I could hear the violinist playing from the quiet dressing room I had been standing in. I breathed in and out. I was about to walk down the sand colored aisle in a traditional wedding to my new groom. I checked my hair and readjusted my veil in the mirror. “Here goes nothing,” I murmured to myself and grabbed my bouquet of blue hydrangeas.

We had brought everyone to the private island. As soon as I walked out into the perfect summer day with the ocean in front of me, everyone stood and turned to look at me from the white chairs they had been sitting in.

At that moment, my eyes filled with tears. They were here for me, to watch me walk down the aisle in my beautiful, vintage princess gown. I felt like Cinderella, only this time I didn’t have to go home at midnight and my carriage wouldn’t turn into a pumpkin at the end.

I spotted Togtulir in his handsome tuxedo, glowing with pride, hands folded together at his sides. I began to walk slowly because I never wanted this moment to end. It was divinely magical, and I wanted to absorb all the faces that were looking at me in adoration.

Once I got close enough to Togtulir to see his face, I noticed that his eyes were also glistening with tears, which made my heart nearly leap out of my chest with love for him. “Hi,” he mouthed to me and gave me a tiny flicker of a wave, which I returned.

We stood under a magnificent cedarwood altar, with the most astounding and elaborate carvings of doves, hearts, and roses handcrafted into it. I basked in this moment and then met Togtulir’s gaze.

The wedding officiant spoke first. “Friends and family, thank you for gathering here today on this beautiful afternoon to celebrate the union of matrimony. Cindy and Togtulir stand before you all, ready to profess their love for one another. This is a truly wonderful time.” He was wearing robes of sand and green colors, to match our beach theme, which I thought was an intricate detail not lost on our amazing wedding planner Vaneti.

“Togtulir, would you like to state your vows first?” The officiant looked at Togtulir, who took his hands into mine. They were big and warm.

“Cindy,” he began. “When I met you, I fell in love with your kind soul. I wanted to fix your broken spirit. You have so much love and compassion to sprinkle all over the world. With this ring, I offer you my heart and my hand in marriage. I am ready to be your loyal and loving husband.”

Through a blur of joyful tears, I reached out my left hand so he could place the wedding ring upon my finger where the engagement ring was already being worn. Now it was my turn to exchange my own vows to him. “Togtulir, you have been the only person in my entire life who has not only loved me unconditionally, but you have also taught me how to love.

Before I met you, I was a mess. I had struggled to find my place in the world and I was never able to accept myself for who I really was inside. You’ve helped me bubble all those pent-up frustrations to the surface and work through them. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone other than you. With this ring, I bind us in matrimony forever.”

A single fat tear rolled down Togtulir’s cheek. With a shaky hand, I got the ring on his enormous finger. The officiant spoke again. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” With violins playing and people cheering in the background, I kissed my new husband with the most passion I had ever felt.

Once we had finished taking pictures with our photographer, we arrived at a seaside hideaway that Togtulir had built on the island, just to be used for tonight. It was indoors but contained wall to wall windows so the spectacular panoramic island views could be seen no matter where you were in the building.

It was packed to the brim, full of people ready to celebrate with us. A band played on a stage while people danced with merriment on the floor below. There were people in animated conversation, drinks in hand.

I had never felt so much love in one place in my entire life. Once the crowd saw Togtulir and me enter, they erupted into cheers. An uncle of his tapped a fork against the side of a glass, hushing the crowd. Togtulir began his speech, thanking everyone for coming. He placed his hand on the small of my back and kissed me, making the sparks of love fly between us. He ended his speech by saying that he hoped to start a family soon with me.

I felt my stomach flip because I still needed to tell him that he was going to become a father sooner than he thought. I wanted to wait until later when we were in private. When it was time to do the toast, I held up my champagne glass to my lips but didn’t swallow any of the drink in order to keep it secret until Togtulir and I arrived at our beach house later that night.

* * *

After the reception, we arrived at our beach house. I looked out through the open French doors that brought in a lovely breeze from outside. “This is incredible.” I walked over to one of the windows and gazed out into the horizon. The world appeared so tiny when you stood near an ocean.

Togtulir walked up behind me and scooped my hair off my neck. He planted a sexy kiss onto my neck. Before he decided to burrow himself any further, I needed to tell him about the baby.

“I have to tell you something.” I turned around and was met with an expression of concern on his face.

“What is it?”

“Well, over the past several weeks, I have not been feeling well. I have had some dizzy spells… “

“Why would you not tell me something like that, Cindy?” He interrupted me and there was worry and alarm in his voice.

“I wanted to wait until after the wedding. I’m so sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

“It’s fine; we will take you to see a doctor after the honeymoon. Don’t worry I’m sure you will be all right, darling.” He rubbed my cheek with his thumb.

“Actually, I’ve already been to a doctor here on Cardalph.” I winced, bracing in case he became angry.

“What?” He looked genuinely hurt and I hated to start our first night as a married couple like this.

“I’m pregnant, Togtulir. I hope that doesn’t change anything between us. I’m due at what would be Christmas time back home.”

Togtulir’s eyes lit up like the sun. With the open door, I could hear the rush of the tide past the beach house. There was so much history that lived between us here now.

“You’re pregnant? Really?” His eyes gleamed and I thought he might begin to jump up and down like a child. “I can’t believe it.” He instinctively held a hand to my belly and cradled it there for a minute or two. “I’m thrilled, Cindy. You are carrying my child. You are the reason I will have a family of my own.” He kissed my belly and rubbed it. I took his head in my hands.

“Togtulir, I have to make multiple trips to the doctor. They have to make sure the baby does not hurt me because they are afraid of the size. They have to monitor me very carefully during the pregnancy.”

Any reservations Togtulir had gone out the window and had been chucked into the sea by now. He was beyond elated that we were going to have a baby and he was not going to let any medical glitch come between him and his unborn child.

He placed me delicately on the bed. He told me he wanted to make love to me gently and tenderly tonight. Our bed had a beautiful scattering of red rose petals all over it. I allowed myself to sink into the pillows and blankets that felt so soft on my tired body from all the dancing and standing I had done tonight.

“I could use a foot rub first,” I joked but Togtulir looked serious.

“I’ll do you one better sweetheart, I’ll rub your entire body and I’ll finish off with your clit. Tonight, and for the rest of your life; you deserve to be pampered.”

“Mmm,” I relaxed on my back as he rubbed my feet, then moved up to my calves and told me to turn over so he could get my back neck and shoulders. I had nearly fallen asleep I was enjoying his touch so much.

Then he took his tongue and opened my legs. He licked my clit until I was sent into oblivion with ecstasy. He entered me from behind and fucked me slowly but with a sexual appetite that needed satisfaction from its enormous craving.

After we had finished, he held me in his arms for the longest time and gazed longingly at my belly. “I’m going to make sure nothing ever happens to you or the baby inside of you. From now on, I protect you two first and foremost above everything else. Cindy, you are my entire world. And believe me, I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime.” I smiled and fell asleep in his arms.