Page 50 of The English Queen

Bruno squeezed Rita’s hand. She squeezed his back. It was odd. It occurred to Rita she’d never attended a civil ceremony until this moment when she was in one. They declared there was no reason they couldn’t be joined together and then things got serious. They gave their ‘I do’s’ before exchanging their own personal vows to one another.

“Mairead,” Bruno began. “You are the last person I ever expected to find and the only one I needed. I love you for all you are. You are kind, loyal, fierce, and funny. You will be there for those you love in any time of trouble. You would fight to the death for every last one of us. I cannot say I like the English weather—at all…”

The crowd chuckled.

“But I think it is worth it. You are worth it. In the last year, I have learned more about what I am capable of and who I want to be. I learned more than you could know from loving you, Winston, and Gerry. I promise to always be with you when you need me and to take care of all of you as best I can. I am not perfect, but I will give my all as your partner in crime.”

Rita dabbed her eyes again, “Good lord, how do I follow that?”

Another chuckle.

“Bruno, what started off as a wild ride after me whinging I shouldn’t have joined Izzy for a drink has morphed into what I hope is an eternity of happiness for us both. I never thought anyone would love me as unrelentingly and unconditionally as I know you love me and my boys. My life can be complicated. My family is not always without fanfare. I am sure our foibles sometimes annoy you, but what is a family without its good and bad? You are tried-and-true. You never leave me wondering if you are being genuine. You are the kindest, most patient person I know.”

“That’s a high compliment with Vanna in the room,” Bruno chuckled.

There was a loud crack of laughter.

“We are joined at the hip, and you still don’t whinge. I love that, too. You are wonderful and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Bruno. All I can promise is I will be true to you, and you will never, ever be bored.”

He laughed, as did everyone else. The registrar continued with the vows Bruno went first, mentally trying to remember every last one of Rita’s names:

“I call upon these persons here present… to witness that I Bruno Miguel Sanchez Meier… do take thee Mairead Cecilia Bethany Bouchard Ferguson to be my lawful wedded wife… to love and to cherish… till death do us part.”

Rita smiled back.

“I did it, yeah?” he whispered.

“Yes, you remembered all the names,” Rita followed the registrar. “I call upon these persons here present… to witness that I Mairead Cecilia Bethany Bouchard Ferguson… do take thee Bruno Miguel Sanchez Meier to be my lawful wedded husband… to love and to cherish… till death do us part.”

“Who has the rings?” the Registrar asked.

Winston popped up, “I got ya, mate!” He handed them over.

“Thank you, young man,” the registrar chuckled as Bruno patted Winston’s back. Winston was almost as tall as Bruno. How was he her first baby? Nearly grown.

The couple exchanged rings, Bruno struggling a bit to get the wedding band on Rita’s finger. She retained water like mad. Rita figured by the time Beth’s wedding rolled around, she’d be without a ring at all. Her fingers would be done.

The celebrant finally uttered the last phrase and announced, excitedly, “You may kiss the bride.”

Bruno did not take it as a may but instead a must. While Rita had been nervous about a public snog in front of 900 people, she let it go this time. They were loved. Everyone had shown up. The boys were happy. This was the way life was intended. Rita could not have been happier than she was to sign the register and get on with life.

?????

“I woke up this morning a wife,” Rita said. “And that was all that seemed to matter. Also, the absolutely awful sexual exploits we got up to.”

Vanna laughed.

Beth groaned. “Rita, God, warn me, okay?”

“You get naughty letters all the time, so you’re one to talk. What filthy thing did he send you now?” Rita asked her cousin.

“He left me a note. He didn’t send me one. He got in late and then went to the embassy to do something,” Beth said. “He’s always doing something. He is sad he missed the ceremony.”

“It’s okay. He gets a pass as a head of state. The important thing is he’s coming for the party. This is the exciting part. Now, tell your cousin what was in the note.”

“It was sweet. He left it with a bracelet,” Beth showed the other ladies.

“It’s lovely,” Izzy said. “I’d ask if he had a brother, but I think I’d be bored to tears with Luc.”

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