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