I blinked, shaking my head. "I'm sorry, where does a bear even come from around here?"
"It's a black bear, and… I honestly have no idea. Farrah wasn't sure either."
I sucked in a breath. "Alright, so the bear issue is being taken care of. Did he destroy anything?"
"No, but he did scare some caterers."
I nodded. "But they're good?"
"They're ready to go…. Once the bear problem is taken care of."
"Okay, cool." I twisted back to face the makeup artist. "Anything else?"
"Um… actually, yes."
The room collectively sucked in air.
I turned back to Anika; my nerves suddenly frayed. "Go on."
She winced. "The band is stuck in Missouri."
"Excuse me?"
"Their flight got delayed yesterday and they were meant to be on the red-eye this morning. But there's that blizzard over—"
I closed my eyes, forcibly unclenching my jaw. "Anything else?"
"Um, just one thing."
Bracing for more bad news, Anika drew a small folded piece of paper from her pocket, handing it over.
I looked down at the note, recognizing Gunnar's handwriting.
Ella,
The world could be ending and I'd still marry you today. Don't fret the details. The only thing I care about is you becoming my wife.
I love you, Valkyrie. Let's get married.
My muscles loosened, tension leaving me in a flood. Anticipation returned, the simmering nervous-excitement that came before the culmination of a lifetimes dream.
"Thanks Ani. Just do whatever you can. Worst comes to worst, we'll pump a playlist through some speakers."
I turned back to the makeup artist, smiling brightly. "I really like this shade of red."
The artist sent a startled glance Ani's way then began to apply the lipstick. "Ah, yes. It looks great on you. Really brings out your eyes."
"Is she in shock?" I heard Astrid whisper to Ani.
"No idea. But can you call this number? Wolf's back in town this weekend and he was a local musician before going to college. If he can't do the wedding then he might at least know someone."
"What are you gonna do?"
"Settle the caterers and make sure they don't put out shitty food because they're stressed by the bear. You can taste stress on a plate and I refuse to allow that to happen at my best friend's wedding."
"What can I do?" Liv asked, poised at the ready.
"Keep the bride calm. I don't want her stressed."
With that, they broke apart, Astrid following Ani out the door, Liv moving to my little Bluetooth speaker, playing with it and her phone.
A moment later pan flutes and chanting began to stream from the speaker.
"Um, Liv? What is this?"
"A calming playlist. Just close your eyes and breathe into the music. Have you ever done box breathing before? Do you need me to guide you? I can get my yogi on the phone, I don't think she's got—"
I began to giggle, the hilarity of the situation catching up with me. In moments, deep belly-laughs had me bending over, acting like I was an asthmatic seal, snorts and gasps the only sound such was my amusement.
"Oh God, I think we've broken her!"
I laughed, wiping at the tears streaming from my eyes, trying to bring myself under control.
"I'm sorry," I said with another chuckle. "It's just… Liv. I'm getting married today. I'm marrying Gunnar. Gunnar. The man who makes me feel like the prettiest woman alive. He worships the ground I walk on. He told me once that he'd marry me barefoot and naked in a graveyard if that's what it took." I beamed at her, happiness chasing away any fear or doubt. "Nothing else matters but ending today as his wife."
"That's a good outlook," she said, patting me on the shoulder. "You keep thinking that and we'll take care of the rest."
I knew she didn't believe me just yet. Liv was a planner, she liked order. But she'd understand one day.
I turned back to the makeup artist. "Sorry about that."
"No problem." She grinned at me, holding up her brush. "Good to see the waterproof mascara works. Now, let's get you ready to become a missus."
***
Gunnar
I shifted from side to side, wondering where on earth my bride was.
"You think she's still coming?" Erik asked me.
I ignored him, staring at our house, still waiting for Ella to appear.
"I mean, the bear was a pretty horrible sign," Rune agreed, gesturing to the waiting crowd. "It'd be pretty sad if she stood you up in front of all these people."
"Boys!" My father snapped, bestowing his fiercest glare upon them. "Stop teasing your brother. Can't you see he's freaking out?"
I'm not freaking out. I just want Ella.
The door finally opened, my sisters popping their heads out. With a nod to the lone guitarist (what the fuck happened to the band?), they threw our door open, beginning to walk down the aisle. As one, people stood, watching as my sisters strolled down; their green dresses tailored to complement them individually.
They paused, kissing me and giving me hugs.
"Well done," Astrid whispered, squeezing me tight.
"We're choosing her over you," Liv said, giving me a light tap on my cheek.
Anika appeared, sending me a cheeky wink as she walked down the aisle, her sari the same shade as my sisters’ dresses, her smile wide.
She met me, rising up to kiss me on the cheek and whisper advice in my ear.
"She looks gorgeous, don't cock this up."
With a laugh, I handed her off to Mac, who tucked her into his side and took a seat at the front of the crowd.
The guitarist transitioned smoothly from a pretty classical number, to a slightly slower cover of Sam Hunt's ‘Body Like a Back Road.’ I watched Ella pause, registering the song. With a laugh, she continued down the aisle, her shoulders and hips swaying in time to the music, her face radiant.
Gorgeous, fucking gloriously gorgeous. My Ella, my beautiful, stunning, amazing wife.
Her father shook my hand, kissed her cheek, then moved to sit beside her mother.
Finally, with her hand in mine, I stared at my future, my life, my heart. My wife.
"Nervous?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow at me.
"Stunned. You're stunning."
A flush rose in her cheeks, her eyes shining. "You look pretty nice yourself, Mr. Larsson."
"Shall we get started?" the celebrant asked, looking from me to Ella.
"Yep."
"I'm ready."
With laughter and tears (mostly from my mother and mother-in-law), I married the woman who completes me, heart and soul.
"You may now kiss your bride."
Under the fading sun, standing in our yard, with the sound of cheers from those we loved surrounding us, we kissed, lips locking in a hungry, triumph of joy.
"Love you, Valkyrie."
"I know." She grinned, cupping my face to press another exuberant kiss to my lips. "Now let's party!"
With a laugh I lifted her into my arms, swinging her around, thanking whatever God had gifting me the wonder of this woman.