Last night, Naomi told me her father said he’d be okay with not walking her down the aisle if that was what she wanted. He understood that this was her decision and that he had no say in giving her away to anyone.
I knew before she spoke that she had told him she wanted him to walk her down the aisle. Naomi can be more traditional than people know. She loves her family. Everything she does is with them in mind and is best for everyone. You don’t do that unless you care. She observes how other couples in this family interact and desires the same. To be understood without having to speak a word. It’s my role to make sure she gets that.
“How is she?” I ask.
“Impatient.” Tova gives me a bright smile. “The suit came out nicely.”
“Thank you.” She’d been the one to really pull this together.
“I did the pocket myself.” Tova gives a small shrug with one shoulder, like it’s not a big deal, but it is. I open my suit coat and pull the picture out of the pocket and show it to her. “Oh my gosh.” The smile that takes over her face lights up the room.
The picture is worn and from many years ago. It was a candid shot I’d pulled from the video footage I had taken of Naomi. In this one I could have sworn she knew she was being watched. That tilt of her head, her eyes narrowing. It’s also one of the rare times she’d had her hair down.
Tova hands it back to me. “Thank you for sharing that with me.” Her eyes are now filled with tears. “I’m so happy you found her. She needs you in ways that no one else can ever fill or understand.” Tova hugs me suddenly, and I return it. This is the closest I’ve had to a family besides Sloane in a very long time.
“Can I escort you to your seat?” I ask her.
“That would be lovely.” I offer her my arm before I lead her out of the library and toward the back of the house, where everything has been set up. There will only be family here tonight along with some of the men who have worked for the Marinos for decades.
They might not be family members by blood or marriage, but if you give the Marinos loyalty and respect, they will return it.
Once I guide Tova to her seat, I step over to my sister and lean down and kiss her cheek before I make my way to the front to stand and wait for Naomi to make her appearance.
I honestly have no idea what to expect when it comes to what she’ll be wearing today. It’s the one detail everyone has kept under wraps. It doesn’t matter to me. She could wear a potato sack and she’d still be the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
The music starts, and Naomi appears at the end of the aisle. That woman always knows how to take my breath away. The top of the creamy white strapless jumpsuit is fitted tightly like a corset, making a heart shape. It leads down to wide-leg trousers. Connected on each side of her hips is a skirt that is embellished with intricate gold and crystal beading that matches the top of the corset and flows behind her.
A gold clip matching the choker she’s wearing holds her wild curls back. How did this woman ever think she wasn’t beautiful? Everything else fades away as I watch her, Naomi’s bright blue eyes staying trained on mine.
Not even when War kisses her on her cheek does her attention sway from me. I take her hands in mine, and the officiant begins. I don’t know how I manage to repeat what he tells me. I’m so enthralled by her. She’s regal, reminding me of an Egyptian queen. My queen.
Naomi lets out a small gasp when I slide on the band, which is encrusted all around in diamonds but smooth to the touch. It’s functional but still beautiful. I can tell from her expression that she loves it. Then she’s slipping the gold band onto my finger. She’s finally mine in every way now.
“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant says, and a smile breaks out across her face. I lift a brow. Naomi momentarily pauses for half a second, and then a small laugh leaves her, and that smile grows more for me.
“You can kiss me now.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her into me and claim her mouth in a deep kiss. Everyone cheers. “You’re mine now until death, and even then you won’t escape me.” Her words warm my heart. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Sunshine, I’ve always been yours.” I kiss my wife again.
The reception is small as well, but no detail was left out. We eat and dance and celebrate the new life ahead of us with thewhole family. With everyone in one space, it’s a reminder of how big and tight-knit this family truly is.
I pull Naomi onto my lap as the night wears on.
“I love my ring,” she tells me, peeking up at me. “I love you.”
“I know you do, sunshine, and I love you too.” Her fingers trace my lips.
“You think we can leave soon?” she asks.
“Are you excited for our wedding night or the honeymoon?” I tease her.
“Both will be with you. So they are the same.”
“One involves my dick inside you, sweetheart, and the other involves murder and mayhem,” I point out, still teasing her.
“You’ll have your way with me after the murder and mayhem.”
“This is true.”
