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He smiles a soft, tender smile that lights up his face and warms my soul. “Thank you, Lisa,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead gently. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
Chapter 22
Frank
As the sun rises over New York the next morning, I go to the small church where Father Camine presides. The streets are quiet at this early hour. The only sound is the echo of my footsteps against the pavement.
I’m grateful for the solitude and the chance to gather my thoughts before I face the man who will play a crucial role in our future.
As I step inside the church, the familiar scent of incense and old wood washes over me, filling me with a sense of peace. Father Carmine is waiting for me in the sanctuary, a warm smile lighting up his face as he sees me approach.
“Frank, my son,” he says, his voice filled with warmth and affection. “It’s good to see you again so soon.”
I return his smile, grateful for his presence in my life. Father Carmine has been a source of guidance and wisdom for me for as long as I can remember, a steady presence in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.
“I’m glad you could meet with me, Father,” I say, my voice quiet with emotion.
He gestures for me to sit beside him in the front pew. We sit in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft rustle of our clothes as we shift in our seats.
Finally, Father Carmine breaks the silence. “So, what brings you here today, Frank? Is everything all right?”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. “I wanted to talk to you about something important,” I say, my voice steady despite the nervousness in my stomach. “Lisa and I . . . we’ve been through a lot together. And I want to make things right, start fresh.”
Father Carmine nods, his expression sympathetic. “I understand, my son. And I’m here to help in any way I can.”
I take another deep breath, gathering my thoughts before I continue. “I want to re-consummate our wedding vows,” I say finally, my voice quiet but firm. “And I was hoping you would be willing to officiate.”
Father Carmine’s eyes light up, and his smile widens into a grin. “I would be honored,” he says, his voice filled with genuine warmth. “I’ve been waiting for this day since the last time I saw you two.”
“Thank you, Father,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
He clasps my hand in his, his grip firm and reassuring. “You and Lisa have a special bond, Frank,” he says, his voice gentle but firm. “I can see it in the way you look at each other and speak about one another. It’s clear that you’ve found something truly special.”
I brush off his words with a laugh. “Oh, come on, Father,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “You make it sound like I’ve just discovered goodness in the world.”
“Maybe you have, Frank,” he says with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Maybe you have.”
We sit in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of his words settling over me like a warm blanket. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I have found something extraordinary in Lisa. And maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for redemption yet.
“So, when would you like to have the ceremony?” Father Carmine asks, breaking the silence.
I glance at the calendar on my phone, mentally calculating the logistics of our busy schedules. “How about next Saturday?” I suggest, hoping it’s not too soon.
Father Carmine nods. “That sounds perfect,” he says. “I’ll make sure everything is ready.”
Saturday comes quickly, bathed in golden sunlight that fills the air with warmth and promise. With hearts filled with anticipation and excitement, Lisa and I make our way to the quaint church, where we’ll exchange our vows for real this time. The air inside is alive with the scent of flowers and the soft murmur of conversation.
Lisa looks breathtaking in her white gown, her eyes shining with happiness as she takes my hand. We exchange smiles, a silent promise passing between us as we prepare to declare our love in front of our friends and family.
The priest begins the ceremony, his voice steady and comforting.
When it comes time for us to exchange our vows, I can’t tear my eyes away from Lisa’s, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude. “Lisa,” I begin, my voice steady but filled with emotion, “from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one for me. You’ve brought light into my life and warmth into my heart. I promise to cherish you, protect you, and stand by your side through all the trials and tribulations that life may bring. I love you more than words can express, and I will spend the rest of my days showing you how much you mean to me.”
Tears glistened in Lisa’s eyes as she listened to my words. “Frank,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion, “you are my rock, my anchor in a stormy sea. You’ve shown me what it means to love and be loved in return. I promise to stand by your side, support you, and love you with all I am. You are my everything, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
As we exchange rings and seal our vows with a kiss, a sense of peace settles over me, a feeling of completeness I’ve never experienced before. We are husband and wife for real this time, bound together in love and commitment. Nothing can tear us apart.
After the ceremony, as we linger in the quiet of the church, Lisa takes my hand in hers, her eyes shining with tears of joy. “Frank,” she says softly, her voice filled with emotion, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
