For Worse or for Better

Everything was going to plan, until it wasn't. All that was needed to cause a cascade of chaos was the security guard on the pier turning around to flick his cigarette into the Mediterranean Sea at the worst possible moment; just as 47 emptied the vial of poison into the target's unattended glass of wine.

Diana had to act fast, to give 47 as much time as possible before the guard reached his position at the graveyard. "47, you're compromised. You need to get away from there."

He'd disappeared in the church before she finished talking, and she made her way through the crowd as quickly as she could without raising suspicion. A few heads turned as she hurried past them, her white sundress flowing behind her.

She slipped through the heavy front doors, surrounded by darkness and cool air in an instant. The contrast to the warm and bright summer evening was intense enough to make her shiver.

"There you are!"

Diana turned around with a start.

"I'm sorry, signora, I didn't mean to spook you." Father Francesco approached her with his arms open and a wide smile on his kind face. "I was getting worried you wouldn't show up."

This wasn't the right moment to ask for explanations. Diana needed to dispose of the poisoned wine glass before the security guard could inspect it or collect the evidence.

Father Francesco didn't seem to want to leave her side, though. He led her down the aisle, past rows and rows of empty church benches, until they reached a bench right in front of the altar, where a man was sitting, slouched forwards on his elbows, his head buried in his hands.

Diana recognised him immediately.

"She's here now." Father Francesco addressed 47, who raised his head and stared first at the priest, and then at her.

Diana didn't understand what he was talking about, but she decided to play along, offering 47 an encouraging smile that was hopefully appropriate for whatever situation the priest thought this was.

Father Francesco turned to her. "Shall we begin, or do you need a few moments to yourselves?"

"We're good, thank you," she said with an insecure sideways glance at 47, who now rose from his bench to stand next to her.

"Very well." He smiled fatherly before gesturing for them to stand in front of the altar. "We'll keep this informal, just as you requested when you contacted me about your predicament." He turned to 47. "I trust you have prepared your vows?"

47 hesitated for a moment, before he nodded and took her hands in his. "Diana... you know me better than anyone else in this world, and somehow you still manage to love me. You are my only friend, and the one person I cannon live without. Even today, there is still a part of me that cannot believe that I'm the one who gets to marry you."

Her surprised face could've given everything away, had it not been for the security guard to storm the church through the side door. Father Francesco turned towards the source of distraction, scolding the guard for interrupting the wedding.

"We don't have to follow through," 47 whispered while the priest wasn't paying attention to them. "You can say you've changed your mind and run away."

"I can handle this," she whispered, just before the priest returned his attention to them.

47 squeezed her hand.

She couldn't possibly address him with his real name, but she also didn't want to use his alias; it would've been wrong. "My love, as I look into your eyes, I am overcome with gratitude for having you in my life. I promise to always be here for you, to support you through the highs and the lows, to be your guiding light, and to never let go of your hand."

"I forgot the rings," 47 whispered.

"Worry not, my son, you can exchange the rings at home." Father Francesco smiled, a hint of tears in his eyes. "I pronounce that you are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Diana half sobbed, half laughed when 47 leaned in and gently cupped her face, hesitating. It was her who closed the distance between their lips. What she had planned to be a quick peck lasted longer and was filled with real emotion. Her heartbeat quickened, and from the wild look in his eyes she knew that he felt the same.