A month later

Amelia walked down the rather short aisle, and she felt even more elated than she thought she should. The sound of music floated through the church from outside, stark and beautiful as it mixed with the summer breeze.

The sound of a violin, snaking through the thick stone walls of the church. Gold silk draped the windows, and white ribbons curled and spread throughout the church. Ivory ribbons twined through garlands of lilies and geraniums, jasmine, and roses.

The carpet under her feet was thick, and Amelia surely had not expected the scent of jasmine to flood the church. It reminded her of the times before she fell from society, but it also reminded her of where she was now. Getting married to the love of her life. A feat that she had always thought was impossible. The music urged her on, lifting her towards the altar where the love of her life was standing.

He looked stoic in the black coat with its silver embroidery that matched the ash-blond color of his hair. Robert’s eyes were fixed on her from the moment she stepped in through those double doors, and Amelia had never felt as beautiful as when Robert looked at her.

“Rob,” she whispered his name, a small sound compared to the music that serenaded the congregation.

She watched him smile and shiver before straightening his coat over his shoulders. Amelia looked at her own dress, swathes of ivory and cream covering her from head to toe. The veil was lace, a thin one that she could see through. See the man that captured her heart.

The music continued to rise as Amelia walked towards him, as beautiful as the first time he met her. He felt tears behind his eyes, but he pushed them back, knowing that everyone would tease him. Especially his grandmother.

She was there, right in the front seat with his father. After going back and forth, Robert was finally glad that his father had seen the error of his ways. Lucas was standing beside him, holding a small envelope that contained wedding bands. His wedding bands.

Another smile broke out on his face as Amelia stepped to the altar, the veil hiding the smile that he knew was on her face. He could see that there were tears in her eyes too, happy ones – she called them. And he was happy too. Enough to let a tear escape.

He said the vows slowly, making sure that every word sounded like a promise to Amelia because that was what it was. Even before the wedding, they had promised one another that their love would last no matter the encumbrances that might appear from time to time.

Amelia repeated the vows too, recalling how the past month had been the best of her life. Robert showed up at her doorstep every day, asking to take her to a new place. They read books together and laughed till evenings, watched the swans skim over the water while gleaming in the sun, sat under the shade at the Ashingdale estate together, and reminisced past memories.

It was beautiful, and Amelia was finally happy. When it was time for them to kiss, she wasted no time in crossing the distance between them. And when Robert kissed her, she felt him smile against her lips, felt his happiness radiate through every part of her body. The small congregation clapped and cheered, and Amelia was caught in the moment, not wanting it to end.

After the church service, they were led towards the new carriage waiting outside the steps. Amelia and Robert walked the full length of the aisle, comfortable in each other’s arms. They were to attend a wedding breakfast hosted by his grandmother, and they could have never been happier.

Robert helped Amelia in the carriage, and once they were by themselves, he kissed her again. This time, much more than at the church.

“I will always love you, Amelia,” he said, voice soft and husky at the same time.

“I will always love you too, Rob,” she said with a smile, knowing that her dreams had come true.

They had found love at last, and everything that came with it. Heart flutters, smiles in the darkness of the night, soft kisses under the boughs of chestnut trees, and hearts filled with passion for one another.