ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON 15

Episode 68

In the quiet darkly lit and elegant chambers of Chief Judge Bernard Arnett's chambers were gathered four people for a very impromptu event.

The elderly judge in his crisp black robe over one of his well tailored dark suits and shined wingtips.

His court clerk Maurice Burns and Maurice's own wife of many years Betsy , the clerk of Bernard's grandson Richard Norland, who both stood discreetly by the brown leather sofa witnessing the event.

Ariel Kendall in an elegant streamlined cream white cocktail suit and low heeled matching pumps, her chestnut brown hair pulled upward in a very modern French twist style adorned with a simple white orchid. Around her neck was the pearl necklace gifted to her by Nicholas Volokouv himself.

And , the man in question, Nicholas Volkouv , stood directly by her side in an expensive well tailored black suit , silky emerald green shirt to match his thoughtfully pensive eyes and an equally matching tie.

Bernard was used to doing wedding ceremonies as a judge but not one so rushed in this particular manner. Although, he thought as he remembered his own hasty wedding to his dear Alice Rose whose beautiful face smiled back at him from a prominently displayed silver framed picture on his orderly desk, who exactly was he to judge? He looked at the couple before him and said firmly ," Do you, Nicholas Volkouv , take this woman, Ariel Kendall, to be your lawfully wedded wife , for better and for worse , forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer , for all the days of your life, till death do you part ? "

Nicholas glanced over at the beautiful smiling face of Ariel who was looking slightly pale as well. " I most definitely do take this woman as my wife. Ariel , I will treasure you all my days, and I will also consider your sons to be my own children. "

Ariel blinked her eyes at him as a sudden rush of tears flowed within them. She really did care for this man, she thought. But...... Her brown eyes reluctantly went over to the closed door to the room.

Bernard nodded swiftly and turned to Ariel , saying," And, do you, Ariel Kendall, take this man , Nicholas Volkouv , to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse , forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer , for all the days of your life, till death do you part ? "

Ariel looked at Nicholas. She saw not only him but the older more confident version of his middle born son. Maxim. Her heart suddenly throbbed with a sharp pain. Stop it , she mentally told herself. Stop it. This marriage would benefit herself and her sons. Nicholas was a good decent generous man. She did care for him very much. Max was all wrong for her. Too young, too married and he was Nicholas's son ! She and Max never should have been together anyway. And , they were done now.

She whispered softly," I do. I will do my level best to make you as happy as your other wives did , Nicholas. "

Nicholas smiled at her lovingly. And , she smiled back at him.

" Then ," Bernard intoned solemnly," with the power , honor and privilege invoked upon me by the state of Maryland and in the presence of these two witnesses, Maurice and Betsy , I now pronounce you, Nicholas Volkouv , and, you , Ariel Kendall, to be now husband and wife. You may, Nicholas, now kiss your bride."

Nicholas laughed. " Oh , I cannot wait. "

He leaned forward and claimed his new wife's waiting lips in a soft tender kiss as her  quiet brown eyes drifted shut slowly. In her mind she imagined kissing Max.

Then the door swiftly opened and in came striding Maxim Volkouv who came to a sudden brisk halt at the sight of his father kissing the woman he loved.