Chapter 183: Bonus – Wedding Reception
Zander’s POV
I helped Isabella into her dress, and she quickly straightened herself. I led her by the hand to the elevator, and it took everything in my power not to smear her lipstick on the ride down. I wanted to touch her nonstop. I’m literally staring at her as a tiger looks at their prey.
“What?” Isabella said, looking at me. “Do I have something on my face?”
“You’ll be on my face later,” I grinned.
“Zander!” Isabella squealed. “What has gotten into you?”
“I just happen to like fucking my wife,” I shrugged.
Isabella giggled, “I love my husband fucking me, so that’s a good thing.”
We stepped off the elevator and headed out to the private garden reserved for the reception. When Isabella and I walked through the flower arch, a big cheer erupted in the garden. I gulped, overwhelmed by the family, blood and not, that welcomed us as a couple. It feels so incredible to be supported by so many people.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh!” Dante announced. Of course, Dante would be the MC. “Since they are late for their own reception,” Dante shot us a look, “we will start the dinner right away and give speeches AFTER dinner.” The guests laughed, and Isabella, in her true, adorable nature, blushed.
We decided to have a true Hawaiian meal for our reception. Kalua Pig, Huli Huli Chicken, Poke, Rice, Fish tacos, and the famous Hawaiian macaroni salad that Nonna raved about. Nonna wasn’t lying; it was the best macaroni salad I’ve ever tasted.
We were just about to have our first dance when a shrill voice cut through the garden.
“OH MY GAWD! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE AT THE SAME RESORT!” The voice shrieked, we all turned and saw Bryanna Charlton, no, Bryanna DeMarco, standing inside the flower arch dressed like she was ready to attend a wedding.
“Fuck,” I mumbled under my breath to Isabella.
“Fuck, indeed,” Isabella smirked.
God, I love this woman, I grinned, looking at Isabella.
“Bryanna, where the hell did you go?” A voice called from behind the hedge.
Bryanna rolled her eyes. “Over here, Antonio,” Bryanna said in a sing-song voice.
Antonio rounded the corner of the hedge and walked towards the flower arch. “Bryanna, I told you if you keep running off, there would be consequences,” Antonio growled. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw us. “Cousin Isabella? Zander?”
“Antonio,” Isabella said, stepping forward. “What are you doing here?”
“Bryanna insisted on a babymoon,” Antonio stated. “I didn’t even know what a babymoon was before she mentioned it. Then she said it had to be this resort in Hawaii.”
“Oh, she did, did she?” Isabella glared at Bryanna, crossing her arms.
Bryanna stumbled with her words, “I… I… I… just… I mean, I had heard amazing things about this property and Hawaii. So, I thought Antonio could spoil me a bit.”
“How long are you here for?” I asked.
“For a week,” Antonio answered. “We just arrived yesterday.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t invite the DeMarco family to the wedding,” Bryanna expressed. “We should be represented.”
Salvatore stood up. “Antonio, nice to see you, but this is a private event,” Salvatore advised. “So, if you would kindly take your wife and vacate the area, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“Bryanna, learn your place,” Antonio chastised her, giving her a dirty look. “I apologize, Mr. Aventini.” Antonio grabbed Bryanna’s hand and led her under the flower arch.
“Bad woman,” Hailee screamed after Bryanna.
“Hailee!” Amelie called to her, trying to stifle a laugh. Most of the other guests couldn’t help but chuckle. Hailee just lifted her hands as if to say, ‘What?’ Like she was totally justified for speaking.
“I think Hailee is going to be a judge,” Logan chuckled.
“That’s good, because I have a feeling she’s going to have to put up with little Dante as a lawyer,” Morgan laughed.
“Oh, god,” Nathan chuckled. “Can you imagine?”
“Izzy, pick me up,” Little Dante called, clenching and unclenching his hands.
“You want to come see me?” Isabella asked.
“Yes, Izzy cute,” Dante grinned.
“Thank you, Dante,” Isabella beamed, lifting Dante up. He looked adorable in his little Hawaiian shirt, linen pants, and sandals.
“Izzy dance wif me?” Dante asked.
“Sorry, buddy,” I stated. “Izzy needs to dance with me first because we’re married.”
“No, you go,” Dante said, flicking his hand at me. “Izzy dance wif me.” Then he proceeded to squeeze Izzy’s cheeks between his hands and kiss her. “Izzy, mine,” he gloated.
“Dante,” Amelie chastised him, collecting him out of Isabella’s arms. “Remember you promised to share.”
“Ok, Mummy,” Dante replied. Then he glared over at me with the evil eye. “Zan, share.”
“Uh-oh, you have a nemesis now, Zander,” Paul joked.
“I always knew I would. I just didn’t know it would be a sassy toddler,” I laughed.
“Aww, are you jealous, Z?” Isabella giggled.
I leaned into Isabella’s ear. “No, not at all,” I whispered. “When we’re done down here, I’ll show you just how much you are MINE.”
Isabella gasped and gripped my arms as if she were stopping herself from swooning.
“Now, shall we have our first dance?” I asked.
“Yes,” Isabella replied, breathless.
I led her to the edge of the dance area. “Are you ready?” I grinned. Isabella smiled and nodded. We had decided we didn’t want a traditional sappy first dance. We’ve been practicing for weeks for this. I squeezed her hands and then walked to the other side of the dance area. I then nodded at the DJ. He started playing "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone. The guests went wild. I started dancing and beckoning Isabella over to me while lip-syncing the song. I pretended to pull on an invisible rope, and Isabella started to make her way over to me, dancing all sassy, swaying her hips and shoulders. Fuck, she was so beautiful, and she was all mine. When she reached me, the guests hooted and hollered. I swung Isabella around in a twirl, and we danced together in perfection. As the song ended, I looked into her eyes and quoted Dante, in a whisper, “Izzy, mine.”