The Gender End (The Gender Game #7)

Viggo nodded as he picked up the smaller ring between two fingers. “Violet, before I met you, I… had decided to fade into the background. I already felt desperately alone, so why not at least feel alone in my cabin by the woods? Then you came into my life, and it took me forever to realize that you were the little bit of sunlight I needed to actually find some hope and joy in the world. I am so grateful that you let me find it with you.”

I was already crying unabashedly by the time Viggo was finished speaking, my fingers trembling as he slipped the ring on my finger. Dabbing my eyes with the handkerchief, I looked over at Morgan.

“My turn?” I whispered, and she nodded.

Picking up the ring, I turned to him, a smile on my face. I hadn’t really thought of what I was going to say, but I knew that speaking to Viggo from my heart was always the right way.

“I won’t say we haven’t had a bumpy road,” I said, and there was a collective chuckle in the room. “Our path has always been filled with obstacles—some set by each other, others set up by the world. And yet the best part about being on this adventure—the only thing that gave me strength day after day after day—was you. With you and me together, I found I could believe you when you said things would get better. You gave me hope, Viggo. You showed me a world that could have hope. And even though we are at the darkest point of our adventures together, with you by my side, I know I can do anything. I love you, Viggo.”

I slid the ring onto his finger as I neared the end of my speech, having to hurry as more tears leaked from my eyes. I swiped them clean as soon as my hands were free, and I felt Viggo’s arm going around my shoulder, helping me to keep upright. Looking up at him, I added, very softly, “And I promise to share my cookies with you. Always.”

He laughed loudly, and I felt my love for him grow even more—that I could make jokes with him now, on this very day, and get nothing but the gift of his laughter. I sniffled, even more tears spilling hot down my cheeks. I just needed to keep it together for a few more minutes.

“By the authority of my station alone, as a renegade princess of Matrus, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss… each other.”

I laughed with joy as Viggo spun me around in his arms and then dipped me low, sealing his mouth to mine in a hungry and possessive kiss that made my head reel and my fingers and toes tingle. As he broke it, I felt a delicious and hungry shudder awaken in me at the ravenous look in his green eyes, already twinkling with the promise of our wedding night.

And I simply couldn’t wait for it.





20





Violet





Everyone broke into applause as Viggo kissed me, but I barely registered the crowd. I was lost in the warm glow of happiness as his mouth pressed against mine, his tongue coming out just to tease my upper lip before retreating.

I opened my eyes, dazed, wondering why he’d stopped, and he flashed me a rakish smile. “You know how everyone here likes to talk,” he whispered, and I felt my smile shift into a grin. We broke apart—reluctantly—but he kept a firm grip on my hand, giving it a little squeeze as we turned to face the group of our friends, family, and comrades-in-arms.

Amber was already up again and coming toward us, this time with Margot beside her. Margot kissed Viggo on the cheek and embraced me, and then pulled back with a secret smile on her face.

“What’s going on?” I asked, suddenly curious. Now that I was paying a little more attention, both she and Amber looked like the cats who had gotten into the cream. They exchanged glances, their smiles growing wider, and then Amber spoke.

“We have a surprise for you,” she announced. “Well, for you and for everyone else. It’s waiting for you in Command.”

“A surprise?” I looked up at Viggo, who gave me a bewildered look and a shrug. “What kind of surprise?”

Amber rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand. “Don’t get boring on me, Bates, just come and see.”

Then she was dragging me forward, not even giving me a chance to protest. I laughed, caught up with the joy of just… everything, and Amber slowed down long enough for me to get my feet under me, then started propelling me forward again.

“The boys can take you, Mr. Bates!” she called over her shoulder to Viggo, and I laughed again, mostly at Viggo’s squint-eyed look as he watched Amber and me leave, Margot on our heels.

She led me down the hall and up the stairs, and I paused at the sight before me. The conference room had been… decorated? Well, an attempt at decorating had been made, at least, with toilet paper streamers and a big paper sign that had Congratulations Viggo and Violet emblazoned on it in red paint, which still looked a little damp. Desks had been pushed aside, and smaller tables brought in, all with cloths draped over them in a semblance of tablecloths, with candles lighting them. Music piped through some speakers overhead, light and filled with soft violin sounds. A resplendent bounty of food covered a long table against a wall—real food, not protein rations. My mouth watered when I saw the cake, three-tiered and spotlessly covered in white frosting.

“What is this?” I breathed, my eyes darting around, trying to take it all in.

Viggo and the others entered behind us, and I heard Viggo’s surprised “Oh!” just as Margot announced, “It’s your wedding reception.”

I looked over at her and the dark-skinned woman smiled, the flash of bright white teeth lighting up her already-charming face. “Amber and I thought of it, although Jenny and Cad helped with the cooking. We procured a few things, and we opened it up to everyone who’s on the base—don’t worry, we’re sharing with everyone.”

I shot her a grateful look. She knew me well enough to know that I wouldn’t be comfortable if she hadn’t invited everybody we’d been working with. Already, people who hadn’t been at our wedding were wandering in. The men were shaking Viggo’s hand as they went by, offering him words of congratulations or advice. I laughed, reaching out to drape my arms over Amber and Margot’s shoulders.

“You are literally the best,” I breathed, pulling them close to me.

“Well, to be honest, I think we all needed a party,” Amber said after a moment, pulling back. “There’s been a lot of stuff going on, and I think we could all use just a little piece of normalcy before… whatever happens, happens.”

“That… is a really good idea,” I said. “And still, you guys did this in two hours?”

“We did,” Margot beamed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to fetch Henry and Sarah. They’re dying to have some of the cake Jenny made.”

“And I’ve got you and Viggo sitting over here,” Amber declared, placing a hand on the small of my back as she stepped around me toward a table with some flowers in a vase. They looked suspiciously similar to the flowers still in my hands, and I looked over to see Tim giving me a sweet, smug grin.