91 Finally 1
91 Finally 1
I took one last look at myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was stronger than she had ever been. The trials and triumphs that had brought us to this day were etched in my heart, but they hadn’t dimmed the hope and love that filled me now. With a deep breath, I turned to face the women who had become my family, ready to walk into the next chapter of my life with Luca by my side.
When my father stood beside me, ready to walk me down the aisle, his smile was filled with pride.
“You look beautiful, princess,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. We’d had our struggles in the past, but he’d changed—truly changed. He had become the man I’d always hoped he could be, and in that moment, I felt nothing but gratitude and love for him.
The music began, gentle and melodic, and we started walking. The crowd turned to look at me, their faces lit with admiration, but I barely noticed them. My eyes were fixed on Luca, standing tall and impossibly handsome in his dark suit. He was my anchor, my home, and he was waiting for me with a look that spoke of love, devotion, and longing. My heart raced as I thought of him, and I knew that the feelings coursing through me would never fade.
When we reached the altar, my father took my hand and placed it in Luca’s. It felt like a symbolic moment, as if he was entrusting me to the man who had already proven he would treasure and protect me for the rest of his life.
As I stood beside Luca, my hand trembling slightly in his, I felt the weight of the moment settle over me. Although we were already married, this felt different—more intimate, more profound. It was as though every emotion I’d ever felt for him was amplified under the gaze of the people we loved.
The love I held for him was so immense, so consuming, that words often failed me. More often than not, a sigh or a quiet exhale was all I could muster to express the depth of my feelings. But today, I would try to put my emotions into words.
Luca and I both exhaled deeply, a shared release of tension and joy. His hand was warm and steady, grounding me in a way only he could.
The officiator began to speak, but my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. My eyes stung with unshed tears, and I blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. I couldn’t believe this was my life—that I had found my fated mate, the one soul meant for me. The goddess had truly blessed me, and my heart swelled with gratitude.
When it came time to exchange vows, Luca went first. His deep voice was filled with emotion, his words tender and raw.
“Emma, my heart has always been yours, even before we met. Who would have imagined that I’d find you in a world where the goddess no longer meddles in the matters of the heart? From the moment I sat next to you on that bus, I was taken. My heart was no longer my own—it belonged to you.
“Being a hard, unemotional man, you broke down my walls, Emma. Slowly and patiently, you softened every stone-cold part of me. You brought life to the parts of my heart I thought were dead, and you turned my existence into something beautiful. My blood, once cold, now runs warm because of you—because of us.
“You came into my life and turned my hell into a haven. I will forever owe the joy in my heart and the hope in my eyes to you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for staying through it all. I wouldn’t have survived without you. Words can’t truly express how I feel, but I promise you this—I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you, how much gratitude I feel for having you in my life.”
His voice wavered as he finished, and I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. They streamed freely down my cheeks, and I felt him squeeze my hand gently before he leaned forward to kiss it. He slid a ring onto my finger, sealing his vows with a promise that I knew he would keep for the rest of our lives.
It was my turn to speak, and for a moment, I panicked. How could I possibly follow the beauty and depth of what Lucahad just said? I swallowed hard and decided to let my heart guide me.
As I looked into Luca’s eyes, the words poured out of me, unfiltered and raw, carrying the weight of everything I had felt since the day we met.
“I was smitten by you from the first day we met,” I began, my voice trembling but steadying as I spoke. “Even though you had an attitude, I knew that underneath the hard exterior was a loving man. You’ve never treated me with anything but kindness and respect. You’ve never belittled me. You gave me a freedom I never imagined and helped me find my voice. Because of your love, I became bolder. I dared to dream bigger, to do great things, because I knew you would always be there to support me—or catch me if I fell.”
The crowd grew quiet, the weight of my words hanging in the air. I could feel the love and support of our family and friends surrounding us, but in that moment, it was just Luca and me.
“Love was just a word to me before I met you, but now I understand its true meaning. It’s selfless, reassuring, uplifting, reviving, unconditional, forgiving, loyal, patient, understanding, and above all, breathtaking. There is never a moment I think of you that I don’t exhale because that’s the only way I can describe how I feel. Loving you is like breathing—I will continue to do so until my very last breath.”
Luca’s gaze softened, his eyes shimmering as I continued. “I will be faithful and patient with you. I will love and support you all the days of my life. I will cherish every moment with you, and you will never have to face anything alone. You will never have to look over your shoulder or guard yourself when I am by your side. I will give you my all—hundred per cent—and never look back, because you are worth it.”
I paused, a small smile breaking across my face as I added, “And while I don’t want to steal your line, Luca, I have to for this part.”
The crowd chuckled lightly, and I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I concluded, “I will spend the rest of my years showing you how much I love you, because words can never truly express the depth of my feelings. I love you, Luca.”
With that, I slid the ring onto his finger, my hands trembling slightly with emotion. Before the officiator could tell us to kiss, Luca pulled me into his arms and crashed his lips onto mine. The cheers and applause erupted around us, but I could barely hear them over the pounding of my heart. This kiss wasn’t just a seal of our vows; it was a promise of the life we were building together, filled with love, trust, and endless devotion.
As we walked hand in hand with Katya following closely behind, the warmth of everyone’s applause surrounded us. The genuine joy on their faces was overwhelming. For the first time in a long time, it felt like we could finally breathe freely, without constantly looking over our shoulders or guarding ourselves from unseen threats. Peace was a foreign but welcome sensation, and I was eager to embrace it.
The reception was a lively celebration, filled with laughter, dancing, and heartfelt speeches. Katya was the star of the evening, charming everyone with her infectious giggles and wide-eyed wonder. It was a day of joy and togetherness, a moment to savor before we stepped back into the rhythm of our lives.
A week later, Luca and I returned to Ashfield, settling back into our home and routine. Shortly after, Heather and Castelofollowed in our footsteps and tied the knot. Despite Heather’s penchant for grand gestures, they opted for a small, intimate ceremony. However, Tatiana had other plans. Her water broke during Heather’s wedding, stealing the spotlight with an unexpected but joyous turn of events.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony, remembering how I had secretly prayed during my own wedding that Tatiana’swater wouldn’t break and steal the day. Heather, evidently, hadn’t thought to do the same.
The twist, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Aldo and Heather now shared their wedding anniversary with the birth of Castelo’s twins, a beautiful reminder of family and the new beginnings that surrounded us.
As I looked at the life we had built and the love that continued to grow, I knew one thing for certain—our journey was just beginning, and it was already more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.