Free Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series) by Charlotte Blackwell Page A

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Chapter 12
     
    I Do
     
    The last week in Banff has been wonderful; we showed our loved ones our old house , and the hospital where Constance found Danika. Now it is time to get down to business. Tonight Alexander and Matilda , along with Nathanial and me , exchange our vows. I never thought this day would come. Tonight I become Mrs. Nathanial McCord Pierce. Throughout tradition when a couple is married , the woman adds the man ’ s family name to the end of hers. We will be changing it to have Pierce as the last name because Nathanial is joining ou r family , and we all take Elijah ’ s name. We decided to keep the McCord in honor of his family ; hence the double last name. We ’ ve secured a justice of the peace to meet u s at Bow Falls tonight at six, s o we can be married as the sun goes down and by the light of the moon, the moment when day and night collide.
    After a quick drink of blood punch Florence made from Isaac ’ s synthetic blood, I meet Matilda and the other girls in Florence ’ s suite. The boys will all hang out in Ebony ’ s, mine and Nathanial ’ s suite. I think they are planning to do the normal guy thing and play video g ames while us girls arrange the flowers. Because of the short notice, we ’ ve been unable to secure a florist. Something as simple as flower arranging won ’ t stop us , though.
    Florence and Constance go down to the local floral shop and purchase dozens and dozens of flowers: bright red Charlotte roses, crisp white calla lilies, along with cranberry and evergreen sprigs. After we f inish bouquets for Matilda and me , we make some boutonnieres for our men , along with some large flower arrangements to take to the w aterfalls with us. T he pictures will be amazing. For a small intimate ceremony , it ’ s going to be more than I could have ever imagined.
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    Driving down the road to Bow Falls, the sun glistens off the light dusting of snow on the trees surrounding us. The mountains are one of the world ’ s most glorious creations. There ’ s a slight chill to the air, but it ’ s warmed up enough that the water is flowing freely from the mountain caps. As we pull closer , the sound of the rushing water becomes louder. M ist reaches the windshield of the cars , and my excitement threatens to explode. Only a f ew cars grace the parking lot. W ith sunset upon us , most everyone is leaving.
    The justice of the peace is already waiting when we arrive. Florence and Elijah left ahead of the rest of us to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They brought the f lower arrangement s out with them and strategically place d them on the small foot high rock wall. From the parking lot, looking straight ahead , you see the rock barrier wall on the opposite side of the riverbank , where it holds back the loose rocks and drift wood. If you look just off to the left , you see the thirty - f oo t - high and seventy - f oo t - wide waterfall, falling freely over the edge to meet the riverbank and flow ing through the mountains. The sun meets the horizon and reflects off the water , creating a breathtaking rainbow. Each color is b r ight and full , i n complete unison with the next, reaching from one side of the waterfall to the next. I ’ ve never seen a rainbow at sunset before. I believe this is the McCords giving us their blessing.
    Before Matilda and I take another step , Danika presses play on her iPod , which is connected to a small battery operated stereo . Elijah hurries to our sides. S tanding between us , he takes both of us by the arm. A beautiful instrumental song plays over the speakers , and Matilda and I both turn and smile at Elijah , the man who has been a father figure to us for over a hundred years. Standing along the wall , before the rushing beauty of Mother Earth , is my wonderful , twin brother , Alexander , and the most handsome man I know, Nathanial. As we approach the men of our dreams , a feel ing , a sense of peace rush es over me.
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