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“Yes,” we both say at the same time.
“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?”
“Yes,” we both again say at the same time.
“Are you prepared to accept children in a loving manner from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his church?” the priest asks.
“Yes,” we both say again.
“Since it’s your intention to enter into the covenant of holy matrimony, please join your right hands and declare your intention before God and his church. Santos, please ready the ring and state your vows.”
I grab the ring from my pocket and hover it over her ring finger as I speak. “I, Santos, take you, Eset, to be my wife. I promise to be there for you in whatever way you might need me. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, and to love and honor you for all of the days of my life.”
“Eset, it’s now your turn.”
Amelia hands her the ring, and Eset clears her throat before she begins. “I, Eset, take you, Santos, to be my husband. I promise to be there for you in whatever way you might need me. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, and to love and honor you for all of the days of my life.”
“Santos, do you promise to cherish and love Eset for the rest of her days?” the priest questions me.
“I do,” I tell him, and Eset slides the ring on my finger.
“Eset, do you promise to cherish and love Santos for the rest of his days?” the priest now questions my bride.
“I do,” she tells me, and I slide the ring on her finger.
“In the eyes of God and the church, you are both now wed in holy matrimony. You may kiss your bride,” the priest tells me.
I snake my arms around Eset’s waist and pull her close to me. Her eyes widen in surprise, and I dip down to press my lips onto hers. Her luscious lips pressed against mine are heavenly, and I know I want to feel these lips against mine again. One time won’t be enough for me. We continue our kiss for a few more moments until Eset pulls away.
As she does, she laughs, and the crowd begins laughing too. A woman from the museum comes up, handing me a make-up wipe. I wipe it against my lips, and cherry red lipstick comes off my lips. “I guess it’s not my color.” Eset laughs at my lighthearted joke, and the two of us walk hand in hand down the aisle.
We’re led by a staff member from the museum to different areas to have photographs taken by our photographer, with and without the rest of our bridal party. We go outside, and while it’s dark, the museum is lit up beautifully. The photographer promises the photos will be beautiful when they’re done. I really don’t give a shit what they look like. As long as Eset’s happy, that’s all that matters in my eyes.
She’s smiling for every photo, the two of us getting more up close and personal than we’ve ever been. We even get some photographs with her family, and then some pictures with my father too.
“Welcome to the family, Eset. Anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We protect our own.”
“As do the Umarovas.” Eset offers my father a half-smile, and by the way he grows quiet, I know he’s wondering if Eset is an ally or an enemy. She’s most definitely the latter, but he doesn’t know that yet.
“Son, I do need to speak to you if you have a moment.” My father’s tone is a bit pressing, which has me wondering what’s so important he needs to speak to me about it now.
“Can it wait? It is my wedding day, after all, Father.”
“It cannot. I’m afraid it’s some grave news, and we need to speak privately,” my father urges.
I look over at Eset, and she gives me a nod, silently approving for me to go off and handle whatever I need to. I motion with my head for my father to follow me to a more private area. Though it isn’t completely private, it is concealed, so no one would be able to eavesdrop easily. “What’s going on?”
My father licks his lips. “Lu is dead. Her head was delivered to me with a message.”
“What?” I blink rapidly, acting shocked, even though I know the damn truth. My wife killed her, and while Lu deserved everything she had coming, I need to act like I’m shocked by what he told me.
“Yes, so our enemies are close, watching everything we’re doing. I was shocked to see them here today,” my father grumbles, almost insinuating I could’ve stopped Eset from inviting certain people.
“Play nice. This is my wedding day. Eset has ties to Alejandro, so you need to calm down while I get my nails hooked into her. I’ve already begun influencing her, bit by bit. She even asks me about things now, which goes to show how important I am in her eyes.”
“The man whose throne I aim to take is here, and you expect me to act like everything is okay.”
I look my father sternly in the eye, and he clenches his jaw. “You will refrain from losing your shit today. Of all days, today is when you need to keep it together. I’m not going to have the memories forged today ruined for Eset. Women wait their entire lives for their wedding days, so keep it together.”
