Erica Yang

When the college health clinic discovers Bonnie Deluca was born with a hole in the wall of her heart, she finds herself suddenly facing surgery -- and the family she's been estranged from since leaving home. They don't accept her girlfriend, don't respect her needs, and aren't the people she wants making her medical decisions if anything goes wrong. A friendly nurse points out that a new option has become available in their state: thanks to marriage equality, Bonnie can make Tina her next of kin.<br><br>Tina Harper never thought she'd be getting married at nineteen. In spite of her fear, she wants to be there for Bonnie as best she can. Tina agrees to marry Bonnie so she can protect her.<br><br>As she faces off with Bonnie's family, Tina can only hope Bonnie will come out of surgery wholehearted and ready to live with the decision they've made.

Wholehearted

Tina’s mother touched Bonnie’s elbow softly. “It’s all right, dear. You’re part of the family now. We’re just handing these down to the next generation.”


With a nervous smile, Bonnie picked up the thinner ring. Tiny diamonds dotted the gold band, their fire somehow deeper and more sincere than that of the costume jewelry DX had given her.


“Aunt Alita’s,” Debra said. “I knew she’d pick that one.”


“It’s good.” Tina picked up the other. “I’m glad I get the simpler one.”


She would have jammed it onto her hand, but Bonnie reached out to stop her. “Let me.”


“Oh, yeah. I should do yours, too.”


Bonnie found herself holding her breath. She knew this wasn’t the official, legal part of the ceremony, but to her it felt like the point of no return, the moment when she and Tina truly pledged themselves to each other.


Chapter 13