The Gender End by Bella Forrest (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📕

“So… Well, when I was taught this aspect of Matrian duty, there were some specific phrases and terminologies included that I just… I don’t feel capture the relationship between Viggo and Violet at all. Those words were intended for a traditional Matrian/Patrian wedding solution, which I feel doesn’t reflect the nature of the bond you two share. So if you’ll allow me a little leeway, I’m going to change it up a little bit.”

“No objections from us,” replied Viggo, and Morgan smiled.

“Excellent.” Thumbing through her notebook, she took one last look at what she had written, and then closed the book. “In a time where chaos and violence are pretty much the economy in the world we live, Viggo Croft and Violet Bates have managed to find each other, defying the obstacles in their paths and pushing forward, for each other and for the people they lead. Their love is like a flame, and we are the moths that are circling above it, trying to warm ourselves on the light they produce in each witty joke and each shared smile. Most of us will never know a love like theirs—not as intimately or passionately.”

She looked around the room for a moment, her fingers flipping the page, and then she continued.

“Viggo Croft, do you promise to love Violet Bates? Do you promise to always communicate with her, act as her sword and shield, care for her well-being above your own, and above all, treat her as your partner and equal, for as long as you both shall live?”

Viggo’s gaze never wavered, but the smile on his lips grew even broader. “I do,” he said, his voice rumbling over me.

“Violet Bates, do you promise to love Viggo Croft? Do you promise to always communicate with him, act as his sword and shield, care for his well-being above your own, and above all, treat him as your partner and equal, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I breathed.

“The rings?” she asked, and I turned to see Tim standing before us, his eyes aglow, the open box in his hands displaying Henrik’s rings. “Viggo, if you have anything you would like to say to Violet as you place the ring on her finger, now is the time.”

Viggo nodded as he picked up the smaller ring between two fingers. “Violet, before I met you, I… had decided to fade into the background. I already felt desperately alone, so why not at least feel alone in my cabin by the woods? Then you came into my life, and it took me forever to realize that you were the little bit of sunlight I needed to actually find some hope and joy in the world. I am so grateful that you let me find it with you.”

I was already crying unabashedly by the time Viggo was finished speaking, my fingers trembling as he slipped the ring on my finger. Dabbing my eyes with the handkerchief, I looked over at Morgan.

“My turn?” I whispered, and she nodded.

Picking up the ring, I turned to him, a smile on my face. I hadn’t really thought of what I was going to say, but I knew that speaking to Viggo from my heart was always the right way.

“I won’t say we haven’t had a bumpy road,” I said, and there was a collective chuckle in the room. “Our path has always been filled with obstacles—some set by each other, others set up by the world. And yet the best part about being on this adventure—the only thing that gave me strength day after day after day—was you. With you and me together, I found I could believe you when you said things would get better. You gave me hope, Viggo. You showed me a world that could have hope. And even though we are at the darkest point of our adventures together, with you by my side, I know I can do anything. I love you, Viggo.”

I slid the ring onto his finger as I neared the end of my speech, having to hurry as more tears leaked from my eyes. I swiped them clean as soon as my hands were free, and I felt Viggo’s arm going around my shoulder, helping me to keep upright. Looking up at him, I added, very softly, “And I promise to share my cookies with you. Always.”

He laughed loudly, and I felt my love for him grow even more—that I could make jokes with him now, on this very day, and get nothing but the gift of his laughter. I sniffled, even more tears spilling hot down my cheeks. I just needed to keep it together for a few more minutes.

“By the authority of my station alone, as a renegade princess of Matrus, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss… each other.”

I laughed with joy as Viggo spun me around in his arms and then dipped me low, sealing his mouth to mine in a hungry and possessive kiss that made my head reel and my fingers and toes tingle. As he broke it, I felt a delicious and hungry shudder awaken in me at the ravenous look in his green eyes, already twinkling with the promise of our wedding night.

And I simply couldn’t wait for it.

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Violet

Everyone broke into applause as Viggo kissed me, but I barely registered the crowd. I was lost in the warm glow of happiness as his mouth pressed against mine, his tongue coming out just to tease my upper lip before retreating.

I opened my eyes, dazed, wondering why he’d stopped, and he flashed me a rakish smile. “You know how everyone here likes to talk,” he whispered, and I felt my smile shift into a grin. We broke apart—reluctantly—but he kept a firm grip on my hand, giving it a little squeeze as we turned to face the group of our friends, family, and comrades-in-arms.

Amber was already up again and coming toward us,