Chapter 9 - The Wedding No One in Chicago Expected
They married in May.
Only forty-two people attended.
Clare's mother came from Vancouver.
Vincent's mother arrived in a wheelchair.
Marco stood beside Vincent.
Nora Moretti, Elena's younger sister, gave the toast.
She began with a joke.
“I have known Vincent for thirty years.”
Everyone laughed.
“And I have never seen him this terrified.”
Vincent shook his head.
Clare laughed.
Nora continued.
“He used to intimidate entire rooms.”
She looked at Clare.
“Then she walked into one.”
Everyone applauded.
The ceremony was simple.
Clare wore ivory.
Vincent wore a dark suit.
No family crest.
No enormous display.
No cameras.
Before the vows, Vincent looked at Clare.
“I spent most of my life believing love meant protecting someone from the world.”
He paused.
“Then I met you.”
“You taught me that love is sometimes letting someone tell you the truth even when it hurts.”
Clare smiled.
“I don't promise that I won't disagree with you.”
He laughed.
“I would be disappointed if you didn't.”
“I don't promise I'll make your life easier.”
“I hope you don't.”
She took his hand.
“But I promise you'll never have to wonder whether I'm afraid of you.”
Vincent looked at her.
“That is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me.”
They kissed.
Later that night, they stood by the lake.
Clare leaned against him.
“Happy?”
Vincent looked at her.
“More than I know how to explain.”
She smiled.
“What now?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“We open the store.”
She laughed.
“You are not working at the store.”
“I could learn.”
“You can't even alphabetize.”
“I own expensive software.”
“You're impossible.”
He kissed her forehead.
“There you are.”
“What?”
“Disagreeing with me.”
She smiled.
“I plan to keep doing it.”
“Good.”
Behind them, Chicago glittered.
Not the city of power Vincent had once controlled.
Just a city.
Busy.
Messy.
Alive.
May you like
His.
And somehow, for the first time, he felt free inside it.
