In that moment, Victor''s smile was so radiant and heartfelt-it burned with all the warmth of the early morning sun. Isadora felt her eyes sting, emotion welling up as she looked at him.


    Her voice came out a little rough. "I think... this is the first photo we''ve ever taken together."


    Victor lowered his gaze, taking in the marriage photo with her. His voice was gentle, maic. "If you''d like, from this year on, we can take one every year."


    She shot him a yful look, her eyes bright. "You nning on getting married a lot, then?"


    Victor''s dark eyes locked onto hers, deep enough to drown in. He answered, slowly and deliberately, "I only ever want to marry you."


    Isadora couldn''t help herself-she rose up on tiptoe, her lips brushing his ear, her breath warm as honey against his skin. "Victor, you look sinfully handsome in that photo."


    At her words, a flush crept up from Victor''s cor to color his ears.


    A little whileter, the two of them approached window number eight again.


    They handed over the marriage photos they''d just taken.


    The clerk checked their paperwork, then affixed the photo to two official-looking burgundy booklets.


    With a satisfying click, the stamp went down-heavy, final, official.


    Isadora noticed Victor''s hand trembling ever so slightly beside her just a tiny shake, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it.


    She reached out, her slender fingers weaving between his, squeezing tight until their hands werepletely entwined.


    The clerk handed over their marriage certificates, offering a warm smile. "Congrattions to you both. Wishing you a lifetime together."


    They walked out onto the steps of city hall.


    Isadora looked down, studying the two little booklets with their photos inside, marveling at how new and strange it all felt.


    So this was what it meant to be married?


    She''d gotten used to people calling her "Mrs. Fitzgerald" in everyday life, but seeing their names printed there, side by side, made the reality of being Victor''s wife wash over her in a tidal wave.


    Suddenly, Victor reached over her head and plucked the certificate out of her hands.


    She looked up to find his obsidian eyes glistening, his expression just a little awkward. "From now on, I''ll keep all the important documents at home."


    Maybe it was just that he seemed so different today-so unlike his usual self. Isadora thought he was impossibly endearing like this, and her heart melted.


    She bit her lip, then rose on her toes again, her voice gentle as she leaned close to his ear, whispering, "Husband."


    Victor''s eyes darkened, and in one swift motion, his long arms swept her up, pulling her close, holding her tight his head buried in the curve of her neck.


    His embrace was wide and warm.


    Isadora could hear his steady heartbeat, strong and reassuring.


    After a moment, Victor''s voice came, low and rough. "You''re finally mine."


    A smile curved Isadora''s lips. She reached up, fingers running through his short


    hair.


    "Yes, I''m finally yours. And you''re mine, too."


    She felt something damp against her neck.


    Startled, she murmured, "Victor, are you... crying?"


    He didn''t answer he just pressed his face deeper, holding her tighter.


    They stayed there, wrapped in a silent embrace.


    Sunlight broke through the clouds, t


    spilling golden warmth across city hall, bathing them in a glowing halo.


    soft,


    Passersby were used to seeing


    couples at city hall, but these tweet


    looks were


    impossible not to notice.


    People nced back at them, unable to resist a second look.


    After a while, Victor finally raised his head.


    Isadora saw his reddened eyes and leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of his


    eye.


    Hisshes fluttered, trembling.


    She smiled, her voice as sweet as a summer breeze. "I love you."