Broken Rules
Page 25
Jesús nodded, “Thank you, Marco. Take good care of her. She’s, she’s my everything.” He swallowed and Marco nodded. Alex stood by in awe of the two men. Both so strong, masculine and caring in their own very different ways.
Finally, Jesús stepped to the side, leaving Alex facing Marco. They were both grinning from ear to ear as Marco reached up to stroke Alex’s cheek, her face instinctively leaning into his hand. Then he leaned in and kissed her, which earned a throat clearing from the minister. “Have a little patience, Marco. You can kiss your wife in just a few minutes.”
Marco laughed and shrugged, “I’m sorry, father. I just can’t help myself. I love her so much.”
The minister took that as a good segue, “I have performed many ceremonies in my lifetime, and if they all had a fraction of the love that is so evident here, the world would be a better place. But I digress. Today, we’re not here to talk about anyone but Marco and Alexandra.” He grinned at the two of them, the love seeming to be infectious. “I have known Marco his entire life. In fact, Lydia, Patricia, I’ve heard his confession for the better part of a couple decades. And, as I stand here in front of you and God, I can tell you that a more honorable man I do not know. Of course, I’m willing to overlook his teenage years…” A low rumble of chuckles erupted. “But as God is my witness, this is true love. You don’t need me to tell you. All you have to do is look at these two and you can feel it.” He then looked earnestly at both Alex and Marco, “But Alexandra, Marco, love will not conquer all. You both live in a place where fantasy pretends to be reality. I don’t know that world, but what I do know is that love, honor, respect and trust is the foundation. What you do with it is up to you.” He paused again, Alex was surprised at how personal this ceremony was becoming. “There will be challenges. There will be hurdles. But you are joining together to face those, and conquer them with each other’s support, and with the support of your family. You are not alone in this world. You have each other.”
As if on cue to emphasize the point that they weren’t alone, or perhaps that there would be challenges, the thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap of helicopter blades interrupted their serenity. It was low enough for them to see the photographer with a long zoom lens pointing straight at them. Both Marco and Alex tensed. She could see he was about to apologize to her when she shook her head. “They’re not going to ruin this day for us, Marco.”
“Mi amor, are you sure you’re ready for this? This is going to be our life. Every little bit will be exposed, as much as we try to keep it private.” The pain in Marco’s eyes broke Alex’s heart. He was giving her an out, he knew she didn’t want this life. And he was right, she didn’t. But she didn’t want to live without him either. That just wasn’t an option. So she reached up and tenderly stroked his cheek, then raised up onto her tip toes and kissed him tenderly. When they broke apart he grinned. They both turned back to the minister, and with that, the helicopter flew away, apparently satisfied with what they got.
The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch. They held the reception at Ceci’s bar, and the place was packed with every childhood and family friend that could fit inside. They danced and drank until the sun came up, and Marco’s good mood only faltered the few times he caught Jesús and Teresa making out, but those moments were fleeting. Though when Alex caught him and teased, “You know, Marco, you may not just be gaining a wife, you might be gaining a brother-in-law soon.” That almost pushed him over the edge. But Alex’s giggle and subsequent kiss pulled him back to her. He could worry about Jesús and Teresa another day. This day was still theirs, and if he had his say, it would go on like this forever.
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