60: THE WEDDING LUKE’S POV Ariel, adorned in her stunning white gown, stepped into the grand hall where our wedding was to take place. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the room fell silent as all eyes turned towards her. And I couldn’t get my eyes off her. Her face was adorned with makeup, and her eyes were just so captivating. Her red lips added to her magnificent beauty, and I couldn’t even recognize her anymore. I was still standing at the altar, and my gaze was fixed on this ravishing lady, who, for a moment, I thought was a goddess. The way she gracefully entered the hall was simply fantastic. And she was walking majestically, taking leaden steps in my direction. At the moment, my face held a mix of awe and disbelief as I continued to look at the woman I was about to marry. And the room seemed frozen in time, everyone captivated by Ariel’s entrance. I know her looks were killing it. Never had I seen such beauty before. How did I not see this charm all these years, including the time we were married? A soft murmur traveled through the crowd, and everyone was obviously whispering admiration for Ariel’s beauty. Her dress was adorned with ravishing lace, which hugged her figure gracefully as she glided down the aisle. The simplicity of her appearance emphasized the natural elegance that radiated from within her. Oh man, she was totally killing it. Her eyes met mine, and this spark just unfolded within me. It was quite clear she noticed the passionate look in my eyes. And I’m not going to lie, this affection was there, causing me to be lost in this imposing beauty. Each step Ariel took echoed in the room, the sound magnified by the hushed atmosphere. The petals scattered along her path, creating an impulsive trail. I caught a whiff of the fragrance of the flowers, which drifted through the air, filling the space with a delicate sweetness. 60: THE WEDDING 2/4 Ariel drew nearer to the altar, and it was something to be glad about. At least she didn’t decide to go into crazy mode. And yeah, I marveled at the way she carried herself majestically, a vision of grace and beauty. The guests all gave her their attention, their eyes solely fixed on the bride, and they all watched her with admiration and adoration. Of course, they loved the sight before them, and they were obviously relishing the scene at the hall. Ariel finally reached the altar, standing face–to–face with me. Our eyes locked once again, and I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was even more beautiful when she was in close proximity to me. And her fragrance blended flawlessly with her glamour. Ariel, staring back at me, winked at me, and I quickly took my face away. This was kind of weird. After that, the priest joined us on the altar. He adjusted the glasses he was putting on, and then he fixed his eyes on me and Ariel. He began, “Dearly beloved, we gather here today to witness the sacred union of two souls embarking on the beautiful journey of marriage. Before us stand Ariel Clinton and Luke Reynold, ready to exchange their vows and commit to a lifetime of love and companionship.” His words were quite soothing. I glanced at Ariel, only to realize she was doing nothing but stare at me. “Ariel Clinton, do you take Luke Reynold to be your lovely husband, to support him through all the joys and challenges that life may bring? Will you promise to stand by his side, in sickness and in health, offering comfort and strength?” “I do,” Ariel answered softly, and the priest turned to me. “Luke Reynold, do you take Ariel Clinton to be your cherished wife, to embrace her with unwavering love, sharing in both her triumphs and tribulations? Will you pledge to be there for her in sickness 60: THE WEDDING and in health, providing solace and support?” 3/4 After all those words, I glanced at Ariel, and my mind took me back to the times I caused her pain. She shed tears continuously, all because of me. I didn’t know if I was feeling guilty or not. But I was just silent, thinking about those moments. “Luke Reynold?” The priest vocalized, breaking me from my thoughts. I looked at him and set my eyes back on Ariel. I could see the eagerness in her eyes, waiting to see what I was going to execute. After some seconds, I shook my head before I finally replied, “I do.” Ariel chuckled forthwith. The priest looked at me for a moment before he continued, “May your love be a refuge, a sanctuary in times of illness, where you both find healing and solace. May you nurture each other, bringing comfort and strength, and cherishing the bond that unites you.” “As you embark on this sacred union, remember the power of your love. May it be a guiding light, illuminating even the darkest of days. Together, you will face the peaks and valleys, knowing that your love will remain steadfast, unwavering, and enduring.” As the priest said all this, I was just looking at Ariel, wondering how our lives were going to turn out after this. The priest continued, “So with great joy and hope. I asked that you both hold each other’s hands.” I moved closer to Ariel, slowly holding her hands. I didn’t know why she couldn’t just take her eyes off me. Something was not right around here. “Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your vows with a kiss, and may your marriage be blessed with a lifetime of love, good health, and happiness.” 60: THE WEDDING I moved closer to Ariel, gently holding her hands. I felt a rush of warmth and electricity flowing through my body, with our faces mere inches apart. 4/4 We gazed into each other’s eyes, and I couldn’t tell what was going on. I did expect to get close, but this was different. The moment was quite surprising and confusing, and I was left with no words. I could feel the intensity of our connection, with our fingers intertwining in that moment. Our breaths mingled, creating a sense of intimacy that I had never experienced before. I looked around, and everyone was watching us. They were waiting for the moment we were going to kiss. And this was really a tough one. Kissing Ariel? I don’t know, but I just feel like this is impossible. “What are you waiting for?” Ariel asked in hushed tones, and my eyes widened that very moment. She really wanted me to kiss her. Like, as soon as possible? Come on, I thought this woman used to claim that she hated me so much. “Everyone’s watching Luke. Aren’t you going to kiss me?” She continued with her whisper. And her words were unbelievable. I never expected this from her. The priest made a fake cough. And although he didn’t say a word, I knew he was telling us to kiss already. I looked at Ariel once again, letting go of her hands, and my fingers slowly went to her face. As our lips drew closer, someone yelled at us to stop. It was Harriet.
