Could anyone believe that this man was a notorious rake? One that swore to never see the inside of a church? He was a reformed man now.
But then again, love had the power to change people. The same had happened to Simon – he was all for the better now that he had fallen in love with Harriet.
Harriet, standing beside Simon, reached out to squeeze his hand for comfort.
She knew that it had been a long journey for Tobias to reach this point — and for Simon to witness it.
“He’s nervous,” Harriet whispered to her husband, her eyes soft with understanding.
Simon nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. “He has every right to be. He’s never done anything like this before.”
“Neither had you,” Harriet teased, “But look at us now.”
Simon turned to her, his gaze locking onto hers, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away.
His mind flitted to their own wedding day. Things had been so different between them then. His conceptions of what marriage was, what he was capable of – all of that was so different than what it was now. Now, in her eyes, he saw the love and support that had carried him through his own uncertainties.
Their marriage had come a long way.
Slowly, very slowly, they had fixed their issues. Their love had grown, and still continued to grow each day.
Their marriage was no longer for show only. It was based on genuine love.
“Tell me,” Harriet nudged him softly. “What did you feel when it was you who stood at the aisle?”
Simon smiled at her, “Shall I give you an honest answer?”
“Well… it would not hurt to know,” she shrugged. They were not in love back then. If anything, Simon had been under the assumption that their marriage had been an elaborate scheme.
“I had… my own feelings about the matter,” he laughed. “But there is one thing I can say with certainty.”
“And that is?” she probed. His eyes flitted to her lip, the top one jutting out slightly as she looked onto him with curiosity.
He really appreciated that about Harriet. She always wanted to know the truth. In this scenario, she must know that there is a possibility that Simon might say something that no longer reflects this current feelings for her.
Most women would not wish to know, if that was a possibility.
But Harriet was different. She wished to know the truth, always.
“I remember that you looked beautiful when you walked down the aisle,” he smiled.
Harriet shook her head, “Always looking to flatter, are you not?”
“It is hard not to when you are married to someone who looks as you do.”
Being this way came easy to him now. This wonderful blend of playfulness and a deep connection that he had established with Harriet.
For this, Simon felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the woman who had helped him find his way — this feeling was nothing new for him, of course.
He often found himself in awe of the woman he had married.
The atmosphere in the room shifted again, and all eyes turned to the back of the church, signaling the arrival of the bride.
Emma Spencer appeared, her arm linked with that of her father, her face glowing with happiness.
“He is a lucky man,” Simon muttered under his breath. “That he has managed to find a wife at all.”
Harriet shot him a look, “Play nice.”
