Marriage.
Commitment.
Love.
Faithfulness.
Forever.
Words Luca had heard once before. He had never given a fuck about that but with Veronica’s hand in his, the words sounded different.
He intended to take them as seriously as he could. Her fingers trembled lightly in his, though her chin stayed lifted. She was trying very hard not to cry. It was a useless effort.
The priest proceeded to their vows. He gestured first to Veronica.
Vee inhaled, looked down for a bit, then lifted her eyes to Luca’s. "Luca," she began softly, "wherever you are is my home."
His throat tightened.
Cruel woman.
Starting with that.
"Thank you for always loving me," she continued, her eyes shining now, "for being patient with me. I promise to always love you....I feel so lucky and proud to become your wife today."
The priest turned to him.
Luca looked at Veronica. "In one moment...you completely captured my attention and with you it has stayed." He tightened his hold on her hand. "Your pain belongs to me, my blood belongs to you. I have always been and will always be obsessed with you until death do us part."
Morbid but sweet, Veronica thought. Then again, done differently, it wouldn’t be Luca.
He did not do soft the way normal men did. Luca offered blood, obsession, protection, and forever with the signing of his soul.
She loved every terrible, beautiful part of it.
The priest, who deserved an award for remaining calm through vows that sounded one sentence away from a murder pact, cleared his throat gently and moved on to the rings.
The small cushion was brought forward.
Luca picked up her ring first. His fingers were careful as he slid it onto hers. Veronica watched the metal settle on her engagement ring. It looked right there.
Then it was her turn.
She picked up his ring.
His blue eyes stayed on her face as she took his hand.
She slid the ring onto his finger.
There.
Hers.
Physical proof that he belonged to her.
The priest smiled as he lifted his hands slightly. "I now declare you husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Genovese. You may now kiss your bride."
Luca stepped closer, looking down at her shining eyes. "You’re shaking."

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