The Don And His Flower

58

"I acknowledge the couple before me. Who have given their consent to be married. To face the struggles and blessings for what the past and future has set for them, together. What HE joins together, let no one asunder. Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony. Valis Kholodov, your vows."

The night air gave a soft breeze, Imani's heart thumping as she felt his hands squeeze hers, easing both of their skyrocketed nerves only slightly. "Imani Milton," he sighed, trembling lips to her fingers as he pecked them softly.

"There are only such few words that can be said..but none of it can actually measure or compare to how I feel for you. Moy prekrasnyy tsvetok, ya lyublyu tebya."
My beautiful flower, I love you.

"For the sixteen years we have grown together. From young teenagers to now, in our adulthood. You've done nothing but bless my life with your existence, you've given me a reason. You, Imani Milton. You are my reason. For living, for dying. For waking up in the morning, for sleeping at night. To make it another day of living. Imani, I thank you. For making me strive to be the best man you deserve. I thank you for laughing with me, for crying with me, and growing with me."

She nodded, feeling his lips on her fingertips once again. Her tears felt nonstop as she felt his hand on her face, thumb pad wiping them away.

"Valis-" he kissed her knuckles. Tears falling from his eyes as he confessed the small, scratched surface of his feelings for the woman. "Without you, Imani Milton. I am not me. I am not my best self. Not even my sane self without having you in my heart, mind, and soul. I thank you, for blessing me with four beautiful souls that we call our children. I thank you for the ones you've given me now and the ones you may give me in the future."

It was too much.

Her heart couldn't take his words, his commitment to her. Imani whimpered softly; eyes glossy as she listened to her Valis Kholodov.

"For this, Imani Milton. I will give you my second oath. I, Valis Kholodov, take you, Imani Milton. Not just to be my wife or partner. But to be my soulmate, my one and only true love. I will love you today, tomorrow and forever. Through sickness and health. Through the best and worst of what we have together, I hope to experience it all with you. As you have given me so much of you that I don't deserve, the least I can do is give you my life to keep. From this day and forevermore, not even death do us part, my tsvetok."
Flower.

There was silence.

Nothing but silence as Imani tried to compose herself, trying to regain her breathing. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips against his as she failed to express how much those words had stained her heart.

The man in front of them nodded slowly, a huge inhale of his own as he stood with hidden shock at his Don. Looking at Imani, he gestured his hand to her. "Imani, if you may."

Imani nodded, remembering such words in her heart. She didn't need a paper or anything, not when she practiced her vows to the man since they've had their first kiss. Since he confessed his love to her, under their willow tree.

"Valis, I love you." She breathed, fingers wiping away his tears as she blinked away some of her own. "I stand before you with no reservations. Choosing to spend the entirety of forever with a man who has my utmost respect and love. In mind and spirit, I long to grow with you, with our children as witnesses to our love. To see firsthand, what happiness and love looks like. Every waking morning, you are the first I love to see. Every night, you are the last I love to hold. You my dearest husband," she took a breath, letting her words swarm around him as his did to her. "Are my other half. In such rarity. In the rawest and purest form, you are my life. To hold and keep safe forever, my knight in shining armor that saves me when I'm lost."