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“As long as you remain human, there is no guarantee.” Gabriel leaned in and kissed me. “But this is a discussion for another time. Now it’s time to rest.”
∞∞∞
The couple of days before the wedding went without a hitch. We had lavish dinners prepared by master chefs, beautiful sunny days perfect for tanning, and calm waves. It was a dream vacation for everyone involved. Gabriel almost never left my side, except for when he would build massive sandcastle with my cousins, which usually resembled the one he had in Romania. Mom, Mei, and I would get a full body massage while my aunts, uncles, and Gabriel preferred golfing. Everyone did what they enjoyed the most.
But on the morning of the wedding day, my old friend, anxiety returned and began making a wreck out of me. Given the American tradition, Gabriel wasn’t allowed to see me before the wedding, so it came to Mei and Mom to calm me.
“What if I trip on my way to the altar? What if my dress gets ripped?” I asked.
“Your dad will help you. And if the dress gets ripped, a little leg show didn’t hurt anyone. I’m sure Gabriel will enjoy it,” Mom said.
“Plus, we will be cheering you all the way,” Mei said.
“Did you see the arrangements for the wedding ceremony and all?” I asked.
“Yes, it looks phenomenal,” Mei said. “And you look amazing in your dress.”
“Pep talks are always welcomed,” I said, smiling.
A knock on the door resounded. It was the wedding coordinator saying it was time. “Ready?” she asked.
“I’m so ready, it feels like I’m doing it for the second time,” I said, and everyone laughed.
“That’s a great attitude to have,” the coordinator said.
As we walked toward the wedding venue, I noticed the guests sitting on chairs covered in white silk with baby blue ribbons attached around the back. Under the white flower-decorated arch with chiffon billowing in the breeze stood Gabriel. He wore a navy suit with light blue baby breath flowers peeking from his blazer pocket. Troy stood next to him in the role of the best man.
The classical quartet began playing a slow piece when my two little cousins appeared on the runway, throwing blue flowers everywhere (including in the eye of one of my uncles). Once I appeared in front of the runway and hooked my arm around my dad’s, the music changed to a soft wedding melody, and everyone turned to us. Great. Being the center of attention was my favorite place to be. My hands began to clam up, and I started imagining worst-case scenarios. There were maybe ten steps till I reached the podium. Ten dreadful steps. But then I glanced at Gabriel’s stunned face, and my heartbeats calmed. I wasn’t doing this for anyone else except him. I wanted to be next to him. I sped up my pace, which took my dad by surprise. By the time I reached Gabriel, I already began tumbling to the ground. In half a second, Gabriel caught me and helped me stand. Most didn’t realize something had even happened.
“I give you the hand of my daughter to keep her safe,” Dad said. Then he whispered, “even from herself.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I will do my best,” Gabriel said as he took my hand.
The wedding officiant began talking, but I couldn’t comprehend anything she said. I aimed my focus only at Gabriel and how amazing the man standing in front of me was. I could see he was talking, but the surrounding blur didn’t let me focus on his words. Only when it was my turn to say the vows I woke up from my reverie.
“I, Petra, take Gabrielto be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you,” I said.
After we exchanged our wedding rings (the same rings as from our Wallachian wedding), the wedding officiant said: “I declare you husband and wife. Now you may kiss the bride.”
Gabriel didn’t lose a second. He enveloped me in an embrace, leaned me on my back, and smooched the heck out of me. Either he was too excited to be married again, or he was compensating for the first wedding’s missing kiss. Everyone clapped, cheered, and threw blue and white petals all around.
After the photo session, we all gathered in the largest hall on the island. The tables were arranged in a circle with our glass statue as a centerpiece. The little ones went straight to the unusual structure. Mei and I followed them.
“Your parents did an amazing job,” I said.
“True. My parents are very talented. I wish they would’ve told me before I lashed out. Though I still don’t think this statue is worth a million, I appreciate Gabriel for giving my parents such an opportunity.”
“We are the ones feeling honored,” I said.
“Interestingly, how I felt Gabriel wasn’t such a good guy. You literally had to explain the full story to me for it to make sense, which, let’s be honest, is still hard to believe. But no matter what, I’m truly happy for both of you.” Mei hugged me.
“I wouldn’t want any other friend here but you,” I said.
“Am I not your only best friend?” she asked.
“Yes. In this timeline, you are the only one,” I said with a tinge of sadness.
