Page 114 of Always Mine

Marco

Thestringquartetstartsup to signal the bridesmaids are here and ready to walk into the ceremony. Sebastian, Luca, and Raf stand beside me at the top of the aisle facing the small audience made up of my and Sophia’s closest family and friends. The priest stands on my other side, and one by one, Evie, Stella, and Chiara make their way down the cobblestone path leading to the spot overlooking the picturesque seaside landscape where Sophia and I have chosen to say our vows. As soon as Chiara takes her spot, the music changes, and a quiet hush falls over the crowd as the singer’s rich timbre fills the air with his rendition of “Stargazing”.

She appears looking like an absolute vision wrapped in lace, the low light of the afternoon sun glinting off the delicate crystal details scattered over her gown, revealing hints of her soft golden skin through the sheer panels. She looks other-worldly, like an angel sent to earth just for me. The light beams off her, and I want nothing more than to be touched by it. When she reaches me, she smiles up at me softly, and my heart feels like it will thud right outof my chest. I can feel a small bead of sweat form on my forehead, and my hands tremble as I take the hand Patrick has offered in a handshake, as he passes his daughter to me.

“She’s yours to love and protect now, son. Keep my princess safe.”

I nod, and he pulls me in for an affectionate hug, which says more than words ever could because he doesn’t give his affection easily. He returns to his seat, and I turn my full attention to the goddess before me. My wife.

“You look absolutely gorgeous, Sophia,” I murmur as we join our hands and face each other.

“Thank you,my husband,” she says softly, letting me know Chiara has told her about the barrage of messages I’ve been sending. I give her hands a gentle squeeze, admiring the dazzling diamond engagement ring, but today it pales in comparison to the way she radiates as we stand ready to commit to doing life together ’til death do us part.

Pure joy swarms my body as the reality of holding her in my arms not just today, but forever, sets in. Even when I didn’t let myself have her, the shred of hope that maybe one day she would take a vow to be my everything kept me going. The priest leads the service, but I’m so fixated on her I don’t hear much. In a few short moments, I will get everything I ever wanted. The sassy girl who became the fiercely independent woman of my dreams will take my name and become my wife. My forever. We say our vows and exchange wedding bands, and then the priest announces, “You may kiss the bride.”

I waste no time, pulling her into me and searing her with a kiss that sets in stone every single promise I just made.

Our guests clap and cheer, celebrating our love with us, a deep sense of gratitude for this life and these people settling deep in my bones. Not content with just one kiss, Sophia throws her arms around my neck and kisses me back, smiling into my lips before pulling away. I hold her close for a moment longer as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky the prettiest shades of orange, pink, and purple.

“You’re my beginning and my end, Sophia. I’m so glad my soul chose you, because your love makes me whole.”

She gently wipes away the happy tears pooling in the corners of her eyes and cups my face.

“I love you so much, Marco. You’re my yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever.”

Entwining our fingers, I bring them to my lips and place a kiss there before leading her towards our family andfriends waiting to congratulate us.

“Shall we, Mrs. Marrone?”

“Always and forever, Mr. Marrone.”

THE END