Chapter :32 I Do
"Excuse me, sir," Luke voiced, his tone dripping with determination, "any chance we could get hitched right here, right now?"
With a look of sheer empathy, the minister studied us, his lips pulling into a gentle grin.
"Ah, the irresistible pull of young love," he chuckled with a tender resonance. "Absolutely, it would be my privilege to unite you two in matrimony."
Luke and I locked eyes, my heart buzzing with a cocktail of exhilaration and incredulity. This was actually happening. Here we were, tying the knot on this surreal stretch of Brazilian shoreline.
The minister seemed to intuitively pick up on our silent queries. "Concerned about the formal paperwork? Let's not sweat the small stuff. You can pick up your marriage credentials later. The ceremony is what truly matters now."
Luke's grin broadened, lighting up his face. "We're incredibly grateful, sir. You're making this moment perfect for us."
The minister's eyes glinted, shimmering like the nearby ocean. "Love is the ultimate magic, isn't it? But before we move forward, have you two secured your wedding bands?"
I gave a slight shake of my head, a blend of shyness and delight bubbling up. "We haven't gotten that far yet in our planning."
Undeterred, the minister's smile remained as a beacon of comfort. "No biggie. Just down the road, there's a charming jewelry boutique. Get your rings and then we'll pick up right where we left off."
Feeling like characters in a fairy tale, Luke and I dashed across the street. The evening air, now cooler, heightened the sense of urgency vibrating between us.
Once inside the jewelry haven, our eyes were magnetically drawn to the assortment of rings. A warm flutter surged through me, recognizing the gravity of the choice we were about to make.
Luke's fingers grazed a band that was both unpretentious and classy. He looked at me, his eyes filled with a hopeful expectancy. "Does this ring speak to you, Emily?"
Examining the ring, a spontaneous smile blossomed on my lips. "It's spot-on. It's us, straightforward yet abundant in significance."
Rings now acquired, we practically flew back to the awaiting minister. His face brightened as he saw us, clearly pleased by our speedy return.
"You've returned with the circles of commitment," he mused, his tone tinged with playful levity. "Ready to keep this love train moving?"
As Luke and I locked eyes, our gazes danced with a blend of nervous anticipation and excitement. Taking a grounding breath, I returned my focus to the minister. "Let's make this official. We're getting married, here and now."
The minister's grin morphed into a smile of shear warmth, his eyes practically beaming. "Very well, position yourselves face-to-face and join hands."
As we took our places, a brief yet emotionally-charged glance was exchanged between Luke and me. His grip on my hand was both comforting and steadying, filling me with a sense of assurance.
The minister commenced, his utterances steeped in solemnity and wisdom. "Matrimony is a revered contract, a partnership of two souls willing to navigate the highs and lows of life in unison."
Luke's thumb lightly swept across my knuckles, a grounding touch amidst the whirlwind of emotions. Our fingers laced together, sealing an unspoken pact.
The minister carried on, his words imbued with the energy of the emotion-laden atmosphere. "Emily and Luke, as you stand against this captivating backdrop—this beach, beneath the sprawling sky and enveloped by the elements—understand that your love mirrors the grandeur and equilibrium of the universe."
Luke's gaze remained unflinchingly locked with mine, his eyes conveying a story of devotion, of dreams for our future, and the adventure we were initiating.
The minister softened his voice as he directed the vows towards us. "Emily, do you vow to make Luke your forever partner in crime, to stand by him, loving and supporting him for all your days?"
Caught in Luke's gaze, my heart raced as I affirmed, "I do," my words rich with certainty.
The minister shifted his attention to Luke, who exuded a demeanor of unwavering dedication. "And Luke, will you have Emily as your partner, committing to love and stand beside her, come what may?"
Luke's grasp tightened around mine, his response clear and resounding. "I do."
With a heartwarming grin, the minister sealed the deal. "In the presence of the universe as your witness, and by the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
As his pronouncement settled over us, a tranquility washed over me, countering the enormity of what we'd just done. It was monumental, yet felt so, so right.
"With all formalities aside, you may now share a kiss to seal this pact," the minister suggested, a hint of whimsy flavoring his words.
A twinkle lighting up his eyes, Luke inclined toward me. Our lips met in a fusion of tenderness and fire, a perfect kiss that held the promise of countless more to come.

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BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE
RomanceIn the heart of a glittering metropolis, Emily, a brilliant software developer from Wisconsin, finds herself in a world of corporate intrigue and fiery passions. She clashes with Luke Walton, a billionaire CEO known for his short-lived romances and...