The wedding

*Calliope*
As a young girl I had dreamed often of the day I would marry. While I knew that in most cases people do not marry for love, I had not wanted it to be the case when it came to my marriage. I had fully intended to be madly in love with the man and for him to absolutely adore me. As it is, my love for him and his son propels me toward the altar, where he waits because of obligation.

It is bittersweet knowledge to reflect upon as we repeat our vows. And I make silent ones to make certain he never regrets taking me to wife. I will do anything to make him happy and content in any way possible.

I am wearing a simple beige gown. I think I will forever remember how handsome Zac appears standing there, in his dark blue jacket and black trousers. Then he removes my glove and the simple gold band he placed on my finger fits perfectly. I want to believe that fate approves, that destiny has somehow brought us together.

Following the ceremony, we retire to the residence, where a late breakfast awaits us. I have never seen so much food in my life as what has been set on the sideboard. Succulent aromas waft through the residence. My mouth waters. Guiltily, I think of how little food had been available for the men in the hospital, and it seems wrong to have such abundance here.

“Is something amiss?" He ska me softly.

I look up at Zac. Until that moment, I haven’t truly understood exactly what his loss of memory means. He doesn’t remember being hungry or cold. I have been so focused on the fact that he doesn’t remember me that I haven’t considered that without his memories a great deal of what we had in common is gone as well. Like smoke blown away in the dark.

“Not at all. It is just so overwhelming that it is difficult to believe it has really happened." I touch the ring. “I don’t know why it surprised me that you had a ring on hand."

“It’s rather plain, but it was my grandmother’s, it is a family treasure.” He says softly.

I return his smile. “I don't require anything fancy, and it has great sentimental value. I love it. Thank you for entrusting it to me.”

He lifts my hand and presses a kiss on my knuckles, just below the ring. “I entrusted my son to you. What is a bit of jewelry in comparison?"

He holds my gaze as I have imagined a hundred times that he would, the hazel of his eyes is darkening like a storm on the horizon. I shiver with the realization that while it is only late morning, he is already contemplating the evening. When I will truly become his wife.

“Come along, you two, you will want to eat before you begin your journey”. Djuna says, touching Zac’s cheek with a familiarity that causes a sharp pang in my chest. I wonder if they have once been intimate. Surely not.

It doesn’t help the spark of jealousy to realize that Djuna knows something that I don’t. “What journey?”

Zac gives me a crooked grin. “It was to be my surprise for you. Morton has some property he has been neglecting. He has offered to let us live there, as long as we will care for it. Rosegleam Castle. I think you'll like it there."

“I’m sure I will". Because he will be there, and we will be a family.