[REBECCA]
My heart quickened its tempo at the sight that unfolded before me. In that moment, nothing else registered; the entirety of my focus was consumed by the figure stationed at the far end of the aisle.
Each step toward Artemy stole my breath away, the journey itself a blur as his gaze anchored me. His eyes, a striking bluish steel hue, bore into me with unwavering intensity, tracing my every movement, my every advance.
His attire adhered to his usual black suit, save for the addition of a golden tie. His hair lay sleek against his head, a few days’ worth of stubble lending him a rugged allure. I had insisted he forgo shaving, as it heightened his appeal.
His eyes remained locked onto mine as I traversed the path, a path that led me to him… my soon-to-be husband.
Within my chest, my heart thundered, its resonance almost palpable. My hands grew slightly clammy, and I clutched my bouquet with a touch more fervor.
Through measured breaths, I endeavored to maintain an air of composure, though all I truly desired was to rush into his embrace.
A slight hastening of my pace earned a low chuckle from Howard, though he and Damian matched my rhythm without complaint.
Ultimately, we reached the terminus of the flower-strewn aisle, coming to a standstill. Damian bestowed a gentle kiss upon my cheek, his lips grazing the veil.
His whispered words brushed my ear, a message meant for me alone. “Wear that smile, just as you are now. And continue to bring joy to my son’s life. You both deserve it.”
Damian retreated, leaving me emotionally stirred. Howard followed suit, pressing a tender kiss to my other cheek while sharing his own private sentiment. “Being a part of your life, Rebecca, has been an honor for me. From a little girl to this moment, my sweet girl. Embrace your happiness. You both deserve all the love and joy.”
My fingers clasped his arm, a reluctant gesture as he began to withdraw. “Thank you… Dad.”
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a nod of affirmation conveying his emotions. Another kiss, this time on my forehead, and then he was gone.
Having surrendered my bouquet to Lynda’s care, Howard reclaimed my hand. Artemy, poised at the threshold, extended his own hand, and Howard gently placed mine within his grasp.
The instant our palms met, Artemy instinctively encircled his fingers with mine, a firm and reassuring clasp that resonated deeply within me.
Howard held our conjoined hands, his voice imbued with a weighty seriousness. “Artemy Loskutov, I am entrusting you with my daughter. Bring even a single tear to her eyes, and I assure you, I will not hesitate to hold you accountable. This is no jest. I possess more than a decade of experience on you. You are dwarfed in comparison.”
Artemy arched an eyebrow, his expression a mix of skepticism and determination. “The air of arrogance doesn’t quite befit you, old man. However, understand this: Rebecca’s eyes will never reflect pain while she remains under my care. For as long as breath fills my lungs, only joy will touch her.”
Howard nodded, his approval evident. “Very well. I extend my wishes for enduring happiness to you both.”
With those words, he gracefully withdrew, relinquishing our entwined hands.
Now it was just Artemy and me, a world unto ourselves, locked in an intense gaze. Our hands remained connected, a tactile anchor.
His grip on me tightened, drawing me closer. A subtle cough echoed in the background, though Artemy appeared entirely unfazed. And so was I, ensnared in the depth of his eyes.
In a tender gesture, Artemy raised my other hand, nestling both against his heart. He advanced until our bodies brushed, an intoxicating closeness.
His warm breath danced tantalizingly close to my lips, the thin veil the sole barrier between us. In a swift move, Artemy released my hands and gracefully lifted my veil over my head.
A surge of elation tugged at my lips as he leaned in, as if poised to kiss me.
“You look stunning, my Angel,” he murmured, inching nearer. “My breath caught as you emerged through those doors. But you will radiate even more without this gown.”
“Boss, you really shouldn’t…” Michael, one of Artemy’s trusted men and our officiant for the day, interjected cautiously.
“Back off, Michael, unless you’re yearning for a swift exit from this world,” Artemy growled, his tone a low warning.
In a heartbeat, his lips brushed against mine, a sweet caress that transformed into a fervent embrace. It lasted fleetingly before turning urgent, my lips parting to welcome him. Our tongues intertwined in a passionate dance.
In the midst of our fervent kiss, Artemy was abruptly wrenched from my grasp. A gasp escaped me, eyes widening in surprise.
“Enough of that, a single kiss suffices. Save the fervor for private moments, damn it!” Brayden’s voice rang out, restraining Artemy.
A flush of embarrassment crept across my cheeks, the amused gazes of onlookers intensifying my self-consciousness. I glanced downward, overwhelmed by shyness.
Artemy’s glare scorched, easily shaking off Brayden’s grasp to draw closer once more. However, this time, his intention wasn’t to kiss me-thankfully.
Instead, he drew me into an embrace, fingers clutching my hands to his chest. “Carry on, Michael. Swiftly.”
I couldn’t help but softly pinch his side. “Behave.”
He suppressed a retort, his restlessness evident. I recognized his reluctance to partake in this ceremonial tradition, yet he was persevering.
Amusement tugged at my lips. He’d eventually appreciate this, I was certain of it. Today would etch itself into his memory. I’d make sure of that.
“Loved ones and cherished guests, we gather today to honor the profound bond shared between Rebecca Cavalieri-”
“Loskutov,” Artemy’s growl punctuated the air, interrupting Michael.
“-and Artemy Loskutov, uniting them in the sacred covenant of marriage,” Michael continued, undeterred by the interruption.
A radiant smile graced my lips, a culmination of joy and love swelling within me. The man before me embodied my world, his presence eternally transformative.
As Michael’s speech carried on, my attention drifted. A cascade of memories surged forth, from our earliest encounters to this very moment.
The days of fleeing, the moments of concealment within Artemy’s car and beneath his bed. And then, inevitably, our meeting.
The initial glance, the tentative touch, the inaugural exchange-a kaleidoscope of sensations marked the genesis of our love story.
He transformed me, enabling me to confront my past. His love, unequivocal and fervent, breathed life into my existence.
In turn, I reshaped him. Evolving from a callous entity to an unwavering source of affection, he embraced me wholly.
Both of us fractured, disparate fragments coalescing into a harmonious whole.
Together, we traversed the path of love, progressing one step at a time. A journey so incremental that arriving at this moment could have appeared implausible. Yet here we stood, surrounded by loved ones, uniting in matrimony.
Before the eyes of our daughter…
My thoughts wandered backward, retracing the path of memories that led to this poignant instant. Across the expanse of time, I found myself fixated on his azure eyes, his fingers caressing the back of my hands with a gentle, rhythmic motion.
His gaze locked onto mine, a mirror of affection reflecting back at me, even more profound than before.
Amidst my reverie, Michael’s voice emerged, punctuating the moment with a beat of anticipation in my chest. “You stumbled into love by chance, yet today you stand here by choice. This is your mutual selection. You’ve opted to be with someone whose presence ignites your joy and laughter. Someone who elevates you and molds you into a better version of yourself. The promises you’re about to make are sacred, enduring until your last breath.”
He paused, inhaling deeply before resuming. “So, Artemy Damian Loskutov, do you take Rebecca Cavalieri to be your wife? Will you pledge to love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward? Will you be her refuge, her strength, wiping away her tears and treasuring each fleeting moment with her? Are you committed to share every facet of yourself and all your possessions, continuing to love and support her through sickness and health, sorrow and joy?”
Artemy parted his lips, his grip on my hands intensifying.
“I do,” his response resounded, a declaration loaded with solemnity.
In that instant, the weight of his commitment mirrored mine, an awareness that it bore significance beyond words.
My heartbeat faltered, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies stirred in my stomach at his words. Two simple yet profound syllables echoed through the air, witnessed by the gathered multitude. His affection for me was an unraveling force, exposing my vulnerability.
Michael turned to me, his gaze expectant.
“No,” I interjected hastily.
Artemy’s eyes widened, a sharp inhale betraying his surprise. Silence blanketed the scene.
Recognizing my blunder, I cleared my throat, my voice slightly unsteady. “I mean, hold on.”
Michael and Artemy both regarded me with wide-eyed astonishment. Masking my thoughts with a convincing smile directed at Michael, I swiftly pressed on. “I’d like to recite my own vows, if that’s permissible.”
Artemy’s tense muscles relaxed beneath my touch, prompting an internal eye-roll at his doubt. Did he truly think I’d halt our wedding?
“Absolutely, you may,” Michael responded with a kind smile.
With a reassuring nod from Michael, my attention returned to Artemy. His gaze bore into me, intensifying as a deeper need surfaced in his cerulean eyes.
Suddenly apprehensive, I moistened my lips and swallowed. “I had this memorized, but now I’m feeling a bit nervous. I hope I don’t stumble,” I commenced, a ripple of chuckles drifting through the crowd, Artemy’s lips quirking.
Closing my eyes briefly, I drew a fortifying breath, summoning courage to meet his gaze. “When our paths first crossed, I couldn’t have fathomed standing here in this moment. It felt implausible back then. You were brusque and unkind. I was strangled by fear. We were both hesitant to take this stride. Yet, in doing so, we unveiled the true splendor of love.”
His smile unfurled-a breathtaking sight that momentarily stole my breath. He released my hands, encircling my hips, anchoring me to him.
“You taught me the art of loving, Artemy. You illuminated the path of living. How to embrace my authentic self. You bestowed upon me the gift of experiencing this world. In moments when hope seemed far-fetched, you made it tangible. You infused the sun with greater radiance for me. Amidst my darkest hours, you shone as a beacon, urging me to relinquish shadows and embrace the light-our shared love.”
A soft sound of sniffling wafted behind me, likely Lynda or even Camilla. Beyond Artemy, his loyal confidants stood, visibly moved.
My gaze resettled on my husband, my words resonating for all to hear. “When I surrendered, when I abandoned us, you persisted. You waged a battle, urging me to fight for us. You rescued me, breathed life back into me. Artemy, your embrace tightened with each passing day, and your love became a balm to my anguish. Expressing my gratitude for your love, your unyielding fight, feels inadequate. Yet, what I’m certain of is that I will never depart from your side. As destined from the start, we are entwined.”