Chapter 39
“You know, I don’t think I have ever seen you nervous,” Luc joked, standing next to me at the altar.
“Fuck off,” I muttered under my breath.
We were standing in my back garden on a warm, sunny July afternoon.
This was not like a first wedding, a big stuffy affair with hundreds of guests all dressed in couture and crammed in a Catholic church.
No, this was what Stella wanted.
A ceremony in nature, full of life and color. She even had me in linen pants and a shirt, just this side of formal.
“I still can’t believe this is your wedding,” Luc said. “After you gave me so much shit about the sculpture garden.”
“Are you done?” I asked.
“If he is, can I start?” Charlotte asked as she took her place next to where Stella would be.
I pointed out, “You know, I can still remove both of you from the will.”
“Go ahead. I don’t need your money,” Charlotte said sweetly. It was true. I hated to admit it, but she had chosen well for herself.
Back to the task at hand.
I’d wanted to get married the second Stella was out of the hospital, but she’d insisted we waited until the garden was in full bloom, giving me time to spend with her first and even start the reconciliation process with Thomas, who was supposed to be here, but I hadn’t seen him.
The only guests were my children and their spouses.
The garden was full of butterflies and explosions of color, such as roses and other flowers, but I had no idea what they were called.
The string quartet went silent.
Our attention was at the end of the aisle, where Stella appeared in a gorgeous white gown with floral embroidery around her waist and down the flowing skirt. Her hair was freshly re-dyed in vivid pink, and flowers, little blue and white ones, were laced throughout.
She looked stunning. Like a fairy princess meant just for me.
Stella had recovered completely from the bombing like only she could.
She was a fighter and a survivor, and more importantly, she was mine forever.
I was prepared to spend the rest of my life proving to her how much I loved her and would cherish her always.
The ceremony was simple, with no need for pomp and circumstance.
This wasn’t the show of power and wealth I had originally planned. It was just a promise to love, honor, and protect this woman for the rest of my life, a promise I intended to keep.
When the preacher said the magic words, “I now pronounce you man and wife”, I leaned in to kiss her and gave the signal for wildflower petals to be released.
They floated all around us, giving her the beautiful color and fairy tale ending I knew she would adore.