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Despite my attempt to stay focused, to memorize every single moment, I find my attention wandering. I know what the man is going to say. We had to do a rehearsal yesterday, which included going over all of the wording and what would be said when. I don't need to hear his exact words today to know what he’s saying. But there is one thing I can’t replace from today, and that’s the sight of my wife to be standing before me. I gaze down at her even as I’m supposed to be listening, marveling at what I see.
Everything is happening so fast. I waited so impatiently for this moment, and now that it’s here, I want to hold onto it a little longer. It means everything to me. This is the happiest day of my life, and I feel like I won’t even recognize half of it when I watch the videos back. Maybe everyone feels that way. There are so many heady emotions swirling around inside of me that I can’t grasp onto a single thought for long.
The priest begins to take us through our vows, making me clear my throat and speak up. I have to pay attention now. If I don’t, it’s going to live in infamy in the videos – which means I will never live it down.
As I finish speaking and Liliana takes her turn, I realize that this is the last moment in which she isn’t my wife. The last moment in either of our lives in which we are not irrevocably joined together. Right now, she is Liliana. Just a young woman here on vacation from the US, a tourist. In just a few moments, when he finally finishes speaking, she will be Mrs. Manella, a resident of Monaco. She is transforming right in front of my eyes. I can’t tear them away.
“Do you, Nico Manella,” the priest begins. “Take Liliana Broughton to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
This, I can’t ignore. I snap my attention on again, and I look at her without a single moment of doubt as I answer. “I do.”
“And do you, Liliana Broughton, take Nico Manella to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Her eyes are overflowing with all of the unspoken things – the love that she can’t express in any way but the way she looks at me – as she answers. “I do.”
“Then, by the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
I don’t need to be told twice.
Chapter Thirty
Liliana
“I can’t believe we’re here,” I say, looking out over the windows to Monaco below. The sea glistens in the falling sun, bringing an end to the happiest day of my life.
“We were here last night,” Nico jokes, walking up behind me and putting his arms to either side of my body as he leans against the glass.
“You know what I mean,” I say, playfully hitting him lightly on the arm. “Here. Together. Mr. and Mrs. Manella.”
“I know.” He leans his head to the side and plants a kiss on my neck, nuzzling against me. “It seems like it barely took us any time at all, and yet also a thousand years. I thought we would never get everyone to go home.”
I laugh lightly. “Do you think they were offended when we told them we were leaving our own reception early?”
“No,” he says, grinning against my neck. I feel the muscles of his face move. “I think they knew exactly where we were going.”
“Back home,” I reply, deliberately not getting his point.
“No,” he says. “To bed.”
His voice is low and husky, and he continues grazing along my neck, sending shivers through me. I turn towards him more, letting his arms encircle me and pull me close against him.
I took off the wedding dress before we left the reception, changing instead into a looser white dress that allows me more room to move. It’s designed in the same way as my gown, by the same designer, so that they would match – but it allowed me to enjoy hours at the reception without being restrained by a corset or being swamped in so many layers of fabric. The gorgeous gown was just right for the ceremony – but this more simple dress is perfect for dancing, eating, and being undressed.
As if he catches my thoughts, Nico’s hands go to the zipper hidden on the left side of the dress and he deftly pulls it down, leaving the fabric gaping away from me. I put my hands on his shoulders and push him away then, making him pause and give me a puzzled look. I'm sure he didn't expect me to prevent him from undressing me on our wedding night, but that's because he doesn't know what I have in mind.
