“Good. For Alain’s sake you need to be divorced ASAP.”
A glimmer of a smile broke out on his face. “So when are you two getting married?”
“This Sunday.”
He shook his head. “When you make up your mind about something, there’s no stopping you. How can I help?”
“You already have. Nathalie told me your talk with her reached her heart. None of this would be happening without you. We’re going to have a ceremony at her house with her mom and Minerve. That’s it. Andre Godin will officiate. And within less than two weeks your divorce will be final.”
“God willing, Dom.”
* * *
“Nathalie Durand Fournier, do you take Dominic Laurent Fontesquieu to be your husband in sickness and in health? Do you vow to love and cherish him for all the days of your life?”
She couldn’t believe this moment had come. Her heart was so full of love for Dominic she really did have trouble breathing. With those dark eyes and hair, and wearing an elegant dove-gray suit, he was so gorgeous it didn’t seem possible she’d won the love of this man.
“I do,” she cried softly.
With a smile, the judge turned to Dominic. “Dominic Laurent Fontesquieu, do you take Nathalie Durand Fournier to be your wife, in sickness and in health, always watching over her, loving her and protecting her for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” he answered in a thick voice.
“Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has brought together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss your bride, Dominic.”
Her new husband pulled her into his arms and kissed her with such hunger her legs started to tremble.
When he finally let her go, the judge said, “You may now present each other with rings.”
Dominic drew a diamond ring out of his jacket pocket and slid it home on her ring finger. It had a dazzling sparkle as she took the gold band from her little finger and put it on his ring finger. The engraving said Mon Bien Amie.
He kissed her deeply again before relinquishing her once more.
The judge beamed at them. “It has been my pleasure to marry a man I’ve highly esteemed for years.” He gazed at Nathalie. “How I envy him.”
She felt the heat rise into her face. “Thank you, Your Honor.”
He shook Dominic’s hand, then said a few words to her mother before leaving the house.
“Oh, darling.” Her mother ran to her and they hugged. “It was a beautiful ceremony and you look so lovely.”
“So do you, Arlette,” Dominic murmured. “Now I know where Nathalie gets her fabulous looks.” He gave her a hug.
Alain made some noises that caused them to turn around. He was getting restless. Minerve had been holding him during the short ceremony. Nathalie’s mother reached for him so Nathalie could hug Minerve. She’d been a part of their family for a long time.
“I’m so happy for you, Nathalie.” On a whisper, she said, “If he were my husband, I don’t think I’d ever be able to let him out of my sight.”
“I won’t if I can help it.”
Dominic hugged Minerve. “Thank you for supporting us and for being so good to Raoul. You’ve made all the difference while he’s been bonding with Alain.”
The older woman’s eyes filled. “This has been a happy time for all of us. I hope his divorce is final soon. I know he wants to show off his son to everyone.”
“It’ll happen before long,” Nathalie chimed in. She looked at her mother. “Now we’re going to leave, but I’ll be at the pharmacy in the morning as planned.”
“It doesn’t seem right that you can’t go off on a honeymoon, but I understand what’s at risk here.”
After knowing how difficult Raoul’s life had been when he’d met Antoinette, her mother knew it was vital everything stay secret for a while longer. None of them wanted anything to go wrong at this point.