“Glad you found that out before we get married, otherwise you might not have wanted to stick around.” Roscoe’s hands snake around my waist. He pulls me to him, back to chest, and kisses the side of my neck. “Are you two harassing my fiancée?”
“Nah, we’re good,” I say and wink at the two of them to let them know that we really are.
They smile widely and each kisses one of my cheeks before heading back out saying, “Later, little sis.”
“What was that about? Should I be worried? Do I need to have a word with them?”
I turn in his arms and put my arms around his neck, looking into his eyes. “They were just welcoming me to the family.” I smile, rise on my tip toes, and kiss his lips. Taking my cue, he deepens the kiss and I lose myself in him for a few seconds. As we break apart, I ask, “Are you sure about this?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Then let’s start planning this wedding.”
CHAPTER25
ROSCOE
How can time fly by and stand still at the same time? It feels like I proposed just yesterday but it took forever for time to go by and today felt like it took a lifetime to come. Life with Tess has been amazing and I wouldn’t change it for the world. She moved into my penthouse, and hers is now totally dedicated to her design. We have put a cease and desist against Sarah, but Tess is still afraid she might rip her collection off, because of her father’s contacts. So, along with my dad and James, I’m trying to figure out a way to put all of Tess’s worries to rest for good.
We have all grown together over the past few months and became a real family. We have Sunday dinners every week at the Jolliffes’ and we all spent Thanksgiving at my parents’ house. Planning this wedding has brought our parents together in a way I could have never imagined. They became best friends and enjoy each other’s company even when we are not around. Planning this wedding gave my mom two things she always wanted but never had: a sister and a daughter. I’ve never seen my parents happier.
“Hey big bro. Where did you go?”
“What do you mean? I’m right here.” I look at Harry trying to understand what he is talking about.
“You might have been here, but your mind was thousands of miles away,” says Mitch. “Or maybe just a few doors down,” jokes Harry and ribs Mitch. I can’t contain my grin. They know my mind never strays from Tess more than a few seconds at a time.
“You’re whipped, man.”
“A lost cause.” They are shaking their heads and looking at me as if I’ve just kicked their puppy. But I know it’s just an act. Ever since Tess willingly sacrificed her wellbeing and her dream to protect me and my family, my brothers have done a one eighty and now they can’t sing her praises high or long enough. They take her side in everything. I’m surprised they are here today instead of with her.
“An insanely happy whipped lost cause. And proud of it.”
And I really am, because finally,finally,I’ll make her mine and I’ll become hers. Forever.
“Whatever, bro. It’s time.” They get up and head to the door, I take one last look in the mirror, adjust my tie, and I can’t help but think that life takes some weird turns sometimes. An unexpected dinner at Sergio’s with a supermodel changed my life forever. And I couldn’t be happier.
* * *
I’m downstairs in the salon. This room has been totally redecorated just for the wedding and it couldn’t be more different. Everything inside is either white, silver, or light blue. It’s like a winter wonderland in here. The only exception is the giant tree in the corner decorated in white lights and see-through balls with black and white pictures of us inside. The tree carries mine and Tess’s life stories, from birth to today. Happy moments captured to eternity are now displayed to bear witness of the beginning of the rest of our lives.
A pastel-blue carpet with silver and shimmering specs throughout leads from the corridor to where I’ll be tying the knot with Tess. And trust me, I’m tying that knot as tight as I can, because she is stuck with me. The French doors at the end of the carpet have been surrounded by white fairy-lights, giving it an arch effect. That’s where I’m now standing with the officiant, waiting for my soon-to-be-wife to come join me so we can be done with the ceremony, already. Does it show that I can’t wait to call her my wife?
Our families are here, our friends, and I was really happy Ishida-san decided to accept the invitation to come with his family to witness the happiest day of my life. Even if he doesn’t know it, I have him to thank for this blessing that I have been given.
Music starts playing and a revered silence blankets the room, as everyone turns to the door to be met by a true vision.
Tess,myTess, is just… Beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, striking, arresting are words that pale in comparison to her. I fail to find a way to describe what seeing her in that white shimmering dress does to me. Everything else fades away and she is my whole world. And then her eyes meet mine and a smile lights up her face. My responding smile is instant and I have to physically stop myself from running to her and gathering her in my arms. I need a bit of patience and restraint. I know she is coming to me, but man, the struggle is real right now.
Then she starts walking, arm in arm with her father. And my heart is trying to jump out of my chest to join hers. At last, our hands touch. I can’t resist pulling her to me and kissing her. “You…Wow,” is all I can say as I look into her eyes. I’m so glad getting married doesn’t include me to speak other than parroting the officiant and saying ‘I do’, because I would be doomed. She beams at me and says “Wow, yourself.” God, how I love this woman.
Next thing I know, the officiant is saying, “You may now kiss the bride.” And I do. With all my heart and soul, I show her through my kiss all I feel for her at this exact moment. The fact that I am kissing her means we are now married, and I am amazed, because between one kiss and the other, it is all a blur, so I can only hope I haven’t made a fool of myself.
Cheers erupt all around us and I see my happiness mirrored back in her face.
“I love you, wife.” I kiss the tip of her nose. She giggles.
“I love you more, husband.”