“So beautiful, sexy, and all mine, Tesora.” He keeps purring compliments until she wraps her hand around the back of his neck. He grins. “I’m so glad you took a chance on me.”
She sniffs. “Still so smooth with your words.”
He kisses her hungrily without letting his son fall. When they draw back from each other, Danny rubs his arm, checks Gio, and takes a deep breath. She finally looks at us and puts her hands over Gio’s ears.
“You all are fucked. Royally. Miles hasn’t even seen her yet, but … be ready.”
With that, she kisses her baby and her husband again before dashing off, the dress held up in her hands. Massimo whistles and she flips him off. He shakes his head. “The wedding is just the start.”
“What?” Gunner asks.
“When you see her coming up the aisle you’ll be sure that it’s impossible to love Sophie anymore than you do right then and there. She’ll read the vows and your heart will have to grow to take in all that affection, but once the wedding is done, the honeymoon is over, and you get to see your wife at her best, her worst, on the days that she feels like crap but still wants you to know she loves you … it’s something else entirely.” Massimo says with a look of admiration.
I swallow that knowledge and look over to where I know they’re getting ready. Sophia’s been teasing us in white all week, she’s been pushing the limits on kissing and sex. She’s survived exes, her dad discovering us, our fights and bickering, she’s survived the stress of getting a whole wedding ready in just six weeks.
How is there more to her that we haven’t seen? How is there possibly more of her to love? Nick clears his throat. “I think he’s right. We won’t be focused on seducing her and proving ourselves anymore, not once we have her. Which means we’ll just be who we are. And she will too.”
Gunner adjusts the watch around his wrist and I see the flair of pink that matches his tie. “We’re going to have to start using up our PTO. I have a feeling leaving her in the morning is going to be harder.” Gunner chuckles.
Holden nods, the cool orange of his tie contrasting against his skin as he fiddles with it. “It’s Sophie. She’s never hidden who she is.” But he swallows and looks at us. “Ready for this? Really?”
All of us nod, then hold still a moment. I clear my throat. “We’re not running away from her or each other. Let’s promise right now. We’re in this forever.”
“As long as we all shall live.” Holden agrees.
“Let’s go!” The photographer motions us back to where we got ready. “We have a few more things to do before we start lining up at the altar. It’s time.”
Finally, it’s time. We made it.
SOPHIE
Ilook over my dress again, the gorgeous layers, the way it hugs my body, the gauzy sleeves that brush my arm without holding on. My auburn hair has been curled, then collected to fall right down my back with only a few locks there to frame my face. My face looks fresh and dewy. I feel more like a woodland nymph than a princess.
My makeup is a good mix of dark and soft. Valerie gives me the necklace she’s worn as long as I’ve known her and then my mom gives me the necklace I brought. They help me put my jewelry on, and then, being silly, Valerie snaps the garter and drops to her knees.
“Just so the guys know I had my hand on your thighs first.”
“Listen, drunk groping in college doesn’t count.” I laugh.
“Oh, it definitely does.” She taps my leg. “Let’s go. Show me the goods. Pretend it’s already the honeymoon and tease me.”
I roll my eyes but hike my dress up so she can put it on. The photographer loves it. I threaten to keep Valerie under my dress, but she pushes her way out. I help her up and she checks my nails, makes sure the back of my dress is where it’s supposed to be, and takes my hands.
“You look beautiful, Sophia. Even if this dress is crazy.” She laughs and squeezes my fingers in hers. Then her eyes narrow. “You took out the whole ‘objections’ part right?”
I nod. “Of course we did. I don’t need a surprise ex of one of my men jumping in and making a scene.”
“Hell no. It’s all about you.” She kisses my cheek, laughs, and then has to get the makeup artist to help remove the lipstick.
After those finishing touches, we put the short veil in my hair, on top of all those curls. My mom holds my hands, looking me over as she tries not to cry.
Danny fluffs the back of my dress, now child-free, even though Gio is a delightful little thing. I take pictures with the girls and both of them look beautiful in their lavender dresses. I made sure they both approved before I got them.
“Are you ready to see your dad?” Mom asks.
I nod eagerly. We’ve eaten, had some champagne, and I feel ready to go, especially since I don’t have to wear shoes until the reception. I turn in a circle and take a deep breath. Mom rushes out with a little giggle before calling him in a honey sweet voice.
Danny adjusts my sleeves and nods.