Around us, Céline’s iconic voice sang of heading for something new and, despite being afraid at times, being ready to learn about the power of love.
Leaning down, I captured my wife’s lips with my own as I moved us across the dance floor. “Thank you, my love.”
As the song continued to play, I wrapped my arms around her, dipping her back. She reached a hand up to steady the delicate, less extravagant pearl-lined tiara she now wore.
“I can’t wait to take this off. I feel so silly wearing it.”
“Oh no, my love. Some of the plans I have for you later include just that tiara.” I winked.
“Is that right?” She laughed back. “I don’t think that will help the impostor syndrome I’m feeling.”
I pulled her close to me, lowering my head to speak into her ear. “Do you remember what you told me in the carriage on the way to my coronation?”
She nodded. “Most of it.”
“Well, anytime you need to borrow some of my confidence, just let me know. You are going to be the best queen this country has ever had.” I placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Ooo, I’m so telling Gram you said that.”
I threw my head back in a laugh and spun her out and back into my arms as the song ended and applause resounded throughout the room.
“How does it feel to be a married man?” Chauncey asked, clapping me on the shoulder as I collapsed at a table with him, Knox, Vince, Tej, and Anton.
I gazed at the dance floor where Adelaide was currently surrounded by Birdie, Mel, Sam, Dash, Carmen, and Cora.
“I have never been more exhausted and more elated all at once,” I told him truthfully.
Anton threw his head back in laughter. “That soundsabout right. Do you remember my wedding? The reception ended at one in the morning and the afterparty went until nearly four. I was running on pure adrenaline by the end, but I think Carmen and I slept for eighteen hours straight when we got to the hotel.”
Vince reared his head back in alarm. “Wait. Do you mean you didn’t…” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Anton chuckled again. “If you must know, we did sneak in a quickie during cocktail hour. But by the end of the party, we were far too beat to do anything other than crawl out of our clothes and collapse into bed.”
Knox shot me a glance, lowering his voice so only I would hear him. “Do I need to go guard any supply closets for you?”
I smirked at him. “Okay, smartass.”
I didn’t tell him that Adelaide and I had already taken care of consummating our marriage earlier that afternoon, when she had ducked out of the public reception to use the restroom. I followed her and within moments had her pinned against the sink in one of the powder rooms, her voluminous skirt pulled up to her waist, my cock deep in her pussy as I told her all the ways I planned to worship her body for the rest of our lives. We had both come so hard that I saw stars and Adelaide was left weak-kneed for several minutes afterward.
The song changed and the familiar notes of “Unchained Melody” echoed across the ballroom. Groups dispersed as couples took to the dance floor. Adelaide turned, spotting me, and held out her hand.
I rose and swept her into my arms. Her cheeks were flushed from dancing, and she had a slight sheen of sweat across her hairline. I tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear as we swayed to the music.
“Are you having fun?” I asked, losing myself in her sparkling green eyes.
“This is the best day of my life.” She kissed me. “But even though part of me doesn’t want it to end, a larger part of me can’t wait for what’s next.”
I smiled, pulling her closer. “And what’s that?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“The beginning of forever with you.”
TEN YEARS LATER
Bright rays of sun warmed my body as I relaxed on the lounge chair and listened to the waves splash against the ship. The water off the coast of Menorca, Spain, was crystal blue and I was in heaven or close to it.
I set my morning coffee down on the small glass table next to me and basked in the delight of waking up on vacation in a beautiful place with my entire family.
“Mummy!” A little voice called. Before I could sit up, chubby hands wrapped themselves around my midsection and squeezed tight.
