Chapter Forty-Two
In which there is a celebration of true love. Also: bees.
Six months later…
Nikandr…
My beautiful wife is darting like a hummingbird around the little oasis she's created in the burned shell of the Lyric. When she first suggested having our re-wedding ceremony here, I was uncertain that she could pull this off.
I was wrong.
Catching her on one of her quick darts around to my side of the oasis, I kiss her, with a lot of tongue. "As the bride, I don't think you're supposed to be doing everything,"
She shrugs with a smile, "Well this is intimate, just for our closest family. I want it to be perfect. Granted, having our renewal in the crumbling shell of my hotel is unconventional –"
I'm trying to smother my chuckle, but it comes out anyway. All around us, the ominous remains of the hotel loom. But because the New York DOB decided that the shell of the building was strong enough to rebuild, Caroline has been relentless in wanting to re-create the Lyric.
Today, she's carved out a spot in the middle of the hotel where the charred wood isn't quite as noticeable.
There are sage green and white curtains surrounding the oasis, creating a small, intimate space.
It looks more like a garden than the burnt shell of a building with an endless assortment of flowers; roses, peonies, lilies and several exotic ones that I have no idea what they are.
The explosion of flowers bloom in pots, and baskets, in urns placed on columns.
We had a long, cold winter and this place is the perfect way to usher in May.
"Okay Wonder Woman, you've done enough." Liria marches over, seizes my wife and drags her away. Caroline looks over her shoulder, beaming as she waves at me
Bozhe moy, this woman. The pointed lack of family on Caroline's side of the aisle was quickly filled by the younger Morozovs.
She's already been absorbed into the family and it's as if she's always been here.
My mother adores her; Father does as well.
This raises me in the parental approval rating above Andrey, which is vaguely infuriating to him.
I haven't let him forget that he showed actual emotion on the night of the fire. Every now and then, I insist on hugging him, or forcing him to go out to dinner. Each time, I can see his genuine bewilderment, questioning why would anyone do this ridiculous ritual?
But he still comes.
Mother and Father are sitting in the wicker chairs on one side of the aisle, Aunt Ella and Uncle Maksim sit on the other, with the rest of the family spread out behind them. I walk over to the arch, studded with flowers and vines, and take a deep breath.
Then, Andrey has to fuck with me. "It's not too late. I can get you out of here in seconds. I have a car waiting at the curb." He’s not joking. Even though he knows how deeply I love Caroline, I suspect he doesn’t understand the desirability of combining your life with someone else.
The music starts, a small string quartet hidden behind a screen. Caroline is adamant that our re-wedding would be witnessed by family only. She turns the corner by the lattice and walks down the aisle. Alexsey gently keeps his arm out so her suddenly shaky hand can stay on his elbow.
When Alexsey asked if she would honor him by allowing him to walk her down the aisle, she burst into tears.
Then Liria started crying and I was suddenly waist deep in tears, not knowing how I got there.
I put my hand in my pocket and touch the little cotton handkerchief I'd taken from Caroline's purse.
I squeeze it for a moment and then fold my hands in front of me.
My bride is just a few steps from me now, her eyes shining, wearing a huge grin and I know I have a smile you couldn't wipe off my face with a shovel.
Liria steps up to the arch on the bride's side, beaming at me.
Caroline didn't bother with a veil, but her dress is exquisite.
It's simple, white silk with a wrapped bodice - Liria insisted on explaining this to me - and a train that extends elegantly behind her.
Alexsey brings her to me and puts her hand on my sleeve before he shakes mine.
He leans in close and whispers, "Do you need any instruction about the wedding night?"
I whisper back, "I'm going to kick your ass when the reception is over." His face is red, trying to control his laughter, but he manages to say, "I'm looking forward to it."
Caroline hands off the bouquet to Lucia and I take her hands, kissing each one. Father Rostova smiles at us approvingly as he begins the service.
I barely hear the words, until it's time to slide the ring onto her finger, a constellation of diamonds that sparkle like stars, and a big green diamond - almost the color of her eyes - set in the center. A bee buzzes past, and we wait until he's out of range.
"Nikandr, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity -"
Another bee ambles by, a big yellow bumblebee, buzzing loud enough for all the guests to hear.
A little ripple of laughter goes through the crowd.
Caroline blows on the bee and that's enough to send him on his way.
"Receive this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father, the- Really, bees? "
Several people in the audience are using the printed Wedding Order of Service, fanning themselves briskly to keep the sudden surge of bees off them. Uncle Maksim’s hand shoots out in front of Aunt Ella’s face, catching one in mid-flight.
Two more bees land on the bouquets Liria is holding and she gives Caroline a shrug and a weak smile. My bride is speed-talking now. "In the name of the Father, the Son, andtheHolySpirit!"
There's a chorus of buzzing as several more bees move into the garden Caroline created, accompanying Father Rostova as he hurries through the Dismissal.
"...through the supplications of his All-pure Mother and of all the saints, and-" An enormous bumblebee lands on his Phelonion, his outer garment, but he heroically pushes through.
"Of all the Saints and our good and loving Lord.
" He shuts the book with a snap, which displeases the bumblebee settling on his shoulder. "You may now kiss as husband and wife."
My bride looks up at me, radiant in a way I've never seen before. "Maybe I went overboard with the flowers."
Lifting her in my arms, I laugh and kiss her soundly. "You can always have as many bees as you want, moya lyubov'. But we might need a beekeeper on standby."