Emerita Boxing Day, page 40
Doc glanced at Rosa, who was wearing a matching dress to Ambrose. “Since we’re all here, it’s time to go.” Taking Posy’s hand, he led them out of the home to the waiting carriage.
~*~*~
Doc was glad the weather was behaving, but he was sure Rosa had asked Mother for it to be pleasant. When he stepped out after Melvin, he helped Posy and the dryads down, then stepped aside for Harrid.
The grounds were cleared, some tables had been set up, and a dance floor had been laid out. A small stage for the ceremony was set up with ribbons and signs. Doc led Harrid that way while Posy went over to Onyx, who held out a small basket of flower petals to her. Doc waved to the panda bestial, who gave him a bright smile.
“I’ll stay with her, Doc,” Onyx said. “She’ll be leading the bride up to the stage.”
“Thank you,” Doc said.
Making it to the stage, Doc realized that there were a couple of others waiting nearby. The elders of the Ironbeard clan, along with Elder Brantic Bronzehammer and Elder Petrov Molteneyes turned to them when they approached.
“Ah, the groom and best man,” Alaric smiled as he greeted them. “How are the nerves, Harrid?”
“Ragged, but holding,” Harrid replied. “I didn’t expect all the elders to be on the stage.”
“You might not be part of our clan, but you are vitally important to all of our clans,” Alaric said, “so we wanted to wish you well today.”
“We have not talked,” Petrov said, “but knowing that a solid dwarf such as yourself helps guard him makes me breathe easier.”
“I was uncertain of being able to attend, but when the shaman healed me last night, I knew I could be here,” Brantic added. “Like my fellow elder, we have not talked, but I also am glad to know the shaman has someone to guard him.”
“Thank you, Elders,” Harrid said, respectfully. “I am glad to see you behind my choice to marry.”
“Before Holyday, I would not have been,” Itoniv, the oldest of the Ironbeard elders, said, “but I have listened, examined what I have held to, and changed. I would have pushed you toward a woman from our clan, but I heard of your pending wedding and backed away from that, too.”
“We did not know if you would follow the shaman in having multiple wives or not,” Alaric said.
“No. Ginger will be my only wife. I have no family name to carry on, so I am content to have just her. After today, I will have a family name, as I will be taking hers. I will be Harrid Lopert once we marry.”
Doc patted his back. “I approve of this.”
The elders looked a bit leery, but didn’t speak up.
“It shouldn’t be a bad thing for an orphan to take their spouse’s family name,” Rosa said softly. “It gives them a family, something they all dearly want.”
“You are right,” Alaric said. “I support the idea, even. It was just… unexpected. A man taking his wife’s name is something new.”
“As are most of the things Holyday has told us of,” Werner, the last of the Ironbeard elders, said. “I find no fault in this. It would be good for our orphans, too.”
“I heard the clan is expecting many children,” Brantic said, changing the subject. “Is there a way that we could have such a blessing?”
Doc chuckled. “Yes. Posy, my ward, or even Onyx, the faith healer who lives here, can do what I did for the Ironbeard clan. Posy helped the Oresmelter clan before she came here for the winter.”
“Yes. This would be of interest to my clan, as well,” Petrov was quick to jump on.
“Just have your hopefuls see one of them,” Doc said. “I’d suggest you work on connecting your towns to the railroad. It’ll make travel much easier in the future, and you can ship things easier that way.”
“We’ll be working on it,” Brantic said. “Making it easier for our clans to support each other is a good idea.”
“Agreed,” Petrov nodded.
“Gentlemen, which of you is the groom?” The man was older, dressed in the black robes of a judge.
“Judge Verum, the groom is Harrid,” Doc said, greeting him as he patted the dwarf’s shoulder.
“Mr. Holyday, I remember you,” Verum smiled. “Your wives were the ones to bring this wedding to my attention. I had no idea that the woman I married you to was one of a few wives. You’ve been truly blessed to have many loves in your life.”
“I have, sir. What of your wife? I recall you mentioning spending the day with her.”
Verum’s smile faded as an old hurt filled his eyes for a moment. “She passed quite some time back. I polish her urn and speak to her when something of note happens. Your wedding was that, as was the case between Strongarm and the city. Today will be another day for me to tell her about. A dwarf and bestial marrying, with such a large event around it…? Maybe love is finally winning against hate.”
“I pray it is,” Doc said softly. “I apologize for bringing painful memories up, sir.”
Verum waved off the apology. “How would you know? You meant no harm. Might have even hoped to meet her…” He shook his head. “She would have loved what today means. She was special, someone who thought the ideology of some was wrong. I’ll tell her all about it after the reception. I want to see it all today, not just the ceremony as I did with you, Holyday.”
“You’re welcome to the feast,” Doc said. “Let me introduce you to the others, Judge…”
~*~*~
Doc and Harrid stood on the stage with Verum. The band was set up and waiting, and the crowd milled while they waited for the bride to arrive. When two carriages came into view, people got in order.
Harrid swallowed the worry that rose in his throat. He brushed at his jacket again, his hands damp as a moment he’d long thought he’d never experience was about to begin. Taking a deep breath, he did his best to calm his nerves.
The carriages came to a stop before the large gathering. Hundreds of people stood waiting, ready to see the bride. The first person out wasn’t Ginger; it was Lia. Everyone went quiet, as she was back in her normal leathers. Looking over the crowd, she stepped aside and the rest of Doc’s wives— minus Fiala— got out, lining up. The first carriage pulled up so the second could get into place.
Fiala stepped out first. She helped Ginger down before taking her hand to escort her. Ginger’s gown was a shade of dull ivory with green trim. It clung to her torso before becoming a flowing gown below her waist.
Doc smiled, as the rest of the bridal train was wearing green that matched Posy’s dress. Posy came out of the crowd to stand in front of the procession. When the music began, she started walking slowly, strewing rose petals as she went.
The crowd began to murmur, complimenting the dresses and pageantry. Many commented on how adorable Posy was as the flower girl, and a few were wondering if the child might be Ginger’s, since both of them were rabbit bestials. When they reached the stage, only Fiala and Ginger came up onto it with Verum. Fiala handed Ginger over to Harrid before stepping back.
Verum looked over the crowd before he spoke up, “Ladies and gentlemen, today, we come together to see a wedding. Before us today are two people who have known hardships. Both have been without parents for years; one an orphan, the other taken in by her uncle during her formative years.”
The crowd murmured at the news.
“Yet, due to unusual circumstances, they came to meet,” Verum went on. “Interest grew into courting, courting led to romance, and finally, romance to love. Finding someone to love is a blessing. If you’ve found love, you know this. Do either of you wish to speak?”
Ginger cleared her throat. Feeling the eyes on her, she pushed on, “Harrid, you have given me happiness, happiness I never thought I’d know. I cannot imagine life as anything other than as your wife. Our child will be loved, cared for, and raised to know your clan. Even when work takes you from our sides, I will make sure they know the love of their father.”
Harrid swallowed the lump in his throat. “Ginger Lopert, you are a blessing. I’m an orphan, I have no family name, but you didn’t care. You showed me interest. I just about panicked when I asked you for our first date. I couldn’t imagine a beautiful woman like you would agree to my clumsy attempt. Yet you did, and we spoke long into the night, finding many things we both love as common ground. Even with the hardships of my job, you understood and accepted me. Our times together made me happier than I had ever been. When you agreed to marry me, I knew a joy I’d never thought I’d know. Today, I leave behind the fact that I have no family, as I ask you to share your name with me. Will you allow me to be Harrid Lopert?”
Ginger sniffled, tears falling as she nodded. “Yes.”
“Very well,” Verum said, his own eyes wet. “Harrid, do you take Ginger Lopert as your wife?”
“I do.”
“Ginger Lopert, do you accept Harrid as your husband?”
“I do!”
“Let us welcome Mr. and Mrs. Lopert into the community,” Verum said. “You may kiss the bride.”
Harrid pulled Ginger into his arms, kissing her soundly, dipping her as the kiss went on. The crowd cheered, then laughed as their kiss lingered. Eventually, Harrid stood Ginger back up, both of them flushed as they turned to the crowd.
“If you’ll sign the papers, it will be official,” Verum said, offering them a folder and a pen.
Chapter Fifty-six
Everyone went off to the tables for the reception lunch. Charles, Olka, David’s chef, and Tarbo’s chef all combined for the feast to mark the event. The food was simple, but delicious, and there was plenty of it for the hundreds of people who’d come to attend the festivities.
Most of the conversations were either about the wedding, the solstice, or the duel on Boxing Day. Doc felt a little bad that he wasn’t sitting with all of his wives— the head table was just Doc, Harrid, Ginger, and Fiala. The rest of his wives were sitting with Posy, Rosa, and Ambrose at the closest table to him. David with his dryad, Tarbo and his wife, Dodd and his secretary-girlfriend, and Onyx with her dryad were at the table closest to Fiala’s side.
The meal was winding down and speeches were fast approaching. Doc was looking forward to his chance to speak. He wasn’t going to roast Harrid badly, but he was going to poke at the stoic dwarf a little.
Doc leaned over toward Harrid as he finished eating. “You almost ready for the speeches? There’s no father-of-the-bride to speak.”
“You, Fiala, me, then Ginger, right?” Harrid asked.
“Yep.”
“I think I’m ready.”
Doc patted his back, then looked over the crowd, trying to gauge if they were about done, when a carriage coming toward them got his attention. It had a driver and guard on the front, making Doc curious as to who it could be.
The crowd noticed the carriage as it got closer. When it eventually came to a stop, a footman got off the back to open the door. The occupant exited to complete silence; glancing at the crowd with disdain, he walked through the tables to come to the open area before the head table.
“Holyday, I need to discharge the duel. Is this public enough for you?”
“Strongarm, I’ll accept it,” Doc said levelly.
Strongarm looked over the head table. When he saw the two closest to him, his lip pulled up. “Yes. I know why things have gone as they have. My wedding gift to your guard is that I will be leaving Furden. I’m going back east to where civilization is wholesome. But before I go, I had to come for this.”
Harrid shifted in his seat, unhappy that this was happening during his wedding, but also glad that Strongarm would be leaving the city.
Strongarm turned to the crowd, his back to the head table. “I hereby publicly apologize to Doc Holyday and his many wives, along with Governor Dodd and his lover, Ms. Packner. During a social outing, I spoke words that were offensive to all of them. Those words led to the duel, which I lost yesterday. I should not have spoken as I did— it was unbecoming of a gentleman. I will further apologize for attacking Holyday with my cane when his words in return provoked me to violence.” Turning back to Doc, Strongarm raised his chin slightly. “Fairly acquitted?”
“I’ll agree,” Doc said, then turned to address his wives. “Ladies?”
“We’ll accept,” Lia said.
“Governor?” Doc asked.
Dodd nodded as he took his lover’s hand. “We accept.”
Strongarm dipped his head. “I shall trouble this affair no more.” He stayed where he was, a cold smile crossing his face. “When I get back to civilization, I will be speaking with the church. Enjoy your time here, Holyday.” With that, he turned on his heel, walking back to his carriage through the still silent crowd.
As Strongarm left, Doc stood up. The crowd had started to discuss things, but quieted when they saw Doc. “Ladies and gentlemen, in a few minutes, we’ll begin the speeches. We’ll be doing it the way I have with my wives, which means there’ll be some speeches you’re not used to. We’re missing the father-of-the-bride, but will be having the maid of honor and bride both speaking. Please, enjoy the last of lunch.”
When Doc sat again, the crowd got loud as everyone began talking. Most of it was focused on Strongarm’s visit, but there were some questioning why the women would speak during the wedding.
After another fifteen minutes, Doc stood up again, getting the crowd to quiet down. “I want to thank everyone who’s come out to celebrate this union. Seeing two people in love and getting married warms my heart. Today, though, is extra special for a man I consider part of my family.” Doc turned to look at Harrid. “Harrid, you’re my bodyguard, but you’re also the closest thing to a brother I have. While I won’t try to stop you from doing your duty, I hope you never have to put yourself between me and danger again.”
Harrid nodded slowly— he recalled every time he’d been there to help Doc. The most recent one wasn’t that long ago, when he’d taken a shot on his new breastplate.
“When you came into my employ, I heard of your upbringing as an orphan.” Doc looked back at the crowd. “I was also raised without a family, but for dwarves, it’s harder. They prize their family names, but for Harrid, he had no family name. That made it hard for him to find a woman who would accept him.”
A small murmur rippled through the crowd, most of whom had no idea about dwarven customs.
“But Harrid had been with me long enough by the time we’d reached Furden to know that love can be wider than he’d originally thought. Ginger caught his eye, or I should say, he caught hers.” He grinned at Ginger. “A woman who knows what she wants can be a godsend to a man who’s still looking. While the first few attempts to express interest between you two might’ve been awkward, you eventually found your way.”
Ginger was blushing, but her hand rested on Harrid’s.
“Thank you for showing my rockheaded friend what love is,” Doc smiled. “Now, a short story about a man I call a friend. Hmm… maybe I could talk about his panic at the idea of how to even ask a woman on a simple date?”
Harrid’s red face was hard to see at a distance, but Doc saw from where he was right next to the dwarf.
“I’ve seen him in a few shootouts, and he’s as calm as a winter lake. I’ve seen him literally step in front of me, taking a bullet that was intended for me. But the idea of approaching Ginger and asking for a date had him hyperventilating about making a mistake.” Doc chuckled, the crowd laughing along with him. “Ginger, you’ll never have to fear your husband not being firm enough to face any trial that comes. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known. I apologize in advance for taking him with me when I go. I’ll do my best to make sure he always comes home to you.”
“Thank you,” Ginger said softly.
Doc picked up his glass, facing the crowd again. “To the newlyweds, may they know the deep love they have for all time.” The crowd drank to the toast, and Doc took his seat.
Fiala stood up when Doc sat, waiting for the crowd to quiet. “I was surprised to be picked as Ginger’s maid of honor. I haven’t known her as long as some others, but she said I would best help her in this role, so I accepted the honor.” She turned to look at Ginger. “You found a good man in Harrid, but you know that already. He’s keen of mind, helping Doc time and again see a good path. He’s also outspoken when needed; he’s called my husband to task multiple times for not doing what he should. I could think of no better husband for you.”
Ginger smiled happily at Fiala.
“Ginger’s a good woman who overcame hardships,” Fiala went on, turning back to the crowd. “Her parents passed when she was young, and her uncle took her in. He sadly also passed just last year, leaving her with no family. But now, she has a family of her own. A husband who will love her deeply, maybe even give her a child soon. More than that, we accept her as family. Marrying Harrid brings you into our family, too. We’ll always be here for you.”
