Page 72 of Unbridled Fire
“Of course, I’ll marry you,” she said, the words garbled as tears streamed down her cheeks. “And I want to make you happy too.”
I stood and slid the ring over her shaking finger. Gripping her hand, I held it tight, reassuring her under the star-filled sky. “Already done. I’m barely even grumpy anymore. You make me so happy, baby.”
She squinted one eye. “Well, you’re stillprettygrumpy,” she said, and I playfully nipped her lips. “But I love it.”
I slid my arms around her waist, drawing her into my body as we rocked to the sound of the gentle waves against the beach. Not so long ago, I had convinced myself we were from two different worlds and would never be right for each other.
Now, I understood that every step I’d taken in my four decades on the planet had led me to her. The woman who hadalways been destined to be my wife, and who I would build a family with.
Grateful for her, I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer across the ocean, hoping my mom and Elena could somehow see or hear us; hoping they knew we’d found each other and that we were happy.
After several more minutes under the stars, I took Katia’s hand and led her home.
Epilogue
Katia
Several months later
Iobserved Nick standing in front of the white altar in Michael’s back yard. The yard had been decorated with white and pink streamers and balloons, and it was a gorgeous September day. Bianca stood a few feet away from Nick, looking absolutely stunning in her updo and dark green dress.
The officiant asked us to rise, and I turned to see Alexis in her white dress. A veil covered her face as Michael slowly walked her down the aisle. When they arrived at the altar, Michael kissed her cheek and walked to stand behind Nick.
Nick lifted her veil, his smile broad as he gazed at her. Although her baby bump was now fully noticeable, it just added to her beauty as they turned to face the officiant.
The ceremony was short and sweet, with Nick placing a firm kiss on Alexis’s lips once the officiant gave the okay. They faced the crowd and lifted their joined hands, and everybody cheered as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
I grinned at Leo as he placed his fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle.
“You seem excited,” I teased, patting his arm. “Are you sad we missed all this?”
Glancing at me, he shrugged. “Nah. Getting married at the courthouse sped up the guardianship process, and we can use the money we would’ve spent on the wedding for a honeymoonin St. Lucia once I’m more settled in my job.” Leaning forward, her whispered, “I’mreallylooking forward to removing your bikini with my teeth under the Caribbean moonlight.”
I bit my lip. “Wow, that was kind of poetic...I think.”
Leo winked, and we picked up our chairs to move them to the tables that had been set up at the side of the yard. The ceremony was small, which contributed to the relaxed feel of the day.
After we’d eaten, Alexis stood and gestured toward the dance floor that had been set up atop the grass. “We have an amazing DJ who’s going to play a mix of dance tunes and slow songs, so you all better get ready to dance!”
“That will be fun,” I said to Dmitry as he sat beside me.
“I don’t dance,” he muttered, crossing his arms.
“Oh, we’re going to dance,” Natalia said beside him, a challenge in her eyes as she patted his thigh. “Don’t worry, Katia. I’ll drag him out there if I have to.”
Smiling, I acknowledged how much I liked Dmitry’s girlfriend. He was settling into his life with us, and I thanked the lord every day that he was no longer tainted by Oskar. Sometimes, I wondered if Elena had pushed him toward me somehow, giving me a second chance to save someone I loved. The thought brought me hope, and I vowed to do my best to give Dmitry the life he deserved.
“We have a special treat for the first dance of the evening,” Alexis continued. “My very good friends, Katia and Leo, decided to get married a few weeks ago without telling me or having a ceremony—which was veryrude, but I’ll forgive them one day.”
Laughter filtered through the yard as I grinned at Leo.
“Therefore, it’s only fitting that they get to have their first dance as husband and wife here, in the beautiful yard that so many of my friends and family helped us decorate.” Lifting her glass of sparkling cider, she gave us a nod. “Katia and Leo, please head to the dance floor for your first dance.”
Leo looked at me, his expression droll. “Did you know about this?”
Laughing, I stood and extended my hand. “Not at all, but it will be fun. Come on.”
He took my hand and led me to the dance floor as the DJ started playing Risk it All by Bruno Mars. Gliding my arms around his neck, I beamed as I gazed into his eyes. They sparkled under the late-afternoon sunlight, and I took a moment to admire how handsome he was.
