Epilogue II
Roman
I stand nervously at the end of the aisle. It’s ridiculous to be nervous. She’s already my wife, and this is only our vow renewal. Margot and I planned the whole thing based off what Cecilia started planning before… she left.
It’s in the garden where I proposed, and it melts my heart that she wanted it to be here. I look around, finally at peace that our family and friends get to witness our marriage, even if it’s our second one.
I look around the room and see everyone we love. Well… everyone we love andKaterina.
Dom’s wife, the Bratva princess, sits in the row behind my parents while my brothers stand beside me. Despite our insistence of treating her as family since she technically is family now, Dom has forced separation between us. We barely know his wife, and it’s his fault.
Dom obviously doesn’t trust her, evident by the Syndicate guards flanking her. I could entertain the idea that it’s for her protection after the events of the last wedding ifit weren’t for the hostile glares they shoot each other. I wonder if Dom’s slight limp has anything to do with their animosity and the guards. Is he trying to protect her or us from her?
Unlike Dom, the rest of the family has been nothing but kind. I, however, have trouble even looking at her. Guilt overwhelms me. Dom only entered an arranged marriage with the enemy’s young daughter to force an alliance to end a war I unjustifiably started.
If it weren’t for me, Dom wouldn’t be married to a woman he hates. I swear he’s aged a decade since their wedding. But as I study him, I realize he doesn’t look miserable, he looks angry… and passionate. Under the ruthless glare, there’s almost something close to admiration in his eyes as he stares his wife down.
It takes me by surprise. I’ve never seen so much emotion on Dom’s face. Hell, I don’t remember the last time I saw any emotion from him. But now, he aims so much towards her. Granted, most of it is negative, but I still find it interesting that he cares about the woman he didn’t choose.
And the way Katerina looks at him… She looks at him like their marriage is a game she’s already won. I can tell she’s more intelligent than she lets on. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has Dom running in circles.
I just pray they don’t kill each other. Because I don’t have it in me to step up and run the Syndicate. Oh, also, I love my brother and don’t want him dead.
I glance at my brothers standing next to me, and try to see what’s going on with them. Matthias is happily married. Dom is… unhappily married. And Bash, I have no idea. He’s been distant.
Soft music starts playing, stealing my attention to the doors. They swing open, and I’m disappointed to see Margot insteadof my wife standing at the entrance. She walks down, staring at her husband the entire time.
Then Cecilia’s sisters walk out. They’re smiling happily for their sister.
Then it’s Gracie, Cecilia’s maid of honor. She’s glowing with pride. I know she’s excited with how things turned out between Cecilia and me. I also know that Cecilia kept a lot of our issues from her, but I suspect Gracie knows more than she lets on. She winks at me then stands next to the sisters on the other side of the aisle.
Then, my world freezes.
The breath is knocked out of my lungs worse than any punch I’ve ever experienced. Because being led down the aisle by her father, is my beautiful bride.
Looking like the goddess she is in a white billowy dress that hugs her breasts, flows over her swollen belly, then falls delicately down to the floor, she floats towards me.
When they reach me, her father kisses her cheek and with tears in his eyes, puts her hand in mine.
“Cuídala, yerno. Es lo más precioso que hay en este mundo. Pronto lo vas a entender,” he whispers to me. “Take care of her, son-in-law. She’s the most precious thing in the world. You’ll understand soon.” He nods to her protruding belly after the last part.
And I already understand. Despite my daughters not being born yet, they and their mother are the most important things in my life. My world revolves around them now. And I know I’ll feel it even more when I finally meet them.
“I will, Señor Hernando. I swear,” I tell him, my eyes also rimmed with tears.
“Call me, suegro,” he says, then takes his seat.
I lead my beautiful bride in front of the officiant. As he starts the ceremony, I don’t hear a thing. Because all I can do is stare at my glowing sunshine.
I didn’t think it was possible, but since becoming pregnant, she’s become even more gorgeous. It shouldn’t be possible. You can’t improve your perfection. But somehow, she has.
I feel an elbow in my back and turn to see Dom gesturing me to proceed.
I look at the officiant and realize it’s time for my vows.
Which I wrote.
I do a few rounds of box breathing as I take the carefully folded paper out of my tux pocket.
