Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  “Then let’s get back to the house before we get in trouble, and I get hungry!” Del laughed, picking up her pace.

  They’d gotten back to the house pretty quickly and Delaney had dropped Ari off in the front room with her mother, Kasey and Jenny. She gave them all a smile as she headed for the stairs to find her wife.

  She knocked on the closed door. “Rae, it’s me. Can I come in?” she asked, already reaching for the knob.

  “No! You can’t see me yet.” Raelin ran to the door and leaned against it. “It’s bad luck for us to see each other before the ceremony,” she knew that she was being silly, but with everything they had already gone through, she didn’t feel that they could chance it.

  “What? By those standards, we aren’t supposed to sleep with each other either. That of course didn’t stop you last night, or this morning for that matter, now did it?” Del laughed, leaning against the door on her own side.

  “Delaney Lynn Delacroix, don’t you dare make fun of me,” the brunette huffed. “Besides, there was no way that I could resist you this morning.”

  “Not making fun Darlin’. I certainly didn’t mind. Although, I’m not sure what was so special about me this morning as opposed to every other morning,” Del replied, drawing random patterns on the surface of the wood, wishing she could hold Raelin close, but wanting to respect her wife’s need for at least some tradition in this decidedly untraditional ceremony.

  “Every morning is special, but you looked so beautiful when you brought me breakfast in bed wearing the new robe I bought you that I had to have you.” Raelin was glad that the blonde couldn’t see her blushing as she thought about what they had done.

  “You are totally blushing right now, aren’t you?” Del grinned, tracing a heart on the door. “Bet you regret teaching me about Empathy now, don’t you?”

  Bowing her head, the witch smiled. “I can never regret helping you to get in tune with something that should come naturally to you. We just need to teach you when to use it and when to not.” Turning to face the door, she began to trace heart patterns on the wood. “I love you, Delaney.”

  “I love you too Darlin’. And as soon as you are ready to come out, we’ll make it as close to official as we can.” Del smiled softly, feeling little butterflies in her tummy. “And it’s not like I try to spy on you like that. I just feel you so strongly that most days I can’t tune you out like everyone else. And I don’t usually care to anyways.”

  “I know, and I honestly don’t ever want to not feel you with me. If you want to tell Ariel to come on up, you guys can head on out to the glen, and we’ll be there in five minutes like we practiced last night.” Raelin’s heart was beginning to flutter.

  “Yeah I can do that.” Del turned to head downstairs, her heart starting to race, but paused and pressed her front against the door. “I love you. I’ll see you in a few, okay?”

  Raelin pressed herself against the door. “And I love you,” she smiled as she heard Del’s footsteps on the stairs. Going over to her jewelry box, she took out the black box that had been in her father’s safety deposit box and opened it once more. Taking out the diamond eternity ring that was to be her mother’s, she slipped it on her little finger as she heard tiny footsteps coming up the stairs.

  Ariel knocked on the door, announcing her presence. “Aunt Rae! Aunt Delly saids youse wanted to sees me. Can I come in?”

  Raelin opened the door and smiled, as she looked at the mini me of Delaney. “Yes ma’am, you may. And I have a favor to ask of you.”

  Ariel put on a serious face, or as serious as a four-year-old could manage. She wrapped her arms around Raelin’s thigh, being careful of the dress the taller woman was wearing. “What? I promise I’ll try my bestest.”

  Raelin knelt so that she was at eye level with the little girl. Holding up her hand, she showed the tiny blonde the ring. “Would you carry this in your purse until I ask you for it at the ceremony? You have to be very careful with it and not lose it.”

  The tiny blonde nodded solemnly, holding out the tiny clutch purse her mommy had let her carry. Once Raelin had placed it gently in the bag, Ariel held out her pinky. “I’ll take very goods care of it. Pinky promise.”

  Wrapping her pinky around the little girl’s, Raelin whispered, “Pinky promise. Now, are you ready to go to the glen?”

  “Sure am, but I gots a present for you downstairs first,” Ariel replied, bouncing on her feet.

  “Okay, let’s go see it.” Raelin took the little girls hand and together they went down stairs into the kitchen where Rori was silently sitting on his bench. “You about ready Rori?” the brunette asked.

  “I am, but Ariel would like to give you something first, and I’m afraid she’s going to bounce away,” he chuckled.

  Turning to the little girl, the witch waited.

  Ariel giggled and stood on her tiptoes to reach onto the table. When she pulled back, she was holding a hand woven flower crown in her hands. “I mades this for you. Mommy helped me a little, but I picked all the pretty flowers by myself,” she explained, holding it out in offering.

  “Aw sweetie, it’s beautiful. Would you like to put it on me?” Raelin knelt down and lowered her head so that the child could place it a top her hair.

  Ariel gently placed the crown on Raelin’s head, making extra sure to get it on just so. She smiled when Raelin looked up at her and gave the witch a sloppy kiss. “You looks extra pretty. Aunt Delly will think so too.”

  “Well, it will be all because of the beautiful crown that you made. Ready to go?” Raelin stood up and held out her hand for the little girl. “Come on, Rori. You finally get to give me away.”

  Ari nodded and took the witch’s hand.

  Rori hopped off his bench and followed the witch out of the house. “It’s a little bittersweet child. I know she will be good for you, but it’s a little hard to give you away to someone else,” he thought, letting his amusement show through the link.

  “Well, I could say that you’re actually gaining another human, but I honestly don’t know how you would feel about that,” Raelin joked.

  “I’d say it’s an honor considering who the human is.” He smiled and was silent after that, simply enjoying this quiet moment with his witch before he gave her to another.

  Del stood anxiously next to Jessie, shifting her weight from one bare foot to the other. Her stomach was in knots, and her heart was pounding in her chest. She glanced at Jessie and then to where Jenny, Kasey, and Jessie’s husband Mike stood before gazing back down at her toes.

  Raelin and her little group came to the entrance of the glen and Raelin knelt beside the child. “Now you remember what you need to do, right?”

  “Yep, sure do.” The little girl grinned, proud that she had a secret with an adult.

  “Okay, you go first and then Rori, and I will follow you.”

  Nodding Ariel stepped through the tree line, intent on doing the best job ever. She made her way up towards where she saw her Mommy and Aunt standing, coming to a stop in front of her Mommy. She turned just like she’d been told and faced where she knew Raelin would be coming.

  Stepping into the glen, Raelin only had eyes for Delaney who looked so beautiful in her outfit. The witch had never told her, but she loved the blonde when she wore a tie.

  Del immediately felt when Raelin had joined them, and her eyes snapped up to look at her witch. She felt the air leave her lungs as she looked over Raelin’s dress. The peasant cut of the dress was prefect on Raelin’s body, it’s off white color accenting the bronze glow of her skin and the sleeveless top half showing off well-formed shoulders and a graceful neck. The breezy lower half danced around her legs as she moved and the handmade flower crown on her head made the caramel hue of Raelin’s eyes stand out. Overall, she completely forgot anyone else existed as Raelin approached her.

  Stopping in front of the blonde, Raelin had to stop herself from leaning down and kissing her. Instead, she let her eyes and their link express exactly
what she wanted to do at that moment.

  Del smiled when she felt Raelin push her emotions across the link. She responded in kind and took both of Raelin’s hands in her own. Jolted out of the intense gaze she held with Raelin, she turned her attention to Jessie as she started to speak.

  “Who gives this woman to be wed?” Jessie asked happily.

  Rori stepped forward and raised his paw. “I, Rori Alexander Montrose gladly share Raelin with Delaney.”

  Ariel tugged at her mother’s dress pants and turned her head to look up at her. “Mommy, Mister Rori says he’ll share with Aunty Delly.”

  Del chuckled a little at the tiny blonde as she translated for her mother’s benefit.

  Rori stepped aside until he was standing next to Ariel, and nodded his head to the young girl, while Raelin smiled over at them both. Turning back to the blonde, she waited for Jessie to continue.

  “Thank you Ariel, Rori,” Jessie said patting the tiny blonde head. “Now I could say plenty of things here about how perfect these two are for each other, but I think they could say it better themselves. So Delaney and Raelin, you may say your own vows at this time.” Jessie smiled at the two of them.

  Del drew in a deep breath and looked Raelin in the eye, holding her dark gaze. “When I got here that first day, never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to something like this. I saw you that first time, I swear the entire world shifted underneath my feet. Then I came to know you, and things happened so fast, but it never once felt rushed. I’m so at ease with you, so at home with you, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else ever again. You’re my best friend, my lover, my closest confidant, and there’s nowhere I want to be for the rest of my life, except right there next to you. Things won’t always be easy, but I’ll always be right there next to you holding you up when you’re low and celebrating with you on the highs. I love you, and I’ll cherish you from now until forever. This I promise you,” Del finished, gently kissing Raelin’s knuckles.

  Raelin smiled at the blonde with tears in her eyes. “Even though I knew you were coming, I never imagined I would be standing here today. You have completed in me what was missing and shown me what love truly is by sharing your life with me. I trembled at your first touch, as I do with every touch. You accepted me without question, and you love me without restraint. I will stand beside you when you need support. I will lead when you need to follow. And I will love you until the end of time. I give you my heart, my body, and my spirit joyfully and as our friends and all of nature as our witness, I take you as my wife.” The brunette glanced at Jessie. “Can I kiss her now?”

  “Unless there’s anything else you’d like to add, feel free.” The attorney grinned.

  Stepping forward, Raelin reached to cup Delaney’s face. “I love you, Mrs. Delacroix,” she said, and brushed her lips against the blonde’s.

  Tilting her head up to press closer to her wife, Del let her fingers rest against Raelin’s neck, pulling her just a little closer. Finally, she pulled away enough to breathe, feeling her own eyes watering. She pressed her forehead to Raelin’s, smiling up at the taller woman. “I am the luckiest person on Earth to have you.”

  “There is no one else on Earth that I would rather have me. We were made for each other, and against all odds we found each other.” Raelin kissed each of the blonde’s eyes before kissing her lips once more.

  The blonde melted into the kiss, letting it linger slightly before pulling away once more. She looked at Jessie, waiting on what was next.

  “Do either of you have a token of your affection that you would like to exchange?” Jessie grinned at the brunette.

  Releasing Delaney for a moment, the witch turned to Ariel. “Can I have what I gave you earlier, Miss Ariel?”

  Ariel nodded and opened her little purse, grabbing the ring and holding it out in the palm of her hand. “Just like we promised.”

  “Thank you.” Raelin took the ring and gave the child a kiss on her cheek. Rising up, she turned her gaze to her wife. “My Father waited too long to give Momma this ring. I don’t want to wait too long to give you anything, so I ask you, Delaney, will you wear this ring as proof of my love for you?”

  “Yes, of course.” Del was surprised, but she was also honored that Raelin would give this ring to her to wear.

  Slowly Raelin slid it on Delaney’s ring finger and smiled as it fit like it was made for the blonde. “See, we are meant to be together.”

  “Seems that way. I was thinking the other day that you never really had a chance to wear an engagement ring, and I want you to have that,” she reached into her pocket and drew out an elegant diamond ring, simple, but striking in its presentation. “This ring was my mother’s. It’s about all I was given of her things, and to her, it meant her commitment to one person for the rest of her life. I would like it to mean the same for you. Please accept this ring as a token of my promise to love you, cherish you, and protect you from now until forever,” Del said softly, her voice cracking with emotion.

  Tears filled Raelin’s eyes as she whispered yes, unable to say anything else.

  Del slid the ring onto Raelin’s finger, breathing a slight sigh of relief when it went on without any problems. “Looks like you were right. Perfect fit.” Del smiled as she brought Raelin’s hands up to her mouth and kissed them.

  “Ok, now that we’ve got the mushy parts out of the way, I am happy to present you with Mrs. Raelin and Delaney Delacroix. May their life be filled with love, laughter, and sunlight.” Jessie smiled at the two women. “Congratulations! We’ll sign the powers of attorney once we get back to the house.”

  Wrapping her arms around her wife, Raelin kissed her hard; trying to pour as much love and happiness into that one kiss so that Delaney would never have a reason to doubt how she felt.

  After returning the kiss in kind, Del finally pulled away when the need for air asserted itself. She could not keep the grin off her face as she and Raelin turned to accept hugs from the gathered friends. Eventually they started making their way to the house, smiling and laughing as they walked hand in hand.

  Rori ran ahead and then doubled back as if he didn’t want to be out of sight of the celebration for too long.

  Raelin tugged on Delaney’s hand and motioned for her to stop for a moment while telling the others that they would only be a few minutes behind. Making sure that they were out of earshot, the witch turned to her bride. “Do you mind if we go to the family plot for a moment? I would like to tell Momma and Dad that we’re as official as we can make it,” she gazed into sparkling green eyes.

  “I don’t mind at all.” Del smiled, swinging their joined hands together lightly.

  Walking up the visible path to the family plot, Raelin reached up with her free hand and removed the crown of flowers before she knelt before her parent’s final resting place. “Momma...dad. Delaney and I just had a joining ceremony out in the glen and I wanted to tell you that I’m so very happy right now. I know that you two can see us, and you know that we love each other just as much as you two did. I have someone who loves me and who will always be there for me, just as I will be for her. I love you both,” she laid the crown between the two graves and stood up.

  “I’m sorry I was never able to meet either of you in person, but I promise you I will take care of your daughter. I’ll see to it that she’ll never want for anything. I love her, and she’ll be safe with me,” Del said softly, bowing respectfully towards the two markers.

  Backing away from the site, Raelin turned to her wife. “Let’s go home,” she smiled at the blonde. “And it is our home because it is filled with love and laughter just as it’s supposed to be.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Let’s go sign some paper.” Del smiled kissing Raelin’s knuckles with a smile.

  Walking back to the house took a little longer than planned because the two women would stop and kiss every few feet. Finally, Ariel ran out to find them in the yard under the big oak.

  “There you guys are.
Daddy said to come find you before you started your wedding night early. I don’t know what he meaned by it, but Mommy hit him,” Ariel exclaimed wrapping her arms around Del’s legs.

  Raelin put her hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh aloud. “We’re sorry, Ariel. We’re coming. Are you ready to have some cake?”

  “Yes! Mommy promised if I was a good girl that could haves some,” she said earnestly, reaching her arms up to Raelin in a sign that she wanted up.

  “Yes, and if I know your Daddy, if you give him that really cute face I taught you, he’ll probably let you have a little extra.” Del laughed.

  Releasing Delaney’s hand, Raelin reached down to pick up the little girl. “Well then, I guess that we had better get inside so that you can have some cake. Thank you for holding Aunt Delly’s ring for me. It was a big help.”

  “Welcomes, Aunt Rae.” Ariel smiled, pressing her hands to Raelin’s cheeks.

  Del just smiled, watching her wife interact with the child. She was going to be a wonderful mother someday. She smiled at the thought as they headed for the house and stepped through the door to loud cheers and clapping.

  Jenny raised a glass of champagne from her spot in front of Kasey, who had one hand on her hip. “Here’s to the happy couple.”

  Jessie and her husband joined in. “Here, here.”

  Wrapping an arm around Raelin’s waist, Del felt the pink flush to her cheeks. “Thanks, guys. I’m glad you were all here with us.”

  “We want to thank you all for being with us...” Raelin glanced at her wife and smiled. “I’ve never had a family before and I have to say that this feels great. Each and every one of you is always welcome into our home. Anytime.”

  “Absolutely. Don’t be strangers, any of you.” Del smiled at her friends.

  “Cake times now?” Ariel interrupted with an earnest look on her face, which cracked Del up.

  “Almost, sweetie. Aunt Delly and I need to sign some papers and then it will be cake time.” Raelin set the little girl down in front of her father.

  Del smiled at her friend as he lifted his daughter into his arms. As much as Ariel looked like her, one could still see where she took after her father. Tall, with ice blue eyes and short blonde hair, he’d make an intimidating man if he weren’t such a goofball.