Opening my eyes, I stare at my reflection in the barbershop mirror and catch sight of both Amara and Svetlana admiring me. The makeup is perfect, and not a single strand of hair is out of place.
The two of them really outdid themselves.
"Marcus?" I look over at him. "What do you think?"
Marcus takes his time looking me over, and even from here, I can see the tear hanging at the corner of his kind eyes.
"You look like you finally figured out what you want, Indie," he says thoughtfully. "That man is lucky to have you."
His honest words hit deeper than I expected. Gratitude settles in my chest for everything he's done. For everything everyone here has done.
"You're damn right he's lucky to have me." I grin at him, acting badass to hide the emotions threatening to send tears down my own face. "Took me a long time to get here, didn't it?"
"Sometimes, the best road is the hardest road to take." He straightens his tie and then draws the curtain to the window. "I'll give you some privacy while you change."
After Marcus walks through the front door, Amara helps me step into my dress. It's a simple slim white column of fabric with no embellishments with a wide boatneck. It flares out around my waist, and the billowy fabric of the skirt drape easily over my now round belly.
"Nervous?" she asks, working the zipper up my back with careful precision.
"The funny thing is, yeah." I catch her eyes in the mirror, seeing my own confidence reflected back. "Crazy, right? I mean, I've already married him once. But somehow, this feels way scarier than before."
"Not crazy at all." Amara says as she helps me pin the long veil to my head. "You went through a lot to enjoy this moment, Miels."
I smile at her. "I guess I have."
"Ready?" Amara asks, adjusting my veil one final time.
"Let's do this thing," I laugh. "For real this time."
The summer afternoon light greets me as I step out of the barbershop. Marcus adjusts his tie one more time beforeoffering me his arm. His steady hand covers my trembling one with a familiar protective gentleness.
"Thanks for being here," I tell him. "And for walking me down the aisle."
His eyes get shiny again, but this time he doesn't try to hide it. "Someone's gotta do it, Indie. I'm honored that you chose me."
We step outside onto the sidewalk, and the simple ceremony setup takes my breath away. Scarlet roses and white baby's breath line the makeshift aisle between rows of chairs filled with people who I actually recognize and care about.
Amara takes her place by the altar with Svetlana and Roma.
When my eyes land on Anatoly, everything else fades away.
He's watching me with an expression that I'll never get tired of seeing. Wonder, awe, and an impossibly deep love that will never cease to exist for me and only me. He looks at me like I'm the most precious thing in his world.
And then, as if sensing my state of mind, Oliver gives me a kick in my belly and I feel the biggest smile of my life forming on my face as I start down the aisle towards my husband.
Each step brings me closer to the life I actually want. A world where no matter how many powerful men believed that they have the right to take whatever they want and give nothing in return, there will always be one man who will stand by my side and keep them all at bay.
Marcus stops at the front and places my hand in Anatoly's. A surge of heat and electricity courses through my body the moment our skin makes contact.
"Take care of her," Marcus tells him.
"Always," Anatoly promises, his fingers intertwining with mine.
This is our real beginning.
Anatoly's hands are warm around mine as the Roma begins the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Anatoly and Indigo in marriage." The gentle summer breeze carries his words across the street. "This is a commitment not entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities."
