Page 14 of Something Old

“Thanks.” I grin. I look beautiful. I feel like a princess.

I don’t know why but Masaccio’s father has gone overboard with everything. I saw the cake this morning. It’s the size of a car. And the decorations had my jaw on the floor. The venue ismassive, I don’t even know how many people are coming, but every wall, every corner, every table is dripping with white and cream flowers. Chandeliers are hanging over every table too, and the lighting - oh my word it is to die for. I couldn’t even have dreamed up a more amazing setting. I think he hired the best of the best when it came to decorators and planners.

“Ladies, they are ready for you—” The wedding planner sticks her head through the doorway and starts ushering us out into the hall.

My stomach flips with nervous excitement.

I am about to marry the man of my dreams.

Someone hands me a bunch of flowers. Roses and lilies and giant cream daffodils. They smell lovely.

As I’m walking, Dalila rushes over to me and clips the veil into my hair. “I can’t believe we almost forgot that.” She laughs, then walks next to me towards the church.

My mind falls silent when the church organ plays and beautiful music seeps into my heart. The church doors open, and I walk towards them - my feet don’t feel like they belong to me. I feel like I’m in a movie.

I gasp when I see him standing at the altar.

He is wearing a crisp black tuxedo. A single white rose tucked into the pocket. His face is stern, serious, his eyes piercing into me.

A massive smile stretches across my cheeks, and I am sure he can see how happy I am. I want him to know how happy I am.

We haven’t even seen each other since the night we kissed.

I haven’t said a word to him since then.

And now I am about to marry him.

I walk past my friends and family, glancing towards my father with a broad smile. He isn’t smiling. I know this is hard for him. If only I could be really honest about how I’ve dreamed of this moment since I first saw Masaccio.

Then my attention is on him. My soon to be husband.

The priest talks for a long time, and I hear him in the distance, behind my thoughts of how gorgeous Mas looks. He is just staring at me. Not smiling, not moving. He’s taking this very seriously.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

This is the moment I have been waiting for. I take a breath, waiting for him to step forward and sweep me backwards like they do in the movies.

He steps forward. His hand touches my hip. He gently, quickly kisses my lips.

What the fuck was that?

Confusion seeps into me.

Was that it?

Was that our magical moment wedding kiss?

He takes my hand and pulls me down the aisle to walk towards the doors.

Maybe he’s shy, it might embarrass him to kiss me in front of all of these people.

The kiss we shared on the dance floor was a hundred times more intense than that one.

It’s ok. We have our whole lives ahead of us now and plenty of beautiful moments together.

At the reception hundreds of people are congratulating us. Most of them I don’t know, but I’m so happy I just enjoy every second.

Masaccio gets called aside by one of his brothers and my father comes to stand with me.

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