Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Katya
My lips are still buzzing from the kiss Leon and I shared when we’re finally swept into our private room.
It’s a small space with comfortable seating, and an ensuite bathroom—a room meant for the bride and groom to freshen up before the reception.
If I were to have a second dress for the evening, this is where I would traditionally change into it.
Instead of going through that whole ordeal, I only need to calm myself down.
I was oddly calm and collected for most of the day.
I didn’t wake up with a pit of anticipation anxiety bubbling in my gut, and cold feet never came for me in the hours of getting ready with my mom and Gaia.
I was comforted by all of Leon’s offered assurances, and by the relaxed energy of my family.
No one was on edge, and therefore my body and brain somehow realized that I needn’t be either.
My nerves didn’t truly spike until Leon’s lips pulled off mine.
My body thrummed with heat that couldn’t be quelled nor denied.
I flushed from head to toe, hoping that my hair and my veil helped to shield the red cheeks I knew would be beaming on my pale face.
Kissing Leon, even just for a moment, nearly knocked me off my feet.
I couldn’t have predicted such a deep, undeniably intense reaction to the press of his mouth against mine.
I stepped toward him first, thinking the kiss would be a small peck that echoed the nature of our arranged marriage.
And instead of a little, meaningless graze of our lips, I was met with profound tension and desire that snapped into place in a manner so quickly that I nearly lost my breath.
“Katya?” Leon asks, catching me drifting off into space as the moment replays in my mind for a fourth time. “Are you all right?”
Concern dips his brows and I quickly nod, trying to remedy any thoughts of doubt that my silence may have just created.
“I’m good,” I answer, not entirely dishonest. “I think I’m just coming down from a bit of adrenaline. I didn’t want to mess anything up, and I was focusing on that but now it’s over and I…I’m digesting, I think. A-are you okay?”
“You did well,” he replies with a soft look of sympathy. “I’m okay too. The harder part is over with. All we need to do now is attend a party. Eat, maybe dance, talk. It should be easy enough, if you’re up for it?”
My lips part, a smile curving them up.
Asking if I’m up for it is a bit silly, considering neither of our families would be particularly thrilled if I didn’t show up for my own wedding reception.
Gossips would whisper about the new Moretti bride disappearing before dinner has even been served or cake has been cut.
They’d theorize about my absence for weeks, if not months, coming up with possible nefarious reasons of why I was missing from every photo.
Maybe I would be a forced bride who refused to cooperate for the party.
Maybe I would be a lush who was so nervous before marrying such an important man that I drank myself silly before I could even get to the reception hall.
Maybe I’d be a kidnapped sob story, never to be heard of again.
Maybe I’d even be replaced by an imposter to bury the story.
No, skipping out on my reception wouldn’t do.
And even if it weren’t such a terrible idea, I don’t think I would want to.
I need to take this opportunity to mesh with Leon’s family—my new family.
I need Bastian and Leo to see me with their father, and digest the idea of us becoming closer before I move in with them just a few days from now.
And most of all, I feel like I need to stay by my new husband’s side, to acclimate to being a wife.
It’s surreal, but it is real.
This is who I am now.
Katya Moretti.
“I’m up for it,” I say, growing more confident once again.
“Maybe a glass of champagne will help with the nerves? I’ve found it to be the least offensive tasting alcohol.
And the bubbles are meant to be soothing, aren’t they?
Or is that a thing that people tell themselves just to justify drinking it? ”
Leon cracks a smile, his white teeth flashing as he almost laughs.
“I think it might be a bit of both. There’s plenty of champagne, though.
I assume a glass might help. We’re doing a small cocktail and appetizer thing before dinner, but I assume it will fly by with everyone taking turns coming up to congratulate us. ”
“Oh goodie,” I wince, forcing a smile. I’m sure that won’t become repetitive and taxing. “I hope Leo and Bastian won’t be too bored, waiting for us.”
My husband’s eyes sparkle at the mention of his sons. “I somehow doubt that they’ll do much waiting at all. I assume they’ll flood to our side and stick by us through most of the evening. Although they have plenty of young cousins around who could possibly keep their attention.”
“I wouldn’t mind their company,” I offer lightly. “I’m kind of hoping for it, actually. They keep things interesting—and joyful.”
Leon looks at me, taking in my words before smiling. “I feel the same.”
“Do you need to freshen up or anything?” I ask, pointing my thumb over my shoulder to indicate the ensuite. “I think I’d rather just dive right in than let anticipation build for much longer.”
He shakes his head, offering his arm for me to hook my hand in. “Ripping the Band-Aid off is my preferred method as well.”
My fingers wrap around his forearm and I exhale, steadying myself for what’s about to come.
We take a few steps together, and something itches in the back of my mind, a question needing to be asked.
Perhaps it’s silly, or unimportant, but the need to let it out is too strong to stop.
Before he can reach for the door handle, it tumbles out of me.
“Do you think you’ve made a good choice? With me?”
His blue eyes find mine immediately, and I swallow under the intensity of his look.
“I know I’ve made a good choice, Katya. I don’t doubt myself for even a minute.”
“T-that’s good,” I rush out, feeling relief hit me as my shoulders loosen with relaxing tension.
“I want this to work out, and I want to vow that I’m going to do my best and put in the work to make our marriage a happy one.
I’ll be a good mother for the boys, and a good person with you.
I couldn’t exactly squeeze those promises in during our vows without it sounding out of place but—”
“I vow the same,” Leon interrupts, voice firm and sure. “I’ll put in the work to be a good father for them and a good man for you. I want us to be happy, too. To be a good family that Bastian and Leo can look back on fondly when they’re older.”
My chest feels warm in an instant, like someone just tossed a heavy pile of laundry straight out of the dryer on top of me.
His sincerity is too raw and real to be faked, and I know from his words alone that we’re destined to make our union work.
Whatever is going to happen between us, I know our story isn’t going to end with Leon hurting me in any way, shape, or form.
I don’t even think he’s capable of it.
With our additional vows said, we exit our private room arm in arm.
And just like he predicted, we’re immediately but politely swarmed by our guests.
Thankfully, Leon is quick to snag us two flutes of champagne as we enter the next event space, and I’m able to take at least a few sips before we’re caught in a long line of pleasantries.
To my relief, familiar faces are quick to make an appearance.
Ares, never one for niceties or proper manners, manages to shoulder his way to the front of the crowd—all the while escorting our baby sister like the princess that she is.
Having been holding her up by her armpits, he sets her down softly in front of Leon and me, patting her head as if to cue her into talking before stuffing his hands into his pants’ pockets.
“Did you see me throw my flowers?” Gaia asks, her eyes lifting to my husband’s face with a determined look.
“I did,” Leon confirms, nodding down at her. “You did a very good job. I’m sure your sister would have been proud to see it, had she been able to watch it herself.”
Satisfied by the answer, Gaia grins smugly. “Yeah, I was pretty perfect. Mama said so, and she never lies. Right, Katya?”
“That’s right,” I confirm seriously.
Looking between the two of us, she suddenly folds her arms in front of her body. “I thought your kiss could have been more magical, but the rest wasn’t so bad. Ares says kisses are only magical when a princess is turning a frog into a prince but I think I’d rather cut my lips off than kiss a frog.”
She wrinkles her nose in distaste, turning around to look up at her brother. “You’re gross, Ares.”
Leon chuckles, concealing the sound with a cough.
“Love you too, princess,” her brother replies, rolling his eyes.
“It’s a fairytale, Gaia,” I speak up, voice soft. “Ares didn’t make up the idea himself. You shouldn’t call him gross.”
“Papa says I can call him gross when he smells like that,” she argues, nose pinching once again.
Frowning, I look to Ares to fill me in.
He shrugs, looking unbothered. “Cigarettes.”
“Oh,” I realize and my face scrunches reactively.
“See,” Gaia huffs. “Gross.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ares drawls, unaffected by her vehement reaction. “Are we done here? Katya has more guests that she needs to be bothered by.”
“Fine.” Sighing dramatically, she snatches his hand, ready to be led away. “You can help me find juice. I’m thirsty.”
“As you wish.”
I don’t have time to laugh off my sister’s bright personality before another lively little face takes her place.
“Daddy!” Leo launches himself into his father’s legs, wrapping his little arms around him as best as he can and squeezing hard. “Bastian and me were so good, weren’t we?”
As if he knows exactly what his son means, Leon nods and smiles down at him approvingly.
“You were very well-behaved during the wedding. You stayed quiet during all the important parts, and you cheered at the end exactly like Uncle Apollo and Daddy told you. Both of my sons are so clever, aren’t they? ”
“Yes,” Leo agrees, basking in the praise. He lets go of his dad to grab his brother’s hand and pull him closer to us. “You coming to our house now, Kat?”
He seems so thrilled by the prospect that I almost change all of my plans to tell him yes. I could drop everything and move in immediately, even if it wouldn’t be as smooth of a transition. Anything to make him keep that little smile on his face.
“Not yet,” I reply reluctantly, not wanting to overstep. “But after you go to sleep tonight, you’ll only have one more sleep before I come to move in with you. Would that be all right with you two?”
“I’m so excited,” Leo agrees by way of answering.
I look to Bastian, hoping not to see sadness anywhere near his face. Thankfully, I find only bashful agreement.
“We’ll have your room prepared, and be happy to have you.”
God, he’s so polite and official sounding. Like a little lord.
“I’ll be happy to spend more time with both of you,” I promise, leaning down to get closer to their level. “And if there’s anything you ever need or want from me, I want you both to ask without worrying, okay? I’ll never be upset to hear what you have to say.”
“Okay,” Leo agrees eagerly. “Can we have a puppy?”
A startled giggle crawls up my throat at his blunt request.
“I…” I trail off, looking up to Leon with a helpless expression.
My husband blinks rapidly, seemingly lost for words as well.
“I’ll talk to your daddy about that, okay?
I think a puppy would be a lovely thing but a lot of responsibility and we’ll need to make sure that we have plenty of time to take care of it, hmm? ”
Eyes lighting up like I’ve just told him yes outright, Leo shakes Bastian’s arm. “Did ya hear? Did ya? She say my idea is love-lee.”
Oh my God, my heart.
“I heard, Leo,” Bastian confirms quietly. “We should go back to Uncle Apollo. Dinner is starting soon.”
“Ohhhh, yes,” Leo agrees readily. “I want po-tatoes.”
“We’ll see you soon, okay?” Leon asks, looking down proudly at his sons. “Be good for your aunt and uncle.”
“We will,” they echo in sync, sounding dutiful and sure.
“Oh my God,” I exhale, standing up straight. “A puppy, Leon. Where did that come from?”
My new husband sighs and rubs the back of his neck as if it’s aching.
“I honestly don’t know. I’ve been waiting for him to demand a kitten since he likes Rayna and Apollo’s cats so much.
Ana has a dog, but they never saw Sirius as a puppy and he’s a trained security dog.
I have a feeling Leo is looking more for a cute fluffy puppy buddy than a trained guard dog. ”
“I’ve never had a dog,” I confess, hoping I don’t sound as worried as I might be. “Have you?”
“Not since I was a kid, and not a family pet. More like a working dog that could kill a grown man in ten seconds flat.”
“I think I’d prefer the fluffy puppy buddy option,” I reply awkwardly.
Leon chuckles and then hums. “Around my two young kids? I’d have to agree.”
First an engagement, then a wedding, and now a puppy?
I might be out of my depth here soon.
I guess it’s a good thing I know how to swim.