The reception at my parents’ house was short: food, drink, congratulations. Immediately after, Theo and I left for Paris, stopping in Brussels for a honeymoon of a single day.

“I’m sorry I have to return to work so soon,” Theo said as we settled into our hotel. “I dared not request more than a fortnight. I have been away from the gallery too much already this year on account of Vincent’s troubles.”

To schedule the wedding at the end of his break, rather than at the beginning, had been my choice. I’d hoped it would make us less of a stranger to each other on our wedding night. Yet now as I faced the large bed, I realized twice the time would not have been long enough.

“Shall we go out for a stroll?” The train ride hadn’t been overly long, but our compartment had been cramped.

Theo offered his arm, and a minute later, we were walking outside.

“At least the day gifted us with sunshine,” I prattled. “A good omen for our beginnings.”

“Should we visit St. Catherine Cathedral?”

“As you wish.” Though I feared I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate it. I would have liked to enjoy the city, truly, but I was too jittery to notice anything beyond my husband of a few hours next to me.

All my life, I’d been solitary, despite the size of my family. My brothers were never home. My sisters and I pursued different interests. Of all my siblings, I was closest to Dries, but since he’d moved to Paris, I rarely saw him anymore. Now, suddenly, I was part of a pair. Part of a tiny new family, one that would live far from my old large one, in a foreign country where I barely spoke the language. A household that would be all mine to run. And a husband to please, which would start tonight.

That last thought turned my face hotter than the sun.

Just as well that we stepped inside the cool of St. Catherine Cathedral.

I did my best to think pious thoughts. There was no mass, but a few of the faithful knelt in the pews, the altar magnificent. We stood in the back and remained silent, holding on to each other and breathing in that unique scent of ancient wood and books that old churches had. I enjoyed the respite very much, but we couldn’t stay there forever.

Back outside, we browsed the colorful little shops that sold food and souvenirs. Then we strolled over to the Grote Markt, the Grand Palace, that contained the Baroque guildhalls, the Town Hall, and the Maison du Roi.

Theo turned slowly around in the middle. “Hard to believe that two hundred years ago, the French burned it to the ground.”

I turned with him. “It must have taken an eternity to rebuild.”