Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Katya
My suite is way too large for my needs, but undeniably beautiful.
The luxury set of rooms is clearly meant for more than one guest, with a common living room area, a small kitchenette, and two king bedrooms and spa-sized bathrooms. The closet space is more than enough to fit my things when the staff brings them up, and my chosen wedding gown has its very own section to hang.
My mother and stepfather’s suite is right across from mine, and I imagine it’s the same setup, which would give Gaia her own space within it.
Having them so close is a detail that Leon certainly got right.
I do feel safer having my family nearby, and even Ares will be down the hall.
When he eventually decides to leave the bar lounge, that is.
Getting ready for dinner is more nerve-racking than I expect it to be.
My quick conversation with Leon provided several minutes of comfort and reassurances, but the feeling didn’t linger once I found myself alone.
I want to make a good impression, even though I’ve already met everyone attending the meal.
This isn’t a big Moretti family dinner where formal introductions are going to be made and all eyes are going to be on me.
It’s an intimate meeting of the direct families who are going to be joined tomorrow.
Leon and his boys, and my little family only.
I want it to go well, but I can’t control the unexpected.
So I take control of the only thing I can—my appearance.
I make sure that the flight and the car ride here hasn’t completely destroyed the soft styled waves in my hair, and touch up my makeup to an obsessive degree.
There’s not a hair out of place, or a lipgloss smudge in sight by the time Gaia comes banging on my door to demand I escort her down to dinner.
She changed into one of the many dresses she packed for the trip, a pale blue Bouffant-style dress that ends before her ankles.
Her favorite kind of dress, since it allows her shoes to also be seen.
Her matching ballet flats are brand new, and of course, a gift from her father.
The silky blue ties are wrapped into bows around her little ankles, and of course she’s wearing blue-accented jewelry to complement her outfit.
Sometimes I think my little sister dresses better than I do.
I changed into a dress of my own, of course, but Gaia actually picked it out at the store.
The white lace that clings to my frame looks a bit like a wedding reception dress.
It hugs my hips but hangs naturally around my thighs and just barely reaches the floor, covering my feet.
It’s sophisticated, classy, and fitted, but not uncomfortably tight, meaning I should be able to eat without any issues.
“Wow,” a little voice sounds. It’s the first thing we’re met with when we walk into the room that Leon gave us directions to. “You look like a princess,” Leo declares, coming over to meet us at the door with an astonished gaze.
Gaia lets go of my hand and turns her head to look up at me with smug satisfaction. “I told you.”
I sigh at her in response before smiling down at the small boy. “Thank you very much, Leo. You look like a little prince yourself.”
“We matching Daddy,” he declares with a delighted grin.
Looking up from him, my breath catches. Standing a few feet away, Leon watches my exchange with his son, his intense blue eyes zeroed in on me.
He’s wearing a black suit, just like his son’s, and with one look to his right, I find Bastian donning the same outfit.
They look like the perfect little family, but the adorable detail of matching suits isn’t what steals my breath.
It’s Leon, and Leon alone, who claims responsibility for that.
He’s beautiful.
Hot, actually.
Tempting…maybe something even more sultry.
From behind Gaia and I, my mother coughs softly, interrupting my daze pointedly. I feel my face flush before the embarrassment of being caught staring at my fiancé can even fully hit me.
“Thank you for joining us,” Leon says, taking the responsibility of speaking from me.
Smiling in relief, I dip my head at him before looking back down to address Leo. “Would you like to show us to our seats, little love?”
Shoulders straightening with the weight of duty, he bobs his head and reaches up to take my hand. “I show you. You sitting next to Daddy and Gee-ahh.”
“Gaia,” my little sister corrects with a giggle.
“Yes, you,” Leo agrees, proud of himself.
“Adela, Linus,” Leon greets, meeting them halfway across the room. “Your seats are right here. We’ve ordered a variety of dishes to share that should be ready any moment, but please feel free to request any other food you’d like. The chefs can make just about anything.”
“Thank you,” my mother replies, stepping closer to him. “I’m sure everything you’ve picked out will be lovely. Our youngest may put in a request, though. I have to warn you, if you give her the freedom to demand something, she’ll take it.”
My soon-to-be husband chuckles. “It’s no problem, I assure you. Some of my brothers are just the same.”
“Speaking of brothers,” Linus rumbles. “Have you heard from my son? I believe he’s been swept away by some of your lot.”
“I texted Nico to send him up just a few minutes ago,” Leon tells him with a small wince. “If he isn’t here in a bit, I’ll send someone to escort him. Some of my more responsible brothers have been keeping an eye on them though. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about where Ares is concerned.”
Linus grunts. “That would be a first.”
Gaia settles into her seat for approximately two seconds before calling out to our mother. “Mama, you get to sit next to me and Papa.”
Leon has my little sister between me and our mom, and Linus on the other side of our mother at one of the ends of the table.
Next to him, they leave an open seat for Ares.
Leo and Bastian sit across from Gaia and me, while Leon takes the other head of the table, right next to me.
It’s a good seating arrangement, even if being so close to my fiancé makes me feel a little gooey inside.
I’m not sure when I started to have a hard time looking at Leon without feeling taken aback by his looks, but it feels like a new development. Attraction has always been there, yes. But now, it refuses to be ignored.
“What would everyone like to drink?”
Leon’s question is answered lightning fast by both Leo and Gaia, the two of them requesting chocolate milk so quickly that I have to cover my mouth to stop from giggling. My little sister may be a fashionista, a trickster, and a bit of a drama queen, but she’s still a child.
Their requests are easily met, as are the rest of ours.
White wine for my mother, water with lemon for Bastian and I, and red wine for Linus and Leon.
Water is placed in the empty chair’s spot for Ares, but I’m sure he’ll order whatever he wants when he arrives.
He has no qualms about making his desires known.
Gaia is quick to start peppering my future children with questions about themselves as her parents watch on in amusement. Leon though, he takes the opportunity to scooch closer to me and lower his voice to ask a question of his own.
“Do you not drink?”
The sound of his low tone makes my forearms pebble with goosebumps.
I shake my head, lowering my voice to reply. “Not much. I’m picky with what I like, I’m afraid. A lot of it tastes terrible.” I feel my nose scrunch in the middle as I think of all the cocktails Ares has tried and failed to get me to enjoy.
He chuckles softly, the sound hitting me right in the gut.
“It’s an acquired taste, certainly. I don’t drink very much either, unless one of my brothers or sisters insists on taking care of the boys for a night so I can indulge in more than one glass.”
“How very responsible,” I reply almost teasingly. Biting my lip, I add, “I’m nervous to meet all of them.”
“You shouldn’t be,” he declares seriously. “My sisters will be nothing but kind to you. They’ll eventually try to induct you into their little sisterhood cult-like bond they have, but they mean well. My brothers are easy to get along with. As soon as you’re family, they’ll treat you as such.”
“You make it sound so simple.” I wonder if it possibly could be. “You all must be close.”
“As close as we can be.” Leon lifts a shoulder. “I live farther away from them, but we all still keep in touch and visit often. Some of us have closer bonds than others, but that happens when there’s ten of you plus spouses.”
“I can’t imagine.” My head shakes. “I was an only child before Gaia. I spent so many years with it just being me and my parents. I always thought having siblings would take something from me, you know? Like I would lose parts of my mother or father…but Gaia has only ever added to my life. I can’t imagine it without her now. ”
“She can come see you as often as you want,” he offers sincerely. “And once you’re settled with the boys, we can discuss you traveling to visit her as well.”
I figured that would be the case, given that he offered no ultimatums or travel restrictions in our contract, but still, the words are reassuring to hear straight from his lips.
“Thank you,” I whisper, voice almost cracking.
“Well, isn’t this intimate?” my stepbrother coos, gliding into the room. His dark hair is a mess like he’s just run his fingers through it, and his button-down is somehow rumpled after only an hour of being here.
“Son,” Linus says, narrowing his eyes in disapproval.
For his tardiness, or for his rude introduction, I’m not sure which.
“Father,” Ares greets in return, walking toward his chair. As workers with trays of food pour into the room behind him, he grins. “Looks like I’ve arrived just in time. Hello, little sister. You look precious as always.”
Gaia grins at her brother and lifts her chin at the compliment. “And you look messy as always, big brother.”
He laughs, delighted by the slight.
Ares is usually good at hiding the effects of the copious amounts of alcohol he’s likely consumed, but I can tell he’s had a few too many drinks as soon as I see him.
It may not be obvious to others, but I know that he’s the closest thing to drunk I’ve ever seen him be around our little sister before.
He can control his facial expressions, and keep himself from slurring over any words; he can even cover the smell of vodka on his breath, but he’d never know that the smallest change gives him away.
His posture.
My stepbrother notoriously carries himself casually, giving off the image that he doesn’t have a single care in the world.
He slouches, leans against things, and almost always exudes a cool, careless confidence that fits his personality perfectly.
When he drinks a bit too much though, he over corrects.
He doesn’t want to look too sloppy, too tired, or too relaxed.
So he straightens his shoulders more, sits taller, and keeps his chin held higher.
It’s a dead giveaway if you know what to look for.
“Looks like we’re having a feast,” Ares comments, picking up his water glass and taking a few large gulps. Turning to Bastian and Leo, he asks, “You two look like you know what food is the best. What should I put on my plate?”
Leo takes the question with extreme seriousness, and sits up in his chair to point out which dishes he likes the most. By the end of the interaction, Ares’ plate is piled high with mac and cheese, cheeseburger sliders, crispy french fries, and oddly enough, garlicky green beans.
Leo and Bastian make almost identical plates to him, while the adults share the more refined dishes.
Steak, chicken, risotto, salad, and pasta options.
Gaia, of course, takes a bit of both sides of things, and requests to have a side of mashed potatoes made specifically for her.
I know when dessert time comes, she’ll be putting in another request just as quickly.
Ares, to my surprise, engages in most of the polite conversation as the evening goes on. He entertains Leon’s sons when they speak to him, and even talks to Leon himself, mostly about his brothers.
By the time the meal has come to an end, I almost wish it hadn’t.
Almost.
Because now that it’s over, my wedding is only one night’s sleep away.