Arcana | 19 – The Moon

Arcanum 19 – The Moon

This card will generally refer to the world of the mother, to all the aspects of the subconscious, intuition, and the personal mystery of being. We can then direct the reading toward the relationship of the person consulting the reader with his or her mother, or his or her concept of femininity. For a woman this card can be the omen of a profound realization. For a man, it is a prompt to cultivate traditionally feminine qualities like sensitivity, intuition, and so forth. The Moon is a good omen for anyone wishing to devote himself to poetry, to Tarot reading, to all disciplines based on receptivity. Equally resonant in The Moon are fear of the dark, nightmares, and all sorts of worries linked to the unknown, sometimes without constraint. It can symbolize poorly defined anxieties, but also a voyage across the sea or arrival at a port. It tends toward reverie, and to all the states of soul generally associated with a “lunar” or “lunatic” nature. Its infinite receptive potential is its greatest treasure.

When Lisa woke up, Michael was gone and the sheets were cold, which meant that she had been out cold and hadn’t even heard him leave. It was also around noon and it had been the hunger that had broken her strings of dreams. Visions she could no longer remember, but that had made her feel serene and peaceful. Images made of colors and scents, of sun rays and laughter in the background. Lisa had no idea what they were about, but she sure hoped they would be a premonition of her future. Of their future.

She sat up on the bed and her hand came to rest over her belly, while the other caressed the sheets, then took the note that Michael had left for her on the pillow. Near a small plate of neatly piled cookies.

“Had some stuff to take care of.
I’ll be home soon.
I love you, Princess.
M.”

In a corner, he had also drawn a very stylized portrait of a sleeping Lisa. Her back naked, her face invisible as she was resting on her side, turning away from him. Her long hair cascading over the sheets.

She smiled and followed the lines of the drawing with her fingertips, almost reverently.

“Yeah, nutcase… I love you too,” she murmured to herself, munching on the cookie.

As she got up and took a shower, still half-asleep, she remembered that something had intruded her dreams, at one point during the morning and likely after Michael had left. It had been the phone ringing. But she had been way too tired to pick up the receiver, after having been worked over all night by Michael. As a matter of fact, Lisa felt replenished and sated but also as if a tank had bulldozed all over her. Michael was that good.

Sighing, she relaxed under the water jet. She guessed that, whoever had called, could call again – if they hadn’t already left a message on her answering machine.

She took her time in the bathroom, making sure she would look as perfect as possible before Michael came back. Even though her body was going through the pregnancy quite easily, she wanted to remain beautiful for him. There was a tiny part of her that was afraid he would soon start to find her unattractive, too fat, too big. Which didn’t even make sense, as he looked more than charmed by her curves – if his passion every night was worthy of some consideration. Which it was. But anyway, better say than sorry, Lisa thought to herself, as she finally entered the living room, while sipping her orange juice.

The blinking red light on the answering machine caught her attention and she stopped mid-step, deviating from her initial direction – that had been the balcony. She narrowed her eyes, thinking that whoever had called might have left a message after all.

“Indeed…” She mumbled, noticing that the small screen signaled, in fact, the presence of one message.

Pushing the “play” button, she waited and finished her juice. Maybe it was Leigh. Since Lisa had told her about the pregnancy, her friend had been on seventh heaven and she had confessed that she and Alan too were planning on having a baby. Maybe. Possibly. Someday. But soon.

But no, it wasn’t Leigh at all.

“Michael? I know this isn’t really your number, but a friend told me that you’re often there and I hope the lady you’re dating now will manage to let you hear this…”

Lisa frowned, putting the glass down and listening carefully to the woman’s voice. It wasn’t completely unknown, she knew she had heard it before, but at that very moment she couldn’t place it.

“…Anyway, I am sure you remember me. I’m Joy. I’m also sure you remember my son, because you said he’s a very talented kid. You have no idea how happy he was last year, when he finally was able to meet you, in Australia. Anyway, you do have my number. Call me back, OK. Me and my family are planning a trip to L.A. and of course you’re our first destination.”

Joy… Right, now all of a sudden that name did ring a bell, even though her last name was still murky in Lisa’s mind. Robertson, Robinson, something like that.

Lisa had heard that woman leave messages before – but usually they were on Michael’s answering machine, at his Hideout. Michael had never called her back, not once, and when Lisa had asked him about it, he had replied that the lady in question had been pressuring Norma to be called back. Joy had indeed been planning to see Michael again since one year earlier, when she had first met him.

“What the hell is her problem? She’s been trying to meet you again for over a year? Stalkerish much? Please, Mike, be careful… I wouldn’t want her to take advantage of your generosity,” Lisa had told him back then. Scanning his eyes, she had also noticed that he, too, was very much aware of that.

“I’ll be careful,” he had just replied, and then he had kissed her sweetly.

Lisa hadn’t prodded further. She knew that Michael was often too soft-hearted to tell people that they were crossing boundaries. That he felt cornered and stalked. One too many times, he would just give in and give too many people what they definitely did not deserve. His time, his attention. Lisa knew exactly what flavor folks like Joy from Australia were, and she didn’t like them one bit. As a matter of fact, she remembered very well at least another lady who, when Lisa and Michael were still at the very beginning of their relationship, had so obviously tried her best to snare him. Even now, Lisa could not recall how she had eventually managed to convince him to cut all contacts with that woman and her family, but she was glad he had.

And now there was this other one, and things were obviously escalating, since the lady had called Lisa’s apartment and not Michael’s. How had it even happened? How had Joy managed to find out about that place?

Irritation arose before she could do anything to stop it and she took a mental note to talk to Michael about the whole thing the moment he set foot back home.

And then the phone rang again and Lisa, still lost in thought, picked up mechanically.

“Hello?”

Silence.

“Hello?”

“Who is this?”

Lisa’s eyebrows sprung up.

“Excuse me? You’re the one calling. Who am I speaking to?”

“Ah… I’m Joy. I was looking for Michael.”

Oh, for real? Well, this was more than unexpected. Lisa’s jaw tensed the very moment she recognized the tone. It reeked of entitlement. The woman – who evidently was unhappy with not being called back – had called again.

In a way, Lisa was glad that Michael was not home, because the moment she found herself face to face – albeit metaphorically – with Joy-something from Australia, everything but the intention of dealing with her ass once and for all was wiped from her mind. Her protective instinct was all that was left.

Lisa didn’t possess a shred of Michael’s patience. As a matter of fact, her tolerance-tank would often run pretty low, or close to empty – like in this case.

She would make sure that the woman who had the nerve to unrelentingly stalk Mike, even at his girlfriend’s house, would never, ever try to get in touch with him again. Not as long as she was standing in between. Once again, memories of the people surrounding her father invaded her mind and something, inside of Lisa, just snapped.

“Well, Michael is not here and if he hasn’t called you back so far, he likely won’t.” She bit her lip. “As a matter of fact, I will make sure he doesn’t.”

“Who are you and why do you think you can decide at his place? You ain’t the boss of him.”

“Of course not, but you aren’t either. And you don’t have to worry about me. Or Michael, for that matter. You met him once – fine. That was cool, I’m sure. Michael is a great guy. But going as far as stalking him for months doesn’t exactly bode well for any future friendship, believe me. Do you think I don’t know how many times you’ve called Norma?”

On the line, the woman stayed quiet for a minute.

“I don’t recall ever calling Norma.”

Lisa had to scoff.

“Yes, you do. Look, Michael is very busy right now and will be for quite some time. This is not the way you act around anyone, really. So just stop it, OK. And I have no idea who the fuck gave you this number, but you better don’t ever call again.”

“Oh… I know who you are. I wish I could say it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Presley, but-”

“Yeah, likewise.” Lisa stared outside the window, at the beautiful sunny day just beyond the glass. “Don’t call again, Joy. Leave Michael alone. You don’t wanna try me, believe me.”

Without even waiting for the other woman to reply, Lisa hung up the phone. She kept her hand on the receiver for a moment, closing her eyes and taking a deep, cleansing breath. She realized she was beyond enraged and shook her head to herself.

And then she perceived his presence. She didn’t really hear him, because Michael was catlike whenever he moved, but she knew he was there. And even though she was sure he had somehow caught her red-handed, she was relieved he was back.

“Hey,” she murmured, her eyes still closed.

“Hey…” She heard him walk over to her. Then his hands were on her shoulders, his breath against the back of her head, his lips touching her hair. He sounded calm, and not angry at all. Well… amazing. “Who were you talking to? Who’s gotta leave me alone, Princess?”

“Joy from Australia.” It was the only thing she could say.

With gentle pressure, Michael’s hands made her turn around. Finally facing him, Lisa opened her eyes. He was looking down at her and seemed exhausted, but there was a humorous glint in his dark eyes.

“Did you chew her and spite her out yet?”

“Not yet. Or not the way I would have liked, at least.”

Lisa gave him one of her lopsided smirks and he pulled her close, kissing her. Softly at first, and then with increasing passion. Her arms closed around his neck and she felt his body adhere to her, his hands finding her skin under the loose t-shirt she was wearing. His kisses moved down, on her neck, and her head fell back. The tornado started to swirl into the pit of her stomach and she knew she would soon be lost. But there was also an urgency in Michael’s actions, some sort of desperate quality that hadn’t been there the night before, and that gave her pause. Also, the fact that he seemed so complacent about her so obviously meddling in his business was weird. Tone-deaf, entirely out of tune with his usual reactions and too good to be true.

“Mike…”

“Mh…”

His breathing had become slightly erratic and his fingers were now stroking her ass. He had reached her naked skin beyond the barrier of her panties and was moving closer and closer to the point of non-return.

“Wait… What’s going on…”

“Nothin’… We’re about to make love…”

“Yes, but…” Swallowing, she tried to push him back without much conviction. This was nuts. The way she wanted him all the time. She even doubted it was because of her hormones. It had always been like that, even before the pregnancy, and her longing for him didn’t seem to get any better. And yet… “I think we need to talk, first…”

“We can talk later…” He took her hand and brought it down, making her feel just how much he wanted her. Lisa’s fingers closed on him through the jeans he was wearing and keeping her cool – or what was left of it – became immensely tricky all of a sudden.

“Baby… I do want this. Very much. But really…” Taking a deep breath, she let go of him and moved a step back. “We gotta talk.”

Michael just squinted his eyes at her, confused. Her gaze dropped on his crotch and, grinning, she had to shake her head.

“You gotta calm down, tiger… I don’t want you to get hurt.”

She hoped making light of the situation would help him be rational, at least for a little while. She needed to know what was going on with him. Where he had been and doing what. But mostly, she wanted him to know that her reaction to Joy hadn’t been out of jealousy or possessiveness. Lisa was terrified of the people so obviously taking advantage of the fleeting contacts they had with Michael. She didn’t know if she would be able to survive, seeing what had happened to her father once again – this time to the only other man she had come to love just as much.

“You wanna know where I was, don’t you…”

Amazingly, he read her thoughts just fine. Michael could play aloof like a pro, if he felt it was necessary for his survival, but he was also extremely perceptive when he wanted to be.

“Yeah. Something happened. I can tell.”

He sighed.

“You can always tell when something is wrong, lately. Well… I met with your mother.”

It felt like a slap in the face and Lisa almost reeled back.

“Excuse me? You did what?”

“I met with Priscilla. I went to see her. I mean, after asking her if she wanted to see me. She agreed, which surprised me. But anyway… I just wanted to talk to her, face to face.”

“Without even telling me first?”

“…Yeah.”

“Why? What the fuck?”

Michael shuffled his feet and his head dropped. It was almost endearing. Lisa could tell that his sexually-charged cockiness had disappeared, at least for now. As a matter of fact, all of a sudden he looked mighty uncomfortable.

“I wanted to know if there was a way to make her see… make her understand…” He shook his head. “…That I ain’t here to hurt you or your dad’s legacy. I don’t care about you being a Presley. I wanted her to know that I’m just here because I love you, and whatever happened between her and me in the past can be fixed… I can forgive, which I do have in my heart and-”

Lisa just stepped into his personal space and hugged him, her arms around his torso, her cheek against his chest. She was extremely sensitive to everything that was Michael, but she had no defenses against the flustered, most vulnerable side of him. And even though she was miffed that he had once again done something without involving her – something that was about her, too – as usual the feelings were mixed at best. Besides, every single one of these little tricky moments was a banana peel on the road they were walking on as a couple. Slipping was easy. Falling was even easier. They had to pay attention. And although Michael probably had to keep his controlling nature on a tight leash, she knew she too had to work hard to curb her notorious temper.

She guessed holding onto him was a good starting point, and when he too hugged her, she knew she was right.

“You’re a dick.”

“Am I, now…”

She could tell that he was smiling.

“Yes. I wish you would tell me when you’re planning to do shit like this, because I know it wasn’t a spur of the moment kind of thing.”

“Like you told me how you’re making sure Joy from Australia stays away from me?”

This time he backed off and studied her. He was only half-smiling. And there it was, of course. Michael the control freak was not entirely OK with Lisa taking care of what he felt was his business, and his business only.

“It’s different, Michael.”

“Really? You sure about that?”

“Yeah.”

Despite knowing that the conversation was now risking to turn slightly nastier than it had initially seemed, Lisa decided to stay put and remained connected to him. She hooked her fingers into his belt and moved barely half a step behind. Silently telling him to just stay with her. That they could do this together. Even though they both had done something that the other did not entirely like.

“How so?”

“I’m sure you didn’t wake up this morning and all of a sudden it occurred to you that you needed to talk to my mother. I know you plan everything beforehand. I don’t. But this woman managed to find my number, left a message on my answering machine, then called again trying to bypass me just to get to you. And it wasn’t even the first time I heard about her. I can smell that kind of people miles away. That shit isn’t gonna fly with me, babe.”

Michael laughed and his shoulders seemed to relax a bit.

“Right…” His face turned serious again and he stroked Lisa’s cheek with the back of his fingers. “I’m sorry. I had no idea she would call you. Norma and I have been trying to take care of it… whatever it is that she wants for quite some time now.”

“Yeah, I noticed. Well… I don’t think Joy from Australia is going to pull any more stunts. And if she does, please Mike, let me take care of it.” She covered his hand with her own. “Let me deal with her so I can take care of you. I know it’s not something you’re used to, but please… Trust me with this.”

He blinked, several times. Lisa could see how insecure he still was, despite everything. Despite their connection and their love, the idea of putting himself in someone else’s hands was somehow such a foreign concept to Michael. She understood. She knew how difficult embracing trust was.

“Lisa…”

“What did my mother say? What happened?”

“Not much, to be honest…”

He wasn’t lying. Nothing at all had changed.

“If you think your presence here will make me change my mind, please know it is not going to happen. As a matter of fact, having you here only solidified my opinion of you.” Priscilla had scanned him with her cold blue eyes. “I am sure my daughter doesn’t even know that you’re here. There are many things she doesn’t know about you. But she will find out, eventually. And she’ll come back home.”

“She never left. You forced her out, ma’am. Lisa loves you. You’re her mother.” Michael had held her gaze. “But she’s going to be a mother as well, soon. And that should count something. How can you pretend it doesn’t?”

“I don’t think you get it. It does count. You, on the other hand…” Priscilla had pursed her lips. “She doesn’t need you, Michael. And you don’t need her. I am sure you don’t even want her – only what she has to give.”

Jesus, for real? That was still her opinion about him? It suddenly occurred to Michael that his bitter, future mother-in-law had been thinking that…

“You don’t really think that I did it on purpose, do you?”

“What? Having her carry your baby? Well… You just suggested it. What am I supposed to think?”

Michael took a deep breath. They were in the foyer, just standing there facing each other. Priscilla had not really invited him in. She was not going to ask him if he wanted a glass of water or a cup of tea. For the life of him, he could not understand why she was so prejudiced, why she felt so threatened by him. It hurt him to be judged so harshly by a woman who had never even made an effort to get to know him.

“I love Lisa for the person that she is. And although I understand that her being who she is, is the reason why we met and were able to bond, I don’t really care about her status. Her last name… or whatever. But she gets me. And I get her. We share-”

“You don’t share anything. You and my daughter are polar opposites in all the ways that count.”

Michael had straightened his stance. He was patient and kind-hearted, always had been, but he recognized a jab when it hit him.

“Meaning? That she’s white and I’m black?”

Priscilla had opened her mouth, closed it, then had shaken her head.

“I meant that you two don’t have anything in common, despite what you might think. From your upbringing to your family structure, from your idea of the world to your ambitions. I want someone good for her. Not you.”

“You’re wrong. I am worthy of her.” He didn’t know if his blackness played a role in Priscilla’s obvious disdain of him, but he was not going to prod. He had to remember that this wasn’t just any woman. This was still Lisa’s mother. At the same time, all of a sudden he had realized that she and Priscilla were what he and Lisa had just been accused of being: polar opposites. Whereas Lisa was warm, passionate, vibrant, Priscilla was cold, detached, almost alien. Whereas Lisa was instinctual and deeply sensitive, Priscilla could be calculating and devoid of any empathy. And yet, he was convinced that somehow, deep down, this woman right in front of him thought she was protecting her daughter.

“You’re not. You’ll see. She too, will.” She had turned toward the door. “You already hurt her in the past. You’ll end up doing it again, and you won’t be there picking up the pieces. I know men like you.”

There was nothing else he could say to convince her that he had never wanted to make Lisa suffer. Telling Priscilla that he would do his best to make up for whatever mistake he had made in the past, that he would do everything to do good by Lisa and their daughter, was pointless.

“You’re wrong. But me telling you won’t change a thing. I see that, now.” He had put his sunglasses back on. “Anyway… Thank you for your time.”

“I would have told you, Mike. Had you asked for my opinion first.” Finally backing off, Lisa sat down on the couch and closed her arms over her belly. Her baby. She looked deflated, sad. “My mom… I love her, but she’s out of my life, at least for now. I knew that already and I made my choice. I have accepted it and I’m trying to move on. With you. ‘Cause you and our baby are my choice and you are all that matters to me. That’s why you shouldn’t have gone talking to her.”

“But, baby… You don’t understand…” Crouching down in front of her, Michael rested his hands on her knees and found her eyes. He wanted her to look at him and see what his intention had been. His hadn’t been a power move – not by a long shot. “…I just wanted to help. I wanted to fix this. For you.”

He touched her baby bump.

“And for her…”

Unexpectedly, almost stunning him, she leaned forward and framed his face with both hands. She stared at him, from one eye to the other.

“I know, and I thank you for that. You’re a healer, Michael. A fixer. That’s what you do. You take something and make it better. You do it with your music and dance, every day. You change people’s lives for the better. And you definitely changed mine, and I know that whatever happens, it will never be the same. But baby… Not everything can be fixed. My mother… she doesn’t work that way. She won’t change her mind just because you talk to her.”

“I know that now. But I wanted to try anyway.”

Lisa leaned her forehead against his and swallowed hard. He could almost see the internal battle she was fighting. Instinct against reason. Old scars versus a new way of healing.

“OK… OK… I trust you with this.”

“You do?

“Yeah.”

It was the truth. And it was relieving to say it out loud. To give her own voice the permission to speak the words.

Sighing, Michael allowed himself to close his eyes and to relax against her touch. They stayed quiet for what felt like forever.

“I trust you too, Lise.”

Later that night, hours later, Lisa lay down on her side, watching Michael’s skin shine in the moonlight. He was not asleep, but his position allowed such a magnificent view that she really hoped he wouldn’t move for a while. Since he had moved on her, inside of her, for what felt like forever. Touching her with his mouth, his hands, his body.

Now he was lying down on his stomach, his arms spread under the pillow, his naked body only half-covered by the white sheets, creating a perfect contrast of colors against the white light of the night. His back and hair were still damp with sweat, and he looked as if he had been bathed in cosmic dust. Ethereal, yet so real.

Lisa stayed quiet, almost afraid to touch him, disturb him, break the magic. His head was turned in her direction but his eyes were closed, and she knew he was finally relaxed. She took a moment to just caress him with her gaze. Michael would never know how gorgeous he looked to her. How she loved everything about him – including those lines and discolorations that painted his body like a beautiful canvas, making it even more of a work of art than it already was. For now, she never had told him about it, but she was glad that he finally seemed comfortable being naked around her. And with naked, she meant so much more than devoid of any clothing.

For a moment, earlier that evening, she had thought that they would end up fighting. That their respective behaviors would create an abyss between them. A hole made of mistrust and resentment. But it hadn’t happened. As a matter of fact, their silent, mutual agreement to talk about what they had decided to do – without telling the other – had acted as a bridge. It had become one. She didn’t know if it had been caused by this immense power their baby seemed to already have over them, even before she was born. Still, Lisa felt grateful that she and Michael had finally been able to get there. And wherever “there” was, she knew it was a starting point of sort.

And just like that, a sense of peace – complete, unmovable, but also foreign – closed in on her like an invisible blanket.

In her mind, in what felt like a quick but nonetheless intense instant, she replayed how careful and passionate Michael had been earlier, while making love to her. How much attention he had paid to her pleasure, how he had allowed it to wash over her in waves, until she had felt she was going to drown in pure perfection. The steel control he had kept over himself – his face concentrated, his brow furrowed as he moved inside of her, asking her what she wanted, telling her how she made him feel. In contrast, he had kept his own climax at bay. Pushing her to the brink. Her body was taxed and at one point she had felt as if she was about to be split in two. Of course, it hadn’t happened. There had only been pleasure.

Lisa had never thought that sex could communicate so much. Now she knew.

And she also knew something else. Once again, sudden and unexpected.

“Michael?”

His eyes opened. They were as dark as black holes. Only, much more soulful. Maybe for the very first time, she was not afraid to get lost in them. She knew that, if she’d ever fall, he would always be there to save her.

“Yeah…”

She tilted her head to a side. Her fingertips itched to touch him, but she stayed otherwise still.

“Do you still want to marry me?”

Michael smiled, ever so slightly.

“Yes.”

“Now?”

“Of course.”

He hadn’t understood. Not that she had been very clear so far. She swallowed.

“No, I mean… Now. Would you marry me now?”

His eyes narrowed and he stayed quiet. Then, almost in slow motion, he rolled over and leaned up on his elbows. Lisa’s gaze fell on his naked torso, observed the way his chest rose and fell. The beating of his heart steady and regular. His lungs filling with oxygen. This man, this man right here was real. And he was hers.

“What did you say?”

“Would you marry me, Michael? Now. I mean, tomorrow. Or… the day after tomorrow. In a week. Whenever you want. Just… before our daughter is born. Like you always wanted.” This time, she did reach out and rested her hand on his chest. “Like I want.”

His lips parted and he took in a big gulp of air.

“Lisa…”

Lisa blinked, and her hand came down on her belly.

“Wait! Shush – She just kicked.”

“What?” Michael frowned. This must have been such a confusing moment for him.

She couldn’t do anything but laugh and grabbed his hand, positioning it right on her baby bump.

“Can you feel it? She’s kicking. Our daughter is kicking for the first time.”

Santa Cruz, California – Eighteen hours later

The northern edge of Monterey Bay, and more precisely, the accommodation where they had been spending the past hours, had a benefit. In essence, it wasn’t easily accessible and sure as hell wasn’t the first place to pop up in anyone’s mind. Besides, things had gotten in motion so quickly that it had been impossible for the press to keep up.

Michael loved to plan everything up to the last, tiniest detail, and never in his life he would have imagined that such a crucial moment in his life would have been so impromptu. But it was more than welcome. All that had happened in the past year was welcome – even the pain, the confusion and the doubts. Because eventually they had turned into bliss, clarity and trust. Emotions that he had never really experienced to such extent, now he knew. They felt new.

Despite spring not really being there yet, the moderate climate of the coastline had granted him and Lisa a pleasurable temperature and a beautiful, sunny day. And the sun was now going back to sleep under a blanket of waves.

But not yet. Even the night would wait. He and Lisa still had time to do what they were there for.

When, earlier that morning, they had arrived in Santa Cruz after about driving all night, Michael had immediately had Bill call the Hollins House, a historic home with a spectacular view on the Monterey Bay that was, among other things, pretty famous as a wedding venue. At the same time, it was possibly one of the last places in California where the paparazzi would expect to find people like Michael and Lisa. Miraculously – or maybe not, given who they were – they had also been able to rent Hollins Room for a couple of days. The apartment was perfect, nestled in a secluded corner of the house and yet spacious enough to host over thirty people.

Not that there would be that many folks around.

As a matter of fact, except for Michael’s small security detail of three people – including Bill, who looked like a cat that had just devoured a mouse and had been unable to hide his satisfaction – Michael’s best man and Lisa’s bridesmaid, there wouldn’t be anyone else in attendance.

And Alan and Leigh, well… To say that they had been surprised to be woken up in the middle of the night and asked to take part in Michael and Lisa’s wedding was possibly the understatement of the year. But they had accepted and, around three in the morning, they had been picked up by one of Michael’s cars and taken straight to Santa Cruz.

Michael’s head was still spinning. He was a man of the world and knew that things could change drastically, in the bat of an eyelid, but this was surprising even for him. However, there was nothing else he wanted more than marry the beautiful girl with the huge, midnight blue eyes. The girl of his dreams. The woman who was carrying his baby and certainly held his heart.

Lisa’s proposal had been unexpected, to say the least. Yes, of course, Michael had been more than pleased that he and Lisa had been able to… well, fix whatever issue they had going on after he had uselessly tried to put some common sense into Priscilla’s head. The conversation with Lisa had been much more productive, albeit a bit bumpy in the beginning, and the long session of intense lovemaking had been the cherry on top. With every touch, every kiss, every thrust, Michael had quietly tried to show her just how much he loved her, how in love he was with her, how he kept choosing her day after day.

It had worked like a charm. The sated, serene expression on her face after they were finally spent had been the biggest reward. At least until her question had popped up, almost out of the blue. Shocking him back to reality when he had felt he was almost drifting off. He had no idea what had made her change her mind, when up until that point she had been adamant that they would not get married until the baby was born.

Michael had mulled over the matter on their way over Santa Cruz, while holding a very sleepy and soft Lisa in his arms, in the backseats of the car. Why had she asked? What had he done to finally convince her that they didn’t need to wait to become husband and wife? That they could do this whenever they wanted, even now, if they were so inclined?

He had not found an answer, but the crux of the matter stayed the same.

Did he still want to marry her? God, yes. Yes. With all his heart and soul.

Immediately? More than anything, if she agreed. And she had.

And then, their little one had kicked. For the first time. When Lisa had taken Michael’s hand and rested it on her belly, and he had felt his daughter move, he had almost passed out cold on the spot. Thank God he was still lying down on the bed. But his eyes had started to burn, his heart threatened to jump off his chest. He had never, ever in his life experienced anything like that. Everything had once again changed, quickly like a butterfly taking off from a flower. Once again, all was slowly turning from ephemeral and ethereal to real, tangible, wholly intertwined with everything that was him, that was Lisa, that was them. As a couple, as a family, as individuals that had chosen to be together and, now he knew, chosen to have a baby in the most impossible moment ever.

About an hour later, he and Lisa were in the car, directed to Santa Cruz. It had been his idea, because he knew someone at Hollins House and was sure everything would be done quietly and privately. As he dragged Lisa toward the car, he was laughing. She was laughing too, so hard that at one point she had started to hiccup, making him giggle even more. She had told him that he was crazy, that they could wait until the next day, that she wouldn’t change her mind now that she had proposed.

“I don’t care. At this time tomorrow, you’re gon’ be my wife. Let’s go.”

Lisa had pulled him back, forcing him to turn in her direction a few steps away from the car, grabbing him by the lapel of his jacket and pulling him into her. Kissing him, kissing him and speaking in between kisses.

“Nut. What about the dress?”

“I’ll get you one. I promise.”

One more kiss.

“What about your outfit, buster? What are you gonna wear for our wedding?”

He had grabbed her by the waist, his body adhering to hers.

“Don’t know yet. I’ll think about it. But I sure know what I’m not going to wear after the ceremony…”

“I love the way you think…”

“Come on… Let’s go get married. Let me marry you. Make you my wife. Make you mine…”

Yeah, he was crazy. Crazy in love with that girl.

And now he was ready and it was about to happen.

He stood in front of the French windows facing the ocean, hands in his pockets, just waiting. He had initially thought he would be nervous as all get-out, but it hadn’t happened. He was calm, serene. Happy and confident. He wanted this.

Someone knocked at the door and Michael turned, slowly. It was time.

“Come in.”

Alan appeared in the door frame. He was smiling and looked way more well-rested than the night before. His hair was neatly combed and he looked as if he had trimmed his thick, red beard.

“You ready?”

“I am always ready.”

“You’re such a dick. Here, let me fix this…” Alan walked over and fixed Michael’s tie. “It’s a bit crooked.”

“Thanks. Do I look OK?”

Alan stepped back with a grin and scanned Michael’s attire from top to bottom. Michael had opted for a casual, yet elegant attire – a blue suit made of rich fabric that hugged his dancer body perfectly, with a matching vest, a classic white shirt and a silky black tie. His hair was held in a ponytail and his face was clean-shaven. He looked radiant.

“I think she’s gonna love it. I mean, she seems intentioned to marry you, which is quite inexplicable, so I guess the outfit will do.”

“Get out of here…” Michael laughed and shoved his friend lightly. Then he hugged him.

Alan held onto him and closed his eyes.

“I want you to reciprocate this thing as soon as I get the chance. You’re gonna be my best man when I finally get my girl to say yes, ‘kay?”

“Did you ask her yet?”

“No, but I soon will.”

“Don’t make her wait too long. She might end up realizing what a darn tool you are.”

“I know! So? You gonna be my best man that day, Mike?”

“OK.”

“Deal. Let’s go, now. You haven’t seen the bride yet.” Alan pulled back and smiled, slyly. “But I did.”

“And? She looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?”

“You got no idea.”

Alan was right: Michael had no idea.

He was standing right in front of the gazebo, waiting for her, when Lisa appeared. And not even the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean could compare.

At that time of the evening, the blue in the sky was gone and the clouds had become a watercolor in the making, mixing orange, yellow and red hues. The sea looked like a bizarre combination of blue and steel grey, the sand on the beach was almost blinding in its intense whiteness. Not even on stage Michael had ever been able to obtain such perfection in colors. Rayleigh scattering and its play in tonalities was something only Mother Nature could pull out so flawlessly.

Before Lisa appeared in his field of vision, Michael had looked up, at the ancient oak trees that framed the wedding area. He had taken a deep breath and emptied his mind of all thoughts. Just savoring the moment, taking in all in.

Then Lisa had appeared, and he had stopped seeing, hearing, feeling anything else that wasn’t her.

She was beyond beautiful. Given the urgency of the event, she too had kept it simple, and yet the result was magnificent. The evening was not cold at all and the white-pinkish draped dress she had chosen made her look like a Greek goddess. When she started walking in his direction, she almost seemed to be floating mid-air like a fairy. But also a princess. The closer she got, the more he started to notice all the details. The plunging neckline that immediately reminded him how sexy his wife-to-be was. The almost ethereal butterfly print on the dress. The way it cascaded on her, revealing her curves and yet hiding her baby bump just the right way.

Lisa wore pearls. And pearls were also in her hair – adding shine and texture to her loose, flowy updo. The milky gems contrasted with her dark hair so beautifully and Michael forgot to breathe for a moment. Next to him, Alan elbowed him lightly.

“Don’t start drooling, man.”

Michael smiled. But not at his friend. At Lisa. And she, immediately, smiled in return.

The moment she was finally close enough for him to touch her, he held out his hand to her and she took it, and he immediately brought it up to his lips, kissing her knuckles. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words were paralyzed in his mouth and they just kept staring at each other, both lost in the intensity of the moment.

Was this the feeling of being like any other man? This feeling of utter peace, completeness, this sense of belonging?

The pastor cleared his throat and Michael and Lisa turned to look at him. The staff at Hollins House had been more than happy to introduce them to John Curry, the officiant in charge. After all, going for the most non-common religious form, derived from the simplest Anglican ceremony, had seemed the best way to go given the circumstances. It all would be pretty quick, but Michael and Lisa were more than fine with it. All of a sudden, during the day, they had realized that even just a minute would have been meaningful enough to be remembered forever. Besides, they were also thinking about having a second wedding, a more grandiose one, in the near future.

But not now. Now a few, perfect instants were everything that mattered.

The pastor stayed quiet for a minute, just allowing the waves crashing on the shore to play their natural notes. No music. For once, it wasn’t needed. Then, in perfect timing, he spoke.

“Who gives this woman to wed this man?”

Leigh clasped her hands in her lap.

“I do.”

Pastor Curry smiled.

“Welcome! We are gathered here tonight to celebrate and witness the joining of Lisa Marie and Michael in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Given how sudden the decision was, I promise I will make this quick, so you can start enjoying your life as a married couple.”

He smiled again, in a very relaxed manner. Michael and Lisa both loved how completely unfazed by their celebrity status John Curry had looked right from the get-go. A nice change for once.

“Lisa and Michael, tonight, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. I join with you in hoping you make real your dreams, that you are reborn in each other as you share your love, hopes and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life. There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other.”

Michael closed his eyes and felt Lisa held onto his hand tighter. Opening his eyes again, he looked at her and was almost startled at the intensity of it all.

“Do you, Michael, take Lisa to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”

“I do.”

His voice had sounded low, very deep. Lisa blinked and smiled. Her eyes turned shiny, a weird tonality between aqua blue and green.

“Do you, Lisa, take Michael to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”

She inhaled deeply, just taking a second to stare at him.

“I do.”

“The rings, please…”

Alan stepped forward, holding two simple, yet precious platinum bands. Something Michael had already bought weeks earlier, just in case. A man would never know when his luck would turn…

“The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you… They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. They will remind you that you have chosen each other. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made – for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have.” The Pastor’s eyes moved from Michael to Lisa. “You know what to say.”

“Lisa, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.”

With trembling hands, he put the platinum band on Lisa’s finger.

Her hands too were shaking when she repeated the vows.

“Michael, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.”

He had never been a man who loved wearing jewelry. However, that shiny little band looked just perfect. It was meant to be exactly where it was.

“Lisa and Michael… May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. You are now husband and wife. May you live happily ever after.”

Michael took a deep breath and bit his lip. He noticed that the moon was appearing from behind a blanket of swirling, orangeish clouds.

“Can I kiss my wife?”

Pastor Curry laughed.

“Of course, if she wants!”

Lisa pulled Michael closer and framed his face with both hands, and it felt like the first kiss he had ever experienced in his life.