Fourth Vector Ch. 43

"Well, I wasn't kidding when I said you surprised me," said Jack. "I didn't know you had it in you."

Vera smiled. "We share the same blood, don't we? I guess I wanted to show them that I'm a Kincardine too."

"That you did, that you did," echoed Jack. "Thank you, Vera. I love you too."

She gave him a curious look. "Consider us even, okay? Do you remember?"

Jack started to chuckle, remembering how she "owed" him one for giving his blessing for them to marry.

"That's not really the same thing. My blessing can't be equated to what you just did to me. You just likely saved all of our skins in this next war. Having my blessing for your wedding to Greg isn't as big as that."

Vera shook her head. "In my mind, it's just about the same thing."

"Well, I'm glad then," said Jack with a soft laugh.

"And you did mention we could take care of it after the council was over," said Vera, giving him her best smile. "And since the council is now over, I was thinking it was time."

Jack gave her an incredulous look. "Vera, how can we set up a wedding in such little time? It took weeks to do mine and mine was relatively small by the standard. You still want to get married today?"

She nodded, but the smile never left her face. "I've been busier than I let on. Greg and I have everything we need. We've been talking about this forever and all we really wanted was your blessing to do it now."

"But what about the actual ceremony?" asked Jack.

Vera shook her head. "We don't want much. In fact, we were hoping that it would just be the seven of us, including the officiant of course."

"Six of us? So me, Kat, and Abigail? Who's the seventh?"

Vera smiled. "Evelyn, of course. And I figured both Kat and Abigail could be my maid of honors. And Greg wants you to stand up there as his best man. Would that be okay with you? Something so simple won't need much time to prepare."

Jack couldn't contain his grin. "Vera, that sounds like a great idea. Let's do it."

*****

"There's no going back now. You still have time to run if you want to."

Greg started to chuckle as he elbowed Jack in the side. "You know this is your sister we're talking about, right? If I ran, who's to say you wouldn't be the one to hunt me down?"

Jack laughed with him. "You know, you do have a point."

It was early evening on the same day, and at this very moment, Vera was walking toward them on one of the highest balconies of the Castle. Greg stood there waiting for her, with Jack at his side and an officiant on his other. The only audience they had was Evelyn, openly weeping in happiness at what was about to take place. Just behind them, the sun was setting over Kalmar.

At the time, Jack had asked if Vera truly wanted a wedding so late but she shook her head vehemently.

"Are you kidding? Greg and I wanted to have a sunset wedding," she said. "This will be just perfect."

And so Vera, in her simple white dress, came walking toward her future husband. Just behind her were Kat and Abigail, fulfilling their roles as maids of honor and looking entirely thrilled at participating in a wedding for their dear friend.

If Jack thought his own wedding ceremony was short and sweet, this one beat it by a mile. Greg and Vera only exchanged simple vows to each other, pledging their eternal love and commitment and sealing it with rings and a kiss. The ceremony was over not ten minutes after it began.

"Jack, I just want to say thank you," said Vera just after the officiant had left. "For making my dream come true. We've wanted this for so long and now it's finally here. I only have you to thank."

Jack embraced his sister warmly. "I can thank you too for everything you've done today. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Vera smiled. "You'll never have to find out, right?"

Jack nodded as he felt himself get a little choked up. At that moment, he couldn't help but think of Jocelyn. He remembered her wedding day well, and no doubt a similar promise had been made.

Jack just hoped that he could keep it for this sister.

Vera seemed to sense where his mind had gone. She squeezed him tighter. "She was proud of you, Jack. She still loves you too."

"How do you know?"

Vera smiled. "Because I'm proud of you. And I know she would be too."

The words were thick in his mouth, so thick that he couldn't quite get them out. Jack managed a nod as Greg soon joined them.

Jack placed Vera's hand in Greg's. "She's all yours now. Take care of her, will you?"

"You know I will, Jack," promised Greg.

Just like that, the newlyweds left the balcony for their own room, followed by Evelyn not far behind them. At that moment, Jack was left alone with both his wives. They each took a side, wrapping their arms around his body.

"How does it feel to get a new brother today, Jack?" asked Kat.

It was a question he hadn't yet considered. With their marriage, Greg was now technically his brother-in-law. Jack couldn't have chosen a better man for the job. In a weird way, it also reminded him of Art's passing. With Greg the leading general in Galicia now, there was much on his shoulders. And in this war to come, he would be tested in a way that he'd never been tested before.

If anyone could handle it, it was Greg.

Jack put an arm around each of his wives. "It couldn't have happened to a better man."