With Forgiveness...Comes Happiness

Chapter Eight

*Two days later*

Metin had been working on the contract that Can had given him, but so far it looked like a solid contract. He knew if he had to tell Can that he wouldn't be happy. The agency had gone through a lot the past year, from Mr. Aziz leaving the company to the arrival of Enzo Fabric. With all the trouble that they had concerning Sanem perfume and Fabri's obsession to own it, the agency was left with a few bruises. They didn't need anymore bad publicity, especially anything with Sanem involved. He was getting dressed for Can and Sanems wedding, dreading to face Can with any kind of bad news. He hoped that the contract would be the farthest thing from his mind on this day.

Can looked at himself in the mirror, seeing the reflection of a different man from a few months before. He was happy, so happy it glowed eternally from is eyes. Just the thought of her could change the whole day, and he was about to marry the woman that had changed his world. She was his soul mate, his destiny, the person that made him whole, what more could a man want in life than to find that reason for living. Emre knocked on his door, " Abi, is almost time to leave, are you ready." Can's heart fluttered from nerves, " I'm coming, oh hey is Metin here yet, he was suppose to meet us here." He asked, anxious to hear what he had to say about the contract. Emre told him Metin hadn't arrived yet but they would have to hurry to get to the neighborhood on time. Can nodded, taking one last look in the mirror as started out his door. The doorbell rang indicating that Metin had arrived, with Emre opening the door, " Metin Abi, come in, just in time to leave." He joked. Martin looked at Can and could see the nerves, but he could also see a man that was happy. Sanem was the only person that had been able to break through that hard cover of loneliness and solitude that had been a part of Cans life since his mother had leave him. She had freed his heart of all the doubt of being left behind, discarded by his mother all those years ago. Can reached to shake Metins hand, " Man, I'm glad you came, it wouldn't have been the same without you. I hope you have some good news for me on that other matter we discussed earlier." Metin's heart dropped but he couldn't let him see it, " Come on dude, this is your wedding day, no business talk today. You're only thoughts should be of that fabulous woman you're getting ready to marry." He gave him a huge hug and slapped him on the back. " You know I've always been jealous of you, but you marrying Sanem, that  just makes me hate you." He laughed, knowing nothing could have been further from the truth. 

Sanem had taken the morning to be alone, she sat in her room,  thinking back on the time since that kiss in the opera house. In a way she needed to thank Polen, if she hadn't been late to arrive to the 40th anniversary party, there never would have been that kiss in the dark. If CeyCey hadn't sent to the wrong place that night she wouldn't have been in the loggia. So many things had been wrong that night for them to find each other, so many obstacles they overcame to be together, how could this not be fate....destiny, the meaning of their life. She smiled as she looked at her dress hanging there waiting for the perfect time to be slipped over her body. Never had anything felt so right, so meant to be as this. A knock on her door snapped her out of her daydream, " Sanem, the wedding is in an hour, see you ready."  Her heart skipped a beat, as she opened the door, " An hour, oh my God, no I'm not ready." Her mother and sister rushed in, and within no time they had make-up done and she was ready for Melihat to work her magic on her hair. They decided on a loose bun resting low on the back of her head, with long tendrils of hair framing her face. She only wanted a single flower placed delicately in the bun, just simple and natural. She was giving herself to him as natural and uncomplicated as possible.

The neighborhood garden had been transformed into a sea of twinkling lights, with an array of flowers that lined the garden. It looked magical, yet the most natural place on earth. This would be a night to remember, as the people began to arrive and find their seats. The union table had been place beneath the arbor that was lined with the climbing roses, and the union candle was placed I the center of the table. As Can arrived, the sight of it all made his eyes fill with tears and his heart overflow with love. These people had become his family, they had accepted him as their son and that meant more to him then anything, he finally felt like he belonged. He was met by his soon to be mother-in-law as he walked to Sanems house, " Son, she almost ready, but her father will walk her down to the edge of the garden, you will take her from there, ok." She smiled as she looked into the face of this person that she loved like her own child. She reached for him, giving him a sincere hug and kiss on the cheek. " Here come with me, they will be along in a minute." She pull him along with her like as they headed towards the garden. He seemed to be in a dream, his head was spinning as he tried to calm himself down and focus on what was happening. She placed him at the entrance to the garden, " Here, you wait here and Nihat will bring her to you...and Can, she said looking into his eyes, "I love you as my son, welcome to my family." He smiled, feeling the deep love she felt for him and thankful for his new parents.

Within minutes he could see them walking his way from their door. The sun was just beginning to disappear, leaving a soft warm glow of light that lit the way for them. She was glowing, she had illuminated the entire street as they made their way toward the garden. The music played quietly, but his heart was beating so loud he was unable to hear it as she approached. Their connection was unbelievable, as their eyes meet, it felt like the earth stood still and they had been transported to another place. Nihat touched his arm, " My son, I give you my most precious possession, my daughter, be happy together and love each other." He placed Sanem's hand in Cans, he smiled at his daughter and went to take his place next to his wife. Can could not believe he had this beautiful woman on his arm, as they made their way toward the union table. Everything else was unimportant, the lights, the flowers, the music and even the people, as his eyes remained on her and only her.

As the registrar spoke the words and asked the questions, the answers from him were automatic, without thinking. It seemed the last year was nothing more than a bad dream as he relived their journey to get to this time of their life. His unforgiving way could have been the end of their relationship, he could have been the one that ruined his life, but she forgave him, she gave him that second chance. Sanem glowed with excitement as she gave her answer, "Yes, she would take this man to love." She smiled as she took a deep breath, thinking how different her life was from that day she left for Chania. How empty she felt that day, how devastated she was that he had decided to leave her and how she felt that Polen had somehow manipulated it all. But here they were, vowing to spend the rest of their lives together, loving and respecting each other.

With  the announcement from the registrar, the final step was yet to be taken. As their family and friends appalled, Can and Sanem sealed their commitment with a kiss. A kiss that meant more than any of the others...

It was a kiss of husband and wife.....