Her Reluctant Wife: A Lesbian Age Gap Romance

Done something with everyone there to witness our love. I’m

sorry.”

“No,” Coralyn said, looking desperately, almost pleadingly,

at Carol. “No, this is fine. It’s just a hard time.” She was

forcing a smile, that much was so obvious. She looked

wrecked. Probably the most unhappy bride-to-be Carol had

ever seen. “It doesn’t have to be romantic. We have our whole

lives for that. For going away and celebrating. I want to do this

now. So that I can tell my dad that I’m happy. That I’m loved.

That I’m a wife. He can’t be here, but I know he’ll be happy

for me. It’s what he always wanted.”

“I don’t have any fancy vows written,” Giana admitted,

cursing herself for her lack of foresight. There was always the

damn internet or a book of poetry or something, if she couldn’t

find the words. She should have spent less time worrying

about herself earlier and more time thinking about how to

make this special, not just getting it done. “But I’m going to

take care of you.” She slipped her hand from Coralyn’s so that

she could grasp her shoulders. They were small in her palms.

Coralyn felt so fragile. She was far shorter in bare feet to

Giana’s heels, but she was smaller anyway. Delicate. So

young. So pale. So scared and sad and lost. “I don’t want you

to have to feel what you’re feeling right now. I don’t want you

to go through any of this alone. I promise I’ll be here. Always.

Whether you want to be happy or sad, I’ll be right beside you.

Steadying you. You can talk to me. Even if we didn’t do that

before. I promise to do it now. Whatever you need, I’m here.

I’ll always look after you. I’ll learn how to love you.

Properly.”

“Well,” Carol sniffed into the silence. She brushed at her