by Holly Rayner
Sarah glanced at her watch and nodded.
“Yes. Now’s the time we walk to the main doorway and prepare for your big entrance.”
When she wasn’t wringing her hands, Sarah was running her palms along the lines of her light green gown to keep any wrinkles from appearing. Ashley reached out her other hand and Sarah took it, squeezing it tight.
“Sarah, it’s going to be fine. You look beautiful. The people of Golina are celebrating with us here today. They are not here to judge. Even if they were, you’re with family that loves you, and today is a beautiful day. Try to enjoy it, will you?”
Sarah exhaled and cast a guilty smile at her friend.
“You’re right. Here we are on your big day, and you’re the one having to calm me down. I have to say, Ashley, you’re going to make an exceptional queen.”
Ashley figured Sarah had no idea what that meant to her, but it meant everything. All she wanted was to be able to fill the role that so many magnanimous women had before her.
She considered being a queen much like being a mother and a wife. She was able to calm Matteo when he was agitated so that he could look at issues with a clear mind. With their powers combined, how could they go wrong?
Ashley gripped hands with her son and her best friend, smiling at them both.
“Come on. Let’s get this party started.”
The trio walked along the thin red carpet that lined the long hall to the main atrium. They reached a pair of large wooden doors, where two men stood on either side, ready to open them. A woman with a headset on spoke into her microphone, and then she nodded at Sarah, who would be processing first.
Ashley stepped back as the doors opened, and Sarah smiled at her friend before she stepped through the portal and into the muted light of the church. Stained glass windows depicting beautiful scenes of peace and love lined the whole building, and Ashley focused on them as she listened to the processional music.
After a moment, her song began, and she squeezed David’s hand and glanced down at him.
“Ready?” she asked.
“I still think it would be cooler if we ran in, superhero style,” he said.
She laughed.
“You can do that at your wedding someday, pal. For this one, we walk.”
He considered that, then nodded.
“Fine. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you to the moon and back, honey. Come on, let’s go find your dad.”
Together Ashley and David stepped out from behind the doors and were met with quite the view. A hundred faces stared at them, and Ashley could see cameras placed in the top corners of the church, broadcasting the event live. She nodded to those close to her and then cast her gaze down the aisle, where Matteo and Carlotta stood waiting.
Matteo looked sharp and royal as ever in his uniform, his hair perfectly styled—likely thanks to Carlotta—and his eyes glowing as he took in the sight of her.
She felt a blush on her cheeks as she locked eyes with him and held his gaze. In that moment, she considered David’s offer to run down the aisle, and then smiled at the thought of it.
What would the world think of a queen that sprinted into the arms of her beloved king? Also, there was a very strong possibility that she would trip and fall on her face, and that would likely send Sarah into an absolute panic.
When Ashley reached the altar, Matteo held out a hand and leaned close to whisper in her ear.
“What are you grinning about?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Can’t wait,” he replied.
Together they turned and faced the preacher, who stood in his stately robes with a solemn expression and a twinkle in his eye. The music came to an end and the guests stood in hushed silence, waiting for their cue to move.
“You may be seated,” he said.
There was a shuffle in the room as the crowd obeyed and the preacher launched into his speech, officially starting the ceremony.
“Today we are blessed to witness the marriage of our benevolent and beloved King Matteo to Ashley Bedford, of Harmon, Virginia.”
It sounded so ridiculous, really. How could a girl from Virginia be marrying a king from a faraway kingdom? Matteo held her hand tight, reassuring her that yes, she was, in fact, there—it was really happening!
“From two different worlds, these two found love in one of the most sacred of ways: through the heart of a child. Connected by Prince David, they became a family in an unusual way, but as we know, love knows no bounds,” the preacher said. He then nodded to Carlotta, who reached around and somehow procured two rings, which she held in her hand.
“We will now perform the ceremony of rings,” the preacher said, nodding to Ashley and Matteo.
They each took a ring.
“Your Majesty, I believe you have written your own vows?” the preacher prompted.
Matteo nodded, then turned and faced Ashley, his heart in his eyes.
“Ashley,” he began. “From the moment I met you, my life has never been dull. I paraded around Europe seeking something that was missing in my life, and while I thought I was having a good time, something in me knew that I really wasn’t at all. When I found out about David, I knew he was a part of what had been eluding me.” He reached over and ruffled David’s hair, and the boy laughed.
“I could have never guessed that the mother chosen for him could be the one woman on earth that made my heart race, that could soothe me in a way I’d never experienced before. Because of you I am already more of a man, more of a king, than I ever could be without you. I’m so grateful that you came into my life, that you opened your heart to David and to me and helped us form the family we were always meant to be. I love you. I cherish you. I promise to protect you and love you for the rest of my days and beyond.”
Ashley was crying. She hadn’t realized it, lost as she was in the beauty of his words. But when Sarah handed her a tissue, she quickly dabbed at her cheeks and held it tight as she cleared her throat.
“Matteo,” she said, “You are the kindest, bravest, most wonderful man I’ve ever met. I spent so many years searching for someone that could love me for me, and I was never able to find that person until I literally ran into you.”
He laughed and swiped at the corner of his eye. The fact that he could show emotion was just another thing Ashley adored about him.
“You are the father I always wanted for my son, and the fact that you also just happened to be David’s father was a pretty big plus,” she continued, and the congregation chuckled. “I promise that I will do everything in my power to be your guiding light, your support when you’re in need, and a loving heart that will always be your home. I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you, too,” Matteo whispered.
They exchanged rings, and then turned to face the preacher, who glanced down at David and winked, surprising them both.
“And now, our young prince has something he would like to say.”
This was not in the rehearsal. Ashley and Matteo glanced down in surprise at David, who stepped between them to look at them both.
“Mom and Dad,” he began, unusually solemn. “I promise from this day forward that I will be the best son and prince in the whole wide world. I won’t even eat chocolate if I haven’t finished my dinner.”
Everyone laughed, though David clearly wasn’t joking. He glanced around and shrugged before continuing.
“I promise to be good and kind and fair, but when I get married someday, I get to run down the aisle.”
Ashley and Matteo knelt down as David wrapped a little arm around each of them.
“Great speech, son,” Matteo whispered.
“Thanks, Dad!” David said, stepping back to his spot.
Ashley glanced out into the crowd and couldn’t find a dry eye in the entire room. It was a heartfelt and emotional ceremony, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Now—” the preacher began, but Matteo stopped him.
> “Wait,” he said, reaching into his pocket and gesturing for David to come closer. The boy did, and his eyes grew wide when Matteo pulled out a signet ring on a long chain necklace.
“This is the royal crest of the family of Endrizzi,” Matteo said. “I would like to officially bestow it on you, Prince David, to solidify your place as a member of this royal family.”
David stared at the ring, then looked up at Matteo and nodded.
“Okay,” he said.
Matteo draped the necklace over David’s head, and the child stepped back and rolled the ring around in his fingers, studying it. It was a big gesture, especially one made so publicly, and Ashley was glad for it. They’d been accepted by the people of Golina, but this was the most official step Matteo had made to ensure that David knew his place in the royal lineage.
“Well, nothing like a little spontaneity,” the preacher said with a chuckle. “Are there any more gestures to be made?”
Matteo and Ashley shook their heads and held hands again as the preacher addressed the crowd.
“Well, then! Without further ado, I would like to pronounce you husband and wife. Your Majesty, you may now kiss your queen.”
“With pleasure,” Matteo said.
He pulled Ashley close and dipped her slightly before he captured her lips with his, kissing her just deep enough to warm her entire body, but not so much that it would be deemed lurid by the public. When he lifted her back up, he planted a small kiss on her nose before they turned out and faced the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, King Matteo and Queen Ashley of Golina. Long live the King! Long live the Queen!”
Cheers erupted as the seated guested stood and tossed white flower petals into the air, releasing a beautiful scent as white rained down all around them. Matteo pulled Ashley in once more and held her close.
“I love you, my beautiful wife,” he whispered, sending that familiar shiver down her spine.
“I love you more,” she whispered back.
He scoffed.
“Never!”
“You have a lifetime to prove it, my king,” she said.
He chuckled, his lips gentle against her cheek.
“Gladly, my love. Gladly.”
And together they walked hand in hand down the aisle, ready to celebrate their love with the entire kingdom.
The End
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