Chapter 48
Declan
Underthestarswe drank, ate, and an impromptu party was in full swing around us.
All the diners had joined in the celebration. Even a band had turned up. Giacomo, our waiter, on hearing of our nuptials, had designed it so that the piazza came alive.
“This is so much fun.” Theadora’s eyes widened as Giacomo brought out a detailed chocolate cake. “Wow. Will you look at that? You just whipped that up?”
“Complimenti.” The waiter smiled. “Per il sposi.”
I nodded in gratitude and let him know he’d be rewarded when all this was over.
He bowed his head.
It couldn’t have been a better evening. The balmy air. The stars. The piazza alive with music, people, and laughter.
The band played classic Italian Neapolitan tunes. I turned to my wife. “Dance?”
We weren’t the only ones. People were already waltzing, and much to my delight, Lucy had filmed everything on her phone. She even borrowed Matt’s phone once hers flattened. This moment needed capturing because I couldn’t have wished for a better wedding.
Theadora held onto my arm, giggling. “I’m a little drunk, and I can barely walk in these shoes.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll hold you up.” I faced her. “I’ll always hold you up. No matter what.”
Her eyes watered again. Theadora was an emotional girl. I loved that about her. Everything affected her. An old dog lumbering around made her cry.
The music floated through the air. The crooner poured his heart and soul into the song.
“This is so beautiful,” she said. “And everyone, people we don’t know, are all having such a great time too. We couldn’t have designed it better. Even the cake. Yum.”
I agreed. The cake with its complex creamy chocolate and liquor flavours would remain etched in my memory. As would seeing Theadora under the moonlight in that shimmering silk dress that hugged her curves in the most delectable way. Men’s eyes were addicted. Despite that prickling at my jealousy, I understood. And at the end of the night, it was me who’d slide that dress off her and feel her breathy moans against my cheeks while she trembled through one orgasm after another.
We sat down and ate more cake and drank champagne and laughed at Matt’s silly impersonations and jokes.
Then the band dropped the ballads and went all upbeat with a rendition of Tu Vuo Fa l'Americano.
Lucy screamed. “Oh my god, that’s the song that Sophia Loren sang. I love this song.”
She grabbed Theadora’s hand. “Come on. We’ve got to dance to this.”
The crowd were just as enthusiastic, and suddenly the piazza filled with people dancing like no one was watching.
I sat this one out so I could indulge on Theadora, barefooted, prancing up and down, swishing her hips, lifting her hair and acting out the vixen, with Lucy following suit.
Matt laughed. “The girls are having a ball.”
“I’m glad. It’s such a great night.”
We arrived home after what had been one amazing experience. I’d flown again. My new jet was more than perfect, and I’d already made plans with a very enthusiastic Matt for more trips.
We’d only been back an hour when a knock came at the door.
Ethan stood at my door, looking ruffled. The serious frown stamped on his forehead was very uncharacteristic for my normally cheery, not-a-care-in-the-world brother.
No one knew about our marriage. I planned to arrange a dinner at Merivale to make an announcement.
He stepped inside. “I’ve been trying to call you all day.” He glanced over at Theadora and nodded a greeting with a hint of a smile that quickly faded.