Reunited After 25 Years 26: Wedding

On the morning of her second wedding, Andrea awoke with butterflies in her stomach. She'd known, of course, that this day was coming, but this morning it just seemed so much more real to her than ever before. The previous day had been her last full day of being a widow. Before the sun set today, she'd be a wife for the first time in over eighteen years, and not just anyone's wife. Anton's wife. The very thought of that sent a delicious shiver through her body that went all the day to her toes.

In keeping with tradition, Andrea, her parents, and Denny went to the church separately from Anton, his mother, Katya, and Darya. As she didn't want her wedding to be excessively formal, Andrea wore a white lacy semi formal gown with white heels, and Anton wore a suit and tie. All the guests were dressed similarly.

Seeing her beloved standing at the front of the church waiting for her, Andrea felt her breath catch in her throat. Never before had he looked so breathtakingly handsome to her. As the music played and she walked down the aisle on her father's arm, Andrea almost felt as if she were floating. When she reached his side, he smiled nervously at her, and she beamed back.

Anton and Andrea had chosen to write their own vows. "Andrea, the first time I came to you, it was as an unwelcome stranger from an enemy country. Yet you showed me kindness and compassion, bandaged my wound, gave me food to eat, and showed me your beautiful beach." Amdrea saw that there were tears in Anton's eyes and felt her own throat tighten. "I had to leave soon after that, but I promised you on my word that I would see you again. It took many years, but I was finally able to keep that promise. I said to myself, Andrea is probably married by now. I will stay just long enough to say hello and wish her well, and then go back home. But then a miracle happened. I saw you again, and old feelings came back, not only for me but for you as well. At last, after all this time, we can take the time to be with each other that we didn't have so long ago. Now, dearest Andrea, I am so happy to say to you that this time, I don't have to say good-bye. This time I can stay and we can spend our whole lives together. I will love, honor, and cherish you for as long as I live, dearest Andrea."

"The first time I ever saw you, Anton, I knew that there was something special about you. You stood on the White's front porch dressed in the uniform of an enemy country and holding a gun, but I wasn't afraid. I knew that you weren't going to hurt me or Anna. During the brief few hours I spent with you, I realized that you were the sweetest guy I'd ever met. It may have seemed brash to kiss you like I did, but to me it was the most natural and right thing to do. I tried to put on a brave face when you had to say good-bye, but it broke my heart. Over the years I never forgot you, never stopped hoping that I really would see you again some day. When I finally saw you on the beach again one day many years later, for me it was like a dream come true. My dearest wish had been granted. Anton, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of my life."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," said the minister, who was even dabbing at his own eyes with a handkerchief. Anton lifted Andrea's veil and kissed her, a soft, chaste kiss. Andrea thought fondly of the way she wanted him to kiss her when they were alone later.

A lavish reception followed. Mrs. Kolchina had brought red and black caviar, and there was also crab salad, salami in pepper and wine sauce, stuffed peppers, fish in aspic, pickled beets and cucumbers, and various breads and fruits. To top it all off was the four-tiered wedding cake that Jewel had ordered from the bakery. It was white and decorated with red hearts, and on the top was written 'Congratulations Anton And Andrea' in red icing.

"You're supposed to slice the cake, and then we give each other a slice," Andrea whispered to Anton. "It's the custom here." Anton looked bewildered but did as she told him. Everyone cheered.

Andrea had never tasted caviar before. Anton grinned, put some on a bit of toast, and fed it to her. All the guests laughed at the expression on her face.

"Not too bad," she commented. Everyone laughed and began to eat.

After awhile, Katya, Mrs. Kolchina, and Darya began chanting "Gorko, gorko." The Parkers and Andrea and Denny stared, bewildered.

"That mean that they want us to kiss," Anton laughed. So they did. The next time Anton's family began to chant "Gorko", Andrea's family joined in. Each time Anton and Andrea had to kiss until the chanting stopped.

Later there was dancing, and Anton sang a song to Andrea in Russian. Later he shared the lyrics with her.

Where can I find the sweet words?

How can I say that I love you?

You have brought me so much happiness in life

I sing to you and share with you my life

Andrea felt as if she and Anton had come full circle at last, as if their souls were truly joined, and neither of them would ever be alone again.