Chapter 9 - The Second Wedding
A year later, Emilia stood in a small garden wearing a simple white dress.
No reporters.
No business partners.
No contract.
No desperate hospital bills.
Her father sat in the first row.
Her mother cried beside him.
Adrian attended under the supervision allowed by his legal agreement and stayed quietly in the back.
Daniel waited beneath an old oak tree.
No prosthetic.
No attempt to hide his face.
The first marriage had taken place in a mansion with hundreds of guests.
The second had thirty-two.
The first marriage involved lawyers.
The second involved an argument about cake.
Emilia had insisted on lemon.
Daniel wanted chocolate.
They compromised by having both.
Before walking down the aisle, Thomas took his daughter’s hand.
—Are you sure?
Emilia smiled.
This time, the question did not frighten her.
“Yes.”
—You don’t owe him anything.
“I know.”
—He helped us.
“I know.”
—That isn’t a reason to marry him.
“I know.”
Thomas smiled.
“That’s what I needed to hear.”
They walked.
Daniel watched her approach.
Emilia remembered the first wedding.
How she avoided looking at him.
Now she never looked away.
When she reached him, Daniel whispered:
“You can still run.”
—You already gave me divorce papers once.
“I believe in options.”
—Quiet.
He smiled.
Their vows were short.
Daniel said:
“The first time I married you, I offered security because I did not know how to offer trust.”
He looked at her.
“You taught me they are not the same.”
Emilia’s eyes filled.
Then she spoke.
“The first time I married you, I thought courage meant sacrificing myself for the people I loved.”
She took his hands.
“I learned courage can also mean refusing to disappear inside that sacrifice.”
They exchanged rings.
Thomas applauded first.
Everyone joined.
Later, Daniel and Emilia stood alone near the garden.
—Mrs. Beaumont.
She raised an eyebrow.
—Emilia.
—Right.
—You can try again tomorrow.
Daniel smiled.
—Wife?
“Better.”
She rested her head against his shoulder.
May you like
It had taken them a year to reach that simple gesture.
Neither took it for granted.
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