Amy held still in the bridal chamber at the church. She tried not to move as she stared at herself in the mirror one more time. With the tiara on her head, she seemed a princess, but the diamonds didn't matter. Soon, she'd see Lucio again and she couldn't wait.

Evie rushed back inside and sounded breathless. "The Queen of England is here!"

She'd been expected. Amy could hardly think beyond finally seeing the man she loved again. For three days, they’d been separated due to the wedding festivities and it had been torture. She turned toward her sister, but Queen Anna said, "Yes. Her husband is next to her, and we have many other foreign royals. I sat your parents at the reception closest to the English royals as I could."

Amy tried to sound genial but she just wanted the formalities over. She turned toward the group. "I’d like to meet her at the reception."

"Naturally." Anna hugged her carefully. Soon, they'd all be one family. "You will grow weary of meeting every single one of your guests but you mustn’t let on. The music has started. Are you ready, Amy?"

"Yes." Amy turned and picked up her bouquet of pink peonies. She smiled at her sister who opened the door. "Evie, it's time for you."

Anna waited until Evie left and reiterated the protocol, "In a moment, King Leopoldo and I will go and then it's your turn to officially join our family."

During this formal ceremony, she followed the royal couple. Her arms trembled. "I'm just glad I can walk to Lucio without limping."

The past few months had been intense physical therapy, but today everything would be worth it.

"He's waiting for you." Anna walked toward the door. The king immediately offered her his arm and the music changed.

Her father came in, his hair freshly touched up to hide his grays, and offered his arm. This time her parents had more of a role too, and she was glad her family was here. She took his arm. "Father, are you ready?"

He led her to take the first steps out of the bridal chamber. In the hall people snapped their picture as if it wasn’t a foyer in a church. Her father ignored the chaos and gawking at all the royals. He acted like the two of them were among equals as he said, "I'm happy you're so happy now, Amy. Your mother and I both feared we made a mistake pushing you for this union."

"I love Lucio and he loves me." Amy stayed close, aware of how to smile at the cameras. Her life was forever changed, for the better.

They walked down the aisle in step as they’d practiced, but when they turned she focused on Lucio. He stood at the altar, waiting with a proud expression, and his tall frame took her breath away. Her father said, "We've seen that these past few months."

She hardly heard his words and couldn’t respond. They closed in on Lucio and that smile of his was magnetic. Once they reached the altar, her father held out his hand and shook Lucio’s. "Lucio, take care of my girl."

"Absolutely, sir," Lucio said.

Her father joined her mother to stand to the right, waiting for the priest to speak. Amy stared at Lucio and her heart grew in her chest.

He took her hand. "You look radiant."

The priest cleared his throat. "Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Lucio's answer was firm.

Amy whispered next to him, "The past three days without you was hard."

The priest reached for the bible, so Lucio leaned closer. "Now you'll spend the rest of your life holding my hand."

"That’s so much better." Amy scooted closer though the huge formal dress that went down the aisle and the flowers in her hand made moving too much difficult.

The priest then said to her, "Amy Elizabeth Fields, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

She nodded. "I will."

The priest turned toward her parents and asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Her parents stepped forward, holding hands, and the priest shook her father's hand.

In a formal ceremony, they stepped back and sat in their seats.

The spectacle was a lot, but soon, she'd marry her love.

Her sister took her flowers and without blinking Lucio grasped her right hand. He then repeated everything the priest said, "I, Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, take you, Amy Elizabeth to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

This time Amy took his right hand and repeated after the priest. "I, Amy Elizabeth, take you, Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

She let his hand go as they’d practiced.

Lucio turned and they joined hands while the priest blessed the rings. "Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Her heart stammered. Finally, they were almost done. Soon, they'd be married and no one would stop this. Prince Lucio took the ring and placed it upon her fourth finger.

Her skin grew goosebumps. Lucio repeated the priest's words. "With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Everyone stood behind them and the standing had a musical cant. This meant they were almost done, but Lucio helped her in her dress as they both knelt at the altar.

Once they were on their knees, Lucio’s hand in hers, the priest then said, "Let us pray. This ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The priest then took their hands higher so everyone could see and joined their right hands together: "Those whom God has joined together let no man put asunder." The Archbishop then addressed their guests.

Amy stared into Lucio's brown eyes, overcome with happiness. In a moment, they'd be together forever. He leaned closer to her and she felt his nearness. Soon no one would ever separate them.

The prayer the priest said to the Church was lost on her.

Finally the priest blessed them both with the sign of the cross. "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, mercifully with look upon you; and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen."

Lucio helped her stand and without waiting, he kissed her and held her tight.

Despite all the formalities, they were now one. Her life was better than she imagined. She held onto his strong hand and felt his strength run through her veins. Whatever happened now, she was happy. Lucio and she were together, forever.