The big day was here. After nine long years, Jeremiah and I were finally getting married. I couldn’t believe it. The excitement was almost too much to handle.
I had spent the past year planning every little detail. From the flowers to the vows, I double-checked everything. And now, standing just moments away from walking down the aisle, I couldn’t stop the rush of emotions.
This church meant so much to me. My parents had gotten married here, so it felt like a special connection, like I was carrying on their tradition.
The ceremony was supposed to be simple but full of meaning. Father Peter, our family priest, had been guiding us through the process. He was patient and kind, and I trusted him more than anyone. Everything was falling into place.
But then… things started to fall apart.
Mia, my maid of honor and best friend, rushed into the dressing room, her face pale, her eyes wide with fear. She was holding her phone tightly.
“Mia,” I asked, my heart already racing. “What’s wrong?”
She hesitated, looking unsure. “The priest… Father Peter… He’s in the hospital. He’s not coming.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What? What do you mean?”
“I guess it’s serious,” Mia said, chewing on her lip nervously. “But he sent a replacement. Some guy he knows. He said we could trust him.”
A cold knot twisted in my stomach. “A replacement? We don’t even know this guy!”
“I know,” Mia whispered, “but there’s no time to find someone else. The guests are waiting.”
She was right. The church was full, and Jeremiah was already standing at the altar. There was no way to turn back now. My mind was spinning, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. This wasn’t how I imagined this day, but I couldn’t let it ruin everything.
When the doors to the church opened, the music started, and my heart pounded in my chest. I gripped my bouquet so tightly that my fingers turned white. This was it. I had to keep going.
As I started down the aisle, I saw Jeremiah. He was standing there, waiting for me, looking like he always did—like the man who made everything feel right. When our eyes met, he smiled, his whole face lighting up. That smile made everything feel like it would be okay.
But then something happened. I saw the new priest standing by the altar, next to Jeremiah. Something about him was off. As I got closer, I saw him wipe his forehead, and his hands were shaking. His eyes were wide, staring at me like I was someone he wasn’t expecting to see.
What was going on? My mind raced. I slowed my steps, watching him carefully. He looked pale, and sweat dripped down his temple. Something wasn’t right.
And then, as I was just a few steps away, he leaned in toward me, his voice barely a whisper. “I won’t marry you.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What?” I whispered back, barely able to understand what he had said.
Jeremiah looked between us, confusion written all over his face. Before he could speak, the priest raised his voice slightly, eyes darting around as he spoke. “I won’t marry them!”
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Whispers spread like wildfire.
“What do you mean?” I stammered, my heart racing. “Why won’t you marry us?”
Jeremiah’s voice was calm but tense as he asked, “Father, what’s the problem? Is everything okay?”
The priest didn’t look at Jeremiah. Instead, he stared at me with wide, haunted eyes. It was like he was looking past me, seeing something—or someone—else. He swallowed hard, his face twisted in fear.
“I…” he started to speak, but he stopped. He looked like he might be sick.
Jeremiah placed a hand on my arm, his voice gentle. “Peyton, do you know Father Luka?”
For a moment, I froze. Father Luka. The name echoed in my head, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I stared at the priest’s face, now recognizing him despite the years. His hair was shorter now, his face older, but those eyes. Those eyes were the same. Luka.
Memories of the past flooded back. The late-night talks, the promises we made, and the painful goodbye. Luka had been the first man I ever loved. I couldn’t believe it.
Luka’s expression was filled with panic, and he seemed to be fighting with himself. He shook his head slightly and then turned to hurry away. Without thinking, I followed him. The sound of my heels echoed through the church, but I didn’t care. I had to know what was going on.
I caught up with him just outside the church. He was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily like he had run a marathon. He looked so lost, so broken.
“Luka…” I whispered. The name felt strange on my tongue after all these years.
He straightened up, still pale, his eyes avoiding mine. “Peyton…” He paused, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t expect… this.”
I swallowed, feeling awkward. “Luka… I mean, Father… I don’t even know what to call you. I never thought you would become a priest.”
He gave a bitter laugh, glancing away. “When you left me ten years ago, it broke me, Peyton. I didn’t know how to move on. I was lost. And somehow… I found myself here.” He motioned toward the church behind us. “I thought becoming a priest would help me understand everything.”
He looked back at me, his expression sad. “Seeing you again… like this… it’s bringing back everything I tried to bury.”
I could see the pain in his eyes, how much this was hurting him. His shoulders slumped, and I could feel the weight of the years between us.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” Luka said, his voice shaking. “I’ll understand if you want someone else to marry you. But… it just feels wrong.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew I had to go back inside. I couldn’t let this ruin my day. Not now.
When I returned to Jeremiah, I pulled him aside, my heart still racing. “Jeremiah… there’s something you need to know.”
I explained everything—how Luka and I had been together, how it ended, and how seeing him again was bringing back all the pain.
Jeremiah didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, quietly processing everything. After a long moment, he nodded and looked at me with steady eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice calm and reassuring.
“I think so,” I said, trying to steady myself. “But if you want someone else to do the ceremony…”
Jeremiah shook his head, his hand gently squeezing mine. “No. If you’re okay with it, I’m okay with it. I just want to marry you.” He smiled, the familiar warmth of his smile easing some of my nerves. “Let me talk to him.”
I nodded, grateful for his support. Jeremiah found Luka by the door, still looking uncertain and fragile.
“Father,” Jeremiah said gently, his voice full of respect. “You are the first man my soon-to-be wife has ever loved. It would be an honor for me to receive your blessing.”
Luka stared at him, like he was deciding whether or not he could handle this. Finally, he exhaled slowly, nodded, and said, “Okay. I’ll do it.”
When we returned to the altar, Luka’s demeanor had changed. He stood tall, his hands steady, his expression calm. He wasn’t just a priest anymore; he was a man who had finally let go of his past.
The ceremony began, and as Luka spoke, I felt every word settle deep in my heart. There was a peace in his voice, something different from before. He wasn’t just performing a duty—he was truly present.
As I looked at Jeremiah, holding my hand, I knew this was where I was meant to be. When Luka said, “You may kiss the bride,” it felt like the world shifted. Jeremiah’s lips met mine, warm and sure, and the church erupted in applause. For the first time that day, everything felt right.
Afterward, Luka came up to us with a small, bittersweet smile. “Thank you,” I said softly, looking him in the eye. “For everything.”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I wish you both the happiness I once dreamed of,” he said quietly.
Jeremiah squeezed my hand, and we made our way toward the reception. The guests were buzzing with excitement, but all I could think about was the man by my side. The man who had stood by me, no matter what.
“Shall we?” he asked, his smile warm and reassuring.
“Yeah,” I said, my heart swelling. “Let’s go.”
As we walked toward the doors, I glanced back one last time. Luka stood quietly by the altar, watching us. His expression was unreadable, but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
And then, just as quietly as he had appeared, Luka slipped out the side door, disappearing into the light of the afternoon.
I knew he had found his peace. And as I stepped into my future with Jeremiah by my side, I knew I had found mine too.
