Page 70 of Death
I nod, recognizing it. “It was the only thing she had in her pocket when she came here from Greece,” I say. “Mom always said she’d give it to the man who loved me someday.”
He pulls the ring free and reaches for my left hand. “She told me…” I straighten my fingers for him, “that I should always listen and never shout. To always be respectful and never neglect. To always be strong but to never make you feel weak. I said those sounded like vows. She said you’re damn right, those are vows.”
I laugh. Leave it to my mother to school a god.
Ari slides the ring onto my finger. “I love you, Tannis,” he says. “I will spend forever making you love me back. As long as it takes.”
The ring shimmers beneath the sunlight and I bite down to smother the tears building behind my eyelashes.
“I don’t think it’ll take that long,” I say.
Ari smiles, that old amusement curling up his cheek.
The cabin door opens and my parents poke their heads out. Mom’s jaw drops as she gazes at the dress and my father hangs back, his eyes full of emotion but staying strong.
“Honey, you look beautiful,” Mom says, quickly walking toward me.
Ari steps off to the side as Mom throws her arms around me.
“Thank you,” I say. I smother myself in her, inhaling her scent while I still can.
“So damn beautiful,” she says, her voice strained. She leans back and sighs as she admires me, which only makes the lump in my throat nearly choke me.
Dad reaches for my hand. “Well, let us see it already — been waiting decades here.”
I laugh as I hold out my hand for them. They both take hold of it, one gripping each side.
“You guys planned a wedding?” I ask.
My mother sniffs quietly. “Oh, nothing fancy. Or even official. Just… this.” She looks me up and down again. “We really wanted to see you like this. Just once.”
I swallow hard.
“And…” Dad clears his throat, “we wanted you to know how proud of you we are. This hasn’t been easy for anyone — most of all you. And we are sorry for that, honey. We really are.”
“It’s okay, Dad,” I say, looking at Ari. “I don’t blame you. I don’t.”
“And we love you.” He flexes his jaw. “More than you could ever—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Owen,” Mom says over him. “Please don’t make us all bawl before I can get a picture.”
He backs off, discreetly wiping his own cheek. “Sorry— I know—”
I chuckle as I step toward him and bury my face in his chest.
“And you.” Mom points a finger at Ari. “You remember what I told you.”
Ari nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And I don’t care if you are a god. If you hurt one hair on her head, I will hunt you down and murder you.”
He smiles. “I’m sure you could.”
She shifts on her feet. “And bring her home every so often,” she adds. “A girl always needs her parents.”
“I will.”
“And don’t…” Her lip trembles. “Aw, hell. Now I’m doing it.”