Epilogue
T his is it .
In a few minutes, she would become Mrs. Raven Priestly, and she couldn’t wait. This was the first time all morning that she’d had a moment to herself. After hair, makeup, and the Priestly sisters assisting her in getting ready, she had asked for a minute alone.
As Raven stared into the full-length mirror, she almost didn’t recognize herself. She slowly ran her hand down the exquisite silver, sleeveless wedding gown that hugged her every curve. The bodice was adorned with crystals and pearls along with intricate silver leaves that intertwined and made the outfit look exotic.
Cree had helped her find the gown, taking her to several high-end boutiques despite Raven trying to stay on a budget. Once Cree learned Christopher was paying, and that he wanted Raven to get anything she wanted, Cree took over the shopping excursion. Not only had Raven gotten the gorgeous gown, but she had also picked up several sets of sexy lingerie, as well as a few items for the honeymoon.
She glanced at her cell phone, noting she still had ten minutes before the ceremony. Too afraid to sit down, she moved away from the mirror and her gaze took in the first-floor bedroom that Lynix had assigned to her. Like the rest of the huge home, the room looked like something out of House Beautiful magazine. The home, located in an affluent suburb north of Chicago, belonged to his parents and was one of their summer homes.
Lynix hadn’t hesitated when Zion asked if they could use the place for the wedding. Instead of just one day, Lynix had insisted they use it for the whole weekend. That had been perfect. They’d been able to have the babies’ christening the night before in the home’s beautiful sunroom. Only immediate family and godparents had been invited, including Teresa who had flown in a day earlier so she and Raven could have a girl’s day.
Raven had no idea Lynix’s family was rich and according to Zion, very few people knew Lynix was also wealthy. He came from old money and had a trust fund that he rarely touched.
And I thought he was just a cop .
A soft knock sounded on the door, interrupting her thoughts. “Raven, are you almost ready?”
She smiled at hearing Christopher’s voice. When she had asked him to walk her down the aisle, he had agreed immediately. He had also insisted on paying for the wedding, the reception, as well as her wedding gown. He had told her that as his honorary granddaughter, he was entitled to spoil her on her special day, and she had to let him. Which made her laugh and accept his generous offer.
“I’m almost ready,” she called out. “Give me five minutes.”
“Take your time, sweetheart.”
The past month had been a whirlwind of activity. The most important part had been Maximus getting arrested. Especially when it had been captured by reporters and blasted on national television. It had been a gift that Raven hadn’t known she’d appreciate. She wanted him to be humiliated at what he’d done.
Unfortunately, he was out on bail within hours, and Cree said there was a good chance he wouldn’t do any jail time considering the high-powered attorney he had hired. He would definitely be fined, face public humiliation thanks to the media and his celebrity status of sorts, as well as a couple of civil lawsuits that might be filed—one being from the clinic. Basically, Maximus would be tied up in legal battles for a while. His accomplice didn’t make bail and faced more serious charges.
She and Zion decided not to file a civil suit against Maximus or the clinic, wanting to put the whole incident behind them as they started their new life together.
A smile covered her face as she prepared herself to marry the man of her dreams. She was ready.
A short while later, she stood just inside double glass doors that led to the magnificent backyard where the ceremony would take place. She smiled at Christopher and admired how handsome he was in a black tuxedo with silver accents to match her dress.
“Ready?” Christopher asked, and she slipped her arm through his.
“Yup, I’m ready.”
Just then, the music started. Nyla, who was on the keyboard, and Harrison, who was playing his saxophone were providing the music for the wedding as well as the reception. They were currently playing Kenny G’s “The Wedding Song” for her to march to.
Before Zion’s nephew and one of his friends who were acting as ushers opened the doors, Raven said to Christopher, “I’ll never be able to express just how important you are to me, G-Pop. I love you so much, thank you for being in my life.”
His smile wavered, and she didn’t miss the tears in his dark eyes. “It’s my pleasure, sweetheart. Now can you quit trying to make me cry and get this wedding going?”
She cracked up and then quickly covered her mouth, unsure if the guests who were sitting outside could hear her. She was so happy she was afraid she’d burst before she made it down the short aisle to Zion.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
As Raven strolled down the aisle, that had a few rows of chairs on each side, the photographer snapped photo after photo. She hoped the pictures revealed how happy she was and how much joy she felt. This was one of the most exciting days of her life, and she got to spend it with the people who meant the most to her. She couldn’t ask for more than that.
Everyone was standing and watching her, and since the crowd was small, she tried to make eye contact with each one. She winked at her aunt Nancy who was already dabbing at her eyes. Though her cousin didn’t attend, she was glad to see her aunt.
Aunt Nancy had finally met Zion weeks ago, and though she’d wanted to dislike him, she hadn’t been able to. He had charmed her the moment he strolled in with the twins, as well as a huge bouquet of Callie Lillies, her favorite.
She thought he was not only handsome but had told Raven that he had a nice body. According to her, if she was a few years younger, she might try to steal him away. Since then, Zion had become her favorite person, mainly because he had done a lot of work around her house for her. It probably also helped that she hated Maximus.
Raven’s gaze met the Priestly sisters who were all sitting together in the second row. Dorian caught her attention, and Raven almost laughed when her soon-to-be sister-in-law dramatically pointed to Essence’s date. She’d been the only one to request a plus one, and they’d all been trying to guess who’d she’d bring.
Apparently, Dorian had been correct. She’d said Essence didn’t date much and only hung out with her best friend, a guy she’d known for over twenty years. If he was the one sitting next to her, he was good-looking, and according to Dorian, he was in love with Essence. Raven couldn’t wait to see if anything more would come of the relationship.
When Raven’s attention went to the floral wedding arch where the minister and Zion were standing, her smile widened. Her man looked finer than fine in his black tux and silver accessories, similar to Chris’s. She couldn’t wait to strip him out of that suit, though. His mother had insisted they not share a bedroom last night, and they went along with it. Now, Raven was jonesing for her man who she hadn’t seen all day.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said when Christopher handed her off. “I thought you’d never get here.”
Raven laughed and slipped her hand into his. “I know, right? It seems like it’s been more than fifteen hours since I’ve last seen you,” she whispered.
“Fifteen hours too long,” he whispered back. “And as soon as this is over, I’m stealing you away and stripping you out of that pretty...”
The minister cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Zion with a frown. It looked like he had heard every word, and Raven couldn’t help but snicker, though she sobered when the man turned his eyes to her.
“Sorry, we’re ready,” she hurried to say.
Fifteen minutes later, after they promised their lives to each other, the minister pronounced them husband and wife.
“You may kiss your bride,” he said.
Zion pulled Raven into his arms, and he kissed her with so much passion she was sure she whimpered. They’d done it. They had become husband and wife, and she couldn’t wait to start their new life together.
When the kiss ended, their guest whooped and hollered as they charged toward them. Raven’s cheeks were already hurting from all the smiling and laughing. When she’d been younger, she had wished for a large family, and she finally had one.
Best day ever!
Zion leaned close to her ear and whispered, “How about we try to sneak away for a minute before the reception starts?”
“Great idea. Lead the way.”
Hours later, Zion eased out onto the back deck, glad no one was out there. He needed a breather. This had been the perfect day, and though he loved his family, he was ready for them or him to leave.
He smiled at the thought. It would definitely be him and Raven leaving because some of his family was staying the night in the house. He and Raven would soon be heading to a hotel to spend their wedding night. Then tomorrow morning, they would fly to Fiji and be there for seven days and six nights.
Zion had wanted to go for two weeks, since he didn’t start his new job with Supreme Security until then, but Raven didn’t want to be away from the babies that long. Of course, he eventually agreed. He knew they’d be in good hands, but he was sure he’d miss them even before the week was up. While they were away, Dorian would be keeping the twins, and while she worked at the B & B, their mother would take care of them.
The patio door swished open, then closed, and Zion didn’t have to turn around to know it was his wife. He felt her, as well as smelled her enticing, unique scent before she even made herself known.
My wife. A grin spread across his face. He had a wife, and for a person who thought he wouldn’t be ready for one for another ten years, he was thrilled. He had his own family, and he was more than ready for them to start creating memories.
“Hey, hubby. What are you doing out here by yourself?” she asked and slid her arms around his waist from behind, resting her hands on his stomach and her head on his back.
Zion covered her hands with his. “Just enjoying the quiet and the peacefulness.”
He moved his arm back and around her, then urged her to his side. “So, Mrs. Priestly, was the day everything you thought it would be?”
“Second to the babies being born, this was the most amazing day of my life. It’s still hard to believe we’re married,” she said, then gave a little squeal of excitement, and he laughed.
He bent down and kissed her long and hard before slowly releasing her. “I’m glad you’re my wife. I’m looking forward to all the future has in store for us.”
“Yeah, me too,” she said wistfully as they stared out at the beautifully lit backyard.
Zion had been to this house once or twice, and each time he was awed by the home and its grandeur. Even if he had this type of money, he wasn’t sure if he’d spend it on such a huge place.
Zion jerked to his full height. “What the hell? Did you see that?”
Raven frowned, looking in the direction he was looking. “See what?”
“I think I just saw Lynix and Dorian running through that group of trees over there,” he said, pointing to his left off in the distance.
“Seriously, Zion? This house is as big as a museum. Why would they have to sneak around out here when they can hide out together in one of the bedrooms?”
He scowled at her. “ What? That’s my sister. I’ve warned Lynix to stay away from her. He better not be trying to sneak around with Dorian.”
Raven’s mouth dropped open, and then she burst out laughing. The longer he stared at her, the harder she laughed.
“You do realize Dorian is a grown woman, right? She can do whatever she wants with whomever she wants. If she wants to sneak around with someone, she doesn’t need your permission.”
“She does if that someone is my best friend,” he grumbled, then cringed when a visual of Dorian and Lynix screwing around played inside his mind. “I’m going to find them.”
He turned away, but Raven caught his hand. “Oh, no you don’t.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her soft lips over his. “We’ve eaten, we’ve drunk, and we’ve socialized. Now I’m ready for us to start our honeymoon.”
He didn’t say anything right away, still thinking about his sister. Raven was right. Dorian was grown, and she was a good judge of character. He shouldn’t be worried because there was no way she’d ever hook up with the likes of Lynix.
“Well?” Raven prompted as she leaned her head back to look at him. “Are you ready to get this honeymoon started because I am. I’m planning to walk around naked for all seven days.”
Zion growled and then swept her up into his arms, loving the way she squealed. “Hell, yeah, I’m ready. Why didn’t you say that in the first place? We could’ve been gone.”
He lowered his head and kissed her sweet lips, thinking about all he planned to do with her naked body. When the kiss ended, she grinned at him, as if she’d been reading his thoughts.
“I love you, Mr. Priestly.”
Now he was the one grinning. “Not as much as I love you, baby.”