Chapter 8 – Love at First Sight: From Stranger to Soulmate

Vincent fiddled with the flower on his tux jacket again until Billy slapped his hand away.

“Stop fidgeting, you look fine,” he assured him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d be this damn nervous.”

“You’re getting married. You’re supposed to be nervous.”

Vincent glowered at Billy. “And you would know this from past experience, would you?”

Billy shrugged one shoulder. “I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, all right? I’m a closet romantic. Just keep it together.”

“And the judge is okay with keeping the secret?”

“All he knows is that you and this young woman are getting married today because of the love you have for each other and you want it to be private because that’s the type of people you both are,” Billy said, waving Vincent’s worries away casually. “It’s going to be perfect, trust me.”

“Gentlemen,” the judge announced as he entered the room beaming. His greying hair and tiny glasses relaxed Vincent. He hadn’t personally met this man before but knew his reputation. Judge Harvey was a fair, kindhearted man. “Now then, Mr. Cunningham, are you ready to be married?”

Vincent shook the older man’s hand with a shaky smile. “You have no idea.”

“Good, then let us get started. Music, please,” he said, motioning to Billy who hit play on the stereo behind him. Soft violin music played through the room, and Judge Harvey smiled even wider. “Enter the bride, if you please!”

The door opened, and Vincent held his breath. A woman stepped into the room with a small bouquet of red and white roses in her hands. Her white pumps were a modest two inches at most and her dress was extremely conservative, though it fit her body beautifully. Vincent let out the breath and smiled, his heart warming as she returned his smile.

Her light blue eyes lit up. He remembered them being far darker in the picture, but he was told quite often his eyes darkened and lightened based on his moods.

Lana stepped into the room, and after taking a deep breath, she strolled down the short, makeshift aisle towards Vincent and Judge Harvey.

The cream-colored dress hit her right at the knees, fitting like a pencil skirt that went up to a snug-fitting top with a V neck and sleeves going to her elbows. There was a belt at her waist, beaded and lacy, while a simple bejeweled headband completed the look on her head. Her blonde hair was pulled back with ringlets framing her face.

“Hi,” he whispered when she stopped before him.

“Hi,” she replied, and her smile faltered for a moment before she squared her shoulders and it spread across her perfect red lips again.

“Shall we begin?” Judge Harvey asked.

“Sorry, yes,” Vincent replied, unable to pull his gaze from Lana’s.

Judge Harvey talked them through the ceremony, ten minutes in all, and at the end of it, Lana held out her hand for Vincent to slip the ring on her finger. Her eyes glimmered at the sight of it and tears shimmered in her eyes as she took his hand in turn and slipped the ring he’d picked out onto his hand.

“Nice choice,” she whispered out of the side of her mouth, nodding at his ring. “It suits you.”

“We’ll pick you out another for you soon,” he promised, and she grinned wider.

“Now then, by the power vested in me be the state of Texas,” Judge Harvey announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Vincent.”

Vincent froze. Should he kiss her? He fumbled for a second, but Lana squeezed his hand and leaned in close. He closed his eyes and meant to do a simple brushing of his lips against hers, but the second they made contact, it was as if she was meant for him. Their lips moved against one another’s, and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his body. She kissed him without hesitation, and they didn’t stop until Judge Harvey cleared his throat politely.

“Save some for the honeymoon, kids,” he teased.

“Sorry,” Vincent mumbled as he drew back reluctantly.

Lana appeared as surprised as he felt by their instant connection. “Well, I guess we’re married. Now what?” she asked, laughing lightly.

“Now we start our lives together.” Vincent took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. “Mrs. Lana Cunningham.”

Her smile disappeared and she seemed to choke before she shook her head and the glimmer of guilt he swore he spotted in her eyes vanished. “Lead the way.”

They waved to Billy and Judge Harvey, the first saying he would drop off the papers later at the house. Vincent walked Lana through the courthouse and out to his truck. She smirked when he opened the passenger side door for her.

“What’s so amusing?” he asked. Her smile was contagious, and he found himself grinning with her.

“I knew this was your truck. Don’t tell me how, but I knew it.” She paused before climbing inside. Her face paled, and she swallowed hard several times. Vincent reached gently for her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’m sorry, I just…uh, I’m having issues at the moment.”

“You’re not the only one,” he promised. “We’ll take everything slow, I promise you, and I’m not taking you back to my house to lock you away forever.”

She barked a loud laugh, then covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, that’s embarrassing.”

“Not to me. You should’ve seen me this morning.”

“You’re the one who wanted a married at first sight bride.”

“Yes, well, it’s still nerve-wracking to invite someone into your life—a stranger,” he said softly, running his thumb over her knuckles. “Today will be about getting to know one another over a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne, or several.”

The color returned to her cheeks. “I think I can handle that plan.” With his help, she climbed into the truck. He slid in behind the wheel a few seconds later and drove towards the house.

He’d considered taking her out to dinner, but Billy warned that was inviting images and stories spreading that they weren’t ready for. The whole drive, he watched Lana as she gripped the door of his truck until her knuckles turned white and she whispered something under her breath.

---