“But what about work—”

I shook my head. “I talked to Chase. You have the next few days off. And we all need a break. The men will be going home except for Smoky, and we’ll stay here and visit Father and maybe…maybe look up some of our old friends. If any of them are left after the civil war.” I didn’t mention that we’d had very few friends when we lived here before.

The trip across town to the lake took the better part of two hours, but by nine P.M. Earthside time, we pulled into the park surrounding the Erulizi Falls. Here, the trees were just beginning to bud, the tiny leaves green and sparkling with dew. It had rained during the day, but now the stars were out and the soft whisper of raindrops dripping to the lush grass below was calming. The night was chilly, but not cold, and I saw that my father had set up tents for us to relax and dress in.

The falls…the Erulizi Falls were one of the most beautiful places I had ever been in Otherworld. Wide, though not tall, they covered a cavern in which a goddess supposedly lived. Women brought flowers to her all through the summer in supplication for her blessings on their homes and love lives—for Erulizi was a goddess of passion and joy. Water thundered over the top, sparkling in the light of the crescent moon as it rained down on the lake below, concentric rings rippling out along the surface of the lake.

I remembered the festivals from my youth spent here, on holidays—they were some of my happiest memories.

Today, Y’Elestrial had already had its public spring equinox festival here by the falls, but tonight, we would have ours, and perhaps, if she willed it, if she was in a good mood, Erulizi would see fit to bless our wedding.

Nerissa walked out to the edge of the lake, staring over the expanse. “I could get used to this,” she said, turning to me. “I could get used to living here. Just…so you know.”

I understood what she was saying and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Maybe one day, we’ll have a home in both worlds.”

“I’d like that,” she said.

“What about your condo? Are you keeping your condo now that you’re moving in with us?” We’d figured out that if she slept during the night, and I during the day, there was no real danger to her sharing my bedroom.

While the basement couldn’t be expanded, Smoky and the men were adding on an extra sitting room upstairs, just for us. The parlor would no longer be Nerissa’s home away from home and she wouldn’t have to sleep on a sofa, or on a cot in Delilah’s spare room.

“Renting it out. We might as well have the rental income coming in.” She inhaled deeply, then slowly let it out, shaking her head as the breeze ruffled through her hair.

“I have a surprise for you. I hope you don’t mind.” I turned around and motioned to the carriage that had drawn near. “I invited someone to the wedding.”

Nerissa turned in time to see Venus the Moon Child jump out of the carriage. The werepuma shaman, who was now one of Asteria’s Keraastar Knights, hurried over to throw his arms around Nerissa, planting a big kiss on her cheek. He turned to me, and I allowed him to do the same. The smell of puma sweat clung thick to him.

“I’m so happy for you, Nessa.” He clapped her on the back. “And you, too, Menolly.” He lowered his voice, glancing over at Delilah, who hadn’t noticed him yet. “Zachary sends his love. He didn’t think it would be a good idea for him to show up—there’s just too much water under the bridge, you know. For him, at least. But he’s happy, and he can run free here.”

“He’s in puma form all the time now, isn’t he?” Zach had made the final transformation to his full puma shape, eliminating the paralysis that had claimed him from battle.

“Yeah, but we talk a lot, and he’s got himself a gorgeous wildcat of a girlfriend. She’s pregnant and they’re expecting a fine litter of cubs.”

I left Venus and Nerissa to catch up and headed across the meadow to start dressing. Nerissa would dress in the other pavilion, helped by Delilah. When I reached the tent I found that my father had arranged a surprise for me, as well.

As I entered through the linen canvas, I found myself staring at Aunt Rythwar. She was standing beside Iris and Camille, who was weeping for joy.

“Auntie!” I rushed over to her, throwing my arms around the courtly Fae, who stood taller than even Delilah, with the same jet hair as Father and Camille, and crisp blue eyes. She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight.

“Menolly—my sweet little niece. Let me look at you.” I stood back, obediently, as Aunt Rythwar made me turn for her. “Your beautiful hair, it is…most interesting. But you are, as you always were, my lovely niece. Daughter of my brother, so today you wed?”

I was having a hard time choking back my tears. It was as if Mother had come back to be with us—I’d never expected to see Aunt Rythwar again, yet here she stood, in a sparkling silver dress.

“We have so much to catch up on, but…” I glanced at Camille. “What time…?”

“You need to dress. Aunt Rythwar will be here after the wedding, and tomorrow night, as well, so hurry and let us dress you.”

“Camille’s right. Shed your clothes.” Iris was standing next to Camille, waiting for me. She gazed up at my aunt and I had an odd feeling that the surprises weren’t over with.

Camille handed me the box containing my wedding dress, as eye catchers floated everywhere to produce soft, illuminating light.

“We have another surprise for you,” Camille said. “Nerissa was in on this one. In fact, it was her idea, once she knew that I had…well…you’ll see.”

“I’m not sure how many more surprises I’m up to.”

“Just open the box, will you?”

I slowly untied the ribbon and lifted off the lid. There, in the box, I found, not the wedding dress Nerissa had bought for me, but instead, a vision in white. As I held up the dress, I let out a choked cry.

“You didn’t…I didn’t know you had this!” I held up the flowing ball gown. It was a princess’s dress, with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline with beaded bodice, and the skirt was chiffon covered with tulle and lace. Every movement made it shimmer.

“Mo’denasey…” Aunt Rythwar clapped her hand to her mouth. “Your mother’s wedding dress. You still have it?”

Camille was crying now. She nodded. “I saved it when war broke out. I kept it with me all this time, in the back of my closet. I knew I could never fit into it, and I thought maybe for Delilah, but she’s too tall. Then I talked to Nerissa and she loved it so much…so we took it to the alterations woman and she shortened for you. It should fit, though. Mother was petite, like you.”

A wave of sorrow and joy and amazement washed over me and I burst into bloody tears. Iris handed me a red handkerchief, which made me cry even more—it was the one Sassy Branson’s ghost had left for me when she faded into the afterlife with her daughter and beloved Janet.

“I can’t believe I actually get to wear Mother’s wedding dress. It never occurred to me to even think that would be a possibility.” I gazed at the gown, my heart warming like it hadn’t in a long time. “Thank you…oh, thank you.”

After I’d dried my eyes and made sure my hands and face were clean, I let them help me try it on. The seamstress had been spot on. It fit like a glove, though it was still a little long, but I didn’t care.

Iris went to unbind my hair and I stopped her.

“My braids are part of who I am, but you can put them up into some pretty design, can’t you?” I was resisting the urge to cry again. I didn’t want to bloody up my dress, so I kept the handkerchief ready.

She did, while Camille fixed my makeup. “I wish I could take a picture of you. I wish we could take wedding pictures of you and Nerissa, but…we’ve got the best thing.” Iris grinned. “Are you ready for another surprise?”

“Another? I seriously don’t know if I can take it.” I hated to admit it, but it did bother me, the fact that we could never have a wedding photo. Nerissa insisted it was okay, but I knew she was disappointed.

“Just a minute.” Camille opened the flaps of the tent and motioned. A moment later, Father came through.

He stared at me, letting out a little sound, and tears sprang to his eyes.

“Please, don’t mind that I’m wearing Mother’s dress…” It would just kill me if he yelled at me about it.

But he merely choked out, “You are so incredibly beautiful, my daughter. Your mother would be proud. This makes it like…she’s almost here with us.”

I ducked my head. “I wish she could be.”

After a pause, Camille said, “Well, the rest of us are. And we’ll have to do. Father, why don’t you tell her your surprise? I almost spilled the beans.”

He shook his head. “Your vernacular never ceases to amaze me.” Then he turned to me. “I told you I had a gift for you. When I found out you were engaged, I began to search for someone with talent. As a wedding gift, please allow me…I hired an artist to paint the two of you. He’s brilliant, and does quick work, and tomorrow night, you and Nerissa will sit for him here, by the lake. He can work all night long and then be able to finish up over the next few days on his own. So you’ll have a wedding portrait.”

I stared at him, uncertain what to say. Finally, because I was almost out of words for my feelings, I just said, “Thank you…so much.”

“I just wanted you and your wife to be happy.” He glanced around. “I’d best be getting to my post. I’ll see you at the altar, my daughter.”

Before he could turn, I jumped up and grabbed his arm. “I really mean it, Father. Thank you.”

“I know…” He ducked out of the tent as Camille tugged on my arm, yanking me back into the chair.

“If you do that again, I’m going to stick a mascara brush in your eye.” Scolding or not, she was smiling, too.

When we were ready, we headed out of the tent. There, by the side of the lake, our father waited. As befitting his office in Y’Elestrial, he would be legally able to preside. And since we were married in Otherworld, our marriage would be counted as legal over Earthside—that had been a mutual agreement when the portals first opened up. Marriages on either side of the fence would be recognized.

As I waited, the flap to Nerissa’s tent opened and she stepped out, gorgeous and glowing in her plum-colored gown. Her eyes lit up as she saw me.

Camille pressed a bouquet of white roses, deep purple lilies, and sparkling green fern fronds into my hands. Delilah handed Nerissa her matching bouquet, and then the two of them, along with Iris and Aunt Rythwar, joined the men who were standing near the lake, where my father waited.

Venus, who was escorting us to the altar, stood between Nerissa and me. He crooked his arms, and we lightly rested our hands on his elbows as we waited for the signal to begin.

As the drummers began to beat out a rhythm, an elfin singer began to chant in the night, and we moved forward, step by step, until we were standing in the circle of roses that surrounded Father. The dais behind him held a glimmering array of candles and the handfasting cord.

“We stand in the presence of Erulizi, Goddess of the Falls, Mother of Passion, as we join these women in marriage under the watchful eyes of the Moon Mother.”

He paused as Delilah stepped forward and took our bouquets, as Camille wrapped our hands with the handfasting cord.

I glanced at my beloved Nerissa, whose smile was as brilliant as the silver moon overhead. “Are you happy, my love?” I whispered.

“More than you can ever know.” She grasped my hand tighter.

I shivered as I realized just how much I loved her and what a huge step we were taking. But there was no doubt in my heart that we were meant for each other. Men came and went, but Nerissa and I would endure.

My sisters and I would continue the fight. Friends would enter our lives, and some would leave—either in tragedy or for other adventures. But we would continue, as our family of choice grew.

A whiff of untahstar tree caught my attention, and I realized that yes, I truly was happy to be home—if only for a few days. This was where my life had begun, where it had ended, and where it had begun again. Now, I was reclaiming my joy and ability to love in my new life, with the woman I loved.

As the ceremony continued into the night, I caught my father’s gaze. And for the first time since I’d been turned, the look he gave me welcomed me back into his heart. It might be fleeting, it might be fragile, but for the moment, we were a family again.