Chapter 89 Wedding
Elena
“If you want a baby, Ki, just get pregnant. It’s literally not that hard,” Tony says dryly.
Kiara’s hand twitches as if she wants to hit him. I understand the feeling completely. Just as I'm about to break off the argument, Roman's hand squeezes my thigh.
"No, we're avoiding that," he mutters.
He literally leads me away, up the stairs to the balcony overlooking the clear night sky. I breathe in and out quietly.
“Soothing, huh?” Roman says, throwing his jacket over my shoulders and standing behind me.
“Yes, that’s it.”
We stand there for a few minutes, letting the cool air wash over us. I’ve never felt more calm than I do at that moment.
“I want a yellow wedding,” I say suddenly. Behind me, Roman gasps for air.
“Excuse me?”
“Lots and lots of flowers. Daisies, peonies, carnations. My dress will be a flowing ball gown with a floral pattern.”
Roman is silent for a few seconds. He blinks slowly, as if trying to understand what I said. “You want a yellow wedding,” he repeats. “Because you can’t have a white wedding like a normal person?”
“Exactly,” I said.
“Of course,” he mumbles. “Who’s the groom at this wedding?”
“It has to be you. As soon as you get down on your knees and pop the question with some fancy ring, which I’m sure you already bought.” I turn around and catch his grin, which lights up his entire face.
“You’ll love your ring,” he promises, confirming my words.
Happiness blossoms in me, spreading throughout my body and making me feel lighter.
“I doubt it,” I tease. “You have famously bad taste.”
“If you’re not going to trust my judgment, trust Kiara. She’s the only one who’s ever done it.” He said.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, my chest aching at the thought of my best friend making me a ring. “Now I want to see it.”
“You will. When the time is right,” he assures me.
I beam, turning in his arms and leaning against his chest. We’re silent for a moment, looking up at the clear night sky.
“Your father is proud of you, Roman,” I say, breaking the silence. I feel him tense behind me. “He may not have gotten the chance to say it, but you’re more than enough. You’re twice the person he wanted you to be. I know that. I’ve seen you fiercely protective of your family. I’ve seen you protect his legacy. He can’t help but be proud of you. You’re not enough.”
Roman is silent for half a second. Then his voice fills my ear as he leans closer. “You’re more than enough, too, little wolf.”
“I know that’s true. Because I have you. And I have Cassie. And our family. And no matter how incredibly crazy I think it is, you love me. And unfortunately, I love you, too.” The air around us seems to freeze as the words leave my lips. Roman’s arms tighten around me.
“Unfortunately?” he repeats dryly.
“What? It’s true. I’m pretty sure we’re going to annoy the hell out of each other every single day for the rest of our lives.” I said.
“But we’ll spend that time together,” Roman says. His words are a promise, a vow.
“Always and forever,” I say, making a vow of my own.
As I turn to meet his lips, I’m overcome with confidence: our hearts beat in perfect harmony. He is mine, and I am certainly his. This is how fate intended.
It is incredible to realize that the purest form of love arose after one forbidden night of passion with my brother's best friend, which resulted in a secret child for a ruthless don.
Russo
We hadn't spoken for two weeks.
I'd barely seen her because of some business problems abroad. I was busy trying to fix them, and Rose seemed content not to approach me. She was busy preparing for the wedding. And then the day had arrived, and I was sitting in a pew in the church behind Rose's mother and some other family members.
Next to me were D'Angelo, Carlo, and Christian with their spouses. Rose stood to the side of the aisle, resplendent in her bridesmaid dress. She didn't look at me. Not once. In front of her stands her maid of honor, Kiara Coleman.
On the opposite side are the groom and his two groomsmen. Roman looks stunning in a custom-made tuxedo, though there's a hint of nervousness in his expression, which I find amusing.
His eyes alternate between the closed doors leading into the church and his daughter, who's held in her grandmother's arms in front.
After a few more minutes of waiting, soft, slow music begins to play, signaling the bride's entrance. Elena enters on her father's arm, and I hear Daniella D'Angelo sigh softly.
"She looks so beautiful," the redhead whispers.
"Yes, so happy," her daughter-in-law, Astoria, agrees.
The bride glides down the aisle. Her father hands her over to the groom, and the ceremony begins. I'm only half-listening, too distracted by the sight of Rose ahead. Then it's time for the vows, and I concentrate on what the couple is saying.
Elena begins first.
"Roman, I've known you since I was a little girl with stars in my eyes. I knew you when the stars dimmed, and I knew you even when I didn't believe in stars at all. Every moment of my journey, you were with me. Sometimes I didn't even realize it. Sometimes I truly despised you.”
This makes the guests laugh.
"But despite all this, my heart always knew you were the only one for me. We hit a huge iceberg when I lied to you and took something of yours. But today I promise you that will never happen again. When I marry you, I will be yours from now on and forever, in sickness, in health, and in everything."
More laughter.
"I love you so much, Roman De Luca. And I will tell you this every day, through every battle. You showed me your heart, and I will do everything in my power to protect it. Always and forever.”