Chapter 21 - THE WEDDING THAT DIDN’T NEED A BALLROOMCharlotte and Holden married at Manhattan City Hall on a rainy Thursday.
Daphne.
Sebastian.
Thomas.
Holden’s parents.
Malcolm and Monica as surprise? Maybe few.
After ceremony dinner at Solmere private dining room.
No 500 guests.
No magazine.
Charlotte wore cream suit.
Holden navy.
Celestine sent orchids and note:
Try not to get dragged at reception.
Charlotte laughed.
At dinner Sebastian toasted:
“I spent years thinking inheritance was about who got more. Charlotte taught me sometimes inheritance is deciding what not to keep.”
Good.
Thomas:
“I wasn’t father who raised her, but I’m grateful to be invited into who she became.”
Daphne cried.
Malcolm toasted Meredith:
“She would hate this wedding because seating chart too simple.”
Everyone laughed.
Holden’s vows private earlier? At city hall short.
That night they stayed penthouse at Solmere.
Room? Not Meredith’s.
Charlotte stood by windows.
Holden:
“Mrs. Reeve?”
She glared.
“Absolutely not.”
“Mrs. Vale?”
“No.”
“Charlotte?”
“Good.”
They laughed.
She kept Vale professionally and legally maybe Charlotte Vale Reeve? No need.
They opened champagne.
Adult intimacy and humor.
Charlotte said:
“Do you remember first night?”
“Which first?”
“NYU.”
“Yes.”
“You had terrible sheets.”
“They were normal.”
“They exfoliated.”
He laughed.
Years.
They kissed.
This time no grief.
No scandal.
No investigation.
Just marriage.
Later Charlotte asked:
“Scared?”
“Yes.”
“Of?”
“Losing.”
She nodded.
“Me too.”
May you like
“Good start.”
No promises of forever perfect.
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