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Mildred is grinning now, nearly bouncing on her toes with excitement, and it makes Pippa smile wider. She hadn’t, of course-they had Mildred to thank in part, and Pippa’s grown fond of the young woman over the years, the way she’s kept in touch with Hecate, her effusive letters that always make Hecate sigh and shake her head but that she never fails to answer. It had been Hecate’s request, the only person besides Ada she’d actively suggested, and Pippa couldn’t have said no even if she’d wanted to. Older now, still lanky and awkward, but more sure of herself. Her eyes dart briefly around the circle, sees Dimity and Miss Bat and Mr. Pippa watches as Hecate smiles waveringly at Ada, a silent thank you, a trust and love between them Pippa is so grateful for. “She comes with her friends and family,” Ada says, “and is accompanied by all our blessings.” The same is said on Hecate’s side, and Pippa’s heart clenches briefly Hecate has no family, not in the traditional sense, but Ada smiles so warmly, so tenderly at Hecate, Pippa thinks perhaps it’s even better. She’s dimly aware of the officiant, asking for blessings, and her mother’s teary-eyed reply, “She comes with her father, mother, and siblings, and is accompanied by all her family’s blessings.” She’d worn the same tender look then that she does now, almost a decade ago, when they’d first begun again. Chose her long ago, Hecate had admitted once, curled up in front of the fireplace, Pippa’s head in her lap as Hecate brushed her fingers through her hair. Can’t quite fathom that she’s here, that for all the years between them, for all the people in the world, Hecate chose her. Sometimes she can’t believe they made it. Pippa tries to pay attention to the words, she does, but she can’t tear her eyes away from Hecate, can’t think of anything besides how lucky she is, how blessed, how eager to start this new chapter of their lives, together. The officiant-an old friend of Pippa’s father-clears her throat delicately and smiles. “Not you too,” she whispers, letting a tear streak down her face, nearly whimpering when Hecate raises a hand and gently brushes it away. Wife, she thinks, and feels her eyes prick again and her cheeks ache from smiling and finally, finally, Hecate is in front of her, close enough that Pippa can see the sheen in Hecate’s own eyes, and she giggles softly. Hecate smiles at her now, like she knows what she’s thinking, a private smile just for her and just for them and as much as she’s looked forward to this day for months, if she doesn’t get to kiss her wife in the next three minutes she very well might ruin everything. Hecate had teased her the night before- Is there any chance you’ll make it through the ceremony without crying?-and Pippa had laughed, shaken her head and kissed Hecate’s cheek. It brings tears to her eyes, as she knew it would. Her hair is down, wild around her head, small, white flowers laced throughout that match the crown Pippa wears on her own head. It looks black from a distance, but when the light catches the silk beneath the lace, it shimmers green, matches the twilight through the trees around them. There’s only Hecate, in a dark gown far more elaborate than her usual, the train long, the sleeves wide and loose around her hands. The music, their friends and family, the twinkling lights suspended around them. She’s fairly certain she stops breathing, can’t hold on to any one thought, her heart thudding in her chest as Hecate smiles at her faintly - nervous, but so, so happy - and looks at her with more love and devotion than Pippa knows what to do with.Įverything melts away. She’s seen fire dance to music and flowers bloom to the sound of her voice and looked upon the joy of children but none of it prepares her for this, for the moment she meets Hecate’s eyes across the circle. She’s seen sunshine through the rain and lovers’ morning smiles and the night sky speckled with more stars than she could ever imagine. The northern lights, the Mona Lisa, the sparkling blue-green ocean off the Amalfi Coast. Pippa has seen many stunning things in her life.