“Remember,” Daddy said, offering his hand, “everyone here is for you.”
Corina placed her trembling hand on Daddy’s, her heart’s beat resounding through her.
But she’d had this date with destiny for a long time.
As she glided down the aisle with her hand cupped over Daddy’s, her gaze locked with Stephen’s. His smile trembled, and even from her distance, she saw the glisten of emotion in his eyes.
He was dashing and handsome in his dress blues, a bank of medals over his heart, and the gold royal braid around his shoulder.
Halfway down, among theoohsandahhs, Corina slowed, pausing to notice Adelaide and Brill sitting on the aisle end of a long, polished pew.
Adelaide’s eyes overflowed and Brill puffed out his chest, smoothing his hand over the tuft of grey hair sprouting from the crown of his head. Then he extended his hand, producing a single rose.
Tears captured Corina’s eyes, and she broke rank to reach for the beautiful bloom. “You?”
Brill beamed, winking.
“Better keep moving, Kit,” Daddy whispered.
But Corina leaned to kiss the old man, if indeed he was a man, on the cheek. Then Adelaide. “Thank you for everything.”
“Our honor. Just remember, you’ve the tiara, never forget to drink from the cup.”
“I won’t, I won’t.”
“Kit, shug, we best keep going.”
“Those are my friends, Daddy. The ones I told you about.”
Daddy, such a southern gentleman, shook Brill’s then Adelaide’s hand as the music soared over and among them with the glide of violins and cellos.
As they started again down the aisle, Stephen stepped down from the altar, moving toward them.
In long, even strides, with no hint of a limp, he approached. Were it not for his smile, she might collapse to the floor.What was he doing?
“Mr. Del Rey, may I have the honor of walking my bride the rest of the way to the altar?”
Daddy checked with Corina. She nodded, melting with tears, and whispered to Stephen. “You’re going to mess up my makeup.”
“Sorry, love, I just want to do the honor of presenting you to the Lord myself.”
Daddy kissed Corina’s hand and backed away. “I love you, Kit.” He shook Stephen’s hand. “You take care of my girl. I trust you with her life.”
Corina breathed in, her emotion swelling. Stephen, right there in the middle of the aisle, with millions watching, broke into tears, resting his forehead on Daddy’s shoulder.
“It’s all right, son, it’s all right.” For a long moment, Daddy held his son-in-law in love and comfort.
“Psst, shall we get going?” Tama, flushed and wide-eyed.
Stephen raised his head with a laugh. “I suppose we’d best get on with this wedding.” He brushed his cheeks with his fingers and moved in beside Corina, replacing Daddy.
“You do know I’m crazy about you, don’t you?” She couldn’t take her eyes from him. He was so brilliant and bright with the light of love.
“Not half as crazy as I am about you.”
Corina prepared to walk forward with him, but Stephen looked around the grand nave. “Esteemed guests,” he said, the orchestra bringing down the volume of the rhapsody yet keeping the joy and celebration in each movement. “Thank you for being here. I married this woman in secret before I deployed to Afghanistan. Then when I came home, broken from an intense battle, I felt I wasn’t worthy of her. So I sent her away.”
Corina caught the silky trickle of tears at the edge of her chin.
