Joey drags me into him for a deep, hot kiss that leaves me breathless."Ready for the wedding tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, aye.Cannae wait to be your wife."
"Do you regret that we decided to abstain until our wedding night?"
"I could never regret anything we've done together."
But now it's time for me to become Joey Finnegan's wife.
We both agreed to sleep in separate rooms overnight, so I haven't laid eyes on my betrothed in precisely fourteen hours.I counted.Our bedroom has a clock on the mantel, after all.My mother helps me get into my gown while the aunts fuss with my hair, weaving tiny white flowers through the braided crown they've created.
"Hold still, lass," Morna chides, accidentally jabbing another pin into my scalp."Beauty requires sacrifice."
Fortunately, those were only wee pricks---and I have thick skin.
"I'm not certain Joey cares about elaborate hairstyles," I say, wincing as another pin finds purchase.
Mother laughs, adjusting my bodice."Maybe not, but he'll remember how you looked on this day for the rest of his life.Trust me."
The enchanted veil comes last, settling over my face like morning mist.It's so fine I can barely feel it, yet I sense the protection magic humming against my skin---gentle but unmistakable.
"There," Efrica declares, stepping back to admire their handiwork."A vision of loveliness, just as your mother was on her wedding day."
Mother's eyes mist over as she adjusts the veil one final time."Oh, Rachel.My little girl is getting married.Next will come babies---lots of them."
"Dinnae get ahead of yourself,Màthair," I reply, smoothing the delicate fabric of my gown."We will have at least one babe, but after that...who knows."
"I predict a dozen babies."
My attempt to stop myself from laughing results in a loud snort.
A knock at the door interrupts us, and Father's gruff voice calls through the wood."Are ye nearly ready?The guests are assembled, and your future husband looks like he might wear a hole in the stone floor with his pacing."
"Almost there!"Mother calls back, then turns to me with a smile that trembles at the edges."Ready to become Mrs.Finnegan, my sweet baby girl?"
"I've been ready since the moment that infuriating man tumbled through a time portal and into my life."My voice remains steady, despite the butterflies in my stomach.
When the doors to the great hall open, I feel as though I'm floating.The room has been transformed with flowers and greenery, candles flickering in every alcove.Our guests---Guarin Abadie, as well as the chieftains of clans Grant and, surprisingly, MacLeod too---rise to their feet.
But I see only Joey.
He stands tall at the end of the aisle, his dark hair falling casually across his forehead.I've grown to love his goatee for the bad-boy flavor of it.His gaze is fixed on me with such intensity that I feel my knees weakening.He wears a MacTaggart kilt, specially made for him, and a white linen shirt that makes his tanned skin glow in the candlelight.
"Ye look bonnie, my sweet Rachel."Father clasps his hand over mine on his arm as we begin our walk up the aisle.His voice is rough with emotion."I may have been hard on Joey, but know this---I couldnae have chosen a finer man for ye if I'd searched a thousand years."
I struggle not to cry as we walk down the aisle.Joey never looks away from me for even one second, and the smile spreading across his face makes me choke up a wee bit.How did I get so lucky?This man traveled through time itself to find me.
When we reach the altar, Father places my hand in Joey's, his own lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.A silent warning, mayhap, or simply reluctance to let his only daughter go.
"Take care of her, lad," Father murmurs, "She's our beloved daughter and our only child."
Joey's eyes never leave mine as he responds, "I'll protect her with my life, sir.That's a promise."
Father nods once, then steps back to join Mother, who immediately clutches his arm with tears streaming down her face.
The ceremony begins, but I barely hear the words.Joey caresses my hand with his thumbs in small, soothing circles.I feel the tremble in his fingers---my fearless, time-traveling warrior is nervous.And that makes me love him even more.
My parents wed in an irregular marriage.But Joey and I will have the usual sort with a minister.
