Chapter 36
Claire
“Louise. Danny. It’s so nice to see you.” I hugged them. “Welcome to our home.”
“You look nice, dear,” Louise spoke.
“Mom. Dad.” Nick hugged them.
“Your home is lovely,” Louise said. “I have to say, Nick, you moved on pretty fast. One minute, your wedding is called off, and the next, you’re engaged again with a baby on the way.”
“Yeah. Funny how life works out.” He smiled. “And why did you have to say that?”
“Your mother didn’t mean anything bad by it, son,” his father spoke. “You’ve seemed the happiest you’ve ever been.”
“I am. Claire makes me incredibly happy. I love her very much.” Nick hooked his arm around me.
“That’s all we ever wanted for you, Nicholas,” his mother spoke. “We always voiced our opinion about that Katrina woman you almost married. We told you time and time again that she wasn’t right for you, and we didn’t like her.”
“Mom, why are you saying all this? Why are you dredging up the past?”
“Because your father and I like Claire a lot, and we want a relationship with the two of you and our grandchild.”
“Welcome to the family, Claire.” Danny held out his arms.
I walked over and hugged him. “Thank you, Danny.”
“Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad.” Nick smiled. “We better get down to the beach. The family is waiting for us.”
“Is Christian there?” His mother asked.
“Yes. He and Charleigh are both there,” Nick said.
“Good. It’ll be great to see them again.” Louise smiled.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Nick’s father spoke. “We need to find out if we’re having a grandson or a granddaughter.”
Nick grabbed my hand, and we walked down to the beach. After Nick introduced his parents to the family, it was time to find out the gender of our baby.
“Everyone gather on our patio,” Georgia said.
Sitting on the long table was a beautifully wrapped oversized box in yellow paper with the words on it: Is It A Boy Or Girl?
“This box is filled with balloons. They will either be pink or blue.” She grinned. “On the count of three, you two remove the ribbon and lift the lid.”
“Are you ready, babe?” Nick smiled.
“I’m ready.”
Everyone started counting. When they reached three, Nick and I removed the ribbon. Several pink balloons flew up into the sky as we lifted the lid.
“It’s a girl!” Nick shouted.
Tears filled my eyes as he hugged me, and everyone shouted, clapped, and congratulated us.
“I told you it was a girl.” Shaun grinned, hugging me.
We celebrated with a cake that Zoey made for us. A beautiful cake decorated in all pink with the words: We Can’t Wait to Meet You, Baby Russo.
Two Weeks Later
Islipped into my wedding gown, praying it still fit. Four days ago, Jenni had to make some adjustments because it was a little tight. I was careful with what I ate and drank the last four days.
“Let’s get you buttoned up.” Jenni smiled as she stood behind me.
As she began buttoning, I smiled and felt comfortable in it.
“It’s a perfect fit. Feel free to eat the night away.” She grinned.
I stared at myself in the full-length mirror as Jenni placed my veil on my head.
“You look so damn beautiful.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Thanks, Jen.” I turned and hugged her.
The sliding door opened, and we heard Barb’s voice.
“Hello, hello.”
“We’re in the bedroom!” Grace shouted.
Barb walked in and over to me, taking hold of my hands.
“Claire, you look stunning. Your mother would have been proud of you.”
“Thank you, Barb. You look beautiful.”
“You’re sweet, darling.” She smiled, placing her hand on my cheek. “The beach looks just as beautiful as it did for Charleigh and Christian’s wedding.”
“Sam and Stefan really outdid themselves,” I said.
“I have something for you,” Barb said, reaching into her clutch and handing me a velvet box.
Opening it, I saw a beautiful diamond and pearl bracelet. “Barb, this is beautiful. You shouldn’t have done this.”
“I wanted to. You’re Henry’s daughter. How could I not? You’re my son’s sister and a part of our family.”
Tears sprung to my eyes. “Thank you.” I hugged her.
Jenni removed it from the box and placed it on my wrist.
“I think it’s time to get lined up. The ceremony will begin soon,” Barb said.
The part of the beach where my five brothers would walk me down the aisle was transformed into white elegance. A satin runway with sculptural floral arrangements paved the way for my future husband, who would wait for me under the floral-filled and chiffon-decorated archway. The girls lined up, and I stood behind them. Shaun walked over with a smile and held his arm out.
“Wow. I am so proud to call you my sister. Are you ready to become Mrs. Claire Kind-Russo?”
“More than ready.” I grinned.
The girls walked down the aisle looking as beautiful as ever. When Georgia reached the end, she grabbed her violin and began playing the wedding march in unison with Jackson, who strummed it on his guitar. Shaun walked me to Stefan, who walked me to Simon, who walked me to Sebastian, who walked me to Sam. Taking Sam’s arm, he walked me the rest of the way to Nick.
Placing my hand in Nick’s, Sam smiled and kissed my cheek. I stared into my future husband’s eyes, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to emerge as his eyes filled with tears.
“You are so beautiful.” A handsome smile crossed his lips.
“So are you.”
We turned to the pastor, who said a few words before facing each other and saying our vows.
“Claire, you are the most beautiful woman, both inside and out. I never thought loving anyone as much as I love you was possible. Just when I thought the dark cloud hanging over my head would be there forever, you swooped in like a ray of sunshine and brightened my life. You are and always will be my forever. I will love you for eternity and make you as happy as you make me. I will take care of you and our daughter for the rest of my life. I’ll be there for both of you to wipe away your tears and take away your sadness. I love you so much, Claire.” He brought his thumb up to my face and wiped the tears that fell down my cheek.
“Claire, it’s your turn,” the pastor spoke.
I softly cleared my throat as I stared into his eyes. “Nick, love to me was nothing but a faraway fairytale. I didn’t believe in it and never thought I’d find it. Then you sat down next to me at the bar, and I was swept away with one look. You give me a happiness I never thought existed. You’re my best friend, soulmate, lover, and husband for eternity. When I think of forever, I only see you. You are my forever, Dr. Nick Russo, and I will love you unconditionally for the rest of my life. Not only am I the luckiest woman in the world to be loved by you, but our daughter is too. I love you so much, Nick.”
“Rings, please,” the pastor spoke.
Christian handed Nick my ring as I held my hand in front of him.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” He slipped it on my finger with a smile.
Jenni handed me Nick’s ring as I slipped it on his finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” I smiled.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nick, you may kiss your bride.”
“It’s about damn time.” Nick grinned as our lips met.
Everyone shouted and clapped as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife. After posing for wedding photos, it was time to head to the beautifully and elegantly decorated white tents, which had hanging chandeliers that sparkled and billowing chiffon draped throughout. White linens draped the tables, which were adorned with elegant floral arrangements.
“I can’t thank you all enough for this.” I hugged my five brothers. “You have made this such a special day.”
“You’re welcome, sis,” Sam said.
“It’s what we Kind men do.” Simon winked.
“You’re welcome, sis.” Sebastian kissed my cheek. “I have to go check on my servers and make sure everything’s ready.”
“It was our pleasure.” Stefan grinned. “Anything for our family. You would do the same for us.”
“You’re right. I would.” I smiled.
“I still see a business opportunity here,” Shaun said. “I told you all this at Christian’s wedding. We could make a fortune renting out this part of the beach and prepping it for weddings. Think about it.” He grinned at Sam and Stefan.
“NO!” They both voiced loudly at the same time.
I laughed and glanced at Shaun. “I think you have your answer.”
After we ate dinner, it was time for our first dance together as husband and wife. I had something planned that Nick didn’t know about.
“I’ll be right back, babe.” I reached up and kissed him.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back.” I smiled.
I walked out of the tent over to where Stefan stood. He clipped the microphone to me and did a quick sound check.
“You ready?” He grinned.
“I am.”
“Okay. Let me take the stage first,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention for a moment? It’s time for Nick and Claire to have their first dance as husband and wife. In case you didn’t know, my sister is a superstar. When she was younger, she made it into the top five on American Idol. However, due to illness, she had no choice but to drop out. I would have bet she would have made it to number one because she’s that good. And tonight, you’ll hear her beautiful voice for yourselves as she sings a song that represents her love for Nick as they share their first dance.”
When Conner started playing the piano, I entered the tent, singing the song Always Remember Us This Way. I made my way to the dancefloor, where my husband waited for me. A bright smile graced his face as he held out his hand. I placed mine in his and stared into his eyes as I sang to him, and we danced together.
“I love you so much, Mrs. Russo,” he said as I sang the last verse.
“I love you, too, Dr. Russo.” I smiled, pressing my lips against his.
Everyone clapped and whistled as he picked me up and spun me around.
“I can’t believe you did that.” He grinned. “You have no idea how that makes me feel.”
“I’m sure just as good as I felt singing it to you.”
“Damn you.” Jenni wiped her eyes as she hugged me. “You’ve gone and ruined my makeup. That was absolutely beautiful.”
“It sure was.” Shaun smiled, hooking his arm around me.
Nick’s parents walked over and hugged me.
“We had no idea you were on American Idol. My God, Claire. You’re fabulous.” His mother smiled.
“Thank you.”
“That was one hell of a performance, young lady,” his father spoke. “You’re in the right city if you want to pursue a musical career.”
“Nah. I already have everything I want in life.” I smiled, glancing at Nick.