Beatrice stood frozen and just looked at Ava. She was not sure if she heard her right.
''You want us to…''
''...get married. Yes, I want to be your wife.''
She took Bea's hand and laced their fingers.
''Time I've spent on the other side left me with some time to think. And one of my biggest regrets was not telling you I loved you when I knew I did and not having a chance to live our love. Yes, we had amazing time in the Alps, but I know we could have so much more. I love you Beatrice. I want you. I want to wake up next to you every day and I want to make love to you. And I know that you will say that we don't need a marriage for that, but I want to marry you because…this matters…we matter… I want to be yours in every way I can for as long as we both shall live…''
Beatrice didn't even notice that few tears escaped her. Ava wiped them with her thumb and smiled at her.
''You are my everything Beatrice. You matter to me more than any war, any OCS assignment. You are my reason to live and you were my reason that I faced possibility of death with peace. I want to be your wife Bea… I want to call you mine in every way I can. I might not be able to give you wedding in some fancy church, but there is nothing preventing us of creating some ceremony for ourselves. We can drive up to the courthouse now and do it and after that we could drive to the beach or wherever and do something for us… I just want to be yours…''
Beatrice took Ava's hand with a ring and kissed it.
''Yes.''
''Yes, to what?''
''Yes, to everything…''
Now they were both crying and kissing.
''Let's do it Bea…''
Beatrice went to her office and got her and Ava's documents. Because of all the mess in the chapel, Ava never really got death certificate so she was still legally alive. Camila provided them all with documents with their real names and so now it was their time to finally use them. They didn't have much time so Beatrice chose black suit and heels and Ava picked only dress she had. It was cream and lacy. She got it from Camila. They were wondering down the Madrid and saw it at the second hand shop. She also found matching flats and they did their makeup pretty fast and got into the car. They reached the courthouse twenty minute before it was supposed to close. Somehow they managed to file the request and one of the judges that was there accepted to marry them. It lasted less than ten minutes and after finally being declared married, they both felts sense of relief. They were wives. They left the court house and both of them couldn't stop smiling.
''Where do you want to go now?''
''To eat something…''
Beatrice smirked.
''Of course you are hungry. What do you want to eat?''
''Hmm… That pizza in the park?''
''Pizza in the park?''
''Yes, it was good last time we were there.''
''I know… But I wanted us to celebrate with a nice meal.''
Ava took Bea's hand and pulled her into a kiss.
''I don't need 500 euros' meal to celebrate. I am good with our meal being under 20 euros. I just care about us, nothing else… Pizza out of the cart box in the park is fine with me. I don't need expensive things to know or feel loved. I know you love me Beatrice and I love you too. And I know you will love me eating in the park the same you would love me at some fancy restaurant.''
''Fine. Let's get our pizza.''
Ava took her hand and they walked to the park.
''I am happy…''
''So am I. So, what is next on the bucket list?''
''Oh, a lot of things…''
''Like what?''
''Well, just wait and see Beatrice… Let's enjoy getting married before we add something else to it.''
''Fine… But you know, I am scared a bit.''
''You should always be scared of my bucked lists.''
Ava winked at her and Beatrice looked really terrified.
''You are insane.''
''And you've known that before we were married.''
Ava grew serious…
''So, now since we are married, you can have me committed?''
Beatrice tried to keep her serious face when responding.
''I don't think it would be of any use. You can phase through walls and restrains.''
''Good to know you didn't think about it.''
They started laughing and kept walking down the street with Ava's hand in hers. She didn't care anymore. Her shame of being gay died along with Ava being dragged into that bloody portal. And she hated herself for not using the time she had with Ava better. So that is why she promised herself that now she will take advantage of every moment she has with Ava and will not hold back.
Ava went to get them pizza and drinks and Beatrice found an empty table for them. It was a small place in the park where Ava loved to eat when they were in Madrid the last time. Here and there, they would find a moment to wonder around the city and sneak away from Camila and Mother Superior. Those were the best moments they had before it all went to…well…
Ava put the box on the table with their drinks too. Bea opened it and took the first slice. Ava followed and they smiled at each other before taking the first bight.
''Do you think we shluld feed one another with a bight instead of the cake?''
''Do you want us to take some cake so we can do it at home?''
''Chocolate one?''
''Yes, if that is what you want Ava.''
''I do, but I also want you to pick the cake too. It's our wedding cake.''
''You know I am not big on cakes. You pick and I'll share whatever you choose.''
Ava nodded and continued eating. They chatted about their memories of Madrid and Ava even got some stories from Beatrice from the time she was in Madrid with her grandmother. She was maybe the only family member she didn't sound disappointed at. She died before Beatrice joined the convent and Ava was pretty sure that if her nana was alive, Bea's life would have been much different. She was sad thinking that maybe they would have never met.
After their meal at the park, they started walking to the car. It was time to go home. As they were walking down the street, Ava noticed a tattoo shop that was open. She just looked at Beatrice who had terrified look on her face.
''Do you dare?''
''Ava?''
''It is on my bucket list.''
''Is it?''
''Now it is.''
''We don't know if they are any good or if it is sanitary…''
''I've seen you disinfect Camila's wounds with Mary's whiskey and your shirt.''
Beatrice couldn't deny that. Ava was right.
''And what do you want to tattoo and where?''
She touched her side and Beatrice's side, right under their left breast.
''There?''
''Yes…''
''And what do you want to tattoo…''
Ava smiled at her and kissed her.
''That is simple… I your handwriting… In this life and the next.''
''Oh…''
''What do you think?''
''I think your handwriting is horrible.''
''Wow! I am trying to be romantic here.''
''I know…''
''Fine… Do it in your own handwriting.''
Beatrice had to admit she found it very romantic and sweet that it was what Ava wanted to tattoo. She was not sure about the tattoo, but then she remembered that they had three months to live their lives as they never did. Her parents never wanted her to do many things so she never dared to dream about doing anything to get them angry or disappointed. Boy in the shop gave Beatrice paper and pen to write what they wanted to tattoo. She did it in her best handwriting. Ava loved the calligraphy moments of Beatrice's writing and found it very sexy how focused she looked. It took about an hour for their tattoos to be done and Beatrice found it interesting how she didn't really mind the pain. Spending years doing what she did, pain became somehow normal part of her life. Ava saw how Beatrice didn't complain so she chose to keep quiet and pretend it didn't really hurt. After they left the shop, it was really time to go home. Their sweet escape had to end. Beatrice had to prepare for tomorrow's meeting with Paola and prepare all the paperwork she needed before they start the tour of the estate. They were passing cake shop when Ava stopped her.
''Let me pick our wedding cake slice.''
''Just one slice?''
''We don't need the entire cake, unless you want to share with the staff?''
''We can make some lunch or dinner to celebrate with them and then order the entire cake… Slice would be perfect for today.''
''Ok. I'll be back in a minute.''
She took the money from Beatrice and disappeared inside. Bea could only see Ava explaining things to the girl, but had no idea what she was saying. She only knew both Ava and the girl looked excited. A minute later, Ava showed up with a black box their slice was in. Beatrice had no idea what was inside.
''So, what did you pick?''
''Be patient… When we get home.''
''Ok, so it IS chocolate and cherries cake you love.''
Ava didn't say anything she just winked at Bea and that was it. Drive home wasn't that long because they simply loved being together and nothing else mattered. It was about eight in the evening when they finally entered the house. Beatrice went to wash her hands and Ava washed them in the kitchen sink.
''So, now it is cake time my love.''
Ava took two spoons and gave one to Beatrice.
''Open the box.''
Beatrice looked at Ava and did what she was told. To her surprise it was not chocolate with cherries, but rainbow cake. She started laughing so hard that she felt few tears falling down her face.
''I should have known…''
''It was appropriate… You, as THEY say GAY married a woman, you can't get away without gay cake.''
''I think I prefer to say I married a woman.''
''I know, so do I, but all the people who are against it like to add word gay everywhere they can.''
Unfortunately, Beatrice had to agree. Her mind instantly went to her parents and all the things she heard them say. Gay marrying a woman would definitely be something they would say, regardless of their impeccable education and knowledge that those two words together don't make sense.
Beatrice opened the bottle of wine so they could celebrate and one bottle turned into two pretty quickly. From eating cake at the kitchen counter it grew into dancing barefoot in the living room and adding word gay to almost everything they said. Beatrice was drunk enough to let go and just have fun even make fun of her own fears and experiences that were not that pleasant.
Beatrice was sitting barefoot with her hair down legs crossed at the coffee table, just in her vest with suit jacket discarded somewhere along the dining room or living room, very tipsy and happy. Ava was on the sofa equally tipsy and making bad puns along with her wife.
''So, let's analyze this day… I did everything my parents would skin me alive for… We got GAY married…Got tattoos… We had our GAY wedding cake... Danced to some pretty GAY music… and what more is there? Have GAY sex?''
And that is when both of them sort of sobered up.