Chapter Eighty-One

Back in Kirkwall

We spent two weeks at Stone-Bear Hold working out trade agreements with the Avvar – both Danu and Ferelden would work with Stone-Bear hold.

Kell actually allowed Fenris to share the bed with us – and yes, I did take a day for just recovery. Kell was very passionate; some things would never change.

On the final night there, Kell was holding me and petting my hair, "I… I do not want you to go, Ara."

"I know, my love – but think of it this way; you can visit me whenever the fancy strikes you… here, come with me."

I threw on a robe and he pulled on his leather pants. I activated the Ley Line and waited for Magma to answer from the other side. I pulled Kell through.

"Kell, this is Magma – one of my guards. Magma this is Kell – my Tiger. Did you do as I asked?"

Magma yawned, "I did – sorry, the twins didn't sleep so well last night so Drake and I have been taking turns running back and forth between their room and ours. My Prince, it's an honor to meet you."

I pulled Kell along to the room I had set up for him and said, "This… this is your room. Usually, when you come over, you'll be in my room or here… it depends which room you find more comfortable – I have zero care which room we use."

The room was painted brown with wood and leather furnishings. The bed was a straw mattress between two large logs and covered in furs, there were stone carvings of the gods at each of the four corners of the room, Kell ap Morgans' bow hung above the bed and there were weapon racks and armor stands – simplistic and nothing wasted. He looked around, "It looks good – like home."

"I love you, Kell Ar Colden O Red-Lion – I've loved you through several lifetimes." I smiled.

He smirked darkly, "Aye – and I love you… think we should make sure the bed works?"

"I'd love that – as long as we get back to your place after or the others will be rather… pissy."

He chuckled and lifted me gently into his arms, "Never thought I'd care for a lowlander – but then… I suppose you aren't one; your lands are higher than any Avvar land."

I giggled, "I suppose – oh…"

He laid me on the bed and his hand instantly went to my most intimate area…

I didn't want to wake up when Cullen came to collect me the next morning. I wanted to sleep and stay in bed. Cullen was chuckling as he brushed my hair from my face, "You are… adorable…"

"Then let me sleep more…" I whined.

"If we want to get home today, I can't. Ara… I have a delicate question for you – and I need you to at least be looking at me when I ask." His voice sounded so full of nerves that I let him help me to sit up.

He slid to his knee in front of the bed and pulled out a small box – marking it as a jewelry item from my shops. I tilted my head – what was he doing?

He took in a deep breath, "I… Alistair says that your lands share the Antivan tradition of ring-exchange and he explained to me how to… I uh… I had a better plan than this – and it was going to be in the Viscounts' flower garden not in an Avvar hold." He opened the box and I gasped – this wasn't one of my designs, so he had to have gotten one of the stylists to… this ring was just as amazing. The ring that was nestled in the box was made of Volcanic Aurum, meaning it was gold in color and it was shaped like wings that connected their tips. Resting at the 'joints' at the top of the wings was a gem I hadn't thought existed in Thedas – a Super Seven Stone.

This particular stone was also called 'Sacred Seven' or 'Melody stone' and was a type of Quartz that contained seven minerals: goethite, cacoxenite, rutile, lepidocrocite, amethyst, clear quartz and smoky quartz. It looked like a dirty quartz stone with some Amethyst in it… usually. This particular one looked like it had a halo surrounding a purple background. Super Seven… it was a stone that was beneficial to healing. I gasped and covered my mouth.

"I've thought of little else in the last few years and… I love you – and the moment when I thought I was going to lose you was the most terrifying of my life; more so than when I was being tortured and watching the mage I had a crush on be executed for aiding a Blood Mage. I can't… I don't want to risk losing you for good."

"Who… who designed this?" I asked softly as I allowed my fingers to caress the ring. He flushed, "I… I did." He sounded so nervous.

"Oh Cullen…" a smile lit my face as tears slipped from my eyes. I was only slightly aware that Fenris and Kell were watching from the door as Cullen took a deep breath and asked, "Will you… marry me?"

I nodded – too emotional to speak as I cried and reached out to caress his cheek. He relaxed with a smile and slid the ring onto my finger beside the ones Fenris and Alistair had gotten me. Kell cleared his throat, "Is there significance to the ring?"

"It's a tradition back in my home lands – you once got me a simple gold band with no adornments to match the family heirloom ring your grandmother gave us that was the exact same but with a single small diamond; these here…" I pulled out the rings. The moment I set them into his hand he stilled and his breath caught.

He was shaking, "I… I remember some bits… you… you burned alive."

I paled and quickly took the rings, "I… well, yes." I slid the rings onto my finger – I now had a reason to wear them again.

He looked at me with unshed tears in his eyes, "Ara – no, Abi…"

I smiled sadly, "I'm Ara now, Alex – just as you are Kell. And we are together again."

He sat in the chair in the corner of the room, "So we are. I guess now is the time to admit that I only half-believed it; you knew too many of my habits for it to be completely wrong. You kept the rings…"

"They were the only thing I had left of you, Kell."

Cullen moved to sit beside me on the bed, "That is a love story that even the Orlesians would love – one that transcends life and death. Makers' Breath I can't imagine how it must have hurt to think you'd never see him again – and then you did, but he didn't recall."

I smiled, "I was simply happy to have him back."

"I don't remember much – but I do remember some… you had brown hair and blue eyes then… and you were in so much pain all the time."

I nodded, "I had a few medical problems. You likely won't remember much else of our previous life – but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I suppose I should get dressed so we can go… but I wanna go back to bed…"

Fenris chuckled, "Celeste was like this too – getting more tired as the pregnancy progressed."

I nodded, "As was I when I was pregnant with Levi…"

Kell pointed to my wrist – where the blue clover was – and said, "That gave you luck, did it not?"

"No – you just said it did and it became a running joke that I had asked a specific 'god' for his last smoke and he didn't mind – that's how good my luck was. I was always winning little prizes or hitting every green light going down the road." We later said that my 'superpower' of luck was related to my stomach too; the hungrier I was, the more red lights we would hit. It got to the point that if I was going to be in the car, Alex would make me eat first… it was a good system.

He nodded, "I… thank you; and I love you, Ara… I'll see you Friday?"

"I can hardly wait," I beamed as I pulled on the flowing top I had picked out.

We all headed out – the moment I saw Sebastian, a vision hit me and I stumbled; Kell caught me.

"Are you alright, lass?" he asked. I was bright red, "I-I… I'm f-fine…"

Fenris looked confused, "I've never seen you so red, Ara – what did you see?"

"N-nothing important – shit, I wish we weren't leaving until tomorrow; sitting on a Griffon all day is gonna feel like hell… shit…" I was breathing hard and kept sneaking glances at Sebastian.

"Oh no; you don't – tell us what you saw," Hawke had picked up that it would likely embarrass the Choir Boy. I shook my head, "Not unless Bas gives permission for me to spill a secret of his."

The Prince looked so lost, "Go ahead, Ara – I have no secrets that I know of."

"The Vow of Celibacy is so out the window, isn't it, Bas?" I rubbed my neck. He tilted his head, "I've not lain with a woman in 10 years…"

"No – but apparently you don't need to have sex to have enjoyment; you have been… fantasizing about me, haven't you?" I knew there was a small smile on my lips as I finally gave him a full stare. He went red, "Ah… you uh… you saw that, did you?"

It had been a vision of him, naked in his bed back in Kirkwall… covered in a sheen of sweat… taking things in hand. I blinked, "Er… how long have you…? That vision was next week, Choir Boy… I didn't realize you'd already…" now I was more turned on – knowing these guys found me attractive was a major turn-on; knowing they fantasied about me… well, I got all kinds of warm and fuzzy.

He coughed, "Since… well… the Carriage incident…"

"Well… shit – I wish we weren't leaving yet; or that this vision hit sooner. Damn; and tonight is Tuesday…" meaning I didn't have a sex partner in my bed…

For sex, I had Alistair on Monday, Fenris on Wednesday, and Kell on Friday; Sebastian snuggled with me on Saturdays, Cullen snuggled with me on Thursdays, and Hawke snuggled with me on Sundays… I had no one holding me on Tuesdays and I wanted sex.

Cullen sighed, "I wish that we could be together tonight – but Meredith wants me back at the Gallows tonight when I return. But hopefully… could we… on Thursday?"

I smiled at him and nodded, "I'd like that."

Sebastian looked confused, "You two are… mated now?"

"Soon – he proposed just a bit ago," I held up my hand to show the 4 rings (5 since there were two to the ones for Kell), and said, "This dragon ring was from Alistair when we got married, this flame one is from Fenris, the angel wing one is what Cullen just gave me, and the these two thin gold ones are from my past life when Kell was Alex."

Kell pursed his lips, "And if I wanted to get you a different ring – as we are no longer the same people?"

"Then I'd switch them out happily, Kell. I just wanted something to wear now to show that I'm married to you. This is a tradition from America, but also in Antiva… I like having something marking who I belong to. I got Alistair a ring – made of gold; a single dragon and its tail wraps around his finger with ruby eyes. So… I mean, I've already designed rings for Fenris and Cullen… and maybe I designed one for Sebastian too… just in case. Would you wear a ring if I made you one, Kell?" I felt rather stupid – I didn't want to give them rings if they wouldn't wear them or didn't want them… I figured they were just humoring me by getting me one.

Kell scoffed, "Of course I would – you're my wife."

I smiled at him, "Then I'll have one for you within the month."

He pulled me into him and leaned down to kiss me, "I will see you on Friday."

"Don't be a stranger – you can come over whenever you want; Fridays are just your day to sleep in my bed," I pointed out. He chuckled, "Then I will visit often… I hadn't realized I missed you until I remembered you. I love you, Ara."

I smiled brightly before we headed off back to Kirkwall.

We arrived just as it was getting dark – so we dropped off Cullen at the Gallows. He didn't dare to kiss me while Meredith watched – and while I couldn't blame him for that, it did sting a little.

Getting home, I was pouting. Hawke gave me a funny look, "What's wrong, Sweetness?"

"I'm in an unreasonable snit that Cullen didn't kiss me goodbye at the Gallows; I mean, I know why he didn't and logically, he was right… but I'm being unreasonable right now."

"No you aren't – it's perfectly reasonable to want to be assured that you're loved, Ara," Fenris said.

I sighed, "Maybe."

Kell… was waiting for me in my room. I laughed, "Come here often?"

"I plan to – my wife is here, after all," he gave me that cheesy smirk. I was happy.

The next day – before Kell or I was up or even awake (Meaning before dawn) – there was a pounding at the front door. Magma just walked right into the room and said, "Commander Bitch-Face is here."

Kell gave me a questioning look as I groaned and said, "I'm not her servant! She doesn't get to come by whenever she feels like it and demand to talk to me… what does she want?"

"A moment of your time is what she said – when I asked for further details, she said it didn't concern me." Magma sighed.

I snuggled closer to Kell, "Lead her in – I am not getting out of bed right now; not even for the Divine or my mates; I am too comfy and tired."

Kell smirked, "Holding a meeting while naked – you sound like the previous thane of Red-Lion hold."

"I'm covered… but there's no point in putting on clothes for a 10 minute meeting if I'm going to come back and have sex with my mate right after that…" I gave him a coy grin.

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss me… just as Meredith burst into the room in full armor. Kell gave her a cold look, "My wife is with child – it would be more courteous for you to knock so as not to stress her."

Meredith flushed and glared at me, "How many husbands do you have?"

"Er… Alistair, Fenris and Kell are the only men I'm actually mated to; I haven't met my Qunari mate, Cullen – as you well know – is a Templar… and possibly Sebastian with the way things are going with him… huh – maybe if I find one more, I can have a full set; one for each day of the week."

"You brought an Avvar barbarian here?" she sneered.

"Goddess but they make the best lovers – they aren't afraid to get down and dirty; after all… barbarians don't follow the rules of 'civilized' people, right? Kell kidnapped me fair and square – stole right out from beneath one of your Templars, Fenris, Hawke and Sebastian. I was sleeping in a puppy pile with five men, but Kell still managed to get me away from them. Maybe you should wonder how Kell managed to do that with one of your lightest sleeping Templars holding my arm. Cullen doesn't sleep deeply."

She opened her mouth before furrowing her brows, "You married a man… that kidnapped you from your men?"

"Well, he did warn us he would try," I snuggled closer to Kell, "And Kell was always my husband… you read the book by now; you know how Fairy Queens used to be chosen. The rules changed with me, but I was also a transmigrated soul, Meredith. Kell was my husband in that past life – the difference is that he lived a full life before being reborn here earlier than I was. Kell is mine – and always was."

Kell held me closely before looking at Meredith, "You needed something?"

"Do you even love Cullen?" ah – I wondered when she would approach me about this. Knowing that she thought of him as a son at this point, she would be rather protective of him.

"Of course I do… Meredith, when I first came to Thedas, I didn't know about mates. I thought I would have to pick one partner and I didn't know Kell was Alex. I know a good chunk of the future – as you're aware with my status as 'prophet'. Cullen was the man I picked out of all the options I'd seen when I thought I could only pick one. I hadn't seen Kell – and I hadn't seen the mate situation… I can't pick between my mates any longer; I love them all and I can't bear to think that I could lose one. Also – no, I don't plan to keep them all to myself; I told Alistair he could take another as his queen; I told Kell that he could take another wife or husband if he wanted. They share me – why should I be selfish with them? I am physically incapable of feeling jealousy anyway. Back when I didn't know better… I even told my friends that Cullen was my favorite back then. As I've said, I no longer have a favorite – I love them all."

She looked torn – she didn't know what to do about this information. I think she expected me to say something like 'sort of' or 'I guess'.

She sighed, "Then I will give my permission for you two to marry as he asked. I warn you, if you hurt him, I will make things worse for you."

I snuggled back into Kell, "Thank you, Knight-Commander. Next time, though – can you wait until a more appropriate hour? I'm pregnant – and that takes a massive toll on stamina."

She inclined her head, turned, and left.

I fell back to sleep.

Kell was gone when I woke – a note explaining that he had to get back for his duties. I still wasn't quite clear what that was – perhaps he was one of the Hunters; bagging a High Dragon would have certainly nabbed him such a position if he didn't have it already.

Cullen – however – was in bed with me, wearing only a cotton pair of pants and a smile as he stared up at the ceiling in the bedroom and stroked my hair.

I sighed happily, "I love having my hair played with…"

My words were the first indicator that I was awake… I guess that was why he took the opportunity to lean over and kiss me as soon as they left my mouth. I gasped at the intensity of the kiss… it was like he was trying to seduce me!

I whimpered, "C-Cullen?"

"Meredith gave permission for us to Marry – we need only go see the Grand Cleric at any time to arrange a ceremony."

"She was here hours ago – before the sun was even close to the horizon; she burst in and demanded to know if I loved you. I told her the truth – that you were the first one I chose."

He blinked, "I… what?"

I gave him the rundown of what all was said when Meredith came bursting in. He looked awed, "I… back when you didn't know about mates… you would have chosen… me?"

I nodded and curled into him as he held me possessively, "I would have – I mean, I can't make that kind of choice now; but Cullen… I have always loved you. I actually feel bad that I would have chosen at one point because I love all of my mates. And if someone asked me to choose now, I couldn't…"

He kissed me, "I'm not asking you to choose, Ara; I would never ask that of you – if I tried, I would certainly lose you anyway. It is simply heartening that I was your first choice when you already had Alistair by your side – and he's never broken up with you like Fenris and I have. Makers' Breath… you even have Sebastian and he's more Honorable than any of your mates thus far… even Kell."

I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it shut when I realized that he was referring to the thing where Kell had – at first – not wanted me… that had nothing to do with Honor, but Cullen seemed to feel it did.

I smiled, "Let's get dressed."

"What?" he looked confused at the 'change in subject'.

I smiled wider, "I want to make a trip to the Chantry…"

Processing… ding – his face lit up and he kissed me again before saying, "Hopefully they have an opening for tomorrow – it'll be my night to be in your bed then."

Today was Wednesday – Fenris' day. I knew Fenris would swap days with Cullen if I got married today though… for this week anyway; their days would go back to normal next week.

I got his help to sit up and we got dressed – in record time for Cullen since he actually chose casual clothes. It was a pair of brown leather pants, a billowy white top, and knee-high brown boots before grabbing an over-shoulder bag and stuffing a few things into it for his daily needs. I put on a flowing blue top – a ruffled maternity shirt with a single shoulder neckline – and a black pair of yoga pants.

When we got downstairs, Fenris lifted an eyebrow, "Going somewhere?"

"The Chantry – looking at Thursday availabilities for marriage before the Knight-Commander can change her mind…"

I was cut off by a knock at the door. Desta – Harels' sister – answered it.

"Divine Edict for the Angel Empress; Arvaala Theirin," the Chancellor said looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

I stepped forward, "How can I help you, Brother Roderick?" yes; I knew him on sight – Roderick Asignon was 5'10 with black hair hidden beneath his black and gold cap and white cloth under that. His eyes were hazel brown and his skin spoke of time in the sun; tanned. He sported a bit of a five o'clock shadow and someone had broken this mans' nose at one point. He wasn't a Chancellor yet though.

He jerked, "Y-You… know who I am?"

I inclined my head, "I do; how can I help you?"

"By the Decree of Divine Beatrix III; the Angel Empress and Queen of Danu, Lady Arvaala Anderson/Cousland/Theirin has been declared to be Anointed – a Hand of the Maker in our world. As a Prophetess and as one who put forth the Idea for a Holy Writ, this honor is bestowed upon Her Ladyship and henceforth she will be known as the Patron of Love – may all who see her follow in her footsteps and may her path never waver." Roderick had read from a golden scroll – and it reminded me of ancient decrees from the Emperor of China or something since anyone of Andrastian Faith had knelt the moment he unfurled the scroll. He also held a choker style necklace made of pure gold with a white gold sunburst – apparently the Mark of the Anointed.

I gently accepted the scroll and necklace, "I… I was under the impression that this was usually done… posthumously…"

Hawke coughed, "No – it is given whenever the Divine feels that a particular person has shown themselves to be a bastion of what the Chantry believes in. Kordillus Drakon I built the first Chantry – in Orlais. Calenhad Theirin was the first King of Ferelden was Anointed in 7:88 Storm for his wise head in abdicating to his unborn son to prevent civil war. Clothilde of Crechy was Anointed for his dedication in protecting the Innocent. Hector was one of Andrastes disciples and died in trying to defend her when she was betrayed. You were the reason a Holy Decree was made and you had a chantry built in a land that does not worship the maker; you are also a Prophetess – it does make sense that you would be titled Anointed."

I flushed, "Ah – I didn't realize… I hope she wasn't pressured into making this proclamation just because I had a vision…"

Brother Roderick actually seemed to relax, "On the contrary, Her Most Holy faced great opposition for it; you are not of the Faith, so many do not see you as… worthy of becoming a Hand of the Maker. You are the first – and only – Anointed to bear the title while not being part of the Faith."

"Well if it helps… I do believe in the Maker, I know he exists since I heard his words at the Temple of Sacred Ashes… I just do not worship him as the one and only god."

"It helps a little… but it will not placate the Chancellors or Mothers in the Grand Cathedral, I'm afraid. Having been declared Anointed, however, they can do nothing about it."

"If you'd like, you can use one of the Guest Rooms for a day of rest before heading back to Orlais…"

He looked surprised but said, "I… I think I will – thank you."

I had Desta show him to the rooms available and then Cullen and I headed out… with Fenris following us in full armor and weapon set up. People pointed at the necklace – it was mentioned in every chantry education; it was called the Pearl of the Anointed due to the pearl in the middle of the Sunburst; and it would always have the name of the Anointed engraved in the side so that people couldn't just wear one and claim to be an Anointed.

If a 'Pearl of the Anointed' was found after the one that it was made for passed, it was either passed down the family or returned to the Chantry to be put into a special Vault. I know Hawke had found Drakons… it was just half buried in the sand on the wounded coast. The luck that this man had was astounding.

I had advised him to turn it over to Brienne – I think he would give it to Roderick instead.

We arrived at the Chantry and saw Sebastian with Elthina; so this was where he was today. He caught sight of me and I almost stumbled at the rush of love I felt… oh… my empathy wasn't completely reliable while I was pregnant – sometimes I couldn't use it at all – so I didn't know when exactly…

Fenris lifted an eyebrow, "Something wrong?"

"He loves me," I whispered. Fenris glanced where I was looking and Cullen nodded seriously, "Congratulations, my love – I think you're the last one to know on this one."

I flushed bright red, "You're so mean – Empathy doesn't always work while I'm pregnant so I had no idea… stop laughing."

We began walking toward the two and Fenris said, "Do you love him?"

I thought for a minute – did I love him? I wasn't quite sure… I knew I liked him a fair bit; he was sweet, romantic and I guess he was rather good looking – not that it mattered much how he looked. He had been very attentive since declaring that he wanted a real chance. He had been actively courting me…

I did feel rather… attatched to him by this point… I sighed, "I don't know for sure. I sort of want to say yes – I mean, I love him yes; but is it in the way that I love all of my friends or is it more? That is what I don't know."

We got to the podium where the two people were talking. Elthina zeroed in on my neck, "Ah – it is an honor to be in the presence of an Anointed."

Sebastian looked at it too but just smiled, "It makes sense – you are a Prophetess."

"Patron of Love since I was supposedly behind the decree about being able to engage in romantic relationships," I flushed.

Cullen beamed, "Grand Cleric – I have a request…"

"Do you need a blessing, Child?" she asked softly with a smile.

"In a way – Knight Commander Meredith has given her permission for me to wed Ara…"

"We can do that – was there a day you preferred?" she looked happy.

"Do you have any availability tomorrow?" I asked.

"We do – will 1 in the afternoon be okay?" she asked.

"Yes… and I'd like to ask if it would be okay for me to marry three men at that time."

All three men with me stilled and looked at me curiously. Elthina nodded, "We can do that – what men other than the young Knight Captain here?"

"Fenris and Sebastian," I gave a sweet smile. Sebastians' breath hitched, "You mean…"

"Yes, Sebastian – I do love you; I contemplated that on the way over here from the door when I felt your love as you looked at me. I've come to the conclusion that yes; I do love you and yes… I want you as my mate."

He pulled me into a kiss and I was thrown when I saw there were tears in his eyes as he pulled back. He caressed my cheek, "Ara… you will not regret this – you have my word."

I bit my lip and sighed, "E-Elthina…"

"What is it child?"

"If I could prevent your murder – at the cost of someone elses life… would you allow it? The person that would be your substitute would…"

"No; I won't," she said. Andraste would not thank me for saving my own skin at the cost of other peoples' lives. When I became Grand Cleric, I took a vow to the people of Kirkwall and the Free Marches; I will not harm my flock."

"You would let yourself Die?" Sebastian asked.

"'There is no greater devotion than to lay ones' life at the Makers' feet. There is no better death than to take the blow for another'."

I sighed, "When you are murdered, Sebastian will be the one to avenge you – for I cannot stop the actions that will kill you, nor is the one that kills you allowed to live if I want to minimize deaths… he would be the reason Sebastian caused many deaths if he lived…"

"Then let him take his vengeance if it will keep the peace – but I will not allow another to die in my place." She said firmly. My lip quivered, "Se-Sebastian… do you still want to marry me knowing… that I know when and how… she will die but won't – can't – prevent it?"

He looked startled, "You just tried to prevent it, Ara – Her Grace refused… you cannot save those that do not wish to be saved; and that you tried speaks volumes – I know you dislike 'playing god' a great deal; choosing who lives and who dies…"

I shuddered, "It makes me feel sick doing it – I hate it… but I know how much Elthina means to you."

Elthina blinked, "You would go against your own morals for him?"

"I'd do almost anything for the men I love. I do have limits – and thankfully, the men I love would never ask me to cross those limits. I won't harm children, I won't harm an innocent animal or an innocent in general, and I will never replace a death with an unwilling life – the person I would have gotten to replace you was going to be a volunteer; and no one outside her and this meeting would have known you were still alive until after the thing that your death causes happens…"

"Still – I do not want others dying in my place… but it is admirable that the person would volunteer."

Cullen cleared his throat, "So… tomorrow at 1 then?"

Elthina chuckled, "I am happy to personally perform the ceremony – after all, Brother Vael will be getting married too. It will be hasty, but it won't be a problem since it is a Thursday."

I smiled, "Honestly, I'd get married right now, but… men need to prepare and all that."

Sebastian flushed, "I… I want to get you a ring, Ara… like your mates do…"

I smirked, "I am one step ahead of you – I already have rings for you, Cullen and Fenris… I'm in the process of designing Kells since he was a surprise out of nowhere… my lost love reborn to return to me."

Elthina smiled, "Indeed – young Sebastian told me the tale; that this Kell person was your husband before you came to Thedas and how he managed to 'steal you away' from a pile of five men."

I chuckled, "It was more exciting in person – I'll regale you with a more embellished tale later."

She laughed and the four of us headed back home to tell the others that I would be getting married again tomorrow.