She threw herself into his arms and they shared their first, full-on hug, complete with a few tears. Pulling back, she told him, “Thank you for never giving up on finding me all those years. I didn’t know you were out there, I honestly never thought about it. But I am so glad a good portion of my stubbornness comes from you. I’m so glad, out of all of the men in the world, that you’re the one who is my father.”
Mordecai sniffed once before clearing his throat. “You are very welcome. I am so glad, out of all the women in the world, that you’re the one who is my daughter.” Max laughed and accepted the elbow Mordecai held out for her. “I am here to walk you down the aisle,” he explained.
Max nodded her head and allowed her father to lead her out the back door and down the aisle outlined in friends, family and fairy lights. It was only mid-afternoon, but with the clouds covering the sun, the lights were very pretty. Rounding the slight bend, she got her first eyeful of Ryker. He looked unbearably handsome in white linen slacks and a matching shirt with no buttons. In fact, it had a rather robe-like quality to it, almost like a tunic. Max didn’t care what it was called. All she knew was that he looked damn sexy in it. And he was wearing it as he married her. Because they were getting married. Max’s steps faltered and she wondered why she couldn’t draw enough breath into her lungs. Before she completely freaked out and embarrassed herself, Zombie jumped up against her, butting his head under hers and licking her face. It wasn’t exactly hard for him to do now, given he was almost the size of a Great Dane and she was barefoot. Laughing, she looked into his bi-coloured eyes, feeling the unconditional love he had for her – as well as the confidence. She patted his head in thanks and continued her journey, gripping Ryker’s hand painfully tight when she reached him.
Tempus was standing next to Ryker and he winked at her. “I hope you do not mind me officiating. I promise, it’s all very legal.”
Max laughed, knowing nothing could be more official than Father Time marrying you. “I would love that, Uncle Tempus,” she replied, reminding him of their affectionate relationship. As much as Dana had broken the rules all those years ago, Tempus and Tanda had still loved Max and were true uncles in her eyes. It was another reason why she was not too afraid for her daughter – because she trusted her Uncle Tanda unconditionally.
Ryker pulled her in as close as the baby allowed, wrapping his arms around her waist and locking his hands in the small of her back. He bent down to kiss her sweetly on the lips, whispering, “You take my breath away.”
Max’s breath shuddered out, “You take mine away,” she whispered back.
And then Tempus began. The ceremony was a mixture of a traditional human wedding as well as a handfasting. Max loved the part where she and Ryker placed coloured ribbons over their interlocked hands as they spoke words and promises special to them and their growing family. It had been even better when each and every one of her paladins, along with Jazz, her mother and father, had also stepped up to tie ribbons and add their own hopes, well-wishes and promises.
What jolted Max was when Tempus asked her to place her ring on Ryker’s finger. “I don’t –” she began, only to be gently nudged by Slate of all people. Looking down at his open palm, she saw a perfectly smooth, white opal ring, streaked through with the same riot of colours as her own stone. Picking it up, she felt the power – and the protection – that were forged into the very atoms of the stone. The ring appeared to have no beginning and no end – there was no obvious join. Max knew without being told that Slate had fashioned the ring by hand using his domain.
“Thank you,” she told Slate sincerely, before turning and pushing the ring onto Ryker’s finger. Ryker then did the same to her with her ring, grinning as they seemed to flash magically in the light.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Tempus declared.
And just like that, Max thought, I’m married. All other thoughts