“Is there anyone present that knows of a reason why this couple should not be entering into holy matrimony at this time?” The priest raised his long nose in the air, scrutinizing the crowd like a hawk hunting for prey. “Let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Daniel watched as Melissa winced when a single person at the back of the group coughed and cleared their throat during the uncomfortable silence that ensued. Everyone stared back at the priest while they waited for him to continue.
The priest narrowed his eyes again, searching the faces to ensure that everyone was sure of what he was asking. “Very well, then.” He seemed slightly disappointed when no one came forward. “We commence with the exchange of rings and vows.” He motioned for Darragh to step forward with the rings. “If you would please face each other?”
Taking a deep breath, Melissa turned toward Daniel after handing her bouquet to her sister, gingerly placing her hands in his.
Daniel could feel the warmth of her small and delicate fingers spreading through his own as he enclosed her hands in his. He hadn’t expected to feel as nervous as he did. The woman in front of him was the same insufferable person that set his anger aflare whenever she spoke, yet something about her had changed.
“Do ye, Daniel Forrester, take this woman, Melissa Young, to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, as long as ye both shall live?” The priest paused for a second as he looked Daniel in the eye. “Till death do you part?” He examined his face as if he were checking for the slightest amount of hesitation that would give him a reason to call things off.
“Aye, I do,” Daniel said without flinching. “For as long as we both shall live.” He felt her trembling as he slipped the gold band onto her finger.
“And do ye Melissa Young, take this man, Daniel Forrester, to be yer lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for as long as ye both shall live an’ till death do you part?” The priest seemed to watch her with equal amounts of scrutiny as he had done with Daniel.
Melissa hesitated for a second as she looked into Daniel’s eyes through the sheer fabric of her veil. “I do,” she said through a shaky breath as she slipped the ring onto his finger.
“I now pronounce ye husband and wife.” The priest shut the Bible in his hands, placing it against his chest. “Ye may now kiss the bride.” He took a step back, humbly bowing his head.
Feeling his heart fluttering in his chest, Daniel lifted her veil, revealing the uncertain look in her eyes. She looked at him with a small amount of fear, uncertain whether or not they would kiss.
The sun caught her golden hair, making it shine. Her full lips parted slightly as her chest rose and fell from her nervous breathing. She leaned forward slightly to signal her willingness to commit.
Leaning forward, Daniel gently pressed his lips against hers in a tender embrace that he’d only intended to last for a moment or two, but he felt her responding, pressing her soft warm lips against his with a delicate sigh.
Deepening the kiss, he parted her lips with his tongue, uncertainly searching the inside of her mouth as she responded with equal amounts of uncertainty and passion.
The crowd erupted into bouts of applause as the sound brought him back to his senses. Opening his eyes, he looked at her, drawing away a few inches in an attempt to see how she had reacted to their kiss. It had, indeed, left him breathless and surprised.
Her eyes were closed, and the tips of her naturally long lashes brushed her blushing cheeks. She seemed to be catching her breath before opening her eyes and returning his uncertain gaze.
They’d both shared a moment that they hadn’t been expecting. Lingering on a kiss that was supposed to symbolize a contractual agreement, rather than a lasting marriage.
Gently letting go of her hands, he turned to shake Darragh’s hand, struggling to make sense of everything he was feeling.
“How do you feel?” Avery whispered in her sister’s ear after she kissed her cheek, handing her back the flowers.
“Different.” Melissa let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Avery was wearing a pretty light gold dress that brought out her eyes and accentuated the color of her hair. “Different good? Or different bad?” she asked when Daniel became distracted by one of the guests wishing them well.
“I don’t know.” Melissa shook her head, looking at the elegant gold band on her finger. “Just different.” She felt strange in a way that she hadn’t anticipated. She’d been expecting to feel nothing at all when Daniel had kissed her on the lips.
“It will take some time.” Avery brushed back a few strands of her hair. “You’ll get used to it. You’ll find yourself settling into married life in no time at all. Just remember that I’ll always be here when you need me,” she said encouragingly.
“I hope so.” Melissa gave her sister a reassuring smile before glancing at the ring once again.
She couldn’t quite bring herself to believe that she was married, and to Daniel Forrester, nonetheless. It felt as if she would open her eyes and realize at any minute that everything had been a dream. She would blink and be back in her bed at Darragh’s castle, happily content with reading her books.
Her dream suddenly turned into a nightmare when she looked up to see her father’s face in the departing crowd. “What is he doing here?” she asked as her heart began to race with anger. She hadn’t expected to see her father ever again, let alone at her wedding. “I didn’t invite him here.” She quickly picked up her dress, rushing toward her father with Avery in tow.
George Young stood like a deer staring down the barrel of a hunter’s gun as his youngest daughter came rushing toward him. A man of average height with an ever-growing bald patch on the top of his head, he stood his ground with his hat in his hands.
“What are you doing here?” Melissa and Avery both demanded at the same time.
“How did you even know I was getting married at such short notice?” Melissa asked as Avery allowed her to take the lead. She struggled to find a reason why her father had come, let alone how he knew she would be getting married in a matter of five days.
George’s eyes filled with pain and regret as he looked at his daughter. “I…” He seemed crestfallen as he struggled to find the right words.
