Chapter 26
twenty-six
Phoebe
After showing me around this beautiful house and getting the surprise of all our family, Abby, Sofia, her mom Victoria, Avery, and Maria dragged me away toward the basement.
I look at them, confused, until we get to the basement, and I see the wedding dress I originally picked to marry Alex months ago. I spin around to look at them in shock as Maria smiles softly.
"Upstairs, there is a minister, and the yard has been decorated. What do you say, Phoebe?"
Tears stream down my face again.
He wants to marry me now .
I look back at the beautiful dress. It's white, which is fitting, I guess. Still can't believe I nearly died a virgin. For over a month, I've been doing everything I can to get him to sleep with me, but nothing, nada . I thought maybe he was still getting it elsewhere, which was difficult for me to process, then I remembered he put a tracking app on his phone, and more times than I can count, I checked it. I always felt guilty, and he normally came home to me crying about it, because I still couldn't fully trust him. He would hold me and tell me it’s okay, and it keeps my mind at peace. Things will take time; we still haven't really spoken about our past, not wanting to rock the boat, so to speak, but I know we need to, especially before we get married. But now I don't think we have time because he's thought of everything I might need for today so I don't back out.
I guess he wanted to keep our original plan and wait for our wedding night to have sex, and that's why he kept putting me off. I could kick myself for continuing to punish him his past actions. At least he'll get a nice surprise ,when he realizes that I am, in fact, still a virgin.
The dress is gorgeous; it has beaded lace with a sheath skirt, spaghetti straps, and a sweetheart neckline. The buttons on the back are pearl buttons, and it has a matching tulle overskirt. It's not flashy or in your face, it's simple, and I love it. I never cared about having a massive or over-the-top wedding, I just wanted my groom. I turn to look at Maria, and she has hope in her eyes, and I know, without a doubt, that even though it'll be painful to relive the past, I will still want to marry him…because I am bound by him. He's my everything, so I nod frantically, words escaping me, and she wipes her tears and takes me over to the dress.
They all help me get dressed. Sofia does my hair, curling it a little, then adding a flowered crown, then my matching veil to the crown. Avery, who has tears in her eyes, does my make-up light. She’s happy for me but sad for what she's lost, because her love made stupid mistakes.
When she's finished, I take hold of her hands and give them a little squeeze. She smiles a watery smile at me, and I lean forward and kiss her cheek, whispering, "Have courage." She nods. She's confided in me a lot over the last month; she spent much time with me, and I know how much her heart hurts from Sergi's betrayal. She's said before that the Bratva stuff, despite being shocking, was something she could look past, after she really thought about it. In her mind, the men he killed were horrible human beings; they were and still are to this day kidnapping children, but it's the fact he slept with Mindy she can't get over. He betrayed her, and she's had one too many people betray her in her life.
She helps me stand, and I look in the mirror and smile brightly. I'm finally ready. I look toward Mila, who is sitting, watching a movie in her fluffy white dress, looking gorgeous. My heart is full. The women stare at me, their eyes shining, knowing this is a miracle.
I shouldn't have survived with only a few scars to show for my near death; I should be dead or brain-dead.
There's a knock at the door, and I see my father come in. When he sees me, he stops, placing his hand on his heart before he walks over to me and kisses my forehead.
"You look beautiful, sweet girl." I smile at him, trying to keep my tears at bay. He crooks his arm toward me, asking, "Are you ready, mikrí prinkípissa ?" I nod again, words still escaping me, and he leads me upstairs through the amazing kitchen that has gray marble countertops, a massive matte black double oven, and light gray cupboards. It's beautiful. We head to the French sliding doors that lead to the backyard, and the ladies head in one by one, while Mila holds Sofia's hand as they stand in front of me, waiting as Etta James’ “At Last” plays.
As I move forward, I see how pretty the backyard is. I also notice Ares in a little black tux in Mila's basket instead of flowers, causing me to giggle while my father shakes his head, chuckling.
"You and that fucking cat. Have you thought of names for the German shepherds yet?" I grin at him. Before getting dragged to the basement, I saw she dogs for a few minutes, and I knew instantly what I'd name them.
"Copper and Bluey." Their names fit their colors. He grins again, shaking his head, and when Christina Perry’s “A Thousand Years” plays, tears fill my eyes. A few fall, and my father wipes them away before he leads me to the double doors. As we pass through, I see our families all standing and smiling at me, and as my gaze snaps to the front, I finally see him standing in a black tux, his eyes shining.
My Alex.
My tears start to fall again.
He planned all this for me, for us.
My father walks me toward him, and I notice Damian has a hand on Alex’s shoulder while holding Maksim in the other arm, and Sergi smirks while holding baby Rora, standing next to Damian. I giggle, realizing Damian is holding Alex back. This past month, being with him again, it's like the old me has returned, and the Angel of Death has gone to sleep—well until I get an assignment from my uncle, anyway. Alex always accompanies me when I go on a mission; we're closer than ever, and once we finally talk about everything, I have no doubt we'll be unbreakable.
Alex shakes off Damian’s hand, and comes down the steps and takes my hand. My father hugs him, then sits next to a very pissed-off Selene.
Oh, please, please make a scene. I feel giddy at the prospect of finally hitting her.
Alex shakes his head at me, noticing the expression on my face as I look toward Selene. It's hard to believe we used to be best friends, well, she was mine. It turns out she was using me all along.
Alex leads me to the altar, where the minister starts our ceremony. He holds both of my hands while staring into my eyes, and when the minister asks, "Is there a reason these two should not be wed? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
I raise a brow at Alex and mouth, "Three…two…one…."
Selene opens her mouth. "Actually, I do!"
Alex chuckles then grabs my hands, keeping me from grabbing the pistol I have strapped to my thigh under my dress.
Spoiled sport.
I frown at him, causing him to chuckle again.
The family starts laughing. They knew she would do this; honestly, I thought Mindy would come running in. My father goes bright red while she frowns at everyone, and I giggle when I notice Damian handing cash to Sergi. Alex looks over and shakes his head at their antics. My father's angry voice brings my attention back to them.
"Selene, sit down now!"
She shakes her head. "I'm three months pregnant, and it's Alex's."
Alex's face goes red, but I squeeze his hands so he knows I know it's crap. This time it's Maria who laughs her ass off. She stands and goes over to her, grabbing her hair, and yanking it back. We all look at her in shock while Dimitri subtly tries to rearrange his pants, but not subtly enough because Damian pretends to gag, making me chuckle. I look back at Maria, and fuck does she look pissed.
My mother-in-law is badass as she growls, "Considering my son hasn't left Phoebe's side, I don't see how he would be a father to an invisible baby."
Selene screams, looking at our father for help, but he just leans back and crosses his arms, and I smirk as she continues trying to ruin our wedding.
"I am pregnant, and he is the father."
When I notice something on her dress, I laugh out loud.
"So you're not on your period right now, or is the blood on your ass part of the dress?" I raise my brow, then turn to Alex.
"Can I shoot her now?" I ask seriously, and he shakes his head, smirking at me, then looks at the minister and says, "Please continue."
Selene screeches, and we see Victoria dragging her out, while Maria brushes her hands together like she's dusting them off. We all laugh as I look back at Alex.
He squeezes my hands and says, "Can we marry now, Phoebe? I've waited long enough to make you my wife." I smile.
The minister continues, and when he pronounces us husband and wife, Alex yanks me to him and kisses me hard and passionately.
Finally, the minister says, "You may now kiss the bride."
Our family laughs and cheers as he picks me up and spins me around. He puts my feet back on the ground and leans his forehead against mine as tears glisten in his eyes.
"I love you, Malen'kaya Ptitsa ."
I smile wide and say, "Not as much as I love you."
He chuckles, then picks me up bridle-style, and walks toward the tables on the other side of the yard that’re decorated with pink and white roses in the center. I smile softly as he sets me down on some type of dance floor, and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” starts to play. I wrap my arms around Alex’s neck, while his go around my waist, with one hand lying just above my ass as I lean on my tiptoes, holding him close as we sway.
He leans down and murmurs the words to the song in my ear, making me tear up again, and I hold him tighter. When the song is finished, he lifts me so my mouth meets his. He kisses me with pure love as our family claps and whistles.
For the next three hours, we eat, sing, dance, and have a fun time.
A little while later, I'm talking to Avery, who came to say bye; she has class in the morning and has only four months left before she graduates and starts her residency at General. Alex comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, making me turn around a little and look up, then smile wide.
He smiles down at me before looking at Avery and saying, "Thanks for coming, Av's."
She smiles and says, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed this for the world." She leans in and hugs us both at the same time. I look over her shoulder and see Sergi watching her every move, and I give him a small smile. He returns it, but it doesn't meet his eyes. I've tried to convince Avery to talk to him, but as far as she's concerned, she's done. Apparently, Mindy has been shit-stirring again. Whether it's true, I don't know, but if it is, Sergi is losing his balls.
Avery leaves without looking at Sergi, and Alex leans down, whispering in my ear, "Is my wife ready for bed?" Then he nips my ear, and my heart starts to race as wetness gathers between my legs. I smile; he's in for a big surprise.
I nod, making him growl, before he turns me around and lifts me over his shoulder, carrying me in a fireman's hold. I start laughing, and our family wolf whistles as Alex shouts, "’night, fuckers!" and slaps my ass, making them laugh along with me.