I engulf her against my chest and hold her fucking tight, and it finally has the desired effect as she calms down.
“There you go,” I murmur lovingly. “Deep breaths, baby.”
She nods, and when she pulls away, I dig tissues out of my pocket, which I brought in case something like this happened.
Leaning down, I wipe the tear tracks from her cheeks while smiling. “Only you can look so fucking beautiful after crying.”
She lets out a chuckle. “You’re being silly.”
“Better?”
She nods as she takes a tissue from the stack, and when she’s ready, I grip her hand in mine. Brushing my thumb over the wedding band and engagement ring, I lead her back to our loved ones.
When our parents come closer, I reluctantly let go of her so they can hug us.
For the next few minutes, we’re bombarded with well-wishes, then Mom calls out, “Everyone can move to the reception area.”
Augusto and Yuki hang back, and he says, “A quick wedding is much better than planning it for months.”
“Riccardo’s wedding almost killed us.” I chuckle. It cost a couple of million, and all the women drove Augusto and me up the damn wall.
Bianca and Lorenzo, who’s Augusto’s head of security, join us, and she says, “I’m the only unmarried Vitale left.”
“Don’t even think about it. At least give me a year to recover from all the weddings,” Augusto tells his sister.
“Oh, so you and Sienna can get married at the drop of a hat, and I have to wait?”
“Time for photos,” I say, leading Sienna away from her siblings just in case the conversation escalates.
Mom and Aunt Samantha boss everyone around for close to an hour while the poor photographer works his ass off. Only when they’re satisfied that we’ve posed in every position known to mankind do we get to relax a little.
Sienna and I take a seat on the couch across from Remo and Valentina, and I smile when Asher comes to stand beside me.
Brushing my hand over his head, I ask, “How are you doing, little man?”
“I’m hungry.”
I signal to one of the servers, and when he hurries over, I say, “Bring the children something to eat and drink.”
“Yes, sir.”
Taking hold of Asher, I lift him onto my lap. He leans back against my chest. “Mom says there’ll be cake.”
“She’s right.”
“Yay.” He grins up at me. “I want the biggest piece.”
“Okay.”
Sienna only sits for a minute, then she gets up again. My eyes track her as she walks to Aunt Samantha. They talk for a little while, and it looks like Aunt Samantha gives something to Sienna, but I can’t see what.
When my new mother-in-law’s expression turns serious, I move Asher to the couch, and getting up, I walk closer to the women.
“…it from him forever.” I hear Aunt Samantha say in a hushed tone, then she notices me, and her eyes widen as she grabs Sienna’s arm. “Christiano, I forgot to tell you how handsome you look today.”
Right.
Sienna’s head turns so fast that, for a second, I fear she might sprain something.
