I tugged at her chin and lifted her wet face from my chest. A soft smile formed on her lips as she swiped away the tears. “Well, be prepared because life is going to bring you a moody, hormonal, and very sensitive pregnant woman for the next few months.”
Laughing, I framed her face and grazed my thumb along her cheekbones. “It’s worth it; everything with you is worth every bit.” I lifted her hand, the one with the engagement ring she had accepted again the moment we moved in together, and played with it around her finger. With a smile, I traced my eyes from her hand to her face. “You’ve made me happier than you’ll ever know.”
Mia breathed out a smile, leaned down, and pressed her lips against mine—those lips that I had the pleasure to kiss every day for the rest of my life.
Yes, it was exactly then that I knew, without a doubt, that I was the luckiest man alive.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
MIA
I stared at my reflection in the long mirror before me, and a smile crept along my lips as I admired the beauty in white. The long strapless gown hugged my body flawlessly. The diamond necklace and matching drop earrings were simple but elegant. My hair was pinned into a low bun and covered with a long veil that draped down my back. Gathering my bouquet from the table by the vanity, I held the beautiful yellow roses in front of me and took one last glance at the reflection.
This was the day that I’d walk down the aisle and forever be known as Mrs. Marcus DeLuca. Tears filled my eyes as the thought crossed my mind of spending the rest of my life with the one man I loved. Marcus and I had traveled a path that was dangerous, heart wrenching, and tremendously insane. We also had a life full of love, laughter, and happiness. Even through all the bad times, I couldn’t picture my life without him. We had fought for each other tooth and nail. Yes, ours was a flawed relationship, but when we loved each other as deeply as we did, no one could ever take that away from us.
We were meant for each other in every way, and I didn’t care how others perceived our relationship. None of that mattered because I was going to spend life with the one person that truly counted.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” My grandfather popped his head in the door and froze as he set eyes on me. “Well, I’ll be . . .” Tears began to fill his eyes. Bowing his head, he walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” He whispered, “Don’t tell your grandmother I said that. She’ll kill me.”
Laughing, I tightened my arms around him. “Thank you so much, and thank you for walking me down the aisle.”
“Are you kidding? I’m honored.” He pulled back as his eyes danced around my face. “Are you ready to become a married woman?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He nodded, stepped aside, and bent his arm. I nestled my hand through the crook of it and looked up at him with a smile. “Let’s do this.”
We walked out of the hotel room and down the hall. My heart fluttered as I anticipated seeing Marcus. I wondered if he was just as nervous and anxious as I was. As we waited for the elevators, I heard Megan squealing as she ran down the hall. Her long light yellow silk gown with a white sash swayed as she darted my way. It was the perfect gown for a spring wedding.
“You look amazing.” She breathed out as she tried to catch her breath.
“You do too.” We quickly hugged and walked into the elevator as it opened.
We traveled down to the lobby and headed to where the ceremony was held. Once we reached the doors, the wedding planner pulled me aside against the wall. “No peeking. We wouldn’t want the groom to see you early.” I nodded and began fidgeting with my hands as my breathing grew unsteady.
After a few minutes, I was able to calm my breathing. Then I caught sight of Elle running down the hall toward me. She was absolutely beautiful in a white dress with a red sash. The basket she held was filled with yellow rose petals. Once she approached me, her eyes glistened as her lips curled into a huge smile. “Wow, Mia. You look like a princess.”
I laughed and leaned down to pull her into a hug. “No, you look like a princess. You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’m here to perform the flower girl duties. Daddy said it’s a very important job.”
I burst into laughter. “Oh yes, very important. Without the flower girl, the wedding would be a catastrophe.”
With a hand on her hip, she nodded. “Yes, we can’t let that happen.”
“Alright, everyone in place. The wedding will begin in a few seconds.” The wedding planner clapped his hands together.
I straightened at his announcement and wrapped my hand snugly through my grandfather’s crooked arm.
Right on time, the planner hurried Elle along the aisle. Before walking down the aisle, she winked at me, adjusted her shoulders, and smiled brightly for the guests.
I loved that little girl.
Megan was up next. “See you in a few!” She squealed and waved her hand, showing off her diamond engagement ring, and headed down the same path as Elle. In a few months, she and Jeremy would be reciting their own vows. I couldn’t have been happier for them.
“Okay, in about ten seconds, the wedding bells will go off, and then you can walk down.”
I nodded at the planner and took in another deep breath.
Right on time, I heard the bells go off. My grandfather moved forward, and I followed beside him as he guided me down the aisle. My head was bowed at first. I heard shoes shuffling as the guests stood the moment we entered. As we continued in a slow pace down the aisle, in the midst of it all, I had the courage to finally look up.
First, I saw my mother standing beside my grandmother with their eyes filled with joyous tears. Second, Jeremy, with a wide smile, gave me one nod. I returned the gesture and then let out a soft laugh. Third, I saw Theresa. She was beautiful in a cream silk gown as her eyes glowed at the sight of me. I looked straight ahead and found Jimmie as the best man with his smile wide and bright. I remembered the talk I had with him the previous night, when he told me that he couldn’t have picked a more suitable wife for his brother. I told him one day he’d find love and that, when it came, it would hit him hard. He disagreed, but I knew one day he would.
After I smiled at Jimmie, I turned my head slightly to the left, and then I saw him: my soon-to-be husband. My heart expanded with more love than I ever thought possible. Marcus stood at the other end of the aisle, looking more handsome than ever in a black tuxedo. With a wide dimpled smile, he tilted his arm so I could get a better look of our six-month-old baby boy he held. Michael was dressed in a matching tiny tux. My eyes swelled as I saw my two boys waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I laughed as tears escaped me when Marcus lifted our baby’s tiny hand to wave at me.