant meant when he talked about love and laughter.

Jace made her whole soul smile.

She listened as Jace repeated the words, sliding the key ring over her knuckle and frowning as the cheap metal silver band was too big and rubbing against her gold band that held the diamond he’d surprised her with not two days ago.

Repeating back the words, she smiled at his perturbed look and knew he was mad at himself in that moment.

“With this ring –that isnotthis ring, this is a symbol of my promise to you, Jace. I promise to be there, no matter where the journey takes us,” she smiled, realizing that the simple vows were perfect for them.

“From Afghanistan, to Massachusetts, to Texas… I promise to always be there,” she ad-libbed, looking at him, and seeing his slight frown fade away at her words.

“I promise to always be there, too,” he repeated tenderly.

“Now, by the power vested in me from the state of Massachusetts - I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Sorensen.”

Jace needed very little encouragement.

Her husband wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, as he kissed her tenderly. His lips coaxed hers as he deepened the kiss, holding her, before breaking the kiss as the officiant cleared his throat.

Dropping a kiss on her forehead, and then the tip of her nose, Jace turned back to his family and smiled, holding Karen in his arms, her head tucked right under his chin.

They posed dutifully for a few minutes for his parents and sister to take photos, so this moment would be frozen in time, in their memories, forever.

Karen threw her bouquet of roses over her head and Jana caught it – immediately causing Jace and his father both to frown.

“Woooohoooo! I’m next!” Jana taunted, holding the bouquet over her head happily as she jumped around with joy. Karen laughed easily and smiled at Jace, before elbowing him.

“Maybe one of your friends?”

“No,” Jace said grumpily. “That’s not even funny.”

“Oh relax,” she teased. “Besides, you’d be their brother-in-law…”

“Yeah, that’s really not funny,” Jace muttered, before looking at his parents, hugging them both. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“What? Now?” Karen hesitated, surprised, and blushing fiercely as several sets of eyes turned to her knowingly.

“Enjoy your time with your husband while you can,” Lindsey said gently, hugging her. Jim patted her awkwardly on the shoulder while Jana grinned like a Cheshire cat behind her parents’ back and made a crude gesture that didn’t bear repeating.

Jana might be more the wild child and ‘him-bo’ than Jace ever was…

Sure enough, Jace’s eyes widened at his sister, as he quickly slapped her hands away, causing the woman to laugh in delight.

“I love you, big brother.”

“You are still a twerp.”

“So sayeth the dork…”

“Yes,” Jace grunted, turning to look at Karen. “My lovely wife, are you ready for a little time alone?”

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