This answer chased all my fears away. “He will.” I smiled and turned.
Charlotte’s uncle came in then and offered me his arm.
With gratitude, I slipped my arm through and Charlotte fell in behind.
The music began and I was ushered ever so gracefully into the small private chapel. It wasn’t full, but beyond beautiful. Yuri and I had taken care to only invite the people that really meant something in our lives. Those who had touched and cared for us in one way or the other, along our journey to eventually finding each other.
So although the castle was packed with the press waiting to record the wedding of one of the most desired bachelors in the world, inside were only our closest friends and guardians.
I lifted my gaze to meet Yuri’s at the end of the aisle, and my heart swelled with so much love and pride it felt as if it would burst. He was breathtaking, and I almost couldn’t walk fast enough. Dressed in an impeccable dark suit and vest, with his hair brushed away from his face, I felt the tears rush back to my eyes.
My man. He was beautiful, in every way possible.
Charlotte’s uncle handed me over to him, and I placed my hand in his. We said our vows. I never once looked away from the magic of his eyes. Then Yuri drew me in for a long, deep kiss. The church faded, the world dropped away. There was no one else, but us. Just us. Our mouths, our bodies, and our hearts beating together.
When he eventually pulled away, I was breathless. The church came back into my consciousness. I heard the applause of the entire chapel.
“I love you, Mrs. Volkov,” he whispered to me. “With all of my heart. Thank you for choosing me.”
I pulled him into my arms, and spoke the words I knew deep down in my soul, “I love you more, Mr. Volkov. Thank you for choosing me.”
THE END