Sunday, March 31, 2024

83 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

One month later

 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

 

"And about damned time," Will muttered, before casting a guilty glance at the minister. Then he kissed Mira.

 

The minister chuckled. "Believe me, Mr. Reynolds. I've heard much worse."

 

When the kiss was finished, Will put his arm around Mira's waist, smiling down at her. "I love you so much, Mrs. Reynolds, but I'll admit I'm glad this part is over."

 

Mira laughed. "I totally agree, Mr. Reynolds. Or should I call you Will?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

 

"Given that you're now my Mira, for now and forever…" He hugged her tightly.

 

"And about damned time," she replied, squealing when he smacked her butt. "If you can say it, so can I," she protested happily.

 

"Okay, you two, how about you act your ages," Kevin muttered when he joined them at the front of the small chapel.

 

Since the guest list consisted of only a few people, the couple had decided the chapel would do. Will had even suggested they just go before a Justice of the Peace but Mira, backed by Kevin and Mick, had insisted she wanted a 'real' wedding, no matter how small.

 

"You look lovely, Mom," Kevin said a second later.

 

"Gorgeous," Sue agreed, as she came forward to offer her congratulations, with Brian and Charlie in her wake.

 

Captain Newsome and two officers, who had been friends of Will's from before, added their voices to the congratulations.

 

"I suggest we adjourn to the restaurant," Will said. "Then I can get out of this"—he pulled on the lapel of his tux jacket—"and get comfortable."

 

Mira shook her head in amusement. "Men, honestly. You'd think getting dressed up was a torture from the fourth circle of hell," she said, taking his hand as they walked toward to door from the chapel.

 

"It is," Mick stated, earning him a laugh and a glare from Mira.

 

"But you look so good in your suit," Kevin told him. "Although"—he leaned close enough so no one else would hear—"you'll look better out of it."

 

"Not happening until the happy couple is on their way to their honeymoon suite. Then you and I will have the house to ourselves."

 

"Hey, Mom, let's cancel the wedding supper. Okay?" Kevin called out.

 

She turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched. "Not happening, young man. If Will and I can wait, so can you and Mick."

 

"Damn, she's too smart by half," Kevin muttered, much to the amusement of everyone else present.

 

"But you love her anyway," Will said, releasing Mira's hand so he could put an arm around each of the young men's shoulders.

 

"You bet. I love her—and you," Kevin said with great seriousness, looking at his father. "I'm glad… well, you know."

 

Will smiled. "I know."

 

"What's that quote," Mick said. "Something about ending well."

 

"'All's well that ends well'," Mira replied. "And I, for one, think it's ended very well for all of us."

 

"I agree," Will said, kissing her forehead. "In ways I never dreamed were possible. But enough of this; let's, to quote something else, go eat, drink, and make merry."

 

Kevin shivered slightly, because he knew the rest of the phrase. Then he smiled, taking Mick's hand.

 

"That sounds good to me."

 

The End

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