"Grace, do you promise to forever love your Daddy, to listen to him, laugh with him, and sing with him? "
"I do!" Gracie yelled emphatically, with even more enthusiasm than she had shown when we had rehearsed last night.
Everyone laughed, and several of us, including Nico and me, also cried. Nico slipped a sterling silver chain over her head, on which a beautiful filigree ring hung.The ring had a small emerald, signifying both hers and Nico's birthstone. The ring was an adult size, so Gracie could wear it on a chain for special occasions during childhood, then wear it on her right hand when she was old enough.
"We have one final detail to address before I introduce the happy family," Judge Carlson said, giving me a slight wink.
Nico, still holding Gracie, looked confused.He glanced at me as if looking for answers. I just smiled, as more tears filled my eyes.
"As you all know, a petition was filed recently for Nico to legally adopt Grace, and I am happy to announce that it is official. Allow me to introduce you to Miss Grace Elizabeth Peretti, and her parents, Nico and Allison Peretti."
Nico turned toward me as Judge Carlson's words registered, and he grasped my hand with his free hand, his other arm still holding tightly to Gracie.
"Sunshine?" he asked incredulously. "Did you know...?"
His voice cracked and trailed off as I nodded, barely able to see him through my tears. He pulled me close, so that the three of us were hugging each other. No words were needed.
The reception passed in a blur of good food, dancing, singing and laughter. The photographer made sure to get plenty ofpictures of everyone. I smiled to see Tony and James sitting at a table with Aunt Ellen, and Alex's cousins John and Jenny. James had grown up with all of them, and it was clear that they wanted to get to know Tony better, now that he was James's boyfriend.
Nico kept an eagle eye on Gracie, who spent a good deal of time dancing with Min's son Micah, who was five, a year older than her. The two held hands when they weren't dancing, and Micah even tried to hold her chair for her, as Josh had taught him to. It was the cutest thing ever, although Nico looked like he had indigestion. I heard him asking my dad how he had done it, raising two girls and having them date and chase boys.
My Dad just snorted and shot him a mock glare. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, Nico. Micah's a good kid. After all, it's not like Gracie's gone and fallen in love with a rockstar or anything." Nick and Matt were standing nearby, and Matt started laughing until Nick spoke up.
"Yeah, believe me, Nico, having your daughter fall in love with a rockstar will be enough to keep you awake at night." He turned a deadpan stare on Matt, who chuckled nervously as he carefully eyed his girlfriend's father.
"Dad!" Becca chastised, overhearing his comment. Nick just smiled and shook his head, before dropping a kiss on her temple.
"Just kidding, sweet pea," he said to her, then smirked at Matt, motioning with his hands that he was keeping an eye on him.
Min, Josh and Micah were the first to leave the reception, heading to their suite when it was clear that Micah was tired. The three of them had been inseparable for months now, and I strongly suspected we would hear wedding bells from themsooner rather than later. I knew Josh would marry her tomorrow if he could. He'd been pretty vocal about it. Min had been badly burned by her shitty ex-husband, and was hesitant to rush into anything permanent, especially with her son to consider. I only hoped she put Josh out of his misery soon.
Gracie had been napping on my brother Scott's lap for about thirty minutes by that point, having settled in at their table to play with her cousin Cole, who slept through most of the festivities in his baby carrier when he wasn't being passed around for the various adults to coo over. Nonna, in particular, had delighted in holding him for long while, with Gracie peering over her arm to make faces at her cousin to try to make him smile.
Gracie was going to spend the night with my folks in their suite, before going home with them tomorrow morning. Nico and I were staying on here for a few days, electing to wait on taking a big honeymoon trip for a while. Nico was concerned about disrupting Gracie's routine any more than we already had over the past couple of months, and I had to agree.
"Mrs. Peretti, your husband is desperate to be alone with you soon, before he loses his fucking mind," Nico whispered fiercely in my ear. He had been using the words 'husband' and 'wife' every chance he got tonight. It made me smile every time. He snaked his arm around my waist and drew me flush against him, subtly grinding against me.
"Please, Sunshine? I need to make love to my wife."
I looked at him as if I were considering his request. "Hmm, what if your wife wants you to fuck her instead."
His eyes blazed with heat at my words. "That's it, love, we're outta here."
He pulled away from me, clasping my hand tightly in his as he made his way to the DJ who was set up in the corner. He motioned to the microphone before reaching for it, as the DJ turned down the music so Nico could speak.
"Allie and I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of our special day. Feel free to stay and dance and continue the party, but we're going to say goodnight." Laughter rang out, along with hoots, cat-calls and wolf whistles, as Nico hustled me from the room, barely giving me time to even wave goodbye.
He hurried me to the elevator, and I caught sight of an amused Blue and Tristan sitting just inside the bar off the lobby.They both raised their glasses toward us in a toast, laughing as the elevator doors opened and Nico scooped me up in his arms and strode in, pushing the button to close the doors quickly behind us.
His mouth was on mine before the doors closed all the way, and he slowly lowered me to my feet. It was a small hotel, only three stories, so the elevator ride took mere moments. Nico practically ran down the hall to our suite, and I was laughing and holding on to his arm as he urged me along with him.
Once we got inside the room, Nico turned to look at me and slowly, reverently, cupped my face in his hands as he drew me in for a kiss.
He carefully drew down my zipper, helping me step out of my wedding dress. He looked at the ivory lace bra and panties I was wearing, then at the crown of flowers on my head. He stilled myhand as I reached up to remove the pins and clips holding it in place.
"Leave the crown on, love," he instructed, before stepping back to remove his own clothing until he was standing before me in all his naked glory. He reached for me again, brushing a curl back behind my ear.
"Thank you, Sunshine. I have everything I ever wanted. My wife, our daughter, and hopefully someday," he whispered softly, reaching down to cover my belly with his hand, "even more babies to love."
