“One day it’ll be your turn,” I tell her.
She grins. “I hope so. I really hope so.”
I can't wait any longer to be fully his wife. I've legally changed my name to Carolyn, and now I'll be Carolyn Bessant, but more importantly, I’ll be his legal wife.
“You ready to give me away?”
“Yeah, but I’m not really giving you away.”
Hurriedly, I slip into my shoes, flat enough to walk on sand, the leather soft on my feet. I head out with Emma beside me, her arm linked with mine. We walk down the villa's stone path lined with torches not yet lit, the sunset painting the sky in golds and pinks, the ocean's vast stretch calling like a promise.
BLAKE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an4ySOlsUM
-how long will I love you-
As I stand by the arch, the sand shifts softly, carried by the warm, salty Caribbean breeze off the sea. It rustles the hibiscus flowers woven into the bamboo frame, and makes my heart sing.
I'm so excited that I can barely stay in my skin—my shirt feels too tight at the collar. My hands clench and unclench in my pockets. That buzz under my ribs makes it hard to stand still, like energy building with no place to go.
I pace a little on the warm, fine white sands while my friends chuckle nearby.
One claps my shoulder and says, "Relax, man—she's coming."
It doesn't help much. That anticipation coils tighter.
I can't remember ever feeling this way, not even close. For my marriage to Carolyn, I'd almost wanted to send someone to represent me at the ceremony because I just didn't want to take the time off work. There was not an ounce of true excitement. Where emotion should have been was just a feeling that I had performed an obligation. The whole thing felt like a cold transaction in a New York ballroom, surrounded by the crème de la crème of New York Society.
It was all duty, no desire. But this, this is real and alive.
I keep staring at the door at the end of the path to the villa, unbelievably excited to see her. My heart races faster, and thoughts swirl inside: what if she changes her mind? No, she's mine—Juliet, that name echoing in my head like a secret vow.
“This is something, Blake," one of them says, pausing for a sip with a light laugh. “Marrying your wife again just because you love her so much.”
I ignore him. If only he knew. My eyes instead stay locked on that door, on the path lined with unlit torches as the breeze ruffles the palm fronds overhead.
Finally, she emerges, making her way across the gorgeous beach sand with her dress flowing around her in the wind. It’s so simple yet breathtaking, that vintage ivory dress hugging her curves softly and flaring out lightly as she walks through the sand. The hem brushes the white grains shifting under her steps, the sun catches her hair in loose waves, and a hibiscus is tucked behind her ear.
My heart stops—it literally skips—and the world becomes just her. She smiles, and a sensual rush hits me. She looks like the same woman I married all those years ago, but she's not the same. This is Juliet, the love of my life, and that's who she trulyis to me, not the facade. I've vowed to always call her by her real name when we're together. To me, she's Juliet Bessant, but to the world, she’s Carolyn Bessant. It’s our intimate secret, and it’s something that has bonded us more tightly than I could have ever expected.
Freya skips ahead, strewing flowers from her basket. The joy of this scene fills my chest.
Mom is in her chair, smiling softly, approvingly, her eyes shining with quiet happiness. I remember she disapproved of my first marriage. I'm so full of emotion it swells hot in my throat.
Finally, Juliet arrives at my side. Her hand slips into mine, soft and warm, and I can't hold back.
I step forward, hands on her waist, pull her close, and I kiss her so deeply that everyone around erupts into laughter.
“Not yet,” someone yells.
Her lips are soft and warm under mine, tasting faintly of sweet wine, while her body yields with a small gasp.
"Ew, Daddy!” Freya giggles.
The minister clears his throat with a chuckle, and Juliet pulls away with an embarrassed giggle. The minister begins, his voice calm, reciting simple, heartfelt vows. Her hand trembles slightly in mine. There is no hint of hesitation in her voice when she says "I do."
Her voice breathy and thick with emotion, vowing her life to me in words that hit deep—promising love and partnership forever. And always her eyes are locked on mine and shining with tears of joy.
