Chapter 14
One Hale of a Day
The wind whispers in my ear, drowning out Clay’s monologue of love shared, never lost, and its freeing power. Hale’s hybrid blues shine into my fabricated blues, and his smile looks to hurt. My smile mimics his as his hands cling to mine, itching to pull me into his arms.
His sweet breath fills me with promise of what’s sure to follow, his eyes swear to love me for as long as he lives, and his touch sizzles on contact. My red dress trimmed in black is begging to be ripped off, and his lip inches between his teeth as scandalous fantasies arise.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Clay says when all sounds become audible again, and the moment I’ve been waiting for finally arrives.
Hale’s lips consume mine as their velvet touch engulfs me. His hands grip almost too tightly as he pulls me against his body, and his love for me pours out between my parted lips while his daring tongue spikes my desire to a rolling boil.
“I love you,” he breathes, and I pull him closer for a deeper kiss as the crowd stands to applaud the union they’ve long awaited.
“I love you too,” I finally release in a giddy, high-pitched whisper.
His grin only grows as he scoops me up, and everyone’s eyes stay glued to us as he carries me back down the aisle. I’m finally his wife. Araya Crush Hawkins Banner.
A picture of Nicholas sits in place of his body at the seat I reserved for him. Angelica smiles as she rushes over to hug me the moment Hale puts me down. Her strawberry-scented hair strikes my face, and I feel the hand of my husband refusing to completely leave my body.
“I’m so happy for you,” she squeals, and then I see the soft eyes of a smiling Grayson walking up behind her to help remove her from the choking embrace.
“Congratulations,” he murmurs mildly while shaking Hale’s hand.
He smiles at me again, and I stick out my hand to shake his knowing full well what he’s going to do. He pulls me into his body, and he gives me a hug like a brother would give his sister on the day of her wedding. I smile as I stare at the sweet engagement ring bearing an angel engraved in a blue stone that dresses the ring finger of my sister.
“It won’t be too long until I’m congratulating the two of you,” I murmur softly while drawing back.
“I know,” she squeals louder.
Grayson sticks his finger in his ear to pretend as though she has just burst his eardrum, and I laugh at his mockery when she playfully slaps his stomach. His lips find hers, and just like that, we’ve lost their attention. Hale laughs as he turns me away from the lovebirds, and then Symphony walks up carrying a large ring of her own on her finger.
“Marriage is in the air these days,” she giggles out.
“I see that,” I chuckle out, and her arms wrap around my neck as she tugs me tightly to her.
“I don’t know how you did the things you did, but I can never tell you what you’ve done for me. There aren’t words to describe the debt I owe you, and thank you just isn’t enough to even describe the gratitude I feel. It’s all I’ve got right now though.”
I smile into her hair before leaning back, and Clay walks up to wrap her up in his arms before kissing the back of her head. I see the glow exuding from her - the lover’s glow of pure bliss, and I smile bigger when I see the same on Clay.
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Araya, you gave me back my life. You gave me back Clay,” she crackles out, and she’s forced to clear her throat from the accidental emotional break.
“Clay has done more for me than he’ll ever tell. He deserves to have you back just as it was intended to be from the beginning. Call it me repaying a debt to him,” I say with a grin.
Hale’s lips start strolling over the back of my neck, and my hand slides up to meet his cheek as I caress his smooth face until my fingers find the soft hair of the man I plan to love for as long as I live.
“Well, I do have one bit of information you should appreciate on your wedding day. I’ve announced to the United I’ve found a way to heal the wombs never meant for childbearing in hybrids, and I’ve also told them you were my first successful trial. It went over incredibly well, though I’m sure in part it’s because everyone feels a huge debt of gratitude for your solo feat. You can do it now. You can raise your baby without anyone objecting.”
My tears fall feverishly with the news I never thought possible, and I start choking on the emotion rising in my throat. Hale clears his throat, trying to rid his own overwhelming heaps of emotion. I throw my arms around Clay, and he smiles against my head as he holds me tightly in his arms.
“Thank you,” I whimper, and then I turn my eyes to Symphony who looks to be shedding tears of her own. “See what I mean?”
She laughs and nods while wiping away her tears, and then she touches her stomach.
“The cure has worked on me, Araya. My womb can carry a child now. Though he made a way for you, you made a way for all of us,” she whimpers.
Clay’s chest jumps a little, and I hear his heart quicken, full of excitement and elation.
