A man holding a book stood ahead. His polite demeanor settled Kate's nerves.
"Bonjour. I am Monsieur Chappel. It is a pleasure to meet you both. You are Mr. Stanger?"
Kate loved the heavy French accent.
"Yes, this is my wife to be, Kate."
Kate shook Mr. Chappel's hand.
"Well, let us get started. Is there a certain space in which you would like to stand?"
"I have no preference," Kate replied. Bruce took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
Mr. Chappel began there ceremony.
"The joining of two people in love is such a beautiful thing. Love is something that is not found by all, so when one finds it, he or she should make sure that they protect it at all costs. To know that you are loved by someone is the most precious gift in the world.
"Here, in Paris, the City of Love, we bring together two amazing people who confess that each has found love in one another. What a wonderful lot in life to know that you have one another. Please remember this time of love and of joy and happiness when times get hard. Remember that you pledged to love one another and keep one another first at all times. Remind yourselves of this day. The day the two of you took your vows to be together forever, until death do you part."
Mr. Chappel turned to Bruce. "Bruce, would you like to say a few words to your bride?"
"I would."
Bruce took Kate by the hand.
"Kate, from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one. You were the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, I find your faith and your ability to love and let me love you amazing. You are everything I want in a woman, loving and exasperating."
Kate could not help but laugh as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.
"You have made me the happiest man on earth, allowing me to share my love and my life with you. I know it has only been about a year we have been together, and some may say we are moving too quickly, but all I know is that we are meant to be together. We are meant to be with one another. I could not see my life any other way, and I hope I can be the man that you need in your life. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together and I pray our lives will be spent as an adventure exploring each other and life together."
Mr. Chappel looked to Kate. "Kate. If you want to say a few words?"
She tried to catch her breath, but through the tears, she could barely speak.
"Oh wow, I did not think I would get this emotional. And I did not have anything so eloquent prepared."
She took a moment to breathe and then spoke.
"Bruce, you have come along and turned my life completely upside down. I was in no way prepared to be in this space in my life. You know that. But you have taught me that I have to trust the process. I have to trust that I have within me what is needed to make things work. I had an idea of what love would be when I found it, but you have made me change my mind about all that I thought that love would be.
"Love to me was this foreign concept that was almost unattainable. I had no idea what to expect when I found it, so I did not really look for it. And then you came along. A man that did not look anything like what I expected for myself. And you turned out to be all that I needed. I appreciate the fact that you are honest with me, and help me to be the best Kate possible. And besides all of that, you have given me the greatest gift of all. You have convinced me to really step out and live life in a manner in which I had never expected. I am proud to say I love you and I am so happy you have been patient enough with me to let our love grow and blossom. I am so happy to become your wife."
As the words came out of her mouth, Kate fell more and more in love with Bruce. The two of them did not take their eyes off of one another.
"Now for the vows. Bruce, do you have the rings?" Mr. Chappel asked.
Kate had not even thought of the rings, she had been so wrapped up in the moment of the proposal she had not thought of the rings. She took the brief pause in the ceremony to use the tissue in her hand to dab at the tears in her eyes.
Bruce produced the rings from his pocket. His smile let her know that they were doing the right thing.
"Bruce, do you take this woman, Kate, to be your wife. To protect, to love, to cherish and adore, for all of your days?"
Sliding the ring on her finger, Bruce replied, "I do."
Mr. Chappel turned to Kate.
"Kate, do you take this man, Bruce, to be your husband. To love, to cherish, to hold for all of your days?"
Kate slid the ring on Bruce's finger. "I do."
"Then it is my pleasure, with the power vested in me, to pronounce you man and wife. Bruce, you may salute your bride."
Bruce wasted no time planting a huge kiss on his bride. Kate giggled as he picked her up in his arms and twirled her around. Once her feet hit the ground, it came to both of their attention that an audience had formed when the people around them began clapping and whistling and snapping pictures with their phones.
They both shook hands with their audience, Kate accepting hugs and well wishes from those standing around her. Some of the people offered to send them the pictures from their cell phones as mementos of the joyous occasion. After thanking Mr. Chappel and signing some paperwork to make the nuptials official, Bruce took Kate by the hand.
"We have one more thing that we need to do."
Kate was not sure what else they possibly needed to do on today except for continue to celebrate.
Bruce led her to the car, holding the door open for her to get in. He walked around to the other side and jumped in himself.
"Where now?" Kate was so giddy with excitement, it did not really matter where they were going, as long as she was with Bruce.
"I think you will like this."
As they watched the scenery pass by, Kate could not believe all that had just happened.
"Did I really just become Mrs. Stanger?"
"You did." The two of them burst out laughing.
"This is so crazy. A few months ago, I would have never thought I was the type to be whisked away on an impromptu vacation where I would get married."
Kate shook her head in disbelief.
"Are you happy, Kate? I mean, are you truly happy?"
"Bruce, I could not be happier."
"Good. Now, to mark our marriage with something tangible. Ah, here we are."
The chauffeur stopped the car and Bruce hopped out. Running around to her side, he let her out.
"What are we doing?"
"I saw this on television and I thought, what better way to end our ceremony."
They approached a bridge overlooking a canal and that bridge was flanked with two railings. Those railings were filled with padlocks.
"The legend goes that you sign your names on the padlocks, chose a space, lock it on the railing, and throw away the key in the water. How about it?"
"Let's do it."
Kate was practically running to the bridge. Bruce followed behind her, pulling a small bag out of his pocket. In the bag were a padlock and a permanent marker.
"I thought that this would be the perfect way to introduce us to the world as Mr. and Mrs. Stanger."
"Bruce, this is a wonderful idea."
He passed her the lock and the marker. "You do the honors."
She held them both in her hands, trying to think of something specific to write. Then it came to mind that she should make it simple. Once she wrote the message, she turned the lock around to show Bruce for his approval.
"I love it," he replied.
Kate Stanger ♥ Bruce Stanger
She thought that it was fitting. Bruce clicked the padlock closed and gave Kate the key.
According to the ceremony, she tossed the key into the water. Below, a couple in a gondola waved at them. Everyone seemed so happy and content and Kate could honestly say that she found her own happiness as well.
She turned to Bruce and leaned in to his open arm
s. "So does this mean that you are stuck with me for life?"
"Hmm. Something like that. But it also means that you have to have me for the rest of your life too."
He leaned in for a passionate kiss. "What do you think about that?" he asked after they both came up for air.
"I guess I will just have to deal with it," she replied jokingly.
Bruce took her by the hand. "What do you say we go back to the villa and eat one of those meals prepared by the world renowned, gourmet chef that is there and then we go to bed? I don't know about you, but all this excitement for the day has got me exhausted."
"I would say, I agree. Let's go. But I hope you aren't too exhausted to participate in your honeymoon."
"A woman after my own heart." He squeezed her hand as they strolled back to the car.
As they rode back to the villa, Kate tried to make sense of all that had happened. The only conclusion she could come to was that trusting in love had made her a very happy woman.
Having Bruce in her life was more than what she bargained for. Not only was he her protector and her lover, but he was her friend. He had gone through so much to make sure she knew he loved her and she was loved. From the many small gifts that were tokens of his love, to the impromptu trips and just simply being by her side.
Her mother was right. Trusting in love was the best thing she had done thus far. Trusting Bruce was the man for her and allowing him to love her had changed her entire perspective on being in love.
"A penny for your thoughts." Bruce said, interrupting her thinking.
"I was just thinking how lucky the both of us are. How we were not only lucky enough to find one another, but we were lucky enough to fall in love and be the right fit for one another. There are so many people who never find love. So many people who don't get the opportunity to know what it is like to have someone honor and protect them and adore them. Life has been so great, I'm just wondering what I did to deserve so much good fortune."
Bruce shook his head. "I don't know the answer to that. All I do know is you must have been good to someone, because karma makes sure that it repays you with good. But you think that you are the lucky one, what about a man like me? A beautiful, intelligent woman who finds me attractive? I am the one who hit the jackpot."
Bruce wiped the tears that streamed from her eyes. "Just know that from now on, I am here with you, and as long as you are here with me, there is nothing that we can't conquer. We are a team. Maybe like one of those power couples or something."
Leave it to Bruce to make her laugh. "A power couple? You think?"
"Hey, I believe in us. We could do it."
"Bruce Stanger, you make me believe that I can do anything."
Chapter 6
The next few days in Paris were a dream. Late nights out on the town, spending the mornings in bed, making love to her husband. Kate loved the fact that she now woke up every morning as Mrs. Bruce Stanger. It was a wonderful feeling.
The happy couple eventually returned to normal life. It was not the easiest thing to do, but they knew they could not spend the rest of their life on a honeymoon.
At first, Kate was a bit unsettled about the fact that she would have to tell her parents and her entire family that she eloped. She had no idea what they were going to think. Would they feel left out or disappointed? Even though Kate never spent her time combing through wedding and bridal magazines, she knew her mother always wanted to be the star of the show and coordinate an all out social affair for her daughter's nuptials.
Kate and Bruce had not completely discussed what they were going to do in reference to any ceremony now that they were back in the states. But they were going to have to share with their families that they had gotten married. Somehow she thought that Bruce's parents would take it much better than her own would.
As soon as she awoke in the morning, she called to check in with the ladies at the boutique.
"Look who made it back in one piece," Linda joked.
Kate sighed, still basking in the glory. "Yes. Paris was amazing."
"Paris is always amazing," Linda replied.
"True. How are things at the boutique? I will be in as soon as I'm dressed."
"Everything is wonderful. But your schedule for your personal clients does not start for another two days. Bruce made it clear that he wanted to whisk you away."
"Linda, when I say that Paris was amazing, it truly was."
"Well, are you going to tell me or what? I was kind of hoping you would call me screaming in the phone that the two of you had run off and gotten married."
Kate got quiet. Had Linda already known Bruce's plans?
"What if we did?"
Linda laughed. "I would tell you that it is about time."
"We got married." Kate just blurted out the words.
"Finally!" Linda exclaimed.
"You say that like it took us a million years to do it."
Kate could here Linda clapping her hands. "No, but I know you. It would have taken you forever to get to the point of even discussing marriage seriously with the man if he had not whisked you away. Now, I need full details."
"That is not something I will do over the phone. It's more of a lunch kind of conversation."
"Hmm, very true."
"As a matter of fact, I have an idea. I will give you a call a little later. Oh, and keep my schedule clear for those next few days. I will be back to work on Friday."
"Alright. Call me later."
An idea had popped in to Kate's mind. Maybe the correct way to do things would be to gather all of their friends and family together for a dinner party and then they could announce the fact that they had gotten married.
She called Bruce into the bedroom where she had been sitting in the bed with her laptop, reading emails.
He appeared in the doorway, drinking a glass of beer.
"What's on your mind?"
"I was thinking. Maybe we should have a dinner party with all of our family and friends to let them know we have gotten married. What do you think?"
Bruce stood casually in the doorway. Since they returned to the states, they had been staying at her condo. Bruce had suggested they both start thinking about finding a place together. She agreed.
"Good idea. Let's get it together. Tomorrow night. But let's start with the parents first. They may need a little time to process alone before we start adding friends to the mix."
"You have a good point. But I was thinking this weekend for the dinner."
Bruce turned the entire beer mug upside down, obviously drinking the rest of the liquid.
"Why wait? It's just our parents here with us on a weekday night. Besides, I don't want to wait to tell them. I want to let the world know that you are Mrs. Stanger."
The more Kate thought about it, the better it sounded. Bruce stood there, eyebrow raised, waiting for her answer.
"Fine. I'll make a few phone calls tonight and get everybody here, say seven o'clock?"
Bruce nodded. "Yes. That is perfect." He disappeared from the doorway, only to reappear and peek his head back in. "And just so you know, I'll cook."
Kate threw a pillow at his head as he laughed. There was no way that she would try to cook for other people. It would be total insanity and ending up in the emergency room just did not seem like the way to end a celebratory night.
Her first phone call was to Bruce's parents.
"It's so good to hear from you, Kate. How is everything?" Mrs. Stanger asked.
"Absolutely wonderful. I hope the same for you."
"Yes. We are getting along very well. I hope that the two of you will come out to the ranch soon and visit."
"Actually, that's why I was calling. Bruce and I thought that it was time to get our parents together to meet. We are having dinner together at my condo tomorrow night around seven."
"That sounds wonderful dear. You can expect to see us there. What can we bring?"
"Nothing. Bruce and I are taking care of the dinner and dessert.
We are just happy that you will be there. We will see you tomorrow."
They ended the call and Kate immediately called her own parents.
"My sweetheart. How was your trip?" To hear her mother's voice was comforting.
"It was amazing. I feel like I could live in Paris full time."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself dear," her mother chuckled.
"Well, I called because I wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Actually, Bruce and I are inviting you and dad to dinner. We thought that it would be a good idea to get our parents to meet."
"Oh my goodness. Is there something special that the two of you want to discuss with us?"
Kate smiled. "We have a little something to share, but we really want all of you to meet first. It's about time anyway. Bruce and I have been dating over a year."
"Alright. Well, count me and your father in. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Perfect. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetie."
Kate jumped out of bed and went to find Bruce. He was exactly where she thought he would be. Watching a bull ride on the sports network, relaxing on the couch with a beer.
"So everything is set. The invites have been sent out and accepted. My parents and your parents will both be here tomorrow at seven. Now, we have to figure out what is on the menu."
"I was thinking, cooked food."
"Bruce!" Kate exclaimed. He was not taking this as seriously as she wanted him to. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes again.
"Okay, fine. I will step back off of the menu. It's not like I'm cooking anyway."
"Exactly." Bruce gave her a thumbs up and turned his attention back to the television program he was watching.
Kate shook her head and walked back out of the room. It was no use in trying to talk with him about the menu or stressing over the outcome of the dinner. Their parents would think what they wanted and feel whatever they felt about the fact that she and Bruce eloped.
Besides, what was done was done. It was not a choice she regretted so she decided to focus on other things. Tomorrow night would happen when it happened, the way it was supposed to happen.
*****
Make Me Whole (Brothers From Money #3) Page 19
