The noise died down again and Luc held out a hand to me. I took it and stood up cautiously.
"I'd just like to thank everyone for joining us tonight and for the warm congratulations we've had from everyone," Luc said, looking down the table. Dom and Dante whistled, and I laughed along with the guests. Luc wrapped an arm around my waist, and I leaned against him.
"There's something very special that happens to a man when he realises he's met the woman that he's going to spend the rest of his life with. I think it's called fulfilment."
I looked up at him. I hadn't expected Luc to prepare anything to say to the guests.
"The words couldn't come fast enough once I realized." He looked down at me. "Mia, I can't thank you enough for agreeing to become my wife and seeing the goodness in me."
I bit my bottom lip gently. Luc had always struggled to see the good in himself, but I’d work hard every day to make sure he was reminded it was there.
"I'm not sure I'll understand color schemes or decor or bridesmaid shit that will come my way, but like the best of me, my father and many of you here who've gone before me, I'll endure it because I know what I want and that's to call Mia my wife."
I couldn't stop looking at Luc. How could my entire world be packed into one human being? It was such an all-consuming love that sometimes I worried about how bright it burned for him but my fears were calmed when I saw it reflected in Luc.
"All that's left to say is that we will see you at the church in 5 months’ time. Please raise your glasses to the woman I love. To Mia and family."
The echoes of “Mia and family” filled the yard as I gently tapped my champagne flute against Luc's. He kissed me deeply, leading to cheers and whistles before we sat down and were inundated with questions about the date, now Luc had announced it.
The night wore on and people mingled inside and outside the house. I stuck to Luc's side as we worked their way through the guests but eventually, we were split apart when the boys took him for a drink and I went in search of Vittoria. I walked inside and made my way through people before I spotted Xavier making his way upstairs.
Why would he need to go upstairs?
I followed after him quietly.
Xavier headed down the hallways as if he were familiar with the house. I wasn't surprised, considering how close he had been to Charlie. I followed until we reached Charlie's old office.
Xavier made his way into the room and I stood outside the door, against the wall. When I popped my head around the door, he had his back to me. He looked along the shelves at the photographs that sat there. Luc's childhood with his parents that soon shifted to just him and Charlie. He picked up a picture of Luc and Dante, at around 16, arms slung over each other in the summer sun and laughing at some joke.
"Can I help you with something, Xavier?" I stepped into the room and he almost dropped the frame. He placed it back on the shelf before he turned to me.
"It's rather rude to sneak up on people," he told me.
"You're creeping around my home."
"I'll remind you that I've known the Foster family longer than you have." His tone was sharp and cold. What he said was the truth, but I didn't feel it gave him the right to sneak around Charlie's office. I didn't think Luc would appreciate it.
"What are you doing here, Xavier?" I asked him.
He let out a frustrated sigh. "My godson, Charlie's boy, is engaged. None of us thought Lucas would settle down. It just didn't seem in his nature. So, forgive me if I wanted to reminisce today. Charlie should have been here for him."
There was a twist of guilt in my stomach and something else that I couldn’t put my finger on. I wasn’t sure I fully believed what Xavier said.
"Mia?" Gabriel's voice came down the hall.
"We best go join the party again," Xavier said. "Sounds like my son is looking for you."
Xavier stepped past me and I looked around the room again before leaving it, shutting the door behind me.
Chapter Fifty Eight
Mia
"Hmm?" I slowly opened my eyes to see Luc propped up on one arm as he brushed the hair out of my face.
"Morning, beautiful," he greeted me.
Even the dim light of the bedroom made my eyes and head hurt. I closed them again and scooted closer to Luc as he laughed quietly.
