Galina Ivanov was now truly without any family. Her grandmother, Zoya Erin, had just passed away and when Galina received a registered letter summoning her to a lawyer's office downtown Boston, she couldn't imagine why until the reading of her will...
For the first time in his life, Ilia felt nervous. He was standing in the front of the chapel with Max and the priest waiting on Galina and Tori.
Just then, he heard the door and his waiting was over. He watched a very beautiful Tori walking up the aisle, smiling, briefly at him and then her gaze turned towards his second, Maxim. He was truly happy for them, now knowing what he did regarding love.
A few moments later, his breath hitched as he watched Galina glide up the aisle looking absolutely stunning, taking his breath away.
Her smile lit up the entire chapel as she found her way to him. Ilia had just chosen his standard black Armani suit, white dress shirt and black tie and he looked mysteriously handsome.
"Wow, detka" he breathed. "You are one beautiful woman, Galina" he whispered. Blushing, she told him that he looked devastatingly handsome and that she was ready to marry him. Handing her bouquet to Tori, they were ready.
The priest looked at them both, smiling, and asked Ilia if he was ready to say his vows to Galina. He nodded, turned to her and taking both her hands in his, he began.
"Galina, the first time I met you, I knew there was something about you. Something that I'd never seen in anyone else before and that was purity and honesty. You were so innocent and beautiful and for whatever reason, I felt an immediate need to care for you the rest of your life.
You are everything a man wants in a woman. Beautiful, smart, sexy, funny, compassionate, kind, feisty and passionate. I have experienced things I never knew were real and I know that it's because of you.
I promise, with all of my heart, that I will be yours and only yours. I will be there for you through good times and bad. I promise to love you no matter what and whether we have enough money to last a lifetime and beyond or whether we are poor tomorrow, I know that I am rich in love because of you and that's all I need."
Galina's eyes shimmered with tears at his wonderful words. The priest now turned to Galina, saying it was her turn. She exhaled and began.
"Ilia, you had my heart the first time I met you. You were dark and mysteriously handsome and I felt myself drawn to you. I knew I wanted you in my life, the problem was convincing you." Everyone chuckled at that last part as Galina continued.
"All joking aside, you were there for me when I needed you. You have been my hero and protector and now you are going to be my husband and I can't tell you how full my heart feels right now.
My heart and body belong only to you, for now and always. I will be here for you through good times and bad, when you feel you have no where to turn, I will always have time for you. Whether we are rich or poor, it doesn't matter. Today I am showing you that by taking your ring and name, that there is no one else for me. You are it."
Ilia bathed in her words, as they made him feel, like so many times before, like he was worthy of her and her love. Love that she was giving to him freely and no matter what, he would live the rest of his days being worthy of her.
Now it was time for the rings. As they both listened to the priest's words, they were caught up in looking at each other so much that the priest had to clear his throat. Everyone laughed as Ilia took Galina's hand and repeated the ring vow.
He then slipped on the most beautiful, delicate diamond band she'd ever seen and raising her hand to his lips, he sealed his vow with a kiss.
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Now it was Galina's turn. Taking Ilia's hand in hers, she repeated the ring vow and taking his ring from her index finger, she slipped it on and it fit him perfectly. She looked over at Tori and mouthed thank you because she had known the exact size for his ring.
"By my powers in the sight of God Almighty, your friends and our country, I now pronounce you man and wife. Mr. Savin, you may kiss your wife now" the priest said smiling.
Ilia took Galina's face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. Forgetting that anyone else was around, they lost each other in their kisses before finally stepping back.
The couple received a handshake from the priest and hugs from Tori and Maxim before they started their walk back down the aisle.
The photographer had captured everything inside the chapel and he got some great pictures outside before finishing up and handing Ilia a business card with his number on it.
Looking down at a radiant Galina, Ilia asked her if she was ready to leave. Nodding her head yes, he squeezed her hand as they continued up the path back to the house, followed by Maxim and Tori.
Their bags were already packed and neither one bothered changing, saying they could just do it at the cottage, so hugging Tori once more, Galina got into the car as Ilia went around to the driver's side.
Before getting in, he told Maxim that it was the same protocol as before and unless it was a matter of life and death, he was not to be interrupted. Maxim nodded and after kissing Tori goodbye, he, Erik and Yuri, climbed into the SUV and prepared to follow Ilia's BMW to the cottage.
"Are you happy, my sweet?" Ilia asked, kissing her hand. "You have no idea" was her perfect answer. "And you, my darling?" she asked. Ilia leaned over and kissed her cheek, giving her the answer she wanted.
They drove in a warm silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts but it was okay. They had the rest of their lives to talk about anything and everything.
He was looking forward to taking his wife to bed and wondered if sex with her would feel differently now that they were married.
Pulling into the entrance to the drive, Ilia noticed Galina getting excited as they came closer to the cottage. When they pulled in front of the house, Ilia told her to stay put as he got out and came around to her side.
Opening the door for her, he never let go of her hand as they approached the front door. Pushing it open, he swooped down and picked her up bridal style and carried her over the threshold.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Savin" he said softly. "I love you, my husband" she said, her mouth hovering above his lips.
Ilia carried her to the bedroom and closing the door with his foot, he placed her lovingly in the middle of the bed and climbed on top of her.
"Make love to me, Ilia" Galina begged softly. That he could do, as he pulled her to her feet and slowly began to undress her.
