He pushes the heavy wooden doors open.
“This looks like a church, Florian. Why are we at a chur—wow, this is amazing!”
Absolutely awe-struck, I scan the magnificent structure that looks like it had to have been constructed before medieval times. The walls and ceilings are adorned with beautiful biblical scenes that add a sense of reverence to the space. The chapel is filled with an eerie glow from the many lit candles lining the walls on huge candelabras. The candles look like they are straight out of a Gothic film, and the heavy scent of incense envelops the small room. Also adorning the sanctuary are statues of saints and biblical figures, each one exuding a sense of history andspirituality. I can’t believe my eyes as I take in the luxury of the place, feeling a sense of wonder washing over me.
“I’m giving you a wedding,” he says, his eyes sparkling with sincerity.
“But we’re already married, Florian.”
“We are, but I wanted to give you a wedding to remember, not the one you were forced into. We love each other now, Arabelle, and this time, when we say I do, it will be because of that love, not because of some fucking contract. This between us is real, Beauty. So, I want you to have a real wedding.”
My eyes soften and fill with tears. Despite being known as a ruthless man, my husband’s heart is as generous as anyone I’ve ever met. I gently hold his face in my hands before leaning in to kiss him. As he deepens the kiss, I feel his strong arms pulling me closer to him. However, before we get carried away, Hugo clearing his throat brings us back to reality. We’re getting a little too comfortable in the house of the Lord.
“The priest is here,” Hugo says from behind us, motioning with a jerk of his head.
I step away from Florian and focus on the altar of the church. In front of the sanctuary stands a man wearing a long black robe with a gold-embroidered cape draped over it and a stole around his neck.
Florian places his hand on the small of my back as we walk toward the priest. When we reach him, he greets us with a warm smile.
“Mr. and Mrs. Larsson, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Father Adamos.”
“Nice to meet you, Father,” I say.
Florian nods.
“If you’re ready,” Father Adamos says, “we can get started.”
“We’re ready,” I say, looking at Florian, who graces me with a wink and smile.
The priest nods. “Then let us begin. Please face each other,” he says, holding a Bible in his hands. “Mr. Larsson, please take Mrs. Larsson’s hands in yours.”
We do as he asks.
I’m not really a religious person, and neither is Florian, but I appreciate the fact that he went through all this trouble to give me the wedding he believes I deserve. This is one of the sweetest things he has ever done for me. It will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
The priest carefully flips open his worn Bible, its pages yellowed by age.
“‘Submit to one anotherout of reverence for Christ. Blessed are they who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands. You shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you,’” he says, closing his Bible. “Would you like to say your vows now?”
The smile that crosses Florian’s face is heart-stopping. The way he smiles at me reflects his deep love and admiration for what we share with one another. We have been through so much together, and seeing these expressed on his face makes me fall more in love with him.
More tears fill my eyes.
“My Beauty, it’s so hard to put into words what you mean to me. We didn’t have the most typical relationship in the beginning.”
Hugo’s snort is so loud I burst into giggles as the priest to look at us in confusion. We definitely didn’t start out like most people.
Florian glares at him, and Hugo throws up his hands. Then my husband faces me again, and it’s hard to stop my giggles that have shifted to full-blown laughter.
“I’m sorry. Go ahead, baby,” I say once I get myself under control.
“Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?” I giggle again, and he smiles. “Yes, we had an unconventional start, but it led us down this path. It led us here today, and it has brought us together with an unbreakable bond. I will cherish you and our daughter until my last breath. I love you, Beauty.”
“Mrs. Larsson, could you please say your vows.”
Florian’s gentle touch wipes away the tears that are cascading down my cheeks. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this.” I release a deep breath, trying to calm all my emotions. “But I’ve come to expect the unexpected when it comes to you, Florian Larsson. When we first met, I never believed we’d get here, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My prince, my Beast, I love you.”
“Beautiful,” the priest says with a huge smile on his face. “May this union be blessed with love, faith, and joy by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What God has joined, let no man separate. You may kiss your lovely bride.”
