Knight Shift

by Paulette Miller

  “I don’t need a legal document to tell me that you’re mine, but I do want to have some kind of ceremony for us to announce to our family and friends that we’re committed together forever. Ben has already offered to officiate. He helped bring us together so I think it’s only right that he’s the one to bind us for life.”

  “We could have the ceremony in the main room downstairs.”

  “Actually, I want to have it where my family can join us.”

  His shoulders slumped when he realized her chosen location. “You mean up on the ledge where you spread their ashes.” He said it as a fact, not as a question.

  “Yes, assuming Doctor B tells me I’m okay to take the trip. He would be with us and you have this part of the mountain more secure than Fort Knox. You could carry me up there and back so that I wouldn’t take a single step.”

  Seeing the pleading in her eyes, he couldn’t say no. “We’ll talk to Bones tomorrow and, if he says okay, I’ll make it happen.”

  “Thanks, future husband of mine.”

  “Anything for you, future wife of mine.”

  When they turned the lights off, Penny fell asleep within seconds of being pressed against Jax’s cool body. She quickly drifted into wonderful dreams of her and Jax trying to catch an invisible toddler.

  Chapter 69 - Forever

  When they broke the news of the commitment ceremony location, Bones exclaimed, “Good God, woman. You want us to hike you up the mountain?”

  Penny stood motionless with her arms crossed as Bones futilely attempted to negotiate terms for an alternative location. No matter what he offered, her facial expression remained unchanged and her opinion unmoved. She remained totally silent, refusing to expel the energy needed to repeat what she had already stated as fact—the ceremony would be held on the mountain ledge.

  As Bones argued his case, Ben leaned over to Jax and said, “I think the doc should give up. I don’t see any signs of Penny backing down.” He chuckled and added, “I think Jax junior is influencing his mother’s stubbornness.”

  Jax shrugged his shoulders at Ben’s revelation. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling at the idea that a piece of himself was alive and kicking inside Penny. He replied nonchalantly, “I already gave up trying to reason with her on this topic. Bones has met his match.”

  “It’s the end of March, so Penny does realize that the mountain will still be covered in snow, right?”

  He nodded and said, “We could be in the middle of a blizzard and it wouldn’t change her mind.”

  Sam came to the same conclusion as Jax, because he interrupted Bones’ latest compromise and announced, “I know Jax’s temperament well enough to know that you’re fighting a battle you can’t win and, unless you want to be standing here until she delivers, let’s move on. Let’s think about the best ways for how we can get her up the mountain safely.”

  Penny finally spoke and said, “As long as I’m standing on the ledge, I don’t care how you get me there and back.” She looked at Charlie, Chloe, and Susi and said, “Come on ladies. Let’s go figure out how we’re going to cram me and this belly of mine into a dress.” As she started to step away, she stopped abruptly and looked back at the men. She added, “And whatever ideas you come up with, you better be able to implement it quickly because I plan to make Jax mine by the end of this week.” The women knew better than to argue so, as Penny headed to the stairs to go up to her bedroom, they quickly scurried after her.

  While the women laughed at their attempts to dress Penny, the men argued over traveling options. The next few days both camps worked on their projects and, to Penny’s surprise and delight, Chloe turned out to be handy with a sewing machine—a skill even Chloe didn’t know she had. To make their day even more special, Penny and Jax were kept apart. Although they both had agreed at first, they found being separated difficult. Penny wasn’t the only one to miss Jax. Bones had to have him come to Penny’s aid whenever the baby threw what appeared to be a temper tantrum. With every incident, within seconds of his touch, the baby calmed.

  To allow all the Night Walkers to attend, the night before the event, they climbed up the mountainside. Once at the designated location, they stayed in the same cave that Sam and Susi hid in after the final goodbye to Penny’s family. The twins and several others traveled with the Night Walkers so that they could help setup the area as a surprise for Penny. They would be ready and waiting for the rest of the guests who would be traveling at Penny’s side the following day.

  At sunrise the morning of the event, Jax found Penny bundled up to the point of looking comical. He held back his snickers and asked, “Are you ready to get hitched?”

  “More than ready, but Bones mummified me and I can’t move.” With a chuckle, she pleaded, “Please help peel off a few layers so that I don’t suffocate.”

  After releasing her from her clothes cage, Jax said, “Your chariot awaits, my Love.” He was surprised by the excitement he felt about his impending nuptials. As they slowly made their way to the front door, his impatience got the best of him and he said, “At this rate, we won’t even make it outside before the sun sets.” To speed things along, he swooped Penny into his arms and, in a flash, he had her outside. After he helped her into the Rover, they drove up the mountain until they reached a waiting group of travelers.

  Penny got out of the car and stared at her next mode of transportation. With a big grin, she exclaimed, “I love it!”

  They had built her an old fashioned litter, consisting of a make-shift bed tucked within a wooden box. The sides were covered in clear plastic so that whatever was carried within its borders would be able to see the world around them. Seeing a pair of poles running lengthwise she knew that others would be carrying the contraption up the mountain.

  As she circled around to the door, she passed by the back where someone had painted ‘Just Married’. The sight made nervous butterflies flutter in her stomach. When the baby squirmed with the sensation, Jax came up behind her and, while rubbing her belly, he teased, “Getting cold feet?”

  Penny shook her head and replied, “Never.”

  “Then let’s get you loaded up before you realize what you’re getting stuck with.”

  She leaned back into him and said, “I’ve never wanted anything or anyone more in my life.”

  After Jax helped her get into the box, he tucked her carefully into a mound of pillows and blankets and said, “Hold on and enjoy the ride.”

  Penny felt guilty when two very large Changelings stepped forward to be the first in rotation to carry her but, when they lifted her easily, she couldn’t help giggling, feeling like some ancient royalty.

  With Jax in the lead he escorted the travelers up the mountain. Although they kept a very steady Changeling pace, it took most of the day to get to their target location. The guests of honor entered the small clearing just as the sun dropped over the horizon. After Penny was helped out of her chariot, she took a moment to look around.

  Her former campsite had been transformed by the flickering of hundreds of candles. This dim light illuminated the deep green of the pine trees, whose branches were tipped in the twinkling lace of white snow. This same sparkle also blanketed the ground and led her eyes to a beautiful tent covered in draping vines made up of colorful silk flowers. These same vines were wrapped around pine branches that were woven together to form an arch. She knew that it marked the spot where she and Jax would say their vows.

  On one side of this archway, she spotted large posters that contained the images of her parents and brothers. When she looked to Jax for an explanation he said, “The twins wanted you to look out at the crowd and see your Human family staring back at you.”

  Per Penny’s request, Jax waved the twins over and, once they were within arm’s reach, she pulled them into her arms. She hugged them so tightly that they winced with her unexpected strength and Jax had to step in to save them from the intensity of her affection. After the twins were freed, Penny gasped as she watched everyon
e file out of the cave and from other smaller tents tucked quietly within the trees that surrounded the clearing. By the time they all were assembled Penny guessed that there were almost a hundred people, whose numbers included both Human and Changeling.

  Seeing her shocked expression, Jax whispered, “As you can see we’ll have quite an audience. I know that you assumed this would be a private affair, but when word spread of our ceremony, Sam was inundated with calls from those loyal to our cause who wanted to show their support and share in our magic moment. I hope you don’t mind the additions. Ben did confirm their intentions before they were allowed up here.”

  Penny replied, “I don’t mind at all. I wish the whole world could put aside their hate long enough to see the power that love can wield.”

  Ben approached the soon to be married couple and asked, “Are you ready?”

  After they nodded, Jax looked down at Penny and said with a smile, “I’ll see you at the altar.”

  As their audience gathered closer, Jax walked to the arch and, once Sam joined his side, he took off his coat. He stood out against the white backdrop in his black dress pants and his shirt in Penny’s favorite color of deep pink. When he pointed to his shirt and gave Penny a big grin, she laughed in pure delight.

  While Sam pinned a single white rose boutonnière onto Jax’s shirt, Charlie walked to her best friend’s side and helped Penny take off her coat to reveal her dress. She was wearing a simple, tea length white dress that had been covered in a layer of delicate lace. Sewn into the collar and hem were strands of pearls interlaced with tiny, deep pink roses the same color as Jax’s shirt. Similar flower and pearl strands were woven together with silk ribbons and draped down her back, forming a short train.

  As Charlie continued to help adjust Penny’s dress from the long ride, Susi approached and said, “An old Human tradition for a new bride is to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Your dress is something new and Charlie says that you have something blue hidden under all the lace. If you don’t mind, I would like to offer something borrowed.” From a small cloth pouch she pulled out a string of pearls and explained, “Sam gave me these the night of our commitment ceremony. I would love to see you wearing them.”

  Fighting back tears, Penny replied with her words full of emotion, “I would be honored to wear them.”

  After Susi helped put on the necklace, Chloe came forward and handed Penny a long, draping bouquet containing a cascade of beautiful roses, delicate orchids, and tiny white flowers. These were bound together to form a handle with white silk ribbons. Chloe and Susi gave Penny a hug and then took their places in the front row with the rest of the family and close friends.

  When Ben took his place under the arch Penny, with Charlie at her side, made her way through the snow to where Jax was waiting for her. As she passed her family and saw Razor and Chloe standing side by side holding hands, she hoped that the two of them would find love and fill the holes in their hearts.

  Once Penny reached Jax’s side, she stood to face the one she loved. Ben cleared his throat and, once the clearing grew silent, he said, “I’ve been given the honor tonight to stand before all of you and help this couple declare their love for each other, but a ceremony isn’t actually necessary to tell the world how they feel. Anyone who has ever stood in their presence can feel their love swirl around them like a tornado. As someone who has the ability to share their minds, trust me when I say that their every thought is full of their shared affections, which flash about every minute of every day. I just wish Penny’s thoughts weren’t quite so colorfully detailed.”

  While everyone laughed, Penny cringed and whispered, “Sorry Ben. I’ll try to control my mental urges in the future.”

  Jax growled and said to Penny, “Don’t you dare.”

  As a light dusting of snow started to gently fall, Ben said, “I guess nature is telling us to get a move on, so let’s get started. Although the world isn’t ready to legally acknowledge a marriage between a Changeling and a Human, the love between these two doesn’t require a piece of paper to make it official. Instead they have asked you all here so that you can be witnesses. They have each prepared their vows and we now have the honor to listen as they share, in their own words, their declaration to spend the rest of their lives together.” Ben turned to Jax and nodded for him to begin.

  Charlie took Penny’s flowers so that Jax could take Penny’s hands in his. He then looked into her eyes and said, “Today, with both of our families and these many guests as witnesses, I declare myself to you as your husband.

  When I first saw you, all I could see was an intruder in my carefully crafted world. But what I thought of as a weed to be yanked out was actually a seed whose roots burrowed through my stone wall of hate to penetrate my heart. As you healed a gaping hole, I fought the feelings you stirred in me. Then your love bloomed inside me and it’s sweet scent became the beacon in my darkness. When others ran from me, you raced to my side. When I hid myself away in shadows, you saw me…literally. You pulled me back into the light and guided me home.

  Although you say that I saved your life, it’s you that had the unmatched strength to save me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of that gift. And if loving me wasn’t enough, another miracle occurred. You, the Human that I cherish above all things, are carrying my son and will soon make me a father. Hearing myself say those words out loud is beyond my wildest dreams. Although I know that our journey will be difficult, I look forward to every day knowing that you, our son, and all of those I consider family will take each step together. I’ll love you forever.”

  When Ben nodded to Penny, informing her that it was her turn, she paused. As Jax had talked, it was as if the baby heard him and began to stir. The little one knew his father’s voice and was desperate to reach out to him. While the baby squirmed anxiously, Penny patted her belly tenderly.

  Given her hesitation, Taylor encouraged her from the audience, “You can do it, Peanut.”

  Penny looked out at the one that spoke and said, “Thanks, Taylor. I got this.” She then turned to Jax and took in a deep cleansing breath. She began her vows with no nervousness or reservations.

  “Today, with both of our families and our many guests as witnesses, I declare myself to you as your wife.

  When I first met you, I was warned to stay far away. I actually tried, but your desperate need called to me and I couldn’t turn my back on you. Then when I thought I lost everything—including my soul—it was you that reached out and took my hand. With you at my side, I stood strong again. You stand in front of me now as my best friend and forever love. I have no doubts as to my purpose in life. I was made for you. Every breath I take and every beat of my heart is solely for you. We were destined to be together. As my brothers said, ‘What’s peanut butter without its jelly’?” As Penny smiled broadly, everyone watching laughed.

  When the baby began to kick, demanding her full attention, she rubbed her stomach tenderly and said, “No one can ever doubt the power of the love we share as it has grown so strong that it couldn’t be contained. Now that love has taken physical form and grows inside me.” When the baby punched her palm hard, Penny winced and then she gave the baby what he wanted. She pressed Jax’s palm on what appeared to be a baby’s hand.

  Jax knelt in front of Penny and, while caressing the tiny fingers, he leaned closer and said, “Shhh.” As he always did, the baby instantly calmed.

  Penny moaned in gratitude and said, “And that little blessing of ours is anxious to meet his father and the world that’s waiting to greet him.” Now that the baby was relaxed, Jax stood back up and Penny said, “I don’t know what our future holds but, with you and our family at our side, I know that we’ll face each day with our shoulders back and our faces held high. I’ll love you forever.”

  When Ben took the rings from Sam and Charlie, he held them clutched in his hand and said to Penny, “Although your Human family is with us tonight in spirit,
we wanted a physical part of them to be here as well.” He held out his palm and displayed two braided silver bands and said, “As a wedding gift from all of us, we wanted to give you the ‘something old’. These rings were made from your parent’s wedding bands so that you can carry them with you as you travel your journey with Jax at your side.” When Penny reached out and touched the silver with a shaking finger, Ben said, “I hope it was okay.”

  Penny looked up at Ben with tears welling in her eyes and said, “It’s perfect.”

  Jax picked up Penny’s band and then took her left hand in his. After sliding on the ring he stood tall and proud and said so that all could hear loud and clear, “With this ring I, Jax, tell the world that you, Penny, are now my wife. I promise that I’ll cherish only you from this day forward until death do us part.”

  Penny picked up Jax’s band and then took his left hand in hers. While sliding on the ring she said with her voice full of emotion, “With this ring, I, Penny, tell the world that you, Jax, are my husband. I promise that I’ll cherish only you from this day forward until death do us part.”

  Ben looked between the two that stood in front of him and said, “I’m overjoyed to announce to the world that the two of you are husband and wife, now and forever. Just like the circle of the bands you wear, the love you obviously share is eternal and will burn brightly beyond the end of time.” He looked pointedly at Jax and said, “Not that you need any encouragement, but you may now kiss that bride of yours.”

  As the couple embraced, Ben leaned in and said, “Jax, you may want to pace yourself. I’ve seen what Penny has planned for you later. Do you want to know where she has the ‘something blue’ hidden?”

  Penny yelled, “Ben!” and whacked him in the chest to shut him up.

  Penny then took her flowers back from Charlie and, after the couple turned to their audience, Ben called to those watching, “Before you stands the one we know as Penny, Peanut, Snack, sister, friend, artist, Human. And standing proudly at her side is Jax, Ice, Casper, brother, protector, hunter, Changeling. Whatever you happen to call them, from this day forward they have new names to add to their lists...that of husband and wife. Let today be the first of many wonderful years together and may we all be lucky enough to find a love as strong as what these two share.”