Page 225 of The One
I take another step, my breath steadying as I walk toward a future Ichoose.
Will life be easy from here on out?
No, it won’t be. I know that.
Mateo hasn’t properly grieved his brother, and that burden still lingers in his eyes, but I will be there for him. I will care for him, love him through it all.
Together, we can face anything.
Still, a flash of worry strikes. What if it all becomes too much for him? What if he regrets marrying me when the weight of his new responsibility sinks in?
Before my mind can spiral, our gazes lock.
There’s no hesitation in his eyes. No doubt. Just quiet assurance, a reflection of the same love swirling in my chest. It’s overwhelming, the certainty of it.
This is right.
Though I really should have asked Isa to fly in with Father Josef. Why didn’t it occur to me earlier? Isa’s presence would have made things even more perfect. But I don’t have long to regret my oversight. As I reach Mateo, my heart somersaults.
He holds out both his hands to me, and I slip mine into his. His fingers fit perfectly around mine, their warmth grounding me.
The promise of the vows ahead and a life together fills me with a sweet kind of excitement that makes everything else blur. More so when he leans in and his lips graze my cheek.
Father Alessandro clears his throat, and after another lingering look, we turn our attention to him.
He’s younger than I imagined, in his late twenties, if I had to guess. It seems fitting, like a new chapter in the old traditions.
Teo asked him to skip the fluff, the long-winded speeches meant to build anticipation. We’ve had plenty of that, given this is our third attempt to get married.
“Mariella, Mateo,” Father Alessandro begins, his voice low and steady, his eyes warm.
“Today, you stand before God to pledge your love and commitment to each other. Remember, these vows are not just words, but a profound promise. They signify a bond that will be tested by time, strengthened by faith, and nurtured by love.”
He looks at me, then Mateo, inviting me to begin. My heart skips. I meet Mateo’s gaze, grounding myself in the depth of the love in his eyes.
With a deep breath, I repeat the words he offers. My voice trembles, but it’s full of sincerity.
“I, Mariella, take you, Mateo, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
Father Alessandro turns to Mateo, who responds with a voice that is steady and unwavering.
“I, Mateo, take you, Mariella, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
The rings are placed before us, simple, yet beautiful for the meaning they carry.
Father Josef hands them over, and I take the small, delicate gold band meant for Mateo. With a steady hand, I slide it onto his finger, my eyes never leaving his.
“Mateo,” I say softly, the anticipation making my limbs tingle. “Receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. With this ring, I join my life to yours and pledge to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of my life.”
He swallows hard, his gaze flickering between the ring and me, before locking onto my eyes once more. A wink and a panty-melting smile follow, sending a rush of heat through me.
Then, with hands sure and steady, Mateo takes my ring. As he slides it onto my finger, his touch is so tender it sends a shiver through my body.
“Mariella,” he says, his voice thick with emotion, “receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. With this ring, I join my life to yours and pledge to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of my life.”
To my surprise, he lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the two rings now resting on my finger.
A simple gesture, yet it means everything.
