Page 91 of Beautiful Life
Gabby steps closer to Jude who is standing off to the side and he claims her by pulling her back to his front. Gabby gives me big eyes and Jude smiles smugly.
“Some more than others,” Mark goes on, but this time he’s looking at Tony with one eyebrow raised while shaking his head.
I feel Tony grab my hand at the same time. I guess Pastor Mark isn’t a fan of short engagements. But then again, Tony and I probably take the cake.
“Wait.” I tense, looking over at Tony as he releases my hand and turns to move. I see him bend to pick something up from the front pew. Turning around, he’s holding a beautiful cluster of roses that are a stunning array of blush pinks. The arrangement is tight with long stems. When he hands me the bouquet, you’d think I would be enthralled with the flowers, but I can’t look away from the ribbon.
“It’s wrapped up in a baby blue ribbon.”
“Yeah.”
I barely let my fingertips brush the tips of the pink petals. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t know what you’d want.”
“It’s perfect.”
With my perfect bouquet in one hand, Tony entwines the fingers of my other giving me a squeeze as the Pastor starts our private ceremony. As I listen to him speak about love and patience and kindness, I’ve never felt more sure about anything. Tony’s already shown me all these things and even after him telling me about the threat this morning, I’ve never felt safer.
I haven’t felt safe for so long. After living scared of what could come next—what could be done to me—not knowing what to expect from someone you should trust, safe holds a whole new meaning. That’s why after I took a few minutes this morning to let it sink in why Tony kept from me what he did, there was nothing to forgive. Nothing to question. I trust him with my whole being and I know when I asked him never to do it again, he won’t.
I feel Tony pull on my hand and I turn toward him. Reaching into his pocket, he takes my left hand and shocks me as he slides a ring on my finger. It’s contemporary, yet delicate, with a brilliant diamond set high in white gold with more tiny diamonds running down the thin band. I can’t take my eyes off it, like I can’t believe it’s real. As delicate as it feels, it holds a weight so heavy with meaning I can’t help the tears that form in my throat.
Tony’s hand comes up, pointing an index finger at me with another ring hanging at his knuckle. This ring couldn’t be more opposite the one he just slid on my finger. It’s thick, black, and heavy, it looks like it could be brushed titanium in the center flanked by silver so dark it’s almost black on either side. It’s gorgeous, masculine, and couldn’t be more indicative of Tony. Looking to him, he gives me a half-grin and jerks his chin for me to take the ring. Juggling my bouquet, I take the ring and slide it on to his left hand like he did mine.
I feel his hands come to my hips, pulling me to him and holding me tight. “Love you, gem. I can’t believe I’m here today because for so long you were only a dream and a prayer. You’ve given me your trust but I’ll never be done earning it. I promise to care for you, love you, protect you, and lay down my life for you. Today I give you me.”
I can’t help it. I feel like his words could bring me to my knees. I pull in a deep breath and try to keep it together. We didn’t plan our vows so I try my best to wing it. “Tony, you’ve not only given me you, but you’ve given me myself back. You’ve given me a dream I never thought possible. You’ve given me the love I’ve never experienced and you’ve shown me a life I never thought I’d have. I love you and I promise to always be what you need, for now and always.”
Tony’s eyes burn into mine and I vaguely hear from our side the pastor announcing us man and wife. Tony pulls a hand up to my neck, threading his fingers in my hair to bring me close, but he doesn’t kiss me.
“Love you,” he murmurs against my lips.
I blink slowly and respond. “Forever.”
He then kisses me. Not hard, not soft, but perfectly, just like Tony always manages.
Breaking through our wedding kiss is a sniffle and a beeping tone. Tony and I both look to the side at the same time and Gabby is swiping tears away and dropping her hand that’s holding her cell.
“Did you video us?” Tony bites.
She sniffles again still standing with her back to Jude. “Yes. You’ll want it someday and it’ll make your mom happy. Stand there, I want to take your picture.”
Tony shakes his head and looks back to me, never letting me go. I smile big and he smirks back.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” I say.
He pulls me in for another kiss. “Believe it, sweetheart.”
We hear more camera phone beeps and I feel Tony exhale against my mouth in frustration. I giggle and Tony looks to the Pastor. “Thanks, Mark.”
He smiles at us both. “I’m honored. I just hope your parents speak to me in the next year and I really hope they don’t leave my church.”
Tony looks certain. “They won’t.”
“Stand together, let me get some more pictures,” Gabby says, doing her best to capture our wedding memories.
Gabby takes as many pictures as Tony allows and then both Jude and Gabby shower us with hugs, handshakes, and cheek kisses.
