“Yes?” He gently rubbed my lower lip, while his amber pools softened and filled with love.
“Then I would say, ‘My whole life, I had no idea what my purpose in this world was or why God kept me alive for so long. What was the point of the darkness surrounding me? It was easier to succumb to it than fight, but fight I did. Trying to reach a light, which always escaped me. But then I met you… and my life had meaning. Rosa Giovanni, please give me the honor of being your husband, as you are my purpose in this life, a reward and final destination on my dark path. Be my queen while I do my best to suffocate you with my love and build a life and family, which will not know nightmares. I love you,krasavica. Please say yes.’” He finished, wiping away the tears sliding down my cheeks as I smiled.
“It would have been a nice proposal.”
“I told you. But it wasn't, just so we are clear.”
“Oh, it was clear. Dominic?”
“Yes?”
“My answer would have been, ‘My whole life, I was kept and guarded in a sort of castle where no one could reach. One day, a dragon came and took me away, but I escaped him. Then I met someone else’s prince and wondered why a happy ending didn't seem possible for me. But now I understand that all this brought me to you, and I’m so thankful for everything. You are my knight in shining armor who slayed all the dragons and won over the kingdom. I love you. Yes, nothing would make me happier than being your wife and the mother of your children.’”
The kiss he gave me curled my toes as he softly nipped my lips, licking around them. Then he pressed his thumb on my chin to open my mouth so he could entwine his tongue with mine, caressing me gently, letting me taste his desire as he drank on mine.
We had to stop to breathe, and he replied right before repeating his action, “It would have been one hell of an answer.”
My giggles echoed in the room, and my heart finally lightened, as nothing but happiness awaited us.
Well, as much happiness as you could have living with the pakhan.
Rosa
Studying my reflection one last time and winking at myself, I took a deep breath and exited the bridal boudoir straight into the hallway, where my dad paced back and forth, muttering something to himself. The minute his eyes landed on me, he stopped, speechless, as if struck dumb. Giving him a tentative smile, I twirled around so he’d have a good look at my wedding dress that Frankie had designed for me.
I couldn’t stomach the idea of a classical dress after all those months of planning a wedding while being considered Angelica Rossi, and I didn't want to remind Dominic of that time either. Although he seemed fine, the simmering rage over the fact that, even temporarily and with amnesia, some other man had his ring on my finger… yeah, it led to a lot of hot encounters between us, as time and time again he restored his claim on my body.
Did I complain? Hell, no. However, I had to get down the aisle before he hid me in his castle, so his frustration with the dress had to be taken into consideration.
Instead, I chose a calf-length full guipure lace gown with off-the-shoulder straps. The corset bodice hugged my top tight, lifting my breasts, and the full skirt emphasized my waist. Since the color white was out of the question, we ended up deciding to opt for red instead, to compliment my dark hair and eyes. It seemed fitting, considering how hard it was to get our happy ending.
With my black Bianca Louboutin heels, I had this gorgeous ‘60s look, while the black blusher veil created the aura of mystery. The girls thought I was crazy using the two colors that had more to do with death and funerals than joyful celebration, but I just shrugged.
Black and red represented the colors of our love, and I knew Dominic wouldn't mind, even though he had no clue what to expect. He growled a lot at my silence, not liking any secrets between us, but I wouldn't budge.
“Rosalinda,” Dad whispered, as the corners of his eyes misted and he squeezed me hard in his arms, resting his chin on my shoulder while I closed my eyes and breathed my daddy in. No matter how old you were, you could still be a kid as long as your parents lived. Despite his dictator ways and all the bad stuff that had happened to me, I never doubted his love for me or how grateful I was that he could share this very special day with me. Unlike many in this world, I was lucky enough to have a parent who adored me and dedicated everything in his life to making me happy. Shouldn't that count for something?
After a second, minutes, or maybe a few moments, when we both got what we wanted from the hug, he leaned back, palmed my face, and kissed me on the forehead. A single tear slid down my cheek and he gently wiped it away. “I love you, baby girl. Your mom would have been so proud.” With that, he placed a small navy-blue bobby pin in my hair, and based on their wedding picture, I knew it was Mom’s. A painful but pleasant pang in my heart reminded me that although she wasn't here with me, I could still have part of her on this special day.
“Thank you, Daddy. And I love you too.”
He smiled softly. Then I placed my hand on his arm as we walked toward the outside door, and he nodded toward the organist so the processional could start.
“Time to give you away. I think any minute now Dominic will come storming inside.” Barely containing laughter, I didn't comment as everyone rose and the music started. The first notes of Ed Shereen’s “Give Me Love” calmed my nerves, as the music was perfect for this day.
Since a Russian traditional wedding had no bridesmaid, I decided to follow the same tradition, much to the happiness of everyone else. Frankie and Sapphire told me they loved me, but they had no desire to go through the hell that Annie put them through during Sapphire’s wedding.
The autumn breeze felt heavenly on my skin, cooling it as leaves scattered around the grass and concrete. I begged everyone for the wedding to take place in the park where we first met, and Vito, Dad, and Dominic, through some miracle, accomplished it. The area was secured, and no one could enter, although maybe it had something to do with the wedding at six in the morning.
Only Kristina demanded to be a flower girl, much to our surprise, considering she didn’t want the role during her parents’ wedding. There, she was the best man.
She half turned to us, making her fusion lace dress spin, waved with her lace-gloved hand, and started to throw flowers left and right as she slowly—agonizingly slowly, may I add—walked down the aisle as we followed her.
The priest stood with Dominic at the end of the aisle, the arc of roses above their heads. The concrete walk was covered by red carpet with wooden benches on each side with no adornments. Later, we would celebrate at the restaurant that had the best pasta in the whole of New York.
Our guests either waved, nodded, or grinned in my direction, but that I would discover later, when Frankie would point it out to me. My whole focus was on the deliciously handsome man standing near the priest as Damian stood on his right while Vitya did the same.
Dominic.
