Even if the sky is falling down - A Volodymyr Zelenskyy fanfiction

Chapter 22 - With you, I have everything

I look in the mirror in front of me. I'm dressed in a kneelong white wedding dress with lace elements on my collarbone and shoulder region. My hair are pinned up and there's a yellow flower in my hair. The bridal bouqet in my hands is mixed with blue and yellow flowers to symbolize the Ukrainian colours. 

Today, I'm going to marry the love of my life, the father of my unborn babies, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

I smile and touch my baby-bump. Giving birth to the twins is not far away any more, so it is about the time to finally become his wife. 

We haven't seen each other yet and we won't until we meet in front of the altar. That tradition was important for me. I'm totally excited how he will look in his wedding suit but I'm sure that it will fit him perfectly. 

"Anna?", my bridemaid asks for me. "It's time to make our way to the church!". We decided for the Pokrowska church in Kyiv because I like its architecture and orange color. And of course, it is safer to marry in the capital than anywhere else. Due to the war, it will be a short ceremony with only the most important elements of the church service. Because we both are not very religious, it's okay for us like that.

We didn't invite many people for the wedding because on the one hand not many people even know about our relationship and on the other hand we wanted to keep this day as private as possible. The guests include members of Volodymyr's family, the presidential team and our staff. I informed my family in Germany about my wedding but I didn't expect them to come to Ukraine. At least, Julia, my younger sister, came here secretly to be my bridemaid what makes me happy. 

My heart starts to beat fast when I get out of the car. Suddenly, I wish my father could be here to lead me to the altar and hands me over to Volodymyr. I realize that I miss my family. In fact, I've given my whole life up in Germany to be in Ukraine and live my dream, now with Volodymyr by my side. I don't regret it, but in such moments like this one, I wish I could at least have my family and some friends around me. 

"Hey, don't look sad. This should be the happiest day in your life!", Julia insists and pulls me back to the moment. "I know and I am happy. I thought about mum and dad and the others. Wish that they could be here with us", I answer honestly. "I know", Julia says. "But they are in your heart", she adds. "Let's go now. They are all waiting for you", she says and pushes me forward. 

When she opens the front door of the church, the organist starts to play music. Volodymyr even managed to organize a musician for the ceremony because he knows what music means to me. I take a deep breath and make my way alone through the long hallway of the church. As soon as I reach Volodymyr, he reaches for my hands and puts the bridal bouqet away. I notice that he wears a blue bow tie to his black suit that matches with the yellow flower in my hair and together also symbolize the Ukrainian colours. 

"You look beautiful", he whispers in my ear before we take a seat. For the next time, we listen carefully to the ongoing ceremony. Before it's time to speak the marriage vows, Volodymyr stands up and the pastor nods towards him. He also gives me a sign to stand up. I do and he takes my hands in his. He shakes a little. I have a little deja-vu to our engagement. I press his hands to make him feel less nervous. 

"Anna", he starts and manages to look me in the eyes. "I want to let you know that this means the world to me. That we can stand here - although the circumstances are not made for it. That we found love within the darkest time we and our country have to face. You're the light that brightens my day. You're the reason I fight and live for. You're the love of my life", he concludes. I feel tears build up in my eyes. I swallow to fight them back. When the pastor wants to go on with the ceremony, I also speak up. "Let me please also say something", I ask him. The pastor nods. "Dear Volodymyr, I'm not prepared for that, but I was never prepared for anything concerning you. So, I speak directly from my heart. Your love is the greatest present I could get in my life. The fact that we are together mattered to me from the very first day we met and now matters most in my life. Nothing will ever take me away from you. Even when the sky is falling down, like it does, I will be by your side. You can always count on me. I love you", I say. I can see that he is also caught in emotions.