**Chapter 10: The Ceremony**

The sun was shining brightly on the day of Dorothy and Lucas's wedding, casting a warm glow over the entire scene. The beautiful park was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, providing a picturesque backdrop for the ceremony. The guests were all seated, chatting and laughing as they waited for the bride to arrive. As the music began, Dorothy walked down the aisle, her white wedding gown sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight. Her hair was styled perfectly, her makeup flawless, and her bouquet of fresh flowers added a pop of color to her overall look. Lucas couldn't take his eyes off her as she approached him, his heart swelling with love and adoration. The minister, a close friend of the couple, began to speak, his voice warm and gentle. "Dear friends and family, we gather today to celebrate the union of Dorothy and Lucas. They have come to this moment with love in their hearts, and a commitment to one another that will last a lifetime." As the minister spoke, Dorothy and Lucas gazed into each other's eyes, their love and happiness radiating like a beacon. They exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. The words were simple, yet profound, and they spoke them with conviction and sincerity. The moment of truth arrived, and Lucas placed a small, elegant ring on Dorothy's finger. She smiled, her eyes shining with tears, as he took her hand in his. The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and Lucas lifted Dorothy's veil and kissed her softly on the lips. The guests erupted into cheers and applause as the newlyweds walked hand in hand down the aisle. Dorothy turned to Lucas and smiled, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so happy," she said. Lucas smiled back, his eyes shining with love. "Me too, my darling. Me too." The guests cheered and whistled as the newlyweds made their way to the reception, ready to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. As they walked, Dorothy felt a sense of joy and elation wash over her. She knew that she had made the right decision in marrying Lucas, and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him. The ceremony had been perfect, and now it was time to celebrate. The reception was just getting started, with food, music, and dancing awaiting the guests. Dorothy and Lucas made their way to the head table, where their friends and family were waiting to congratulate them. Rose, Blanche, and Sophia beamed with pride, happy to see their dear friend so happy. As the newlyweds took their seats, the celebration began in earnest. The music started, and the guests began to dance. Dorothy and Lucas shared a romantic first dance, swaying to the music as they gazed into each other's eyes. The night was young, and the party was just getting started. Little did they know, it would be a night they would never forget. The love and happiness that filled the air was palpable, and it seemed that nothing could ever come between Dorothy and Lucas. But as they danced, Dorothy felt a sudden jolt of pain in her chest. She tried to brush it off, thinking it was just a side effect of the excitement and emotion of the day. But as the pain grew stronger, she knew that something was wrong. She looked up at Lucas, her eyes wide with concern, and that's when everything started to go wrong.