“Well, don’t forget I’m not marrying into an Italian family, but I’m sure Dominic or his cousins would be more than happy to talk to you about it anytime you want,” I say.
“I was talking to Alessandro earlier. He promised to tell me a few stories later on tonight,” she says with a grin. “I shouldn’t be so excited about our family joining a bunch of career criminals, but they’re really nice and impossible to not like. I mean, look how they treat their wives and kids.”
She’s right. Seeing these men around their families has always told me everything I need to know about them. Family is everything, and I’m about to join a very powerful one.
“Okay, honey,” my dad says, holding his arm out for me. “I’m not ready to let you go, so I’m refusing to look at it like that. The only thing that’s changing is your last name.”
“That’s right,” I say, taking my dad’s arm. “We’re going to be seeing each other all the time. I promise.”
He pats my hand and takes a deep breath. “That sounds good to me. Your mom and I love you so much, and we can’t wait to have a son-in-law and a grandbaby.”
My parents pull me in for another hug before my mom rushes to go take her seat and my dad leads me to the door to wait for our cue.
In just a few minutes, I’ll be Niki’s wife. My mouth spreads into a big smile at the thought, and it’s still lighting up my face when we hear the music and step out onto the back patio. The yard looks beautiful, and everyone who’s here with us is someone we love. The moment is so perfect that it’s almost overwhelming, but then we turn the corner and I see Niki waiting for me.
Everything else disappears as he gives me one of his gorgeous smiles.
That’s the man I’m going to marry, I think to myself, almost saying the words out loud because it still seems too good to be true. That kind, brilliant, sexy man is going to be my husband and the father of our baby.
With one hand clutching my bouquet and the other my dad’s arm, I keep my eyes locked on Niki and start walking.
Epilogue
Nikita
Ican’t believe I’m about to marry the beautiful, amazing woman walking towards me. She looks like an angel with her white dress and long, blonde hair. She’s wearing the jewelry I bought for her, and even though it looks gorgeous, that’s not what’s making my chest ache right now. It’s the dimple that’s impossible to hide with how huge her smile is, the way her blue eyes are already shiny with tears, and the small baby bump the dress highlights. I’m obsessed with that tiny bump, and I love that she didn’t try to hide it today.
When they’re finally in front of me and Phil puts his daughter’s hand in mine, I feel my throat tighten, because I know he’s just handed me the world. I know it for the gift it is, and when I meet his eyes and nod, he understands what I’m telling him. His daughter will be safe with me, she will be loved by me, and she will always be the center of my life.
“You’re so beautiful, Van,” I whisper when it’s just the two of us facing one another.
Tears are already running down her cheeks, and when it comes time for her to sayI do, I’m right there with her. This woman always cracks me wide open. I can’t help it, though. She’s my wife, and she’s carrying our baby.
I cup her face, using my thumbs to gently brush the tears away, and then I lean in and make our marriage official with our first kiss as husband and wife. Everything about Savanna always feels like I’m returning home, and this kiss is no different. It may be our first one as a married couple, but it feels like I’ve spent lifetimes doing this with her.
Our family cheers, and I know this is the happiest I’ve ever been and that every moment after this is only going to get better. Her mouth is soft against mine, her pregnant body pressing into me, and when I open my eyes, the first thing I see is the sparkle in hers. My wife is glowing. She looks so goddamn radiant. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s as happy as I am or if it’s the hormones and I don’t care. She’s stunning, and she takes my breath away.
“I love you, Van,” I tell her as I scoop her into my arms and turn to face our families.
She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you, too.”
I carry my wife and our baby into the crowd. Everyone surrounds us, excited and eager to congratulate us. We spend the night eating and dancing and laughing and watching the others drink way too much.
When she starts to get tired, I sit my wife on my lap and we watch everyone let loose. Damien and Ev come over to sit down with us. Damien hands me a plate of fruit and cheese in case Savanna’s hungry. She gives him a big smile and pops a grape in her mouth.
Ev laughs when Dominic is pulled out onto the dance floor by Isabella. She twirls around in her frilly pink dress, and soon Vitya joins them with a smiling Samantha. Luka carries Mira out, Val grins and walks over with Veya, and soon my brother joins them with a tiny Lyra. My niece is sucking on a pinkpacifier and has no idea what’s going on, but as long as her daddy is holding her, she’s happy to go along with it.
“Damn, the family is growing, and it’s becoming very female-dominated,” Damien says while raising a brow at me.
I laugh and caress the small baby bump that my palm is pressed against. “I have no control over the sex of our baby, Damien.”
“Well, you’re having six, so the chances are high that at least one or two of them will be boys,” he says.
“Maybe,” Ev says with a laugh. “Could be all girls.”
I smile at the image, but then panic when I think about them dating. “I want girls, but they need brothers to protect them.”
Savanna pats my hand and kisses my cheek before grabbing a strawberry. “I’ll do my best, babe,” she says before taking a bite.
