Chapter 63
Luci
21 Weeks Pregnant
“ I can get my own things, Alessandro.” Alessandro’s fussing over me was cute at first, but I need to be able to do things for myself.
He stands over me, my bag in his hands, before leaning down to kiss me with such passion that I lock my knees to prevent them from wobbling. “You’re pregnant and hurt. Because of me, no less. Let me help you.”
“You’re just being overbearing because you’re worried about what Geno would do.” Even though he’s facing away from me now, I can sense his annoyance at my statement, which we both know is true.
His shoulders go up as he goes to answer, but the doors come slamming open, interrupting him.
“Luci! Come here, babe!” El runs full blast, her heels banging against the driveway. “Oh my God, you’re ridiculously hot while pregnant. I wonder if I’d be that hot pregnant. Andrea, what do you think?” A smiling Andrea comes walking our way while an annoyed Marco stands, arms crossed in the doorway.
“Whatever you want, mon trésor. I’d spend every moment giving you my child. All you’d have to do is ask.” El and Andrea might as well be ready to start in the middle of the driveway until Alessandro interrupts their moment.
“Father Angelo will be here in two hours. El, can you have Luci ready by then?” Andrea is nibbling on El’s neck when she giggles and nods her head before breaking off from him.
“Come, Luci, let’s get you ready for your wedding! Finally!” El says what I’ve been hoping to hear for the last five months.
The hallways of the house give a familiar warmth, reminding me this is my home while we head upstairs. Enzo is waiting by the door to the bedroom that is now my sanctuary instead of my prison. I notice the scar going through Enzo’s eyebrow as we approach him and stop to touch it.
“What happened?”
El, of course, doesn’t give Enzo time to answer before answering for him. “Oh, honey! Alessandro knocked Enzo out for letting you get away. Apparently, he was tied to a chair and Alessandro hit him so hard that the chair and Enzo went tumbling over. I wouldn’t have believed it if Marco hadn’t told me himself.”
Here comes the guilt. “Is that true Enzo?”
“Yeah. I let you down, and I pissed off Alessandro. You’re pregnant and went missing. I should have made sure you were safe. Even though you were with family, the way you left put you and your baby in danger. I shouldn’t have let that happen.” I’ve been sad, angry, and irritated, but I’ve never harbored this much guilt. He got hurt, and it’s all because of me, because I decided to de-rail my marriage to Alessandro. As I chew on my lip, Enzo must see the obvious disappointment on my face as he goes to open the door and answer.
“Luci, what happened to me is not your fault. I messed up, and Alessandro made it clear that I messed up. This isn’t on you. Now you and El go get ready for your wedding.”
El cuts in, excited as ever. “Finally! Let’s get you full-on fucking material ready!”
“Is that your way of saying Alessandro will want to be intimate with me when he sees me? A priest is marrying us, El. It’s already awkward that I’m obviously pregnant. I think sex with Alessandro should be the last thing on my mind.” I can feel how red my face has gotten at the thought of Alessandro hiking up my dress while the priest is still close by. I really need to keep my hormones in control.
El comes out of the bathroom, dress in hand, and it hits me that since I’m pregnant, it may not fit anymore. She notices my worry and instantly knows what’s going on in my head.
“Babe. This dress is going to look fabulous on you and I will guarantee that. That’s my job and if I don’t succeed at that, then you can fire me. Deal?” El knows two things in life. One, Andrea is obsessed with her and would literally kiss the ground she walks on, and two, she’s amazing at her job and I don’t think anyone could fire her. My expression changes enough that she knows she’s right before shoving a robe at me.
“I know I’m right. Now put this on and we’ll get you beautified!” The excitement in El’s voice makes all of my nerves disappear, entrusting her that she’ll be able to make me flawless for Alessandro tonight
An hour and a half later to the minute she’s finished with my hair and makeup and we’re ready for the most nerve-racking part, my dress. My heart hammers against my chest when El takes my dress off the hanger, holding it out for me to step into. The dress is as beautiful as the day I originally tried it on. My breathing gets shallow and my heart speeds up more when we bring it up my body, put the off-the-shoulder straps in place, and hook it up the back. El puts her hands on my shoulders and leans into me.
“Sweetie, the dress fits you perfectly. Take a look.” I’m forced to turn around and gasp at my appearance. She defined the curls in my hair, bringing half of it up, away from my face and back enough to pin my veil to. My makeup highlights my natural features and defines what I never knew existed, making me glow from the inside. I want to cry when I see how perfect my dress is. My body has never been something I’ve had an easy time accepting, and it’s amazing to have someone who helped me pick out a perfect dress. While my bump shows lightly and my breasts are fuller on top, the dress looks exactly how I hoped it would and more.
“Are you ready to become a married woman?”
“I’ve been ready. And when you and Andrea get married, I’ll pay to have someone do all this for you while I keep you company.”
“I could only hope! Now come, let’s get you married!”