“On the way where!?”
“To your wedding, sweetie. It’s Paris. And you’re about to get married… again,” Sofie laughs.
Athena’s mouth drops open, and I catch a glimpse of her face just as they push her into the limo.
My heart somersaults with happiness.
A second limo pulls up next to me. “Get in, bro. The tux is ready,” Trifon says, hanging out the open window.
“Did you remember the ring?” Matvei asks.
“Of course, I remembered the ring,” I roll my eyes, still grinning.
The drive to the Eiffel Tower isn’t long, and I have to get dressed in a hurry, shifting and maneuvering in the back of the limo while my brothers laugh at me.
The limo parks, and Matvei hands me a shot of whiskey. “To your happiness, man. And to getting married in the most romantic city in the world,” he says.
“Cheers to that!” everyone shouts.
My stomach is tense with nervous excitement when I climb out of the limo.
The entire area beneath the Eiffel Tower is empty. I arranged it that way. I had to pull some serious strings to make it happen, but it’s all been cornered off and is not open to the public for the next few hours.
In front of the Eiffel Tower is an archway built from white roses. My sisters are standing on either side of it. And Athena is standing in the middle, looking like she fell from heaven in the most beautiful dress of pure white and glimmering jewels. For a moment, I can’t breathe as I stare at her.
The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
My wife.
My lover.
My life.
She looks happier than I’ve ever seen her as I walk toward her down a long red carpet laid out on the ground.
My brothers walk behind me and stand in a semi-circle around the archway while a priest waits patiently.
When I’m standing in front of her, I drop to my knee. Behind the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of our strength together, of our infinite love.
I flick open a black velvet box, and her eyes fall to the ring I had specially made for her.
“My love, my princess, my kitten. Athena, will you marry me again?” I grin.
She dives onto me, knocking me off my haunches as she shouts yes and wraps her arms around my neck. I scoop her up into my arms and laugh as she shouts, "Yes, yes, yes," in excitement.
When she’s finally calmed down, I slip the ring onto her finger, grinning from ear to ear.
The priest begins by talking about love and strength, and about overcoming everything together.
We say our vows, and my heart is overjoyed when I hear the words, “You may now kiss your bride.”
I don’t waste a moment before I step forward and tilt her back in my arms. My lips press against hers as she arches backward with her dress blowing around us in the gentle breeze and the iconic tower above us.
My brothers and sisters erupt in cheers, throwing rose petals over us.
It’s the perfect moment to celebrate my perfect wife.
After the ceremony, the priest leaves, and I stand beneath the tower with Athena in my arms. I whisper against her ear. “Were you surprised?”
