“Aleksander and Gemma,” I supplied.
“Very good. Let us begin.” He opened the book he held and read from the pages. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite Aleksander and Gemma in the bonds of holy matrimony. If anyone can show just cause as to why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
There was a pause, and I peeked at my friends, thankful they were here to share in this monumental moment.
“Do you, Aleksander, take Gemma to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
I brought Gemma’s hand to my lips, dusting a kiss over her knuckles. “I do.”
“Do you, Gemma, take Aleksander to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
Glassy hazel eyes peered down at me from where she stood, and she whispered thickly, “I do.”
“Do you have rings to exchange?” the chaplain asked.
“We do.” I gave my mother a look of gratitude, and she wiped a tear from her eye.
“Wonderful. If you would repeat after me, Aleksander,” he prompted. “Gemma, I give you this ring as a symbol of my unending love and devotion.”
With her hand in mine, I said, “Gemma, I give you this ring as a symbol of my unending love and devotion.” Then I slid my mother’s wedding band down her finger until it rested flush against her engagement ring.
“Gemma, your turn,” the chaplain said.
Taking a shaky breath, my girl’s voice wavered as she spoke. “Aleksander, I give you this ring as a symbol of my unending love and devotion.” She leaned over the bed to access my left hand, sliding the ring down my finger.
The weight of it was strange but welcome, and I flexed my fingers into a fist around the plaster cast resting against my palm.
Sniffles sounded from the women gathered in the room, and a quick glance revealed each one snuggled into the arms of their husbands, most likely reliving their own wedding days.
“By the authority vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
I chuckled under my breath. “You’re gonna have to give me an assist on this one, baby.”
The love I felt for this incredible woman was reflected back at me in her eyes as she dipped her head, and our lips met, sealing our union.
Forever wouldn’t be long enough with this woman. But I’d make do.
Chapter 32
Gemma
The wheelchair-accessible van we’drented pulled up to Sasha’s house. In the past week before he was discharged from the hospital, I’d been here a few times, mostly to bring over any necessities from my place and check on the work to make the first floor accessible enough for him to come home.
The ramp from the backseat lowered automatically, and Sasha wheeled himself onto the driveway, heading toward the newly built ramp leading to the front door.
Blue eyes tracked the men stationed around the property, and his brows drew down as he looked to me in question.
I blew out a heavy breath as I stepped past him to open the door. “I’ll tell you inside.”
“Mrs. Gusev,” the nearest man dipped his chin in acknowledgment.
“Everything quiet, Marco?” I turned to survey the perimeter of the front yard.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I only prayed it stayed that way.
Closing out the cold, I trailed Sasha as he rolled into the kitchen.
