Henry closed the box and signaled to the priest that they were ready. The walked through the double doors to the elevator in a strange group--Chou with his windswept hair, the bald priest with his mouth stuffed with food, and Henry with his mysterious box. He had a feeling he could do anything as long as he didn"t interfere with the running of the hospital. Henry wondered if Madeline could cheer up Ellie for him. Would she appreciate the magnificence of the Corgi?Deul and Ellie had their heads close together over a game of cards as Henry entered with his compatriots. He felt like a vampire come to suck the life remaining out of her. He was happy to see her easy smile and friendship with Deul. Deul had propped up some pillows so she didn"t seem as anorexic as before. The bones jutting out around her shoulders were hidden away by the hospital blanket. In any other setting, she might have been well. The same smile that was given to Deul was also handed in his direction which made him stop to stare at her, "Hi Henry. h.e.l.lo Henry"s friends."
Henry could only fake the same enthusiasm, "You look fresh as a flower, Ellie."
She giggled, "You look very handsome today, sir."
Upon seeing the easy smile of the fading girl, Mr. Chou couldn"t help to look from Henry to Ellie with a look of surprise. He cleared his throat and moved forward. Mr. Chou pulled the table on the side of the hospital bed forwards with an awkward creak. Ellie was taken aback at his abrupt gestures but was patient as he set his bag on the desk and pulled out a sheave of papers. He bowed first before saying with a pen held out in offering. "Miss Ellie Chen, I just need you to sign here where I have marked in red."
Ellie took the pen from his hand and began to read. She leaned to the side and pulled out a drawer. She had thick gla.s.ses which made her look studious as she carefully read through the papers. She would change pages quickly and scrawl her tidy signature. When it was Henry"s turn he presented her with the box. She opened the box and was visible delighted. She put it on the side table and kept running her fingers through it. Henry felt his cheeks heat up as he finished up the last page of the contracts. He touched her hand, running his thumb on the back of her hand. Her hands were ice cold so he wondered if she was scarred. Even though she was putting on a brave face, her true emotions were quite the opposite.
He kissed her hand to calm her and she looked at him with such tenderness, he almost didn"t want to go through with the ceremony. He tried to smile with an effect that would be as calming as she made him feel, "Shall we get it over with."
He blanked out during the ceremony as it was so brief. He recalled small instances.
The corner of the priest"s mouth as it moved with crumbles not wiped off, "Do you Henry Wong, take this lady . . ."
"I do." His voice was shaky, which he felt embarra.s.sed by, but Ellie"s steady hand on his was heaven . . .
The priest"s mouth moved again, "Do you . . . Eleanor Chen take this man . . ."
"Yes." Her response was calm and sure.
The priest next spoke of some advice that Henry was sure that he gave all newly married couples. Then he heard the words . . . "for as long as you both shall live . . ." Ellie wouldn"t be marrying him if she was well and good. He had always looked at his wedding as a joyous occasion.
"Henry . . ." Ellie"s soft voice broke him out of his downward spiral as he realized everyone was staring at him.
Mr. Chou had his eyebrows raised as he pinched the bridge of his nose with disdain, "Don"t tell me you forgot the ring? It is the only thing you had to do."
Henry reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a box. The ring had been his late mothers. It was a square cut emerald with gold flecks suspended in it like little b.u.t.terflies or falling flower petals. It was simple and elegant exactly like the girl it was meant for. He took Ellie"s hand and slid it onto her hand.
The priest made a gesture over their joined hands as he continued. "In sacred marriage together for life. Whether she had sickness of health, poverty or whether, beauty or is plain, in good times and in bad. You have said Henry, you are willing to love her, to comfort her, to respect her and protect our dear darling Ellie."
Henry nodded.
Ellie"s looked up so her eyelashes were so very close to his. He wanted to count them as he leaned closer to her.
The priest closed his little book as he said his final words, "I p.r.o.nounce thee man and wife for forever and always."
Forever and always. The words hung in the air as he tugged her hand and leaned forward to touch her lips to his. They were soft and warm under his. He felt a shock of desire run through him as her fragile body was in his hands. He shouldn"t feel this.