Quadruple Duty: All or Nothing

“You could slide me one,” she said, “or two. You know, if it gets to be too much. Maybe on the weekends. I’m sure Rich wouldn’t mind, if I—”

“Open the door, bitch,” I grinned. My eyes were glassy again. “Before I break your wrist.”

A castle. In Wales. With the people I loved most in the whole world; Melissa and her husband Rich. Cindy, who’d come alone. Kyle’s mother. Ryan’s father, and his sisters as well. Even Dawn and her new girlfriend, invited last minute…

But not Dakota’s family.

Some battles had to be picked, and some won later. The important thing was that I was making headway. I knew I was growing on them, even his mother. And in time—

Melissa thrust a bouquet into my hand. I wasn’t even sure where she got it from.

“Here we go.”

The doors swung open into the most amazing candlelit cathedral. I saw ribbed arches, rising to a beautifully vaulted ceiling. Tympanums and buttresses, enshrouding the exits. An enormous rose window of stained glass looming in the back, segmented by mullions and tracery and—

Sammara, stop!

I had to blink hard, drawing my attention back to the only thing in the chamber that actually mattered:

The four strapping groomsmen waiting for me at the altar.

Fifty-Seven

SAMMARA

I’d imagined my wedding countless times during the course of my life, especially when I was a little girl. I’d be married in a church, by a priest, surrounded by hundreds of friends and family. There would be solemn, handwritten vows. A breathtaking, fairy-tale like kiss…

I’d even imagined my groom, standing beside me. My future husband. Tall. Dark. Handsome…

Oh, how hilarious life can be.

I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly as Melissa walked me down the aisle. I was in another country, another time, another place. Walking through ancient European halls instead of a traditional American church, before an audience of twelve instead of dozens. Moving inexorably closer to not one handsome groomsman… but four tremendous, powerful, beautiful men. Men who I’d gladly give my very life for. And men who somehow — through all my faults, and against all odds — loved me together, as one.

The lump in my throat came bac

k as I thought of my parents, specifically, my father. This walk would’ve been his by right. A small thing on the surface, but a tremendous moment in the life of any man who ever loved a daughter.

I wasn’t sure I knew him well enough to say whether he’d approve or disapprove, but one thing I did know was the man loved me with all his heart. I liked to think my father was here anyway, holding my arm. Guiding me into the next great adventure of my very strange, but very blessed life.

As we inched closer, I glanced up at my soon-to-be husbands. Kyle was absolutely glowing. Dakota, on the verge of tears. Ryan and Jason were standing tall, their hands clasped neatly in front of them, staring at me as if I were the most beautiful thing they’d ever seen.

Which of course, I was.

I was having the most non-traditional wedding ever, yet I’d still picked out the most stunning white gown. The sleeveless silhouette hugged my curves on top, all the way down to my waistline. There it flared out into a beautiful skirt and lace-edged train, all sewn with sequins and shimmering crystal.

“Hey,” Melissa had joked while picking it out. “If you’re gonna get married in a castle? Might as well look like a princess.”

Slowly but surely I reached the altar. Melissa lifted my veil, kissed me on the cheek, and left me in the hands of a grinning Samoan ‘priest’ who was even bigger than any of my potential husbands.

“You ready for this?” the man smiled down at me.

I laughed. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“Because you’re marrying these clowns,” he chuckled. “And… well…”

He motioned, and my four fiancés moved to either side of me. We formed a little circle, as always. A well-dressed, happy little group standing before an altar of carved wood and stone.

The man, I knew now, was Nanise — a member of Di Spatia, and an old friend. He actually was a priest back in Samoa, or so the story went. Much more important than that however, he’d saved Kyle and Jason’s life. On more than one occasion too, from what they told me.