Chapter 95
The next morning, Carmen and Marco strolled along the beach, their bare feet sinking into the cool sand. The ocean stretched endlessly before them, its gentle waves creating a soothing rhythm. Carmen paused to collect a small, smooth shell, turning it over in her hands with a smile.
“It’s been so long since I’ve done this,” she said.
Marco grinned. “Beachcombing?”
“Taking time to just… be,” Carmen replied, glancing up at him.
Marco took her hand, his expression turning serious. “Then let’s make it count.”
They continued walking until they reached a rocky outcrop. Marco guided her to a flat section overlooking the sea, where the view was nothing short of breathtaking.
As they sat down together, Marco reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
“Marco?” Carmen asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” Marco began, opening the box to reveal a simple but elegant diamond ring. “Our first wedding—it was beautiful, but it wasn’t what it could’ve been. There was too much chaos, too many distractions. I want to give you the moment you deserve, Carmen. I want us to renew our vows.”
Carmen’s breath caught as she stared at the ring, her heart swelling with emotion. “Marco, you didn’t have to—”
“I did,” he interrupted gently, taking her hand. “Because I want a fresh start with you. A promise, just for us, with no one else and nothing to interrupt it. What do you say?”
Tears glistened in her eyes as she nodded. “Yes. Of course, yes.”
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The next few days were a flurry of quiet preparation. Marco worked closely with the island staff, arranging every detail of the ceremony while keeping Carmen’s preferences in mind.
“You’ve thought of everything,” Carmen said one afternoon, watching as Marco discussed the flower arrangements with a staff member.
“I’m not taking any chances,” Marco replied, turning to her with a grin. “You deserve perfection.”
Together, they wrote their vows, taking moments of quiet reflection to put their feelings into words.
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On the evening of the ceremony, Carmen stood in the villa’s bedroom, gazing at herself in the mirror. She wore a flowing white dress that moved like water with every step, her hair loosely curled and adorned with a single white flower.
A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts, and Marco’s voice called softly, “Are you ready?”
Carmen opened the door to find Marco standing there, looking impossibly handsome in a tailored linen suit. His eyes widened as he took her in.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with awe.
“And you look like you’re about to cry,” Carmen teased, though her own eyes were damp.
“Maybe I am,” Marco admitted, offering his arm. “Shall we?”
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The beach was transformed into a romantic haven, with lanterns lining the path to a simple altar adorned with flowers. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting the sky in shades of gold and pink.
Marco and Carmen stood hand in hand as a soft breeze carried the scent of saltwater and blossoms.
Marco spoke first, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Carmen, when I first met you, I didn’t know what love was. I thought it was something fleeting, something weak. But you showed me that love is the strongest force in the world. You’ve been my partner, my strength, my heart. I vow to honor you, to trust you, and to love you for the rest of my life.”
Carmen’s tears spilled over as she began her vows. “Marco, you’ve been my anchor in every storm. You’ve made me believe in the impossible, in building a life filled with love even in the hardest times. I vow to stand by you, to protect what we’ve built, and to love you endlessly, through every challenge and every joy.”
They exchanged rings, slipping them onto each other’s fingers with trembling hands.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant said with a smile.
Marco didn’t hesitate, pulling Carmen close and kissing her deeply. Applause broke out from the staff watching at a respectful distance, but all Marco and Carmen could hear was the sound of the waves and their own hearts.
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As the sun set fully, painting the world in deep blues and purples, Marco and Carmen sat together on the sand, still in their wedding attire.
“We did it,” Carmen said, her head resting on Marco’s shoulder.
“We did,” Marco agreed, wrapping his arm around her. “And I’d do it all over again.”
Carmen smiled, tilting her face up to kiss him softly. “So would I.”
The ocean stretched before them, vast and endless, a perfect symbol of their love—boundless, enduring, and full of promise.
