Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Liliana
I woke in the same bedroom I’d been in the night before. Unlike the night before, I’d slept much better. Rolling on the cool sheets, I realized I was smiling, actually smiling. Today was my wedding day. Lifting my hand from below the blankets, I stared at the ring on my fourth finger.
The large round-cut diamond on a platinum band was simple, elegant, and new.
No one else had ever worn it before. I gave the rings from my first wedding to Sofia.
They’d first belonged to her mother, and she deserved to have them.
Offering me a dead woman’s jewelry should have been the first red flag in that marriage.
Yesterday afternoon, after receiving el Patrón’s blessing, Nick and I went to the county clerk’s office at Waterfront Park.
While the sign said we needed a prescheduled appointment, Nick spoke with the person at the desk and arranged for us to be seen.
I hadn’t thought about proving Gerardo’s death.
Thankfully, Nick had. He had Gerardo’s death certificate with him.
After answering a few questions and paying a fee, we had our marriage license.
When we left the clerk’s office, Nick handed me the death certificate. “He’s gone now. Your last name will no longer be his but mine.”
I folded the certificate and placed it in my purse.
Nick reached for my hand, and I leaned into his shoulder. “I’m proud to have your name.”
He kissed the top of my head.
Next, we went to his parents’ home, his home.
Maria Ruiz met us at the door. I tried to read if she was truly happy, and I wanted to believe she was.
She made a comment about it finally being time Nick wed.
At one point, she laced her arm through mine and whispered that she’d raised a good man.
This would be a much better union. I wanted to believe her.
Lieutenant Ruiz, Nick’s father, was less gregarious about our announcement. I sensed he and Nick were having some issues but decided not to ask.
Looking up at the ceiling, I faced the fact that today was my wedding day. While my name wasn’t changing, it was. This was a new beginning, despite the old feelings trying to creep into my mind, reminding me of my first marriage.
What did Nick say?
He said he officially evicted Gerardo Ruiz from my thoughts.
I doubted putting that part of my life behind me would be that easy, but if Nick could proclaim it, I could try to live it.
A knock came to my bedroom door.
Hurrying from the bed, I wrapped my robe over my nightgown. I made it to the door on the second knock. Opening the barrier, I found Viviana. “Hola.”
“Hola,” she said with a smile, carrying a tray with coffee. “Lieutenant Ruiz is downstairs. I didn’t want him to see you today, so I brought you coffee. What can I get you for breakfast?”
“Viviana, that’s a silly tradition.”
“It’s a tradition. After your breakfast, Mia has a surprise for you in her bedroom.”
“This was supposed to be a no-fuss wedding.”
“I’m sorry, have you met Senora Roríguez?”
A giggle came from my chest. “I have. Mia never does anything small.”
“I made molletes, but if you’d like something else—”
“With your homemade bolillo?” I interrupted. “Sí, por favor.”
I’d barely made it out of the bathroom and was standing at the window overlooking the ocean, drinking my coffee, when Mia knocked and entered the bedroom.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I promised Viviana I’d let you have an easy start to your day, but I can’t wait another second.”
“For what?”
“Come to my room.”
I stood to follow. “El Patrón isn’t in there, is he?”
“Oh heavens no. He’s downstairs in some major war council.”
“War?”
Mia shook her head. “Sorry, no. It’s what I call it when he has the lieutenants and top soldiers together. It’s honestly a weekly event.”
Okay, she scared me.
Leaving my coffee on the table, I followed.
“I confess to sneaking into your bedroom yesterday afternoon to learn your dress size.”
“My dress size?”
“You’re getting married, and you should do it in a new dress.”
“Mia…”
“Come, they’re hanging in my closet.”
“Plural?” I asked.
“Don’t worry. I’ll send the ones you don’t want back. Heaven knows I can’t wear them.” She opened the closet door.
It was like walking into another room. I’d say it was small, but in all reality, I think my entire bedroom in my apartment was smaller than her closet. I stopped moving upon seeing the three gowns on display. “Mia, I can’t accept—”
“I know you’ve been married before. Big wedding. I get it. If I had more time, today’s ceremony would be more. The very least you owe to yourself is a gown that makes you feel as special as you are to Nick.” She tilted her head. “Please try them on.”
Nick’s rule came to mind—I wasn’t to think of myself as unworthy.
“Okay.” I nodded with a smile.
I stood in front of a full-length mirror turning slightly from side to side.
This was the third gown I’d tried, and I loved the way it hung from my shoulders from thin spaghetti straps.
They were attached to a sweetheart neckline, and the silk gown was formfitting.
Three bows on my back were held in place by fabric-covered buttons and separated by cutouts.
Lower, fabric covered a long row of hidden eye hooks.
As Mia fastened the back of the dress, she said, “Oh, Nick will want to rip these buttons and eye hooks.”
My smile fell.
She reached for my shoulders. “He won’t, honey. I know what you’re thinking. Be honest with Nick. He knows a little about what you endured. Jano and I didn’t have intercourse for nearly a week after we were married.”
I turned. “You told him no.”
Mia lifted her eyebrows. “I did. And more importantly, he listened. But Jano and I didn’t know one another at all. It was different. You and Nick know each other.”
“We do,” I said with a nod. “When he kisses me, I feel things I’ve never felt before.”
She lifted her hand to her lower stomach. “A twisting?” Her hands moved higher. “Your breasts feel heavy and your nipples bead.”
Heat filled my cheeks, and I lifted my hands. “Yes, that’s exactly what happens.”
“You never felt that before, ever?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think I want to say no. I just want to…I don’t know how to explain it.”
Mia laid her hands on my shoulders and turned me toward the mirror. “You want to be with a man you trust. Do you trust Nick?”
There was no hesitation in my answer. “I do.”
She smiled over my shoulder into the reflection. “You’re gorgeous in this gown. It was designed for someone with your slender figure. Oh, I have a pearl drop necklace that would look amazing—something borrowed.”
Blinking, I willed my tears to stay at bay. “I love the dress.” I turned and hugged Mia. “I love you. Thank you for always being so supportive.”
“The best thanks is seeing you happy.” She gathered my hair. “How do you want your hair?”