Page 110 of Forever Fascinating

“With this ring, I thee wed,” Matthew said softly, sliding a golden circlet onto her finger, neatly against her little silicone band she never took off.

Staring in disbelief, she saw he’d bought her wedding ring… one that she’d seen on all the fancy jewelry commercials everywhere. There were three glistening diamonds lined up, representing past, present, and future.

Jana looked up at him, stunned.

Jace leaned forward in that moment, holding out a simple gold wedding band. Wordlessly, she accepted it, touched that Matthew had seemingly thought of every possible thing – and then some!

“With this ring, I thee wed,” she repeated, sliding the gold band onto Matthew’s finger and seeing that he still wore his silicone band from Greece as well.

“I never take it off,” he whispered softly as if to apologize.

“Me neither,” she admitted. “You’re mine – then and now.”

“Always, darling.”

Moments later, Matthew pulled her into his arms, kissing her with everything in him. His warm lips were firm against hers, coaxing and loving, as he slanted his mouth across hers possessively – and she met him kiss for kiss. The two were clinging to each other, arms wrapped tightly around one another, unable to let go.

“Alright… alright…” Jace uttered bluntly nearby. “Don’t push it, Vapor.”

The duo separated only slightly, laughing softly, before Jana kissed him again, not caring who was watching. This was her moment, celebrating their union and love, as she donned her new name at her husband’s side.

Matthew broke the kiss, looking a little shy as he glanced up around the room, before kissing her on the tip of her nose and leaning forward to whisper in her ear.

“C’mon Mrs. Barlow,” he urged softly. “Let’s sign our marriage license and have dinner with our families… so I can get you back to our little retreat and finally take my wife to bed.”

Jana laughed softly, throwing back her head as he chuckled against her neck, hiding his face. She loved these shy glimpses of his personality and the tender way he treated her.

“Now that sounds like the best plan ever, Mr. Barlow,” she acknowledged, hugging him around the neck happily.

* * *

The entire gatheringdeparted the church about fifteen minutes later, stopping to take photos of them and the little building. She and Matthew stood close together, his arms around her waist, right before the church.

It was a tiny, picturesque little place on a hill covered in greenery, reminding her of what she’d seen in travel magazines. They took photographs with his parents – and then his parents took photos of her family with Matthew.

Matthew even swept her into his arms as she held the bouquet aloft, taking a few playful photographs – including one of them making silly faces together.

She loved that they had these goofy moments together, captured for all time, and planned on continuing this with their children they would have someday.

This cool, collected pilot had swept into her world, filling it with laughter and love… and she couldn’t wish for more.

Driving into the nearby town, they sat at a large round table in the corner of a restaurant that had been decorated with flowers – and a strange, tall, layered cake made of rings that resembled donuts called aKransakaka, a traditional Icelandic wedding cake.

Dinner was a gift from her brother and his wife. Jace and Karen were staying at a hotel just down the street and flying out tomorrow along with both sets of parents, only having flown in to celebrate with them.

Everyone was smiling, laughing, and enjoying this unexpected moment that made her heart so incredibly happy in the busy restaurant that seemed to be so loud around them.

Matthew was cutting up with her brother, laughing as the two of them talked, while his arm was looped casually around her back. Whatever had been between them had finally been worked out. She met Karen’s smile, seeing that the other woman was just as happy as she was, knowing that they were all family – and getting along.

Seeing them there, like this, she could picture holidays in the future, knowing it would be much of the same. She could picture her brother and Karen with children running around them, screaming and playing, knowing that someday she and Matthew would have their own. These stolen chaotic happy moments are what made them a ‘family’.

“I love you,” she smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek, causing Matthew to rise to his feet, smoothing his uniform, and smiling at her.

“Mom, Dad…” Matthew began, turning slightly. “Jim, Lindsey, Jace and Karen… we are both so grateful you could be here with us today.”

Jana rose to her feet beside him, picking up her glass as Matthew spoke, realizing he was making a toast.

“… But I am taking my wife out of here – and we’ll see you all hopefully in the next few months,” he grinned, hearing Jace’s boisterous and knowing laughter.

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