Chapter 8 - The Wedding He Thought He Had Lost Forever
Arthur did not propose again with diamonds.
He proposed with a simple silver band.
He took Norah to the same lakefront park where they had once had their first real conversation.
The sky was gray.
The wind was cold.
Samuel slept in Daniel's arms a few feet away.
Arthur held Norah's hand.
“I don't want another engagement.”
She laughed.
“Good.”
“I want a marriage.”
Norah's eyes widened.
Arthur knelt.
No cameras.
No press.
No business partners.
Just the two of them.
“Norah Bennett, I loved you when I was too selfish to understand what love required.”
She covered her mouth.
“I lost you because I thought power could solve every problem.”
He opened the ring box.
“I was wrong.”
His voice shook.
“So I'm not promising you wealth.”
Norah laughed through tears.
“Good.”
“I'm not promising you perfection.”
“Definitely good.”
“I am promising you honesty.”
Her eyes filled.
“I'm promising you that when life gets hard, I will stand beside you instead of standing over you.”
Norah looked at him.
“That's a very good promise.”
Arthur took her hand.
“Will you marry me?”
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Daniel suddenly shouted:
“She said yes!”
Norah laughed.
Arthur groaned.
“You ruined the moment.”
“I improved it.”
Samuel woke and started crying.
Everyone laughed.
Their wedding was small.
No politicians.
No executives.
No enormous ballroom.
Just family and friends.
Camille attended.
She wore blue.
Daniel stood beside Arthur.
Norah walked down a narrow aisle in a simple ivory dress.
Arthur watched her approach.
His eyes filled again.
When she reached him, he whispered:
“You're beautiful.”
She smiled.
“You're crying again.”
“Definitely dust.”
“You're hopeless.”
“I know.”
Their vows were simple.
Norah promised to speak honestly.
Arthur promised to listen.
They exchanged rings.
This time, the ring had no secret compartment.
No ledger.
No hidden message.
Just a circle of gold.
After the ceremony, everyone gathered under the lights.
Daniel raised a glass.
“To second chances.”
Camille raised hers.
“To surviving our families.”
Norah laughed.
Arthur looked at her.
“To building something better.”
They kissed.
And for once, there was no gunshot.
No threat.
No secret.
Just applause.
Later that night, Arthur and Norah stood alone outside.
Snow began falling.
Norah rested her head against his shoulder.
“Do you ever think about that restaurant?”
Arthur smiled.
“Every Friday.”
“Why?”
“Because that's the night I found you.”
Norah looked up.
“You found me?”
Arthur kissed her forehead.
“No.”
He corrected himself.
“You gave me the chance to find my way back to you.”
She smiled.
Then she held out her hand.
“No more secrets.”
May you like
Arthur intertwined their fingers.
“No more secrets.”
