Chapter 35
Turns out when my husband says he’s going to do something, he gets it done. I did not believe for a second that he could plan an entire wedding in two weeks. But here I am, sitting at our reception table, watching him across the room.
I have no idea how this all happened. I told him if he can make it happen, I’d show up and say I do.
He worked night and day alongside his mother and aunt and somehow managed to pull this all together.
But what’s more impressive than that is the fact he talked to my mom.
He asked her about what kind of wedding she saw for her daughter.
My mother might not know who I am now, but she was the person who knew me the best back then and remembered the chats we’d had about what my dream wedding would be like.
Then Alfie made sure to get every detail right, down to the emerald-and-white table decorations.
When I was younger, emerald was my favorite color.
I had forgotten about it until I walked into the reception tent.
Alfie had everything set up at my parents’ house, so it was less stressful for my mom to attend.
I really don’t know how I got so lucky to find a man who’s that thoughtful.
The only thing missing is Angus. He would have loved this.
He would have annoyed the crap out of Alfie by trying to take over the planning of everything too.
I still find myself going to message him. Call him. Look for him in the crowd.
I haven’t been able to bring myself to replace him, which is making keeping up with things at work really damn hard. I need to get a grip. I’m aware that I need to hire someone, but doing so seems like it’s more final than attending his funeral. It’s stupid—I know.
I look down at the huge-ass, shiny diamond now covering the tattoo on my finger.
I can’t believe I’m married and my best friend isn’t here to see it.
I’ve never really been one to believe in an afterlife.
But right now, I really hope he’s up there somewhere watching.
I hope he knows how sorry I am for what happened to him. I hope he knows how much I love him.
“Most brides don’t look like they want to cry on their wedding day, Mol. What’s wrong? Want to do a runner? I can cause a distraction and get you out without anyone noticing.”
“Thanks, Daddy. But no. I was just thinking about Angus,” I tell my father. “Also, Alfie would notice.”
“He would. That man doesn’t stop watching you.” Dad smiles. “I’m really happy you have him, Mol.”
“Yeah, he’s a good one.”
“I’m going to take Mom inside,” Dad says.
“Okay, let me help.” I stand.
“No, you stay. It’s your wedding night, Mol. I love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.” I hug my dad just a little longer than usual. “Thank you for everything.”
When I pull away, a pair of strong arms circles my waist. I lean back into the solid chest. My husband. I’m not sure I’m ever going to get used to saying that.
“I’ll see you in a couple of days.” Dad nods in our direction.
“A couple of days?” I look at him, confused, but he doesn’t elaborate.
“We’re going away, a mini honeymoon of sorts.”
“What? I can’t go away, Alfie! I have things I need to do. I need to plan for time off. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever really had time off. Shit.” I start making a mental list of everything I have to do next week.
“Relax. We’re honeymooning in Seattle. You can still go into your office, but I’ll be following you and we will be doing all sorts of honeymoon things over that fancy desk of yours.”
“You really do know the way into my panties.” I laugh. Images of Alfie bending me over my desk flitter through my mind. I spin in his arms. “I love you.”
“I love you. Now, tell me who I have to kill for those watery eyes.” His thumb brushes along each of my cheeks.
“I was thinking how much Angus would have loved this wedding,” I admit. “He told me he thought you were a keeper, and if I didn’t marry you, he had plans to.”
“I’m sorry he’s not here to see you,” Alfie says.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Okay, stop hogging my sister. I want to dance with her.” Hudson tries to pry me out of Alfie’s arms.
My husband has no intentions of letting me go. “Fuck off, Hudson. You’re not touching my wife.”
“Ah, she’s my sister. You can’t tell me I can’t dance with her. I just danced with Frankie,” Hudson counters.
“I’ll dance with you, Hudson.” I pat a palm over Alfie’s chest before pushing up on my toes to whisper into his ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll step on his feet at least twice for you.”
Alfie chuckles. “I fucking love you.” Then he leans down and claims my mouth with his.
As soon as we’re on the dance floor, Hudson spins me around. “You know, I always wanted another sister.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I like Frankie a lot more than I like Alfie,” he says.
“I wouldn’t know. I never had siblings.”
“Well, you’ve got two of them now. But if anyone asks, I’m your favorite. I’ve already started the rumors.” Hudson winks at me.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I laugh.
“You also now have a shit-ton of cousins, but they’re harmless. Mostly.”
“There is nothing harmless about your family, Hudson,” I say.
“Our family, sis. They’re yours now too. And they’re harmless to family. Everyone else is on the menu, though.”
“Good to know. So, tell me, how mad is your dad really?” I keep getting the impression that Alfie’s father isn’t as onboard with this wedding as what his mother was.
“Oh, trust me, you will know when he’s mad. That’s his happy face,” Hudson grunts.
“I’m cutting in. Go and do something useful—and stay away from the bar, Hudson.”
Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.
I swallow nervously. I don’t get nervous around people, especially men.
But for some reason, Alfie’s dad makes my stomach do flips and not the good kind.
Probably because I know how much Alfie looks up to and respects him.
If I can’t get this man to like me, it’s going to make our life really awkward.
“You look nervous,” Mr. Giuliani says.
“Well, I would think you’re a man who’d be used to making people nervous.”
Mr. Giuliani holds out a hand to me, and I place my palm on his. He pulls me in and positions his other hand in the middle of my back.
“I don’t like making my children nervous,” he says. “Actually, that’s not entirely true. I live to make the boys nervous. They’re both too cocky for their own good. But my daughter and… well, now daughters have no reason to be nervous around me.”
“Okay.” I nod. “You can tell me the truth. You know, if you didn’t really want Alfie to marry me.”
“Oh, I wanted him to marry you. I just didn’t want him to know that.
” Mr. Giuliani laughs. “Alfie has spent his entire life doing things to impress me, to get a level of approval he doesn’t need.
Out of all of our children, he’s the responsible one.
I didn’t want him to choose this because he thought I wanted it.
I wanted him to choose it because he wanted it.
And trust me, Molly, he wanted it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so excited for anything. ”
“Well, I really wanted it too, just so we’re clear on that. I love him.”
“I know. No one would choose to marry into this family if it weren’t for love,” Mr. Giuliani says.
“I’m taking my wife back.” Alfie pops up and pulls me away from his father.
“You realize you made her my daughter today, right?” Mr. Giuliani raises an eyebrow. “I don’t take lightly to people trying to take my daughters away from me.”
“Yeah, well, your other daughter is over there kissing her cousin.” Alfie nods towards where Frankie is dancing with her husband.
“Fucking hell,” Mr. Giuliani grunts. “Thank you for the dance, Molly. Welcome to the family,” he adds before turning in the opposite direction.
“You really don’t like sharing your things, do you?” I ask Alfie.
“I can share shit, just not you,” he says. “Never you.”
“How long do we need to stay here?” I’m ready to get out of this dress and get to the behind closed doors part of the wedding night.
“It’s our party. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”
“You went to a lot of effort for this party, Alfie. I want to make sure you enjoy it.”
“I didn’t do this for me. I did this for you.”
“And I appreciate it. It looks amazing. You know, if being a mobster doesn’t work out, you could go into event planning.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alfie says dryly. “Mrs. Giuliani, do you want to get out of here and start the rest of our lives as old married people?”
“Hm, I don’t know. My husband is extremely hot and really great at sex. I think I’d rather get out of here and start the rest of our lives as young married people who can’t keep their hands off each other.”
“I like your plan way better.” Alfie takes my palm in his and leads me out of the tent. He doesn’t stop to talk to anyone, not even when Hudson and Sammie J call out to him.
I smile as I look up at the starry sky. I think I’m going to like this new life of ours.
The cross over you’ve been waiting for. De Bellis Crime Family meets the Las Vegas crew in Taking His Heart (CJ & Daniella).