His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Eight: Alexios

    As I kissed her at the church with my family and loved ones in the audience I felt a jolt of pride and affection. This woman was my wife, even if I didnt know her. I dipped her backward and held her carefully in my arm.
     A few moments passed and I felt her flinch. How could she be so used to the touch of other men, yet cower at mine? I pulled her back to her feet.
    "Is there a problem?" I spat out.
    "N-no," she replied almost fearfully. Was she afraid of me? I looked back at her, but her expression had hardened.
    "Let's go," I said leading her down the aisle and out to the limo with our bridal party in tow. Clarissa jumped in and sat beside her sister, leaving me no room to sit beside them in the narrow seat.
    I shrugged and sat with my groomsmen. I watched Clarissa tell Tabitha an animated story, excitement lighting up her eyes. Tabitha looked down at her sister lovingly and stroked her hair as she spoke. How could she be so cold one moment and so warm the next. My new wife was certainly an enigma.
    We arrived at the park and Clarissa jumped out of the limo at her first chance. Tabitha chased after her, laughing as she ran through the snow. Her laugh was angelic, I wished I could bottle it up for myself.
    We took a couple of quick pictures by the gazebo. I stepped forward to review them with the photographer before proceeding to the next spot. I looked up to see Tabitha running up to Clarissa.
      She grabbed Clarissa by the arms and spun her around as snow fell down around them, the lit gazebo and lake making the perfect backdrop. I leaned over to the photographer and requested he take pictures of the two, dressed for a wedding, playing in the snow. He smiled and complied.
      "Tabby Cat! Look!" Clarissa yelled ad Tabitha set her back on her feet. She picked up a clump of snow in her small gloved fingers and threw it at Tabitha.
      Tabitha launched again and threw one back at Clarissa, careful to get her coat and not her dress that dangled below. As I looked at Tabitha, swirling in the snow in her gown, I realized she hadn't worn a coat. Quickly I ducked back into the limo to search for one, but she didn't have one.
      I stepped back out just in time to see a snowball coming right for me. It hit my coat and I heard Clarissa giggle as Tabitha's eyes grew wide and she cringed. Why was she always doing that? I picked up a ball of snow and hurled it back at Clarissa making her giggle.
      Before long we had our pictures taken (the set of formal photos, and those of us playing in the snow) and left for the reception.  I sat next to Tabitha this time, Clarissa rested, asleep on her lap.
    "Where is your coat? You're freezing," I asked, brushing against her shoulder making her jump.
    "I don't have one, it's okay. I like the cold," she spoke. "I'm glad Clarissa had hers though." She stroked her sister's hair lovingly and hummed a soft song to her. This hour and a half drive made the perfect nap for Clarissa, and gave me the perfect opportunity to speak to my new wife.