Chapter 28

Dalia

A s the music begins, I take a deep breath, readying myself for the walk down the aisle.

The church, a gorgeous Orthodox structure in the heart of Chicago’s historic district, couldn't be more perfect for our big day.

With my bouquet of flowers in hand—lush peonies and delicate roses—I step up to the aisle. The church is packed, every pew filled with the faces of friends and family, all smiles and teary eyes. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are already lined up at the altar.

And then there's Lev.

He's standing there, looking ridiculously handsome in his tuxedo, with that slight smirk that always makes my heart skip a beat. Seeing him, so dapper and debonair, I can barely keep my thoughts straight. My big day has hardly started, and I'm already daydreaming about all the things I want to do with him once we're finally alone tonight.

The familiar strains of the wedding march fill the air, signaling my cue. I take a steadying breath, clutching my bouquet a little tighter. I'm standing alone at the start of the aisle, a bittersweet twinge in my heart.

Even though my father disapproved of every single detail of this day, a part of me still wishes he were here to walk me down the aisle.

But today, I walk alone by choice. Luk had kindly offered to accompany me, a gesture that meant the world. But I decided to go solo. There's something empowering about stepping into my future on my own terms, embracing a destiny I've chosen for myself.

When I finally reach Lev, he whispers just loud enough for me to hear, "You look so gorgeous, I can't believe my luck."

His words wash over me, igniting a warmth that radiates through my entire body. All I can do is smile back at him, my heart overflowing with love and joy.

The priest’s deep voice resonates through the church, articulating the solemn rites of the Orthodox wedding. "And now we come together not only to witness, but to celebrate the union of two hearts, two souls, in the sacred bond of marriage," he intones, as the packed pews of family and friends listen intently.

Standing next to Lev, I beam with happiness, my heart racing with anticipation of the moment we seal our vows with a kiss. Luk, standing nearby as best man, catches my eye and smiles reassuringly. I try to focus on the priest’s words but my excitement about the kiss makes it difficult.

As the priest continues, "May this couple be blessed with health, happiness, and honesty..." the sudden smell of smoke infiltrates the church.

Whispers ripple through the congregation, the tranquil ceremony disrupted by growing concern. The priest pauses, his expression turning to one of confusion as he, too, smells the smoke.

"It seems there may be an urgent matter to attend to," he says, addressing the crowd. "Please remain calm but prepare to evacuate."

Bedlam erupts with a single, piercing cry from the back. "Fire!"

Instant panic seizes the congregation. Guests surge to their feet in a desperate scramble for safety, the serene atmosphere of our wedding violently ripped apart.

Lev, with his ever-commanding presence, stands tall, his voice cutting through the pandemonium.

"Stay calm! Move in an orderly fashion toward the exits!" His firm instructions allow a brief moment of order in the storm of panic.

But it’s short-lived. A dense, choking smoke begins to flood the church, swirling around the ceiling, casting a sinister veil. Screams escalate into a frenzied cacophony, echoing off the walls, magnifying the terror.

Amidst the confusion, a chilling revelation cuts through the noise. A voice, shrill with terror, declares, "The doors are locked!" The words strike like a cold blade, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

Panic morphs into outright horror. My heart hammers against my ribs, fear gripping me with icy fingers. Locked doors and a fire? On our wedding day? This can't be happening.

I clutch Lev’s hand, desperate for his calming effect, but even his face is etched with alarm.

The realization that we might be trapped, that this could be more than an accident, sends a wave of dread crashing over me.

In the midst of the escalating chaos and thickening smoke, Lev remains a beacon of hope, his composure standing out starkly. I stay close to him, drawing some reassurance from his clear-headedness as he starts to take control of the situation once again.

Noticing a fire extinguisher nearby, I instinctively rush toward it, eager to do something, anything, to help. But Lev quickly calls out to me, halting me in my steps.

"You can't risk smoke inhalation, not with the baby. Stay low to the ground, away from the smoke.”

I pause, the weight of his words hitting me. As much as I want to help, I know he's right. I can't put our baby at risk. I nod reluctantly and step back, staying low as he instructed.

Turning to Maura and Elena, he points them toward the fire extinguishers.

"You two, start on the fire. Quick and careful.” Without a second's hesitation, they sprint to the fire extinguishers and get to work, their actions efficient and focused.

Lev then quickly organizes a group of able-bodied men to deal with the locked main doors. "We need to break through," he says, rallying the men into position.

They line up, ready to force the doors open, their expressions set with determination.

Lev and the group of determined men brace themselves, launching into the door with full force. The first attempt makes the door buckle but it stubbornly holds. They regather themselves and slam into it again and again, their efforts marked by grunts of exertion and the loud bangs of impact.

Finally, after several intense tries, the towering doors give way, crashing off their hinges and landing with a resounding crash.

From somewhere amidst the chaos, Luk’s voice rises, urging everyone to stay calm. I can feel the edge of panic nibbling at me, threatening to overwhelm me.

Reacting instinctively, I rush to Lev’s side, keeping my body low to avoid the worst of the smoke. He puts an arm around me, steadying us both as we move.

Lev takes the lead, guiding us with a commanding voice through the smoke-filled entranceway. His presence is reassuring, a steady force as we navigate. Finally, we emerge into the safety of the outdoors, and I take a deep breath of fresh air, filling my lungs with it gratefully.

As the fire starts tearing through the church, the blaring sirens quickly follow. Firefighters jump into action, hoses in hand, battling the flames that dared to ruin our day.

"Are you okay?" lev asks, scanning me from head to toe.

"My chest feels a bit tight from the smoke, but I think I’m okay.”

Suddenly, a car pulls up fast into the lot, and out hop Vladimir and Vanya, both looking like they just dodged the apocalypse.

I watch their faces drop as they take in the chaotic scene—fire trucks, water hoses, ambulances, and us standing in the middle of it all.

Suddenly an EMT is at my side. "Let's get you checked out," he insists, leading me away from the group.

As the EMT does his thing, checking my vitals and making sure I'm not in any immediate medical danger, I can't help but glance back at the church, the water dousing what's left of the flames.