"The Tower Of Babel..."

Chapter 64... Promise.

The wind blew gently. There was a hushed excitement in the air. Drones flew all over the place, recording, observing. People looking out of their windows watched, curious as to what the occassion was all about.

The music from the string quartet began, and the choir started to sing...

"Share my life, take me for what I am, 'cause I'll never change... all my colors for you."

The white swan shaped gondola started to move. The gondolier in a white and red striped shirt, with black trousers, and red berret, used the pole to steer us closer to the stage where a fountain with little angels awaited.

I stood proudly in an all white suit with a chinese collar. The cut and style was feminine, but formal and chic. My pants were of the softest chiffon, white in color, and it flapped freely, billowing in the gentle breeze. My mother held my bouquet of blue and white forget-me-nots, she stood behind me, regal in stature as always.

"Take my love, I'll never ask for too much, just all that you are... and everything that you do."

The gondola of the same color and shape carrying Tower with Midas behind him, started to move forward as well. He was dashing in an all white Armani suit that made him look taller and handsome, if that were even possible.

The canal was littered with red and white rose petals. The sun shone brightly on Venice, as if celebrating our wedding with warm rays, and soothing wind.

The choir was silent, and only the violins played softly in the background as both gondolas converged at the foot of the circular stage at the same time.

I stepped on the pristine white marble stage as Tower held his hand out to support me. We stood on opposite sides of the female pastor who would officiate our vows.

Midas in a black Lagerfeld suit helped my mom in a black Dior gown on to the stage, as the music died down to a hushed silence.

"Love knows no boundaries. It transcends time. Encompasses life. Defies logic. And laughs at obstacles. It is not limited by gender, appearance, age, or status. Love can never be caged, for it is as impalpable as the wind, yet unfathomably mesmerizing as a full spectrum of colors." The pastor began.

"Today dearly beloved, we bear witness, to the Tower of Babel's union. One heart. One mind. One life. One soul. A promise to cherish each other. And a vow to love one another, in this lifetime... 'till the next.

"Is there anyone here present who has valid reason to stop this union? Let them air their concern now, or forever be silent." The pastor paused, waiting for anyone to answer.

"No one. We didn't give them plane tickets!" Lyle shouted from somewhere, and a hushed laughter was heard.

"Very well then. Let us proceed." The pastor hands tower a red heart shaped pillow, two rings tied by a single white ribbon.

Tower turned to me, reaching for my left hand he looks deeply into my eyes.

"I must have loved you a thousand years, and not realized it. That's how long I feel I could love you from this day onwards. No amount of time could measure what I feel for you. And no lifetime will ever be enough, for me to keep proving my love for you.

"I saw you for the first time at Syntax, not knowing I'd share my life, and my future with you. You hid your true self so well that you were able to dim your radiance from me, and everyone else. It took me awhile to discover your generosity, your warmth, your kindness. Slowly, you opened my eyes to your beauty. And I was forever captured... and I don't ever want to be set free.

"In a life based on lies and anger, you have become my truth, my peace, my strength. Today, as everyone important to us watches... I, Michael Angelo Torre, bind myself to you... my beloved Babel."

The ring shimmered in the morning rays, it threw off little prisms of color on our fingers. His hands slightly shook as he placed the ring on my finger, then raised it to his lips to kiss it.

The pastor then turns to me, the same heart-shaped pillow now extended to me.

"I have always fought. To be heard. To be seen. To be loved. People often told me I wasn't important, and that I wasn't enough. That changed... the day you loved me.

"I began to see my worth, my value, my abilities reflected in your eyes. I was suddenly aware of how strong and brave I could be. Beside you, I had nothing to fear. With you, I was stronger than I could ever be. Your strength carried me, as your love claimed me.

"Everything I am, and will become is yours. I commit myself to your every need. I will nurture and protect you. My life will be spent, to love only you. I will cease to exist without you.

"Today I bind myself to your love, your life, and your goals. I have your heart, as you have mine. I promise to be yours in this lifetime, and forever. You are my life, and you are my love. You will forever be... my beloved Tower."

I untied Tower's ring, and returned the pillow to the pastor. Taking Tower's cold hand, I placed the ring on his finger as I looked into his eyes. I silently mouthed I love you to him, and he did the same to me with a dazzling smile.

"Marriage is not a business proposal. And yet, it is a partnership. It is a give and take situation. A profitable union where both parties become better persons together, than if they were on their own. May your union be blessed with happiness, love, and contentment. May your marriage be a shining example to others that true love is not a fantasy, but an attainable reality. May your love spill over to the people around you, enriching their lives as you both transform each other into a better version of what you both are today.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Michael Angelo Torre, and Babel Ambriel Sonnet... husbands. You may now kiss each other." The pastor smiled at us.

"I have nothing, nothing, nothing... if I don't have you." The choir sang, their voices a beautiful melody as the pastor stepped back to give us everyone's undivided attention.

"You're mine! Finally. Forever." Tower said, eyes starting to mist.

"I am." I smiled. I felt his shaky hands on either side of my face as he languidly kissed my forehead, my nose, and then... my lips.

His tongue parted my lips, devouring, impatient. I held on to his shoulders for balance, as I felt his arms wind themselves around me. The kiss dragged on, as whistles and cheers surrounded us. We finally parted, and I turned to hug my mom as Tower hugged Midas. Then we exchanged and Tower hugged my mom, before reluctantly letting me give a quick hug to Midas.

The guests carried by gondolas released white and red balloons, as Tower laughed happily beside me, his face more handsome than I've ever remembered it to be.

"You're mine. I am yours. We are... complete." He kissed my ring with a hint of mischief in his eyes. His smile never once waning. As his words carried the seriousness of... a promise.