On the loud speakers Bruno Mars starts singing Marry me. The girls begin the procession and my father and I sedately walk along the path strewn with rose petals.
Cash smiles slowly at me, his eyes so full of love, my knees become like jelly and I fear I will trip and fall. I tighten my hold on my father. His other hand comes around to pat my hand. I feel grateful to him, but I can’t take my eyes off my bridegroom. Finally, we reach him and I inhale deeply.
His scent fills my nostrils. I close my eyes for a moment. So many memories. So many. The first time I wound his hair around my hand. The first time he kissed me. The first time we had sex. The first time we went on holiday. The first time … I open my eyes. His fingers touch mine. His eyes are wet. I blink.
‘You’re the most beautiful woman who ever walked this earth,’ he purrs.
‘And you’re the most beautiful man who ever walked this earth.’
His eyes twinkle. ‘I know,’ he says.
‘Oh, Cash. How I love you.’
He bends his head and whispers in my ear. ‘I’ve got a damn woodie for you.’
‘And I’m not attracted to you at all,’ I whisper. It’s our little joke now. We laugh about the days when I used to pretend I didn’t find him attractive.
‘Not even a bit?’ he asks, his eyes gleaming.
‘Nope.’
‘Then nothing has changed. It’s as it has always been and may it always be that way when we are wrinkled and can barely walk.’
Then the minister speaks and I remember we are not alone. Our families and friends are watching.
‘Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Cash Hunter and Tori Diamond in holy matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly and solemnly. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together let them speak now or forever hold their peace.’
He gives it a pause, then smiles, looks to Cash and says, ‘Repeat after me: I, Cash Hunter, take you Tori Diamond to be my wife.’
Cash repeats.
‘To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse,’
Cash says the words looking deeply into my eyes.
‘In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.’
I smile tremulously as Cash says the words.
‘From this day forward until death do us part.’
The minister turns to me.
‘I, Tori Diamond, take you, Cash Hunter, to be my husband.’
‘I, Tori Diamond,’ I say, and then laughter starts bubbling up my throat. I see Cash’s eyes widen with surprise and that makes me laugh even more. I’m not laughing because it’s funny, but I just can’t help it. ‘Take you, Cash Hunter.’ More giggles. I hear the audience start giggling too. Oh, my God. What a disaster. I don’t know why I can’t stop laughing.
‘I’m really sorry,’ I apologize to the minister, who is staring at me with a strange expression.
‘It’s just nerves. Let me start again,’ I say, clearing my throat. ‘I, Tori Diamond,’ I manage, and another fit of laughter overtakes me.
Cash looks at the minister. ‘Do you mind?’ he asks.
‘Of course not,’ the startled minister replies immediately.
Catching me around the waist, Cash swoops down and takes my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Time rolls back and I am back to our first kiss. It is an instant cure for my laughing fit.
He lifts his head and looks into my dazed eyes.
‘Do you, Tori Diamond, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?’ the minister asks quickly.
‘I do. Oh, yes, I definitely do.’
That night the sound of laughter, music, and dancing fills the air for hours. Most of the guests are staying in the house and they disappear into one of the twenty-seven rooms. Cash carries me up the stairs, lays me on our bed, and makes love to me for hours, beautiful, passionate love. At first I’m a bit nervous, but the fact that he’s really mine is sinking in.
In the early morning hours when I would have dropped off to sleep, he tugs my hand.
‘Put some clothes on. I want to show you something.’
‘Show me tomorrow,’ I say sleepily.
He will have none of it. He pulls me out of bed and wraps me up in a thick dressing gown.
He opens our bedroom door softly. Everyone is fast asleep and the house is very still. He turns to me and places a finger across his lips. Quietly we go down the stairs and hallway and out through the front doors.
‘Where are we going?’ I whisper.
‘To the lake.’
‘Now?’
‘Yes, now.’
He takes my hand and starts running. By the time we get to the lake I am out of breath and hot. I look around me in wonder. I had no idea when we bought the house that a lake at night would be so peaceful and serene, with a mist hanging over it. A pair of sleeping swans are floating on the water. They glow in the early light of the day.