Chapter Twenty-Seven

When all the legalities were finished. Nate suggested that we take a walk along the grounds of the hotel. Cameron followed us with his camera to capture shots of us after the ceremony. He stayed back which still gave me and Nate the privacy to talk about the elephant in the room. His brother.

"How are you feeling," I ask Nate as we stop to admire the beautiful evening view where you could see the spectacular gardens that surrounded the main hotel building. I know it's not the topic of conversation he wanted to be discussing now but I don't think I could just enjoy tonight without Nate being able to vent out his feelings to his wife.

He brings my hand up to his lips and places a soft kiss there. The gesture was cute, and it warmed my heart.

"Honestly I don't know. I thought I hated him with everything he did I was sure of it. But he's my brother and I knew if mum were alive, she would be totally disappointed if I did nothing to help him" even though Nate is the strongest person I know there's always going to be something that brings him down.

And I can't ignore that.

"When I got the call, I was shocked and my first instinct was to just let things be, to believe that it was fate that he completely deserved it" I watched Nate say these things and it was hard to believe that this was what he was going through whilst I was planning his death for the 5th time because he wasn't with me.

"But I had her voice telling me to do something to be there for my brother even though he tried to kill my now wife" he even chuckled at the last comment. It feels like years since that happened. To think that I was close to being murdered by my now brother-in-law.

"I couldn't live with myself if I let Drew kill himself with the belief that we all hated him and didn't love him" it doesn't take a genius to know that through everything Nate still has so much love for Drew and admire that so much.

Nate turned to face me completely once again, pulling me into his body. "Enough of my brother, how are you feeling Mrs. Tesoro?" His demeanor suddenly changes, and I'm graced with, yes you guessed it, the famous Nathaniel smirk.

"Hungry," I told him, mirroring his smirk. On cue, my stomach rumbles just confirming that I am indeed hungry. I haven't eaten all day and the reception isn't starting for another hour.

This morning my mother forced me to eat, however I physically couldn't stomach anything with the nerves I was experiencing.

Before I could say anything else, Nate had grabbed my hand and with a moment to sort out my dress he started to drag me in the direction that we just came from. I really didn't know where we were going but I soon was able to identify where he was taking me, I gasped.

"You got us a burger van?" I practically scream in his ear. He smiled from ear to ear. "Of course, we paid for expensive food for the reception, but I know that this will come to good use." This must have been one of the last-minute decisions that he was talking about.

"Are you trying to wow me just so you'll have me writhing underneath you tonight?" I say, raising my eyebrow.

"I don't have to try darling. And I'm pretty sure you'll be the one on top, riding me with those beautiful globes bouncing up and down." I had to slap my hands over his filthy mouth before anyone heard.

"Shut up before I divorce you!" I exclaim before retracting my hand when I feel his tongue poke out and lick my hand. Disgusting.

Luckily for me Nate managed to keep his mouth shut whilst I was getting my burger from the kind man who was running the burger van. he let me eat in piece and I didn't even feel sorry for not offering him a single bite.

Call me selfish I don't care.

We finally arrived back at the building and walked into the private room; this is where we'd be until all the guests were seated in the hall where we would dine. Nate heard from his father that they had arrived and were already seated. The conversation seemed positive, and I hope that there were no problems.

Drew was a big part of meeting Nate and even though he put me in so much pain both physically and mentally I still wanted him to be a part of the growing family.

One day I'm sure I can go visit him and hopefully have a better understanding to why he did that.

But right now, I need to go and enjoy my night even though I'm bloody positive that it'll be impossible to manage a whole night of not being able to keep my hands off him. I think that he looks gorgeously handsome on a regular basis now times that by 10.

Walking into the hall was beautiful the reception had been designed to perfection and I was just amazed. The whole room erupted in applause as we entered, Nate had my arm linked with his and he said hello to various people as did I.

"Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Tesoro", George announces as we start to make our way to our seats. I found my family immediately and I ran towards them hugging them like my life depended on it.

"Loretta, beautiful" I rather quiet voice says from below. I look down and meet the golden-brown eyes of Eaton, he stands there with his arms around his back and has this shy look. I look at my parents in surprise. Did my little brother just say my full name and compliment me at the same time?

I parted my lips to say something to him, to let him know how proud I was of him, but I held my tongue as I watched Eaton turn on his heel and high five Nate who had his hand held out for him.

"you're training my little brother, how dare you" I prod his chest accusing him of teaching my little brother his ways. He simply grinned back, not a single ounce of guilt on that handsome face.

Fortunately for everyone my attention was diverted when I noticed some of my friends on a nearby table. I walked over to them and spoke to them leaving Nate to discuss matters with my family before going to see his friends as well.

The meal that we had was beautiful I was so happy with the standard of the food and so was Nate apparently because he practically demolished his plate as soon as it arrived. He licked his lips and dug in. Bloody animal.

Nate managed to bring us all together with a speech dedicated to the guests and he made a cute toast to me which had me madly blushing.

The night proceeded with many people laughing and crying, we had a beautiful presentation that was created by both of our parents it had many pictures from all our life to the most recent ones. It had pictures I had never seen as well so I was surprised and also a little embarrassed.

I was confused for a moment because some of the pictures of Nate when he was like 18 were not just him and his friends, there was this one girl who was always by his side. They looked at each other like they meant the world to each other. I shouldn't be jealous, but I am.

Is that the girl that broke his heart, the one they keep telling me about? Nate reached over when he saw the pictures and gave my thigh a squeeze. I didn't know what to say so I didn't do anything.

Kyle who was sitting opposite me turned to me with a sorry look on her face, I could tell she was sorry for putting those pictures on there.

"It's okay, don't worry about it I'm fine" I say even though I'm not. It's hard to see those pictures even though I have Nate now, if she was still around would he be with her. Probably. But I can't be angry at that.

Nate suddenly grabs a hold of my chin and turns my face towards him. I watch the fear in his eyes as he watches for my reaction. "You don't have to explain yourself. You loved her; I get it. We both loved someone before each other." I was hoping that would ease the slight tension. I was right. As soon as I kissed him he smiled and placed his arm around my waist.

"She's beautiful, by the way. I can see why you loved her." When the words come out of my mouth shock accumulated his whole face. Probably thought I was going to spiteful and jealous.

Nate was about to say something but suddenly George stood up with a microphone and from that moment, me and Nate were leaning back in our seats.

"Hello there" he starts off, sending a charming smile to us. The panic is clear in his eyes.

"Not only am I the best man but I am also Loretta and Nate's best friend. I take great pride in that. There is a lot of things I can say about them, some embarrassing but I'm not going to stand here and tell you about the times where Nate has "before he could carry on Nate coughs rather loudly to which George just smirks.

"Sorry about that I nearly let one slip, my bad" the room started to laugh at the obvious banter between the two.

"I met Loretta first. In higher education striving for a better future. Loretta was so bright and intelligent that I thought country boy George wouldn't have a chance, as friends as friends" George quickly added noticing the dark look on Nate's face.

"Good, keep it that way" Nate mumbles kissing my neck.

"But turns out we'd end up being best friends until we finished. I was fortunate enough to find my dear Loretta a few years down the line when I started to date her best friend, my wife Tammy" she grabbed a hold of his hand giving it a supporting squeeze.

"I met Nate a year after graduating, he wasn't in the best shape. Drinking and living it up just like any man with a big wallet would" many of Nate's friends raised a glass to that. Bloody typical.

"But it's safe to say that when these two met, there was a lot of fire and the undeniable sexual tension that made every moment awkward as hell may I add" that's an exaggeration. Both of us knew it.

"But I could see the obvious change in them, Loretta was perfect for Nate, with her feisty attitude, and don't take shit from anyone persona" Nate looks at me smiling. I raised my glass up to my mum.

"Oh yes Hannah, we have you to thank, let's raise a glass to Hannah Reeves everyone" I laughed at the horrified face of my blushing mother.

I mouthed sorry to her which she just replied. I'm going to kill you.

"With Loretta, Nate was perfect for her, his big brooding, strong personality was exactly what kept Loretta interested and the obvious care he had and still has for her" I looked over at Nate and he had this proud look on his face.

Jesus. Thanks for that George.

"As much as I despise them for putting me in a horrible position when they have arguments, I'm honestly excited for your future you guys deserve each other, and I know everyone here can understand that your love is deeper than the sea with everything you've been through" okay now George is getting deep. Literally.

"So, let's raise a glance to Loretta and Nate, Mr. and Mrs. Tesoro" we all raise our glasses, and everyone cheers for us. I felt Nate pull me for a kiss before the music started to play out.

It wasn't long before I was walking to the dancefloor with my dad.

As we stepped in the center, he wrapped his arms around me.

"Do you know how proud I am of you Loretta; you've grown to be such an amazing woman and even though it pains me to see you leave my care I want what's best for you" the sincerity in his voice was something I wasn't used to coming from dad. We barely had normal serious conversations.

"I love you dad, and I'll never be far" we danced slowly to our favorite song. My head on his chest and a certain warmth surrounding us. I know that he had dreamt of this moment for a long time, so I purposely dragged it out. I was enjoying the moment, but I knew it had to end.

Nate came over to us.

"Taking her from me already, somebody's keen," dad says humor in his voice. I turn to find Nate standing there with a charming smile gracing his lips.

"If you don't mind, "his deep velvety voice says as he wraps his hand around my waist not before hugging my dad.

Instantly I was pulled into Nate's chest. I could see the reactions from our guests as he did. I felt his fingers digging into my back, where the dress wasn't covering my skin. I breathed in his scent and pressed my body further into his. 

" How did I manage to get you as my wife Loretta" he said as he looked down at me. I watched as he slanted his lips over mine and kissed me softly. 

I giggled as I kissed him back. "I'm not quite sure. You were pretty adamant on making me yours though, if I remember correctly," I replied thinking about the times where Nate fought for us. To make me his, to not give us on what we had. 

"That's true, I just couldn't let another man have you," he whispered, tightening his hold on my waist. 

God, I couldn't wait to finally have those hands on me tonight. I wanted him to take me to new highs that I had never experienced before, and I am more than positive that he would. 

"Even if I tried, I couldn't stop loving you Nate. Thank you for fighting for me," I said as I loved my hands up to grip his soft hair. I tugged lightly earning a groan from Nate. 

"Don't thank me for anything Amore, I do it because I love you with every bone in my body so fucking much," he mumbled against my lips before pushing his lips against mine again. 

I loved this man, and I don't think I could ever stop.