Ember slowly rose to standing, tugging my hands so I’d follow. The humidity ran her waves in wild patterns around her face and shoulders. Her tears seemed to dry in an instant, and I was shaking as I waited for her response. Though the fire in her yes gave me all the answer I needed.
After an eternity and a half, her shoulders rose as she took a deep breath, and sank again as she exhaled. “Right now.” She smiled and bit her lip. “I want to be your wife tonight. And tomorrow morning, and for all the mornings we have left. And, even after those run out. I’ll marry you tonight, Bo Cavanaugh, because I’ve been waiting for you to ask since before I even knew you.”
The world got loud, then. The sound of our bodies crashing into an incredible kiss. One we usually saved for the privacy rarely afforded to us. Squeals from her friends and parents and band members, and slaps on the back from Regan and Josh were like the champagne bottle breaking on a newly christened ship.
“Wait,” Ember shook her head, seeming to try to shake some sense into herself, “how? How can we, tonight?”
I looked through the small crowd and locked eyes with Journey, who graciously placed her hand on Ember’s shoulder.
“If you’ll have me,” Journey stated kindly, “I’d love to officiate. Of course you’ll need to handle the license and all of that in the morning … but, hell, that’s just paperwork. We can join you tonight. If you’d like.”
Ember looked at me hopefully. “Are you okay with that?”
I grinned. “I already asked her.”
“I can’t wear this.” Ember seemed to start to panic, but her mom, Monica, and Georgia fluttered to her side in an instant.
“I’ve got a dress for you, sweetie.” Raven wrapped her arms around her daughter and me at the same time. “I’m just beside myself for you two.”
“Wait!” Ember shouted, striking silence through the crowd. “Daddy?”
On command, Ashby moved next to his daughter. “What is it?”
“You said it was okay, right?”
Everyone broke into loud laughter as Ember and her dad hugged again. It was a beautiful sight, given the past few days.
“He’s a good man, Ember. And, if I have to let you go,” his voice pinched as he wiped under his eyes, “it could be to no one better.”
Ember pulled her dad closer. “You’re not letting me go,” I caught her whisper into his ear.
“Okay,” Ember said as she pulled away from her dad. “I need to freshen up.”
Georgia and Monica stepped forward. Before they could say anything, a small rental sedan screeched it’s way to the campsite, stopping just behind the RV.
The door flew open in a flash, and Willow ejected from the driver’s seat, running toward us. “Did I miss it? Did I miss it? I got here as fast as I could!” She caught up with Ember, panting with her hands on her hips.
Suddenly everyone’s eyes were on me once again. I shrugged. “Everyone needed to be here.” I held my breath that I’d made the right choice in calling Willow during her road trip back to San Diego.
Apparently everyone else was holding their breath, too, because the air seemed really quiet as Ember and Willow stared at each other.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Ember wept as she drew Willow into a hug.
Willow squeezed her arms around Ember even tighter. “Are you kidding? This is all we talked about when we were little. I’d never miss it.”
Through the mixture of sighs and tears, Georgia and Monica commanded attention once again.
“I’m cupcakes and hair.” Georgia smiled and put her hands on her hips.
“And I’m jewels and makeup. Let’s go.” Monica grabbed Ember’s hand and led her into the RV I’d waited in for what seemed like hours this afternoon.
While everyone bustled around me, placing freshly-picked wildflowers at the table and talking about who was going to sit where, I kept my feet rooted in the spot she’d said yes, and the spot where we’d soon—sort of officially—become husband and wife.
My favorite spot in the entire universe.
***
Less than ten minutes later, the door to the RV cracked, and Ashby grinned as he held it in place. I was so lost in the exchange, I didn’t notice Raven sneak up beside me.
“Let’s have a look at you,” Raven cooed as she turned me toward her. “That was a nice thing you did. With Willow and Ember …”
“It was nothing, Raven. It seemed like the right thing to do.” I never in a million years before this morning thought I’d ever call Willow Shaw for anything. Turns out, for my future wife, I’d do exactly anything.
Her hands smoothed over my shoulders and brushed across the front of my shirt before she dropped her hands to my wrists and held them tightly.
“They’re here, you know.” She brought our hands to my chest over my heart. “They’re always here.”
I lowered my head for a moment, the one intimate moment I hadn’t planned on happening tonight. One between me and Raven. And my deceased family. My jaw clenched briefly and I let my eyes fill with tears.