Three Promises by Bishop O'Connell

her face flush.
    â€œI hope Edward remembers how to talk when he sees you,” Dante said.
    Caitlin turned away, sure her cheeks were a bright pink, but she smiled and thought of how cute, and so very Eddy, it would be if that happened.
    â€œAnd you,” Dante said, turned, and kneeled in front of Fiona, “look just like your mommy, and just as beautiful.”
    Fiona smiled and gripped Paddy Bear in a hug. “Thank you, Dante.” The little girl leaned forward and kissed Dante’s cheek.
    â€œOh, lucky me,” he said and winked at her. “You’re going to save a dance for me, right?”
    â€œAw,” Janet, Kris, and Casey said in unison.
    Dante stood and turned to Caitlin. “Are you ready?”
    She opened her mouth, unsure of what was about to come out.
    Dante took her hands in his and just stared at them. “You both deserve this.” When he spoke, his voice was so low Caitlin had to strain to hear him. “We all have darkness in our past. It’s what we do with it that makes us who we are.”
    Caitlin felt shame and guilt try to rise up in her, but she didn’t give them any power this time. Instead, she squeezed Dante’s hands and smiled. “I’m ready.”
    As if on cue, Canon in D Major began to play outside.
    There was a flurry of movement around Caitlin, and she felt a bit like she was standing in the eye of a hurricane. The bridesmaids adjusted dresses and checked each other’s hair. Someone pushed Caitlin’s bouquet into her hand. Someone else handed Fiona the basket of coral-­colored rose petals. She promptly set Paddy Bear in it and was led to the front of the line by Casey.
    â€œThank you,” Caitlin whispered as she slipped her arm through Dante’s.
    Dante squeezed her hand. “It’s truly my honor and privilege to walk you down the aisle.”
    â€œNo, I don’t just mean that,” she said.
    â€œI know,” Dante said. “That’s my honor and privilege as well.”
    Then they were walking out the door. The fresh, heady smell of the trees and flowers that filled Dante’s club washed over Caitlin. She was amazed how completely the place had been transformed. Everywhere she looked there were bright flowers, ivy, or silk fabric hangings in her wedding colors. It was hard to believe this was the main floor in one of the most popular night spots in Boston.
    Everyone stood and smiled as Fiona made her way down the aisle, casting rose petals out in front of her, pausing every ­couple of steps to pick up Paddy Bear and set him back in the basket.
    Caitlin laughed then tried not to look at the guests who rose for her procession. She had no one really, save those in her wedding party; and while Eddy’s family wasn’t large, he did have one. In fact, they’d spent hours scrounging their past, only to fill a third of the forty seats. When she saw the bride’s section nearly full, she almost tripped. As she looked from one smiling face to another, she saw they were all fae. Some were elves, all of those who had helped Dante and Eddy stop the wizard, but there were countless others. Almost every kind of fae was represented, and they were all looking at her with serene smiles. Except for Faolan. He beamed at her and winked.
    Caitlin’s gaze went to Eddy’s parents. His father smiled, but his mother didn’t look her way—­she was watching Fiona. Caitlin almost thought she saw the faintest trace of a smile. If anyone could bring Eddy’s mother around, and make the family come together, it would be Fiona.
    â€œA wizard has nothing on the power of a little girl,” she whispered, too low for anyone to hear over the music. Or so she thought, until she saw Dante’s slight smile.
    All this happened within the first five steps. On the sixth, she drew in a breath, looked up, and saw Eddy. The rest of the world vanished. He looked at her like no one ever had.