Page 19

Ghenie

I stand in my backyard, overwhelmed with joy.

Christian and I talked about this in great detail.

We went back and forth about where we wanted our ceremony and finally landed on our backyard.

Tonight, we will have a large celebration in the town square so that my people can congratulate us.

If I was not Toralleh we would have skipped the large celebration but I owe it to my people to celebrate with them.

Thankfully, Christian does not seem to mind.

This morning, just as the sun was rising, Christian and I visited The People’s Hope.

We kneeled in that little alcove and explained our plans to the Ancestors.

Christian might be able to feel them a little bit but I felt them enough for the both of us.

When I close my eyes and focus, I can still hear their voices when I’m there.

They approve of our mating. They approve of this new ceremony.

Their warmth surrounded me like a warm hug and when we left, I felt refreshed and renewed instead of weighed down.

Timalah is my best man while Miles is Christian’s. Druim sits in his own seat next to Maria, Aldo’s mother. Druim is getting so big. When other parents told me that time goes quickly as children grow, I did not realize it would happen quite this quickly!

Next to Maria is Aldo, his daughter in his lap.

Next to him is his mate, Gendry. On the other side of the aisle are my parents, each of them holding a grandchild.

Maribel is starting to walk and she chatters more and more every single day.

Thane’s antennae are starting to sprout beautifully.

I feel so blessed to call them my children.

Timalah and Miles are already in front of everyone, waiting for Christian and I to walk down the aisle together. Timalah has his hands on his round stomach and Miles keeps throwing glances his way. They are so adorable together and my heart soars for them.

A hand wraps around my elbow, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Are you ready?

I look over at Christian and give him a soft smile. I am.

Arm in arm, we make our way to the front of everyone.

Our closest friends and family are here, ready to witness our union.

It wasn’t that long ago I sat alone, lamenting that Christian would never be involved in a maturous trial to win my hand.

Now I stand before those who mean the most to me, ready to hear him declare his heart as mine.

Oh, how things have changed and I have to admit, they have changed for the better. There will be no fighting, no running, no proving. There will only be love and acceptance. I am so glad I never gave up hope even when things seemed so bleak because pushing through has led me here.

I turn towards our little crowd. My eyes dart around, taking them all in. They are here for us, because they support us and want to see the best for us. It’s so moving, knowing so many people love us.

“Welcome everyone,” I say, in greeting. “Normally, because I am Toralleh I would be tasked with guiding a couple together in their mating before our people and our Ancestors. Instead of doing a formal reading, the two of us have decided to write vows that we will recite before you. Vows of promise that our closest allies will help us stay accountable to. We thank each and every one of you for being here to witness our union.”

I turn towards Christian and take his hands in my own. His hair has grown a bit, the ends curling around his ears and forehead. His dark eyes watch me, so soft and full of love. His thumbs run over the backs of my hands.

“Christian,” I say softly, doing my best to keep my voice from shaking.

“It is my great honor to call you mine. I promise to never run away when things get tough. I promise to always seek you out when things are bothering me. I promise to help you hold up every burden that falls before us. I promise to co-parent our children together to the best of my ability so they will never know loneliness. If I am breathing, then you are loved.”

Christian squeezes my hands. He clears his throat a few times before finally speaking.

“Ghenie. Thank you for waiting for me. Thank you for keeping hope even when I was angry at everyone around me. I might not be able to promise I will never run but I can promise I will always come back to you. I promise to keep our children happy and healthy to the best of my ability and just like you, I promise to make sure they never know true loneliness. I promise to help you with the weight on your shoulders. I promise to never leave things unsaid. I promise to care for you when you’re sick, to celebrate your wins, and comfort you through hardships.

” Christian licks his lips, his voice catching.

“This is the sappiest shit I’ve ever said out loud but you deserve all the cavity- inducing sweetness.

Ghenie, I promise to be yours and yours alone. If I am breathing, then you are loved.”

I can hear my parents sniffling from their seats and oh, I am crying too. With our declarations said, we seal our promises with a kiss.

The crowd cheers for us. When we pull back, Timalah shakes my shoulders while Miles slaps Christian on the back. Our bond is sealed physically but now it’s sealed publicly as well.

Thank you for this .

Christian looks up at me, shaking his head. Thank you for sticking with me even when I was a little shithead. I love you, Ghenie.

It is alright because you are my shithead.

Christian lets out a startled laugh before pulling me into a tight hug.

We spend the rest of the day together celebrating our newly sealed mating.

I may no longer have the Ancestors in my head but after my visit with them this morning, I know they approve as well.

Things are changing, but that is a good thing.

Stagnation is what makes a people stumble and fall.

We will keep moving, and I will keep hope that we are moving in the right direction.

If there’s one thing I am good at, it’s hoping.

The End