Page 91 of The Specialist

* * *

The sun setting cast a myriad of colors on the water and the sand. I had never seen such brilliance.

I had never known such happiness. All due to the woman standing in front of me.

My Sofia.

She wore a creamy-colored dress, the lace of it lovely against her sun-kissed skin. Her long hair was down, hanging in waves around her shoulders and drifting across the skin of her back. The earrings I had given her glinted in her ears. She wore the yellow diamond ring I had slid on to her finger, and soon the matching band would be added, marking her as completely taken.

Completely mine.

Our friends surrounded us, and the ceremony was simple and fast. I slid her band on her finger and held out my hand to receive the heavy, thick band she had picked for me. The weight felt right on my finger, and I swore never to remove it.

I vowed to love her until my dying breath and beyond. It was a vow I would keep.

My grandmother had visited me again last night. Her smile was wide, her time short.

She cupped my cheek, her voice so familiar and warm. “Live and be happy, micul meu leu. You deserve the rest from your former life. Your new blessings will be rich with love. Enjoy the blessing your bride will bestow upon you on your wedding day.”

Then she was gone. I opened my eyes to the darkness, wearing a smile. I no longer fought the truth. She had been with me.

She would always be with me.

“I pronounce you husband and wife.”

I smiled down at Sofia, cupping her face and kissing her. Our friends and family clapped and cheered.

Sofia was mine.

Finally mine.

I raised our clasped hands in victory.

It was as sweet as I’d hoped.

* * *

Damien clapped me on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family, cousin.”

I laughed and hugged him. All around me there was laughter. Happiness. The tables groaned with food. Music played. It was a time of celebration and love. It had taken two weeks to arrange it all, but the day had been perfect.

“Thank you.”

“I never thought you’d do it. I certainly never thought Sofia would be the one to propose.”

I chuckled. “She surprised me as well. But she constantly does.”

Everything was moving forward. I’d rented the buildings, ordered equipment. Started interviewing. I had even painted some canvases, ready to sell. Sofia had been to the hospital. Thanks to Matteo and Geo and the connections they had, she was offered a job right away. She sent in her notice to her boss in Canada, and we planned one trip back to close out our lives there. Then we would return and begin anew.

“You make her happy.”

I met Damien’s eyes. “She makes me complete.”

Movement caught my eyes, and I saw Sofia headed toward the beach where we had exchanged our vows. Today had been incredible and emotional. I wondered if she was feeling overwhelmed.

I excused myself from Damien and followed her.

I found her on the beach, staring at the water. She sighed as I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her. “I knew you’d come after me.”