“So you won’t be coming back here for a while?” Lucas asked quietly.

“Yeah,” I nodded, looking at the floor. “I just feel like… Like he’s the one. I know you and I had passion, but I think this is love. I’m sorry Lucas.”

“No need to apologize,” he said. “Just know the door is always open for you to pay us a visit. We’re supposed to be getting some new people here soon anyway.”

“Would hate for you to get lonely,” I smiled as we shared one last hug.

“So when I see you again, are you going to be ‘Mrs. Hawthorne’ or what?”

“Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see.

*   *   *   *   *

In the ensuing months after, Reginald and I grew closer and closer together. He would make more and more advances towards me to win my affection. At first it was paying my home a visit every day, then I found a couple paint buckets outside my door in the morning, then one day he asked for me to live with him, which I greatly accepted. Reginald was a regular businessman, and he provided a lot of money. I had more paint than I knew what to do with and we had an entire room for me to paint in, decorated with dozens of canvases. He even dropped these winter mint candies off sometimes too and they were just my favorite!

Of course, it wasn’t all amazing. His sister, Beatrice, would come over and give me hell when Reginald was gone. She even tried to illegally sell me! And here I thought that slavery was outlawed! And not once did Beatrice get any real repercussions! Everyone just shrugged it off and said ‘Oh that Beatrice’ and went on with their day. It was the only thing I hated about the family. Way too lenient on that woman. I knew her type. She just hated how happy Reginald and I were together.

One day, I was at another Hawthorne family dinner, enjoying it between Reginald and Angel. She was so much more tolerable than Beatrice, and loved to tell me how beautiful my figure was. Looks like the apple fell into a completely different orchard with Beatrice.

“Pst, Max,” Reginald whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

“M’kay,” I nodded, stuffing my face with another forkful of ham. Reginald walked out with his father and Angel leaned over to me.

“You’re going to love this,” she winked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“You’ll see,” Angel giggled, taking in a spoonful of potatoes.

“No, no, please elaborate-”

I realized that everyone was silent at the table, looking at me. I was afraid that I had said something offensive. But they were all grinning ear-to-ear. Well, everyone except Beatrice. She was giving me a teeth-showing snarl instead.

“Maxine,” Reginald asked, walking in.

“Y-Yeah?”

“These past few months with you have been some of the best of my life,” he said, getting down on one knee. “I need to know. Will you, Maxine Hopewell, make me the happiest man alive and marry me?” Reginald took a ring out of his coat pocket and held it up to me.

“I-I- Reginald-” I couldn’t control all the crying coming from me. “I- Yes!”

I fell forward into his arms, sobbing onto his shoulder as he held me and the entire Hawthorne family clapped and cheered. Reginald slid the ring onto my finger.

“T-Thank you,” I cried. “For making me the happiest woman alive-”

“And thank you, Maxine, for making me the happiest man alive.”

*   *   *   *   *

Only about a month later, Reginald and I were preparing to get married at the altar. I was getting ready in the Hawthorne house, looking at my beautiful white dress in the mirror. I picked it out myself with Ada, Alma, and Mrs. Hawthorne. Right as I finished getting it on, Beatrice walked in.

“White is so not your color,” she rolled her eyes as she adjusted her hair in the same mirror as me.

“Can you just be happy for me for one day?” I grumbled.

“I don’t care what they say. Even after this marriage, you’re not a Hawthorne. That name on you would only drag us all down.”

“Just shut up.”

“You can rope my brother into marrying you, but you’ll never be my sister. Never.”

“Good,” I spat. “I don’t want to be. I much prefer the rest of your family.”

“Ugh, you don’t deserve the dress.”

“And you don’t deserve the patience your family gives you.”

Something about that apparently got to her, because in a flash of movement she snatched an inkwell on a side table and threw it on me. The whole thing spilled out, staining my white dress a dark black. Before I could even say anything, her mother was walking in and saw the whole thing play out.

“Beatrice Lydia Elenore Hawthorne!” Mrs. Hawthorne screamed. “What do you think you’re doing, young lady?!”

“I- She-” Beatrice looked at a complete loss for words.

“Go!” her mother demanded, pointing out the door. “Go sit with your sisters at the wedding.”

“Mother, I-”

“Now.”

Not daring to disobey her mother for the fear of the repercussions, Beatrice slithered out the door with her snake, which I learned was apparently named Fluffy. Though that gave me slight satisfaction, I looked down at my ruined dress. The ink wasn’t coming out, that’s for sure. And I only had so long until I had to go meet Reginald today…

“Oh honey,” Mrs. Hawthorne sighed. “I’m so sorry about her. I’m going to make sure she’s punished after this one. But let’s get you into something else.”

“Wait, Mrs. Hawthorne,” I said, chasing after her as she walked away through the house. “I don’t think we can make it to a tailor and back in time.”

“Then we don’t go to a tailor,” she said, reaching into her closet and taking out a lavish snow white dress. It looked even better than mine did before the ink. “I think this one would fit you just excellently.”

“Oh, Mrs. Hawthorne, I can’t wear such a nice-”

“None of that,” she interrupted. “Soon enough, you’re going to be a Mrs. Hawthorne too.”

“So… It’s ok for me to wear that?”

“Of course!” she laughed. “I’m offering, aren’t I?”

“It’s just… I’m not used to such nice things, ma’am.”

“Let’s change that ‘ma’am’ to ‘mom’ honey.” She smiled and grabbed some white thread. “Now let’s get you in this dress.”

*   *   *   *   *

A couple hours later, I was walking down the aisle of the fancy church in my new dress from Mrs. Hawthorne. I could see Beatrice trying to upstage me with her own extravagant dress, but I couldn’t care less. This was my day. To hell with her, where she belongs.

My father wasn’t there, but Mrs. Hawthorne herself walked me to the altar where Reginald was waiting for me. His genuine smile and soft green eyes were already telling me his vows. I wanted to kiss him right there and then, but had to hold myself back. Vows first, then smooching, then a night of love. The young priest cleared his throat and began speaking.

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today in the presence…”

The man was delivering the usual jargony speech that most of the weddings had, but I couldn't help but keep an eye on Beatrice. Her fuming expression when I walked down the aisle was priceless, but it was gone now. More of a smug scheming smile now. What was she planning…?

“If anyone present knows of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony,” the priest said. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

This was it. I was finally getting married. I would finally kiss him and nothing would stop us from being united. This was-

“OBJECTION!”

I looked back into the audience. Of course… Of fucking course. She would be the one to ruin it all. She would be the only one to try and ruin my happiest day in every possible conceivable way.

“I object!” Beatrice said smugly. “I object to-”

“I object to you being here!” a man yelled.

“William, do be quiet,” Reginald whispered.

“Go!” another woman yelled.

“Leave!”

“You can’t ruin this!”

“Get out of here!”

“You can’t make me leave!” she screamed. “Getting married up there is my brother!”

“Beatrice!” Mrs. Hawthorne yelled, seizing her daughter by the ear. “You are leaving right now. And we’re going to have words after this.”

“Grrrr. Fine,” she snarled, marching out of the church.

“Are there any… ahem, other objections?” the priest asked awkwardly. Nobody said a word. “Good, then let us continue. Reginald and Maxine, here in the presence of God, family, and friends, if either of you know any reason why you should not marry, do now confess it.”

“I couldn’t think of any reason,” Reginald smiled.

“I would have to be insane to think of one,” I smirked back.

After that we exchanged more vows, and it felt like this priest was going to go on absolutely forever. I could tell Reginald was dying from the wait too. We were both so happy when he got to give me the ring. It was just beautiful, with this bright blue cut gem that sparkled in the sunlight. After that, the priest himself smiled as he got to the end of his script, closing his book and spreading his arms.

“You may now kiss the bride!”

Reginald put his arms around my waist and pulled me close into a kiss. It was… It was magical. Unreal. I was on cloud nine from the bliss I felt from being able to marry and call a man mine, and to be able to be his woman. To a man that I loved too, and who loved me back.

Reginald swept me off my feet and carried me out of the church. I was giggling the whole way, but he carried me back to our home. Nobody pursued us, and I’m glad. It was a late wedding, so the sun was setting. At long last, we could sleep in the same bed together too! And it made that night one of the best ever as well.