“I’m not that special... well, besides being blessed by a goddess.”
“No. I’m betting you were just like this before,” Ayla said. “Kind, caring, helpful... haven’t known many who are, let alone a human to someone who isn’t human. I mean, you aren’t unique, but rare? Certainly.”
Doc shifted in his seat and exhaled. Ayla had gone out of her way twice to help him, and her words dug into him. “About that...” Doc said awkwardly. “I’ve already told Fiala, Lia, Sonya, her parents, and the dwarven elders. It’s not right to keep it from you.”
Ayla put her cup down, giving him a curious look. “Must be big if you’re this nervous about it.”
“I look human... I know I do. That was by design. I’m not human, though— I’m half-elven and half-dwarven.”
Ayla blinked at him, waiting for the punchline, but when he didn’t add anything, she sat back slowly, clearly thinking. After a long moment of silence, she nodded. “Which is why you’re okay with me and the others?”
“No, actually, it isn’t because of that at all.” Doc paused before he began to explain to her exactly how he came to be in the world.
Ayla didn’t interrupt, just listening intently the whole time. When he finished, Ayla was searching his face for something. Doc sat there, waiting for her to say anything.
“If anyone else tried to tell me that, I would call them insane,” Ayla said. “You’ve already shown me reason to believe, but this… coming from another world…? It’s a bigger pill to swallow.”
“You’re someone who deserves to know,” Doc said. “I need to trust the people who’re going to be with me for the long haul. Does this change anything between us?”
Ayla looked at the table, nodding. “Yes, Doc, it does.” Brushing her hair back behind her ear, a smile touched her lips. “You saved me from Goodman, gave me your trust to do what I was trained to do, never once questioned me in my judgments of the money, and now, you tell me this... It does change things.” She looked up at him. “It changed for the better. I was committed to doing my best for you before, but now, I’ll try to do more.”
Doc could feel the resolve in her tone, and he smiled. “Thank Luck for that. I would’ve panicked if you wanted out, instead.”
Ayla laughed, her cheeks turning a light pink. “No. I doubt I’ll want that, even in the future.”
“Might want to make sure of that,” Doc grinned. “We should solidify this: ‘Chief Financial Officer’ should be your title for Luck’s Holdings.”
Ayla’s eyes widened. “You want to establish a board?”
“Seems like the best idea,” Doc said. “Draw up what you can, and let’s hash it out in a day or two?”
“Yes,” Ayla said, standing up and gathering her papers. “I’ll go get started.”
“No, wait!” Doc said quickly, catching her hands with his. “Get some rest, first? You haven’t slept.”
Ayla blinked, her eyes going to their hands and her cheeks heating. “Um... right... yeah! I can’t sleep, either. Wedding first, then sleep, and then work.”
“That’s fine,” Doc said, giving her hands a light squeeze before letting them go. “We would like you there.”
The door to the room opened, revealing Fiala. She was dressed in an off-white dress with lace across the top, coming down to just above her ankles. “Sorry, for the wait… husband.”
Doc met her eyes and smiled. “No need for sorry. Seeing you in that, ready to marry me, is worth any wait.”
Fiala smiled, and her single long tooth became visible. “I’m ready.”
Chapter Seventeen
A small procession formed up as Doc and Fiala left the back hallway. Lotus, Daf, Posy, and Ayla trailed them. The moment the door opened to the main room, the sound of a piano started up.
Doc wore a large smile as the Wedding March suddenly filled the room. Heather gave him a wink when the bridal party passed her. While they walked, Jasmine and Lia joined them as they headed for the door.
“What the hell is all the fuss about?” one of the poker players asked loudly enough to cut over the music. “So some idiot’s dippin’ his wick in a pussy and gonna marry her? Big deal.”
One of the deputies was suddenly behind the man, a deep, rumbling growl coming from him as he spoke, “Sir, the owners have told us that if anyone acts out, we’re to toss them from the tournament. You’ll have your entry fee returned, but will be banned from all further tournaments. Now, would you care to repeat that?”
The man sneered and threw his cards to the dealer. “No, you damned mutt. No, I wouldn’t.”
Fiala’s smile was strained. Doc patted her hand, which was linked through his arm, with his. “Ignore the idiots, Fiala. Doesn’t matter what they think. All that matters is that today, we’re happy.”
Fiala’s smile eased into a happy one again. “You’re right.”
Lia had slowed her pace to fall behind the others. Turning to the room, her eyes were cold and locked onto the rude player. “Banned. Cassia, refund him, and Spot, toss him. If anyone ever disrespects my staff in such a manner again, the least you will get is banned.” She gave the room another long look before she walked out of the Lily.
Ayla glanced at Lia as she caught up. “Are you going to pick them up again?”
“That remains to be seen,” Lia said simply, but her words stopped any further conversation.
Fiala’s ears twitched, having picked up the muted conversation at the back of the procession. Her smile dimmed again for a moment before Doc’s hand squeezed hers lightly. “I’m happy, Doc. This is a moment I’d never thought I’d have. It’s just stray thoughts. I’m fine.”
“Alright.”
Walking down the street, Doc smiled when several other people joined in the procession. Henrick, Sigmund, Otto, Greta, Sonya, and a whole slew of dwarves— including the two elders— were all there by the time they reached the courthouse.
Grange stood on the courthouse steps, watching the throng with a stony face. “Holyday, what’s this?”
“A wedding, Sheriff,” Doc replied civilly. “Miss Fulton and I are here to wed. Is that a problem?”
Grange spotted Lia and straightened up. “Not at all. I was notified of a large group heading for the courthouse and had to make sure it wasn’t anything harmful to the town.”
“The judge should be waiting for them,” Lia said.
“Of course,” Grange replied. “Go on in, then.”
“Thank you,” Fiala smiled.
“Miss,” Grange said, touching the brim of his hat.
The long train of people followed the couple inside, with Grange watching them all with barely concealed distaste. When they had all gone inside, he stalked down the street. His steps had purpose, as he had someone to speak with.
When they passed Elta and Sophia, both of the women stepped out, putting up the closed signs on their doors. Doc gave them a nod and smile, getting smiles back in return.
Approaching the double doors he hadn’t once passed through even with all the times he’d been in the building, Doc felt a sense of gravity as they drew closer. Pushing them open, the room looked like he expected it should.
The far right side of the room had a jury box. The judge’s bench was directly across from the doors, and the bald man seated behind it watched them with dispassionate eyes. To the judge’s left was the witness box, while two tables sat directly across from him, and then the small fence with a swing gate that separated the crowd from the rest of the room.
Doc and Fiala walked to stand before the judge, the others mostly stopping in the viewing section. The only ones who entered the courtroom proper besides the couple were Elta, Sophia, Sonya, and Lia.
“You have the paperwork?” the judge asked.
“I have it here,” Elta said, passing it to the judge.
He took a moment reading it over. Nodding as he finished, he looked at Doc and Fiala. “Mr. Holyday, Miss Fulton, the paperwork is in order. It just needs your signatures. Please
approach the bench and sign.”
Moving together, they stopped just in front of the judge’s bench. Taking the offered pen from him, Doc signed his name on both sets of paperwork. He held the pen out to Fiala, realizing he hadn’t told her about the prenup, and felt a spike of anxiety.
Fiala took the pen and signed both documents, though she hesitated for a few seconds on the prenup. When she finished, she passed the pen back to the judge, her smile still in place.
“Very well. I have seen you both sign. I need your witnesses to step forward and sign.”
Lia and Sonya stepped forward and signed the marriage paperwork. The judge had a single eyebrow lifted as he stared at Lia while she signed. Looking down at her signature, his lips pursed.
“Lilliana Treeheart and Sonya Redblade are hereby recognized as the witnesses. Clerk, the paperwork can be sealed and recorded.”
“Yes, sir,” Elta said, taking the papers from him.
Clearing his throat, the judge looked over the room. “It isn’t often I preside over a marriage, and rarer still to have even a handful of people show up. It’s even more surprising to see such an eclectic group. I wonder what could bring so many diverse people together, but that isn’t why we’re here.”
Doc wondered if the judge was neutral and not associated with Suez and Goodman, since he didn’t seem to know him.
“Ladies, gentlemen, bestials, elves, and dwarves,” the judge said in a practiced, but not totally sincere, pleasant voice, “it is our pleasure to hold a wedding today to bring Doc Holyday and Fiala Fulton together. Some people go their entire lives without finding someone to love, and yet others find it in the most unusual of places. Holyday, do you take Fulton to be your wife, in the eyes of the community and under the rule of law?”
“I do.”
“Fulton, do you take Holyday to be your husband, in the eyes of the community and under the rule of law?”
“I do.”
“Then I, Judge Raspia Bero, do hereby pronounce you married. You may kiss the bride, sir.”
Doc smiled widely as he took Fiala into his arms, dipped her, and kissed her soundly.
The judge looked just as emotionless as he had the entire time while everyone else in the courtroom showered the newlyweds with cheers, whistles, and applause. After nearly a minute, the crowd began to laugh at the couple’s prolonged kiss.
Judge Bero coughed, clearly done with the moment.
Doc stood Fiala back on her feet and gave the judge a bow of his head. “Thank you, your honor.”
“You’re welcome. Now if you don’t mind, I do have other business to see to.”
“We understand, your honor,” Fiala said, a touch breathless.
As the pair began to walk to the crowd, Posy was standing in front of the swing gate, a basket on one arm. With a bright smile, she began to toss small pieces of flower petals as she led the couple out of the room.
Sophia and Elta had to leave the procession when they reached their offices, but both of them continued to watch until the group was entirely out of the courthouse. Elta went to seal the documents right away, but Sophia stayed in the hall a moment longer, wearing a wistful smile.
Stepping outside, Doc paused with Fiala on the courthouse steps. “Thank you all for coming to witness our big day,” he addressed the crowd. “We’re truly blessed to have so many friends. I’d like to have had the time to arrange a proper party, but—”
“We have you covered,” Greta said with a knowing grin. “We were told last night, and the clan always helps those it’s indebted to. The clan hall is ready, and most of the clan is already there, waiting.”
Fiala looked at Sonya, who gave her a small nod. “We’d be honored,” Fiala said before Doc could respond. “We’d never have dreamed that the famed hospitality of the dwarves would accompany this day. Thank you.”
Doc cleared his throat, having been caught off guard. “As my wife says, we thank you. We’d hate to impose.”
“Nonsense,” Becker replied. “I just wished we’d have had a little more time to show you exactly how famed our hospitality is, but we did everything we could to make sure today is a truly memorable day for you both.”
“I’ll send along a small token,” Lia said. “Unfortunately, I must return to the tournament that’s going on. I do wish you both a good day...” She paused briefly, a smirk touching her lips. “And a night to last you all your days.”
Doc laughed along with the crowd, while Fiala blushed and giggled, her eyes twinkling. “I understand Lia, and I’m sure the day and night will both be memorable for many long years to come. Elders, we’ll follow you.”
“You are all welcome into the clan hall for this event,” Becker said. “Please, be our guests and know that any friends of Doc Holyday are friends of ours.”
The crowd followed the dwarven elders. Many eyes watched the strange procession as they walked through town— most were curious, a few looked upon them with derision, and a handful stared with hostility.
One man spat on the ground as they passed. “Degenerates in the eyes of Apoc. It just confirms what I need to do— the preacher must be told.”
Chapter Eighteen
Arriving at the clan hall, Doc’s eyebrows rose when he saw the number of lights festooning the building’s exterior. “Wow, that’s going to be bright as hell later.”
“It lights up the town when we have reason to celebrate,” Sonya said from right behind him and Fiala. “It’s been a while since there was a reason.”
“It’s beautiful,” Fiala said. “I can’t wait to see it at night.”
“You’ll have ample opportunity,” Sonya said. “It’s barely past midday, but our parties tend to run long. Just remember to pace your drinking, Fiala. I’m not sure Doc will get much of a chance in that regard, though.”
“Why’s that?” Doc asked.
“Grooms are supposed to finish a mug from anyone who brings it to them,” Sonya laughed, “which means that most end up rather drunk by the end of the night.”
Doc snorted. “I bet none of them could cleanse their own blood.”
“A bit of a cheat, but you are correct,” Sonya grinned. “The trouble for Fiala will be the dancing.”
“I dance very well,” Fiala said, not understanding.
“No, the wedding dances,” Sonya grinned, moving to walk beside them for a moment. “I’m tall for a female dwarf— about even to most men. Where is my head?”
Doc looked over and laughed. “I see.”
“I’ll make sure they stay out,” Fiala sniffed. “Doc is the only man who gets to put his face in my tits now.”
Sonya’s lips turned up at the corners. “Good.”
“Doc,” Becker said, moving closer to them, “we set it up to be as close to a normal dwarven wedding celebration as possible. That was the best we could do with the limited warning.”
“I didn’t expect it at all, so it’s very welcome, Elder. We thank you for this.”
“We truly do,” Fiala added. “I’d never expected I’d have a wedding feast at all, much less one on this scale.”
“You’ve married a unique man,” Becker said. “I suggest you get used to the unexpected.”
“Yes,” Fiala agreed.
“Can’t even argue that,” Doc said.
They were led into the clan hall and taken to a room Doc hadn’t seen before— a vast hall, with tables taking up half the room, and a roped-off stage on the other side. A single table stood apart from the others, and instead of being round, it was rectangular.
“Who would you like to sit with you at the head table?” Becker asked.
Doc counted the number of seats and did some quick math in his head. “Fiala, choose which four you want to sit on your side,” he told her.
“Oh, um...” Fiala looked at the people who’d followed them closely. “Sonya, Lotus, Daf, and of course, Posy.”
“Mine’s a bit tougher,” Doc said.
“We’ll sit apart,” Becker said. “This w
ay, the clan knows that there is still separation between us.”
“Makes it a little easier,” Doc said. “Jasmine, Henrick, Sigmund, and… can’t ask a man to be apart from his wife for a moment like this.”
“He’d love to sit with you,” Greta said firmly. “I’ll be with the other elders, after all.”
Otto glanced at his wife before clearing his throat. “The choice is yours, of course, Doc. I would be honored to sit beside you.”
“Very well. Otto, as he was the one who was instrumental in the clan and I really coming together.”
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