“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

“Hello, my wife.” He was not Matteo the escaping French prince, Matteo the desperate lover, Matteo the hopeful affianced, but Matteo her husband. And the feeling could not compare to any other. Belonging and longing filled her. She would never again be alone in the world. And at that moment, she knew she would never experience enough of Matteo. She would always long for more.

“Hello, husband.”

He grinned at her and winked. Then together, they turned to face the church congregation. He took her hand in his and held it up as they faced the pews. The people all rose in a great cheer of congratulations.

They hurried together down the aisle, hand in hand. When they crossed through the doors, children threw rice and cheered. All the people from the town and many from the staff attended outside the church, celebrating and shouting and wishing love and happiness on them both. Amidst all the cheers and the love, they found their way to her waiting carriage, where they were whisked off down the lane.

Matteo turned to her and pulled her against him. “At last. My dear Scarlet, at last.”

She giggled and wrapped her arms up around his neck as he pulled her onto his lap and looked down into her eyes. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You are at once stunning and clever and kind. Three times beautiful: your face, your mind, and your heart.” He eyed her headdress. “Even with this lovely large spectacle on your head.” He tried to stop his laugh, but it choked out through his closed mouth.

Scarlet laughed again. She felt she could not stop. Everything was too wonderful for words, and the happiness bubbled up inside of her. “Could we be any happier, Matteo? Truly?”

Matteo shook his head. “There has never been a happier couple than you and I. But we will be happier still.” He held her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. Looking into her eyes, he said, “It is my vow to make you happier still, that the years ahead will always promise joy on the horizon. You will always know that your next smile, your next laugh, is just around the corner.”

Scarlet’s eyes shone with unshed tears. Trying to swallow her emotion enough to speak, she said, “May it ever be so. May we find joy amidst the storms that are sure to come.” She reached her hand up to his face, so close to her own, and held his cheek tenderly. Then she tilted her head ever so slightly to the side and pressed her lips to his.