Chapter 24 A Forever Kind of Love
Celeste Bellerose
The jet soared over endless clouds, the deep hum of the engines a soothing backdrop as they left Paris—and the ghosts of Juliette Bellerose—far behind.
Sunlight poured through the windows, painting the cabin in hues of gold and warmth.
Celeste gazed out at the sky, her fingers absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns against the cool glass.
Her mind spun with the whirlwind of the past few days—triumph, exhaustion, relief. But beyond all the chaos and raw emotions, one sensation rose above the rest.
Peace.
Pure, unfiltered peace.
Nick’s hand rested over hers, his touch warm and steady, a grounding force that pulled her back from the spiraling thoughts. He leaned closer, his voice a low, affectionate rumble. “Trying to draw a masterpiece on that window, princess?”
Celeste smiled, her gaze sliding from the clouds to him. “Just clearing out the clutter. I think I might actually be able to breathe now.”
“Breathe? Hm.” Nick’s lips quirked into a playful grin. “I’ve heard that’s a good thing. Kinda essential for survival, they say.”
She let out a genuine laugh, the sound bright and unrestrained. “Oh, shut up.”
“Make me,” he challenged, eyes gleaming with that dangerous, sexy intensity she could never resist.
Sabre’s head lifted from where he sprawled on the plush carpet at their feet, his ears perking at the playful tone. With a low, contented huff, he dragged himself upright and pushed his massive head into Celeste’s lap, his tail thumping against the floor.
“Someone’s jealous,” Nick drawled, amusement threading through his voice. “I swear, he’s more protective of you than I am.”
Celeste scratched behind Sabre’s ears, her fingers sinking into his thick fur. “He’s just making sure you’re treating me right. Isn’t that right, Sabre?”
The dog let out a satisfied chuff, his soulful eyes meeting hers with pure devotion.
“See?” Celeste grinned. “You’ve got competition, Malone.”
Nick snorted. “Somehow, I think I can handle the competition.” His hand slid over hers, fingers intertwining. “Just like I can handle everything else life throws our way.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
He smirked. “When it comes to you? Hell, yeah. You’re mine, Celeste. And that’s never changing.”
His words settled over her, warm and powerful. Celeste’s smile softened, her free hand leaving Sabre’s fur to rest over the one Nick held. “Good. Because I’m not letting go. Not ever.”
Nick’s gaze dipped to her stomach, a possessive glint sharpening his eyes. “And neither is this little one. We’ve got plans, princess. Big ones.”
Celeste’s laughter danced through the cabin, her heart swelling with a happiness she never thought she’d feel again. “I think I like the sound of that.”
“And we’re just getting started,” Nick murmured, leaning in to brush his lips against hers.
Sabre let out a low, rumbling growl—not of warning, but of approval. His head nudged Nick’s knee, as if giving his blessing to the man who had vowed to protect them both.
“So, on another note… you did it,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her skin.
“We did it,” she corrected, turning her gaze from the view to meet his eyes. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you, Nick.”
“You ready to be home?”
“Home,” she repeated, tasting the word, letting it settle into her bones. “Yes. More than anything.”
The flight continued in comfortable silence, Sabre curled up on the floor at their feet, his loyal presence a reminder of how much things had changed. They were a unit now. A family. And the world would just have to get used to it.
***
Raven Crest Manor, where the Bellerose secrets were kept.
The Manor greeted them with open arms. Rolling hills stretched under an endless sky, the breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers and warm earth.
The peace here was something Celeste had never truly appreciated until now.
It was more than just a place. It was a promise of safety, of love.
She stood on the porch, soaking in the tranquility while Nick made calls, securing every last detail of their new future. She let her fingers drift over her belly, feeling the life growing inside her bringing a smile to her lips.
“You’re gonna be just fine, baby,” she whispered. “We all are.”
The door creaked open behind her, and Nick joined her, his presence like a shield against the world. “Everything’s set. Graham’s already making moves to get the company started. It’s all going to work.”
“I’m glad you decided to give this place another chance. Even with its past history, it’s beautiful here. Your idea to ask Wallace to stay on as the caregiver was genius. Now, he can live a life without fear and he and can take care of the place when we travel.
“It has to,” she said, her voice steady. “I’m not letting anything come between us. Not again.”
“I want us to have the life we deserve. To be happy. To be... real.”
He smiled, that devastating, crooked grin that had melted her walls from the start. “Then let’s make it real. Let’s make this our permanent home.”
***
The wedding was nothing short of a masterpiece—an event so dazzling it would be whispered about for years.
Held at the rooftop of the One World Trade Center, with the glittering Manhattan skyline spread out like a sea of diamonds below them, it was the very definition of grandeur.
The world’s most influential power players, fashion icons, and celebrities had gathered to witness the union of the fashion empire’s reigning queen and the man who had become her world.
Celeste walked down the aisle like a vision.
Bastien Laurent was so proud to stand in her father’s place.
Her dress was a creation of pure artistry—crafted by one of the most prestigious designers in the world.
The gown was a marvel of luxurious silk, layered with intricate lace and embroidered with crystals that shimmered like city lights against the night.
A sweeping, dramatic veil trailed behind her, held in place by a platinum-and-diamond tiara designed exclusively for her—a crown fit for the woman who had reclaimed her empire.
Nick stood waiting at the end of the aisle, devastatingly handsome in a custom-tailored black tuxedo that amplified his powerful, commanding presence.
His gaze was locked on her, searing and possessive, filled with the kind of devotion that made her knees weak.
Sabre sat proudly at Nick’s side, fitted with a sleek, black leather collar adorned with the Bellerose logo.
The loyal dog’s ears perked up, his keen eyes scanning the crowd as if knowing this moment was everything.
Every guest on the edge of their seat as Celeste took her place beside Nick. The officiant’s words were poetic, but they blurred into nothing as Celeste lost herself in Nick’s eyes—those dangerous, protective eyes that had seen her at her worst and loved her all the more for it.
When Nick spoke his vows, his voice was deep and steady, every word a promise etched into her soul.
“I will protect you, cherish you, and love you like you deserve. Fiercely. Untamed. Unconditionally. Forever. There is no world where you’re not mine, Celeste.
And I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that. ”
Her own voice trembled, but her words rang strong and true. “I was lost for so long, fighting battles no one else could see. But you found me, Nick. You protected me, even when I tried to fight you off. And I’m not ever letting you go.”
The moment the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Nick’s mouth was on hers, claiming her in front of the entire world.
The crowd erupted into applause, the air electric with celebration.
Cameras flashed, champagne glasses clinked, and fireworks burst over the New York skyline, their dazzling colors reflected in the glass skyscrapers towering all around them.
The reception was a spectacle of glamour and luxury.
Michelin-starred chefs served dishes so exquisite they looked like art but made the Mona Liza pale in comparison.
The dance floor glowed beneath a chandelier made of crystal blooms, and a live orchestra played melodies that wove through the night like silk.
Sabre roamed freely among the guests, accepting praise and affection with the air of a celebrity.
But Nick kept Celeste close the entire night, his touch possessive, his smile dangerous and loving all at once. They danced like the rest of the world had melted away, their bodies pressed together, their foreheads touching as they swayed to the music.
“Now everyone knows you’re mine,” Nick whispered against her ear, his breath hot against her skin.
“They’ve always known,” she replied with a mischievous smile. “We just made it official.”
And when they kissed again, surrounded by the shimmering grandeur of the life they’d built together, it was clear—this was more than a wedding. It was the beginning of forever.
***
The penthouse suite of the Plaza Hotel was nothing short of decadent.
Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering New York City skyline, its dazzling lights twinkling like a million promises of the night yet to come.
The air was rich with anticipation, the kind that prickled over Celeste’s skin like an invitation.
Their wedding had been a masterpiece, but this? This was the moment she had craved most of all. Alone with Nick, no crowds, no expectations—just them.
He locked the door behind them, the subtle click echoing in the quiet. And the instant they were truly alone, his eyes raked over her, dark and predatory.
“Strip.” The single word was low, commanding, and it rippled down her spine like fire.