It’s Now or Never

I was rooted to the spot at the front of the chapel, the same one where generations of my family had exchanged vows. I was waiting for my girl to make her way down the aisle, an aisle that seemed to stretch on forever, leading to the massive back doors that were currently shut tight.

My hands were tightly clasped, a small handkerchief wedged between my palms, trying to soak up the sweat that had formed there.

Conner had to pick up the rings from the floor after I’d dropped them for what felt like the twentieth time. I watched as he tucked them safely into his top pocket, placing his handkerchief on top of them for good measure.

My heart was racing, beating a million miles a minute. I felt more like a scared kid who couldn’t walk down the street without jumping at shadows, rather than the mafia boss who wouldn’t hesitate to kill if necessary.

The music started, and my heart rate kicked up another notch, if that was even possible. Connor and Noah’s girlfriends were the first to walk down the aisle, taking their places.

Then everyone rose for the bridal march. I tried to spot Shay among the crowd, but with all the people my mom had invited, it was impossible to see past the sea of glittering dresses and crisp suits.

I caught fleeting glimpses of a dazzling white dress through a few gaps, but I still couldn’t see her face. Finally, she and her father rounded the corner and I got my first look at her.

She was so stunning, my knees almost buckled. She was wearing a long Cinderella-style dress, her shoulders bare. Her long hair was bouncing with curls.

My heart lodged in my throat as they approached. I prayed I’d be able to speak as I took in every detail of her, from the crystals on her dress to the long white veil that looked like it was studded with diamonds.

One of my mother’s tiaras was perched on her head, a symbol that she was about to become a princess of this family. The priest started speaking, but my attention was solely on her until her dad handed her off to me with a kiss on her cheek.

Reluctantly, I turned away from her, moving her out of my full line of sight. We both ascended the three steps, standing side by side as the priest recited a blessing.

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other.

“Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”

Finally, I was able to turn back to her. Her eyes were sparkling in the light, and my heart swelled with pride that this woman was about to become my wife and the mother of our child. But then I realized Connor was clearing his throat behind me. It was my turn to speak.

“Zane, will you please say your vows first?” the priest asked. My eyes never left Shay, but I gave a quick nod of my head.

“For the first time, I’ve found something I can truly love—I’ve found you. You are my sympathy, my better self, my good angel. I am bound to you with a strong attachment that will never fade.

“Even though we didn’t meet under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

“It may have taken us a while to realize our feelings for each other, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about our journey to this moment.

“I love you with every beat of my heart. Every time I think of you, I can’t wait to be back in your presence, holding you close, letting my love flow from me to you.

“My love for you will never fade, it will only grow stronger the longer we walk this road together. I vow to be faithful to you from this day forth until I draw my last breath in this life.”

The priest nodded, then turned to Shay as I let out a silent breath. “Shay, will you please share your vows with us?”

“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision.

“You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined that it is inconceivable you should ever part. Because that is what love is: getting through every rough patch of life that will be thrown at us.

“I wasn’t even looking for love that night you called me up to your private room and I met you for the first time.

“Little did I know exactly how rough of a road was in store for both of us, but we conquered each patch with the strength of each of us, helping the other through until the end.

“We stood by each other, made sure we were not lost, brought our minds along with our hearts back to each other, and showed exactly how tough our love was for each other.

“I promise to be by your side from this day forth, supporting you in every decision that we will face. I vow to be faithful to you from this day forth until I draw my last breath in this life.”

People sniffled as their hands went up to their eyes, wiping the shining water threatening to ruin their perfect makeup and freshly shaved faces.

My hands were doing everything in their power not to shake now. Her words melted my heart, making it love her even more than I thought it could.

“Let us pray,” said the priest.

“Lord, in your love, you have given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and with you. As you have made Shaylee and Zane one in this sacrament of marriage, so now make them one in love for each other.”

After the quick prayer, Conner handed the priest the rings. Shay and I slipped them on our fingers as we said our last vows.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today on our wedding day.

“I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it, then think of me, and know that I love you.”

Shay looked up at me with her eyes telling me she was the happiest person in the world. I knew my face must also be showing the same thing because that was how I felt right now.

As soon as the priest announced us husband and wife, I grabbed her and gave her a kiss that would blow everyone out of the water. When we came back up for air, her face was flushed, but her eyes were still dancing in the lights.

The priest extended his hands slightly, signaling us to face our guests for his final proclamation. “I now present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Zane Santone.”

As the music began, I assisted Shay down the steps and up the aisle, our exit met with cheers and applause. We exited the church and slid into the limo, ready to capture our joy with our wedding photographer.

Conner, Noah, and the rest of our crew trailed behind us in another limo. I leaned in to kiss Shay once more, then tenderly caressed her belly. “We did it, sweetheart. We’re husband and wife, just like you wanted before our baby arrives.”

She placed her hand on my cheek, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Thank you for everything.”

Soon, we arrived at a sprawling garden, adorned with fountains and flowers in every direction—a picture-perfect setting for the memories we wanted to capture on this unforgettable day.