Chapter 8 - The Wedding Nobody Expected
Their wedding took place in Vermont.
Not Boston.
Not at a luxury hotel.
At Marin's family's old farmhouse.
The same place where she and Clara had spent childhood summers.
There were fewer than eighty guests.
No security perimeter.
No reporters.
Just family and friends.
Adrian arrived early.
Evan teased him.
"Nervous?"
"No."
"You checked the ring six times."
"Security."
"Right."
Marin came down the stairs.
Adrian looked at her.
His expression changed completely.
She smiled.
"Do I look okay?"
He shook his head.
"No."
Her face fell.
"You look impossible."
She laughed.
The ceremony was simple.
Thomas walked Marin to Adrian.
Before giving her away, he looked at Adrian.
"Take care of her."
Adrian nodded.
"Always."
The vows were personal.
Marin said,
"I chose you before I knew who you were."
Adrian smiled.
"I chose you before I knew I was capable of choosing."
People cried.
Even Raphael.
Though he denied it.
At the reception, Laurel raised a glass.
"To Marin, who needed a boyfriend for six hours and accidentally married the most terrifying man in Boston."
Everyone laughed.
Adrian looked at Marin.
"That title is outdated."
"Not to me," Laurel replied.
Then Celeste appeared.
For a moment the room went quiet.
Marin stiffened.
Celeste walked toward her.
"I came to apologize."
Marin didn't know what to say.
Celeste looked down.
"I was part of the reason you believed something was wrong with you."
Marin swallowed.
"I did believe that."
"I know."
Celeste took a breath.
"I hope one day you don't."
Marin studied her.
Then nodded.
"Thank you."
Celeste left.
Adrian looked at Marin.
"You don't owe her anything."
"I know."
"Then why forgive her?"
Marin smiled.
"Because I'm tired of carrying things that belong to other people."
Adrian kissed her forehead.
That night, after the guests left, they sat on the farmhouse porch.
The stars were bright.
No rain.
No cameras.
No threats.
Marin rested her head against Adrian's shoulder.
"Do you ever think about the hotel?"
"Every day."
"What would happen if I hadn't said that sentence?"
"I would still have found a way to meet you."
"How?"
"I don't know."
She laughed.
"That sounds suspicious."
"I had a reputation for being persistent."
"Persistent?"
"Obsessive, according to Evan."
She smiled.
"Why did you really notice me?"
Adrian was quiet.
Then he said,
"Because you were the only person in that room who didn't care who I was."
"I didn't know who you were."
"Exactly."
She looked at him.
"You like that?"
"I loved it."
Her heart warmed.
"Do you still think I'm ridiculous?"
"Absolutely."
She laughed.
He kissed her.
And for the first time, the woman who had once begged the universe for six believable hours had everything she had secretly wanted.
May you like
Not a perfect life.
A real one.
