Page 144 of Chosen Road

The limo took us to the church, and Jace wandered off to find his dad, his brother, and his uncle. He came back in time to lead Yiayia to her seat, then returned to wait and walk his mother down the aisle.

Gus, Vander, George, and Alex waited at the front.

The first notes from the ancient organ rang out. Minty and I linked arms and walked down the aisle together, while Gus and Vander stood smiling, as if one of them had made a joke.

Gus turned to face me, and the smile dropped from his face. He swallowed hard, his heart in his eyes. I remembered another time I walked this same aisle toward him while he wore the same expression. This time, all of our history, the pain of our separation, the joy of our reunion, and the insecurity that plagued me, hung suspended between us.

His eyes followed me as I ascended the altar and stood across from him. I smiled tentatively, and his eyes warmed.

The music changed, and Jace led his mom down the aisle toward his dad. Ruby radiated happiness. My sweet sister. They’d waited so long for this moment.

A sob broke from my throat. I looked around hurriedly, but my eyes were far from the only ones wet. Minty swiped under her eyes and offered a wet laugh when I met her eyes.

I stole a glance at Vander, his lips compressed in a straight line, a single tear rolled down his handsome face.

Jace placed Ruby’s hand in Vander’s. Vander wrapped his other hand around the back of Jace’s neck and kissed his forehead.

Sniffles rang through the church.

Throughout the long ceremony, Gus prayed like he did when it was our wedding. How hopeful we were, the plans we had, the joy and agony of that day, the way he took care of me. It all came back to me as the priest led the prayers.

While I prayed, and ate, and danced, and celebrated with my new husband, I did it with one foot firmly on the ground, one hand on the handle of the door, and one eye open, looking for my out, always. Torn in two by the fear that he might one day leave, even on the very same day he joined his heart and soul to mine.

The priest’s words penetrated my thoughts.

“…one member, for because of this a man shall forsake his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh, and whom God has joined together let not man put asunder…”

My heart is forever linked to yours, as yours is to mine.

He said as much in his letter, inked it into his skin, lived it with every breath.

When it came time for the rings, Gus and I stepped forward. He slipped their rings on the ring fingers of their right hands, then switched the rings so that Ruby’s was on the tip of Vander’s finger, and his was on her finger, then switched back, signifying the intertwining of their lives, before sliding the rings on completely.

A life intertwined.

Ruby’s dream, and my reality.

The priest joined their right hands. For the rest of the service, they had to hang onto each other and not let go. This signified the unity of their marriage, and at this point, they were officially married, ready to be crowned king and queen of their own home.

“The servant of God, Vander, is crowned for the servant of God, Ruby…The servant of God, Ruby, is crowned for the servant of God, Vander.”

His whispered words on the phone the morning of our wedding rang clear in my memory.My beautiful bride, my queen, I’d do anything for you.

Gus and I met in the middle once more, as Gus performed the ceremony with the crowns. He placed Vander’s crown over his head, and Ruby’s over hers, then switched them.

I tied a ribbon between the two crowns, my hands shaking. Gus cupped a steadying hand at my elbow, and when the bow was tied, he placed the crowns on their heads, signifying that their union would be unbreakable.

“…husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”

I was made for one thing and one thing only, and that is to love you.

A tear slid down my cheek.

“…husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh…”

Because to do anything else, or anything less, would be to forsake my own self.

He met my eyes, determination clear in his.

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