“A park?” Corey asked critically. “Why are we here?”
“You’ll see,” Taylor said, climbing out of the car.
Within minutes, everyone was out of the car. Isaac led the way into the park. Corey followed, looking out toward the edges of the clearing. Trees formed the park’s border. Corey smiled. She had always loved the look of green leaves against a blue sky. Sometimes, she thought the world was nothing more than a canvas some extremely gifted artist had taken his brush to.
“Okay, now, what are we doing here?” Corey asked when they came to a stop by a picnic table.
Taylor smiled. “You remember all those things you said you wanted to do?” he asked. She nodded. “Well, this is one of them.”
Corey eyed him quizzically. “What?” she asked, confused. Taking her out driving was one thing, but . . .
Isaac cleared his throat. “Who gives this girl away?” he asked, sounding official.
Taylor took a step forward. “I do,” he said. He pushed Corey toward Zac, who was standing before Isaac.
“Guys,” Corey began, “this is starting to get awfully Twilight Zone-ish, okay? Now what -”
Isaac shushed her. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Corey Sorry-I-Don’t-Know-Your-Middle-Name Jennings and Zachary Walker Hanson.”
Corey fought back giggles. Isaac shot her a look that she thought was reserved for annoyed teachers. “What was that?” he asked.
“My middle name is Misae,” she told him, finally managing to stop laughing.
“Okay, then, the joining of Corey Misae Jennings and Zachary Walker Hanson. If there is anyone here who can speak just cause of why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Isaac paused. “All right, then,” he continued. “The rings.”
From his pocket, Taylor pulled out a small handkerchief. Within it were two simple gold bands. He held them out toward Zac, who took them both and handed one, the larger one, to Corey.
“Okay, Zac,” Isaac said once Taylor had returned the handkerchief to his pocket, “repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”
Zac cleared his throat and wiped his palms on his shirt. He took Corey’s left hand in his right one and slid the gold band onto her ring finger. “With this ring,” he repeated, “I thee wed.”
“I will love, honor, and cherish you.”
“I will love, honor, and cherish you.”
“For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”
“For richer or poorer, in -” Zac cleared his throat again and squeezed Corey’s fingers. “In sickness and in health.”
“As long as you both shall live.”
“As long as we both shall live.” Zac gave a goofy sort of half-smile and released Corey’s hand.
Isaac turned to her. “Your turn,” he said. “Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”
Corey took in a deep breath. She took up Zac’s left hand and, with some effort, managed to push the ring onto his finger. “With this ring,” she said, “I thee wed.” Not pausing for Isaac to recite her lines, she continued. “I will love, honor and cherish you, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.” She released his hand and looked down at his feet.
Isaac smiled and let out a breath. “Okay. Uh, you may now kiss the bride.”
Zac shifted uncomfortably. “Couldn’t we just hug?” he asked.
His oldest brother laughed. “Whatever,” he told him.
Corey looked up and Zac put his arms around her. She returned his embrace, smiling.
“Okay,” Taylor called, “who’s ready for cake?” Without waiting for a response, he started for the rental car.
Corey laughed as she and Zac broke from their hug. “You guys thought of everything, didn’t you?” she asked.
Isaac shrugged. “Not everything,” he admitted. “But I think we’ve got most of our bases covered.”
Looking down at the ring on her finger, Corey said, “So do I.”
