Ten minutes later, they approached Maroon Lake. Both stopped at the same time to take in the breathtaking view. The tops of the Bells carried a light mantle of snow as did the lake itself.
“Oh, Tony. How perfect is this?”
Eventually they’d have to let the world in, but until tomorrow evening, it would be just the two of them.
After a few moments to admire the backdrop for their wedding ceremony, they went to work and set up their tent. It was small and cozy to retain their body heat, but big enough to move around in.
The next time he made love to Carmella, she would be his wife.
With the tent prepared for the after-ceremony celebration, Carmella stopped again to admire the grandeur surrounding them. The rugged mountains towered over the snow-covered lake surrounded by majestic evergreens and bare aspen trees. This glacial valley was more beautiful than any man-made cathedral.
She turned to Tony and smiled. “This view never gets old.”
He took her into his arms, staring into her eyes. “Neither does this one.”
“Actually, my view just got a thousand times better too.”
Tony kissed her, teasing her lips open before his tongue tangled with hers. A couple of minutes later, she pulled away.
“I think the kissing is supposed to come after we tie the knot,” she teased.
“We’re writing our own playbook today.”
“This has to be the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done in my life, Tony.” She laughed. “And perhaps the craziest.”
“Stick with me, Baby, and I’ll have you doing all kinds of impromptu things.” He grew more serious. “We both know this is perfect for us. We ought to write our legislators and thank them for passing the law that made it possible.”
She nodded. “And thank the guests at the resort for making me aware the possibility even existed.”
He kissed her on the tip of her nose before easing from her arms. “Stand here. I want to make sure I position the camera just right to capture this moment.”
Their concession to doing this without family was that they would share the video with those who wanted to see the ceremony. Tony had set up a tripod and mounted the camera. This might be a good time for her to shed her parka.
As she did, the red dress she’d worn the night of the gala spilled out, and she fluffed it out. Not too many wrinkles. She wore a long-sleeved, white cashmere bolero over the bodice for warmth. Nothing to be done about wearing hiking boots on her wedding day, but at least she’d chosen a lighter pair knowing they wouldn’t be hiking far.
Tony left the camera tripod and walked slowly toward her. “You’re gorgeous. I love that dress.”
“It holds good memories for us, and I thought the red would look amazing in the photos against the snowy background.”
Tony took off his parka, and she saw that he wore his fire department dress uniform. So dashing. “I see you dressed up too.” He even wore a red boutonniere. “You went all out.”
“It’s not every day a firefighter gets married. The red rose seemed perfect even before I knew what you’d be wearing. All set?”
“Just one more thing.” Carm returned to her backpack to retrieve her vows, the license, and the short veil she’d purchased just for the occasion. She placed the comb against her head and pulled it down into her tucked chignon.
My wedding day. My way.
“You amaze me at how fast you pulled everything together.”
Carm laughed. “I wanted this day to be special.”
“It would be special no matter what we wore.” Tony held out a single red rose. “For my bride.”
“I totally forgot about flowers!” She accepted the gift and lifted it to her nose to smell. “Beautiful! Thank you, Tony!” She threw her arms around him in a quick hug.
When she pulled away, she noticed the piece of paper he held in his hand. His vows.
She became serious and took a deep breath before letting it out. “I guess we’re ready.”
“Yes, we are. I’ve waited my whole adult life for you to come along, Carmella, even if I didn’t know I was waiting until you showed up.”
His words warmed her heart. Whether fate or some divine plan, she didn’t know.
“I’ll turn on the video.”
“Wait, Tony!” There were some things best not shown on the video. Not wanting Tony to see either, she turned her back to him and pulled the ring out of her bra, the only place she had to carry it after losing her parka.
She’d matched the white gold of her engagement ring in his formal wedding ring. And given the hazards of his job, she’d also chosen a silver-colored silicone one. It was a minor miracle that she’d been able to find everything she needed yesterday for the perfect elopement.
“All set.” When he stood before her again after turning on the video, she stared into his handsome face.
“Would you like to go first, Carmella?”
“Love to.” Taking a deep breath, she glanced down at her vows and began reading, “Tony, I am proud to become your wife and to intertwine my life with yours. I promise to share my joys and passions, as well as my hurts and sorrows. I will comfort you and accept comfort from you.” Certain she could remember the remaining words, she met his gaze, tucked the rose and vows under her arm, and took his hand.
“I vow to support you, inspire you, and occasionally even push you,” she smiled before continuing in a more serious tone. “I promise to grow along with you and to be willing to face change together, in order to keep our relationship alive and exciting. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all I feel inside, in the only way I know how—completely and forever.”
Carmella took his left hand in hers. Staring into his eyes, she said, “With this ring, I give myself to you and only you, Tony, to
