Ezra

One Year Later

O ctober 31st. Nova’s favorite day of the year.

The last year had been a whirlwind of change for both of us. What had started as a typical Halloween weekend had turned into chaos that threatened to disrupt our world and way of life. But upon discovering my newfound abilities and Nova’s being exposed, we went from being ignored to revered in a way we weren’t comfortable with. After a long conversation with my Nova and a slight argument about calling baths Nova Soup, we met with the heads of the families and explained our plan.

I would take an active role in our town alongside Elias and learn from my dad. Nova thought I would make a great Mayor, but I didn’t think it was in the cards for me. The schmoozing and working with people was more of Elias’s realm than mine, and I was more than happy to let him continue on his path for that role. For now, I was comfortable learning and working with numbers to make improvements around the city. I wanted all the families to take a more active role in building a community where no one felt excluded and where no creature was held in higher regard than another.

Nova’s notoriety had forced her to leave The Witch Hotline, but she turned her efforts into something positive. If she couldn’t help people through the hotline, she would get involved with the community that once ignored her. She was an example of forgiveness as she worked to organize community events and bridge the gaps between creatures so we could build lasting harmony, not just tolerance for each other.

Now, to add one more change to our lives, she was gaining a new title. It was one I had wanted to give her for a long time.

Wife.

More specifically, my wife .

It was chilly but not cold. Leaves were floating down from the trees as the fairy lights illuminated the edge of the gazebo over me. I stood on the top step with Elias on my right and Crystal across the empty space. My family sat on one side of the black runner with the Foster and Woodhaven family crest on it, and Nova’s mom waited on the other.

The quartet started to play an instrumental version of 'This Is Halloween', and my heart rate ticked up along with the beat. Nova had always dreamed of walking down the aisle to this song, and the small group present stood at the officiant’s instruction. My back faced the aisle so I wouldn’t see her coming since she had a long walk from where she had been getting ready. We had rehearsed multiple times what beat of the song to turn around on, and I anxiously waited to see the love of my life.

I heard leaves rustling behind me and knew she was close to stepping on the runner. I fidgeted with my watch as I waited for the right beat. Finally, the moment I had been looking forward to my entire life came, and the image in front of me was more than anything I could have pictured in my wildest dreams.

Nova wore a long-sleeved black lace dress with a sweeping train following behind her. The fall foliage on the ground contrasted with the color of her dress and painted a similar image to when she jumped into a pile of leaves. Full, dark lips encased her gorgeous smile, and her lavender eyes were highlighted by dark makeup. Her stunning purple hair was curled and pinned half up, an orange flower tucked into her ear. My breath hitched. I took my knuckle between my teeth, and tears crowded my eyes as I caught sight of her.

Astro walked her down, and I shook his hand as he handed her to me.

“I don’t need to ask you to take care of her,” he said. “I know you will.”

“For the rest of my life,” I assured him.

He sat beside his wife as Nova and I turned to the officiant. I held tightly to her hand as we repeated the sentences asked of us back to him. Elias handed me the rings, and my fingers trembled as I slipped the teardrop fire opal stone on her finger. She smiled, slipping the black band on mine.

The officiant had not finished his sentence when I took Nova in my arms for our first kiss as husband and wife.

The world stood still as our family and friends cheered. The claps and whoops, the rustling of the wind, and my pounding heartbeat formed the perfect background for the start of this chapter of our lives. I looked into my wife’s eyes and knew I was staring at my entire world.

This right here was all I ever wanted and all I would ever need.

Me.

Nova.

And the little baby that only we knew was growing inside her.