Chapter 13 #2
Guests mingled, their laughter blending with the gentle music as servers moved between tables set with green and gold linens.
The scent of baking bread and slow-roasting meats drifted on the breeze, promising comfort and celebration.
Children darted around the chairs, their excitement infectious, while older relatives shared stories, their voices weaving a tapestry of memories that honored both past and present.
Finally, it was time. The guests settled and a sudden hush fell over them as on one accord, they turned towards the entrance of the manor.
Oscar felt his throat tightening and tension riddling his body. This was the moment he had waited for since he had seen Kiara walked into his pub. She was finally going to belong to him, bear his name and wear his rings. She was going to be his wife.
He barely glanced at the women walking forward, holding bouquets of flowers. When the music changed and the guests rose, he straightened his shoulders, waiting for the first glimpse of his bride.
Padric appeared in the doorway, his arm steady beneath Kiara's trembling hand.
The soft rustle of her gown echoed in the silence as every head turned, admiration lighting the faces of family and friends alike.
Sunlight slanted through the trees, illuminating the delicate lace of her dress, each step carrying her closer to the future she had chosen.
As she and Padric moved forward, Kiara's gaze found Oscar's. Hope, love, and anticipation shone between them, unspoken words bridging the space as she walked toward the man who would soon be her husband.
He was her entire focus. The flowers blooming all around, the brilliance of the sky, the people gathered to celebrate their union, all faded away. He became her entire world. There was no one else.
This man who had forced his way in her life and stayed there no matter how much she tried to push him away. Tears blurred her vision and it wasn't until she felt Padric's hand soothing hers that she realized she had tightened her grip on his arm.
"Sorry." She whispered a little shakily.
"I understand completely." His own eyes were a little blurry when he saw the way his son was looking at her.
"Go on then."
She did not need any further prompting. She saw that he had anticipated her action and answered it in kind. They both started forward at the same time, meeting somewhere in the middle.
The crowd cheered when he lifted her up and twirled her around, before kissing her lips with aching tenderness.
The applause washed over them like a warm embrace, echoing the joy that filled their hearts.
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had paused, allowing them to savor the significance of this union and the love of everyone gathered to witness it.
Oscar gently set Kiara down, their laughter mingling with the cheers, and both knew that this marked not just the beginning of their marriage, but the continuation of a shared journey.
The celebration at the club was open to all of the patrons. Now that the threat of being stalked was finally over, there was no need for vetting. The bride and groom had changed out of their wedding finery in anticipation for the evening ahead.
He had cleared it with her doctor for her to travel and they would be accompanying his family to Ireland, where they would be spending two weeks.
The teakwood bar was crammed with patrons clamoring for drinks. Everything was half price to celebrate their union and the word had spread. The live band played Irish ballads that were in tune with the mood.
"Slow down." Laughing, Oscar snagged her around the waist and into his arms.
"You're pregnant, remember?"
"I have the bulge to show for it." Her eyes danced in excitement as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hi."
"Hi, yourself." Even though it was his wedding night, he had been called several times to deal with matters concerning the pub. He would be away for two weeks and had to tie up some things.
"I was beginning to think you'd deserted me after a few hours of marriage. Eric offered to take me away to Bali."
His eyes darkened. "I just might have to kill him for saying something like that. Are you happy darling?"
Going on her toes, she brushed her lips against his. "More than I thought possible."
"Good." He could not wait to get her all by himself. It was his wedding night, and he have every intention of celebrating, just the two of them.
The music softened as Oscar led Kiara to a quieter corner, away from the revelry and laughter. For a rare moment, it was just the two of them again. No audience, no expectations, only the gentle thrum of their hearts in sync.
They exchanged a glance filled with gratitude, knowing that every trial had brought them here, to this evening brimming with hope and promise. In the glow of the club lights, Oscar pressed his forehead to hers, silently vowing to cherish this happiness they had fought so hard to claim.
"Your mother cornered me while I was in the office."
He felt when she stiffened and lifted her head to stare at him.
"What did she say?"
He ran his hands soothingly up and down her back to get rid of the tension.
"She wanted to apologize in her own inimitable way. Said she'd never seen you so happy and it was all due to me. Also said she wanted to be part of our lives."
The coil in her belly unknotted. "She said something like that to me." Her long, elegant fingers toyed with the arrow of hairs at the nape of his neck. "I don't know if I want to believe her. Or even give her a chance."
"Want my advice?"
"Always."
"She's your mother and the only living relative you have. If she wants to meet you halfway, let her."
"After all she's put me through?"
"I'm on your side. Always and forever. I love you to pieces. Words cannot explain how much. The vows I repeated that bind us together was far from adequate." Realizing he was getting emotional again, he paused and took a deep breath to steady himself.
"But I want our children to have her in their lives. Am I making sense?"
Her throat was tight and she had to lean into him to catch her breath. He made her better. After her dad, she never expected to find a man who was so good, kind, and compassionate.
"I don't deserve you." She told him hoarsely.
"Nonsense. We deserve each other." Lifting her chin, he wiped at the moisture on her cheeks. "Hormones?" he asked gently.
She sniffed and nodded, too overcome to speak. "Absolutely."
"I thought so." He kissed her then. "Very soon, we're getting the bloody hell out of here. I want to be alone with my wife."
Amused, Kiara smiled through her tears, feeling lighter than she had in ages.
The music from the party faded into the background as Oscar wrapped her securely in his arms, creating a world just for them.
She closed her eyes and let herself be held, trusting that somehow, together, they'd navigate every uncertainty that lay ahead.
His family insisted on staying at one of their hotels in the uptown area.
"You are newly-weds and need your time with each other." Maeve declared firmly.
"The house is big enough for us to have that privacy." Kiara protested. Looking at her husband, she added. "Are you going to back me up, here?"
"Nope." He grinned and slung an arm around her shoulder. "I happen to love the idea of being completely alone with you."
"Then it's settled." Maeve declared. "We'll see you in the morning."
"I still think they could have stayed." She murmured, obediently turning so he could zip down her dress.
"My mother is a smart woman. She knew I was dying to get you all alone." He kissed the side of her neck as he unhooked her bra. "All I've been thinking about was getting you naked."
"Why do I get the feeling that's what you married me for?"
"My wife is a smart woman as well." He cupped her breasts and weighed them in his palms. "I'm hungry for you. Starving actually."
His admission sent heat spiraling through her body.
"That's a constant with you."
"Hmm." He was busy nibbling at her flesh. "I don't think I could ever get tired of you, of this."
"You'd better not." She started to turn when he stopped her, by placing his hands around her thickened waistline. They were standing in front of the Cheval mirror.
Lifting his head, he gazed at their images, his body tightening at how perfect and completely sexy she was. She was still wearing her necklace and the earrings he had given her. The dress was pooled around her feet, the thin lace teddy stretching over her bulge.
"You're the most beautiful pregnant woman I've ever seen."
"You're required to say that."
"That I am, but I can say without a doubt that it's true." Emotions stormed into his eyes, turning them almost black. "They're moving."
"Have been since this morning. I think they caught on to the excitement of the wedding." She placed her hands over his and met his gaze. "I love you."
"I know." Lifting a hand, he started to puck the pins from her hair. "I want to see it spread over the pillows. I want to make love to you until we're both exhausted." His hand dipped lower and had her head drifting back on his chest.
"Starting now. I want my hands all over you and when I'm finished, I'll start all over with my mouth."
"Stop talking and do it."
"We have all night." He watched her in the mirror as he dipped lower, fingers sliding over her sensitive flesh and making her quiver. "I want to drive you as crazy as you've been driving me since I first laid eyes on me. I want you to need me half as much as I need you."
"I need you." Desperation coated her voice. "Please."
"Not yet." His fingers slipped into the warmth of her. She erupted instantly, crying out his name.
Swinging her into his arms, he took her to bed.