My heart squeezes as I watch Hans walk Mrs. Cantrell up the aisle.
She’s openly crying, clinging to his arm, and it’s clear to see that she’s never been happier.
Cassandra’s parents know all about our little band of heathens. And they love us.
I squeeze my hands together against my chest.
Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell have become parents to all of us, and their acceptance is more than I ever could have hoped for. Nero is more than enough, but this… I look around at the people gathered… This is family.
I take a deep breath.
The aisle is short, just a few rows of chairs set up in King’s backyard. So after a few more steps, Hans stops with Mrs. Cantrell at the first row, bending to let her kiss his cheek.
In contrast to his adorable soon-to-be mother-in-law, Hans looks like a warrior, with his hair flowing in the late October breeze and his jaw clenched tight.
She says something to him, and when he pulls her into a hug, I lift the tissue clutched in my hand to the corner of my eye.
He really is the perfect match for Cassandra, my newest best friend.
Mrs. Cantrell pats him on the back as she pulls away, then waves to all of us with a watery apology.
Val is in the row behind her, sitting with Dom, and she puts her hand on Mrs. Cantrell’s shoulder.
I wish my husband was at my side. I would love to lean against him right now. But he’s not next to me because he’s standing before us all, next to Hans.
It was his idea to officiate this wedding. He argued that since he was already ordained, there was no reason to use anyone else. But we all know it’s because he and Hans have become nearly inseparable.
Nero claims it’s just because Hans is our neighbor, so it’s convenient to see him, but really, those two are a pair of peas in an unhinged pod.
It was also Nero’s idea to order that ridiculous black robe to wear over his suit. It’s truly absurd. And when he stepped into the backyard wearing it, I figured Hans would tell him to take it off. But instead, Hans grinned and presented Nero with a red-handled katana as a thank-you for marrying them.
So now the two men stand together, under an arch of beautiful flowers, with Hans in his three-piece dark gray suit with black shirt and tie, and Nero in his black robe with a sword strapped to his back.
It’s ridiculous. And wonderful.
And then I watch Hans’s expression change, and I know she’s here.
