hapter 90
“Breathe, ir. You look like you’re about to pass out,” Sutton said, adjusting the delicate veil in ir’s hair.
“I’m fine,” ir insisted, though her heart was racing. “Just… processing.”
Keira snorted, carefully touching up ir’s makeup. “Processing that in exactly thirty–seven minutes, you’re going to be Mrs. Roman Kingston?”
“When you say it like that, it sounds so… real,” ir whispered.
“That’s because it is real,” Suttonughed softly. “After everything you’ve been through to get here, I’d hope so.”
ir nced at her reflection in the mirror. Her dress was perfect. The hairdresser had styled her hair in loose waves.
Inside, though, she felt anything but calm. Not because she was having doubts… she had never been more certain of anything in her life, but because the moment felt so monumental.
“Mom and Dad would be so proud,” Keira said softly, as if reading her thoughts. “Of all of us, but especially you today.”
ir felt tears threatening and blinked rapidly. “Don’t make me cry. My makeup will run.”
“No, it won’t,” Keira assured her. “I used the industrial–strength waterproof stuff. You could swim the English Channel and still look wless.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Eleanor Kingston peeked in, looking elegant in a pale blue dress. “How’s our bride doing?”
“Just having a minor existential crisis,” Keira replied cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Perfectly normal,” Eleanor said, stepping into the room. “I nearly threw up right before walking down the aisle to James.”
“That’s… not as reassuring <b>as </b>you might think,” ir said weakly.
Eleanorughed,ing to stand beside her. “What I’m trying to say is that nerves are natural. But ir, I’ve never seen my son happier than he’s been with you. You two belong together.”
ir smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Eleanor.”
“I have something for you,” Roman’s mother continued, pulling a small velvet box from her clutch. “A tradition in the Kingston family. Something borrowed.”
She opened the box to reveal a stunning sapphire and diamond bracelet. “I wore this on my wedding day, and Roman’s grandmother wore it before me.”
“It’s beautiful,” ir breathed as Eleanor fastened it around her wrist.
“And,” Eleanor added, “Rose wanted me to give you this.” She produced a small blue garter. “Something blue, obviously.”
Keira grinned. “I’ve got the something old covered.” She handed ir a small locket. “It was Mom’s. Sutton and I thought you should have it today.”
ir’s fingers trembled as she took the familiar locket. “I remember this. She wore it all the time.”
“There’s a new picture inside,” Sutton said softly.
ir opened it to find a tiny photograph of her parents on one side and a small picture of her with her sisters on the other. This time, she couldn’t stop the tears.
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“Perfect,” Keira dered, dabbing at the corner of ir’s eye. “You’re officially a beautiful, crying bride. Very photogenic.”
Another knock came at the door, and this time it was James Kingston who entered. “Ladies, it’s almost time.” He stopped when he saw ir, his expression softening. “You look absolutely stunning, my dear.”
“Thank you,” ir said, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
“Roman’s a nervous wreck,” James informed her with a chuckle. “I’ve never seen him so fidgety. He’s asked Peters three times if the rings are secure.”
irughed, picturing Roman–normally soposed–pacing anxiously at the altar. “That’s oddlyforting.”
“ir,” James said, his tone growing more serious. “I know I’m not your father, and I would never presume to take his ce. But if you’d allow me, I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle today.”
ir’s heart swelled. “I’d like that very much.”
James smiled, offering his arm. “Then let’s not keep my son waiting any longer. He might wear a hole in the floor.”
The small church looked like something from a fairy tale, with soft lighting, delicate flowers, and only their closest friends and family in attendance. Just as ir had wanted. As the music began and Sutton and Keira processed ahead of her, ir took one fral deep breath.
had <b>been </b>lucky to get the location, but the church was so small it wasn’t big enough for most weddings.
Ready<b>?</b><b>” </b>James whispered.
<b>“</b>Ready,” she confirmed.
The moment she stepped into the chapel and saw Roman waiting for her, every nervous thought vanished. He stood tall and handsome in his tuxedo, but it was his expression that caught her heart. The naked adoration in his eyes, the way his breath. visibly caught when he saw her.
ir barely registered the walk down the aisle, James’s steady presence beside her grounding her as she moved toward her. future. When they reached the altar, James kissed her cheek before cing her hand in Roman’s.
“Take care of each other,” he said softly, then stepped back and taking his ce by his wife.
Roman’s fingers tightened around hers. “You’re breathtaking,” he whispered.
“So are you,” she replied, unable to stop smiling.
The ceremony itself was a blur. ir was vaguely aware of the minister speaking, of exchanging vows that they had written themselves, of the cool slide of the wedding band onto her finger. But mostly, she was aware of Roman…his voice, his touch, his unwavering gaze. He was so here with her… so sure.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister announced. “You may kiss the bride.”
Roman didn’t hesitate. His lips met hers in a kiss that was both tender and possessive, a perfect reflection of the man himself. The small gathering erupted in apuse, but ir barely heard it, lost in the reality that this magnificent,plicated, sometimes infuriating man was now her husband.
“Mrs. Kingston,” he murmured against her lips.
“Mr. Kingston,” she returned with a smile.
They turned to face their guests, hands sped tightly together, and ir felt a wave of joy so intense it almost overwhelmed her. Her sisters were beaming, Keira openly wiping away tears while trying to pretend she wasn’t. Sutton stood beside Luca, who had his hand ced protectively at the small of her back. Roman’s parents looked proudly on, while Rose
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gave them an enthusiastic thumbs–up.
Peters had held the rings, but they hadn’t had a bride’s maid or best man. ir hadn’t wanted to choose between her sisters. Just having everyone here was enough.
The reception was held at Roman’s parents‘ estate, a small but elegant affair in the beautifullyndscaped gardens. As ir and Roman moved among their guests, epting congrattions and well–wishes, she couldn’t help but marvel at how right it all felt.
“You know,” Roman said, bringing her a ss of champagne as they stole a moment alone near the fountain, “a year ago, if someone had told me I’d be married to my gorgeous, brilliant secretary, I probably would have fired them for insubordination.”
irughed. “And if someone had told me I’d marry my arrogant, demanding boss, I would have checked them for a head injury.”
“Arrogant?” Roman feigned offense. “I prefer ‘confident.””
“Shithead,” ir corrected with a grin.
Romanughed, pulling her close. “Your shithead, though. Forever now.”
“Forever,” ir agreed, leaning into him. “I love you, Roman Kingston.”
“I love you, ir Kingston,” he replied, his voice deepening with emotion. “More than I ever thought possible.”
They were interrupted by Keira, who approached with a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Sorry to break up this disgustingly sweet moment, but your first dance is supposed to start in five minutes, and Rose is threatening to choose the music if you don’t hurry.”
“God, no,” Roman groaned. “Last time she DJ’d, she yed the Macarena six times in a row.”
irughed, taking his hand. “We better hurry, then.”
As they made their way back to the main reception area, ir spotted Sutton and Luca in quiet conversation. Sutton wasughing at something he said, her hand resting on her very pregnant belly. The sight filled ir with hope. Whatever was happening between those two, they were finding their way forward.
The first dance was perfect–Roman holding her close as they swayed to the music, their guests watching with fond smiles. ir rested her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Happy?” Roman murmured into her hair.
“Beyond words,” ir replied.
Later<b>, </b>as the evening wound down and their few guests began to depart, ir found herself standing with her sisters near the garden’s edge.
“So,” Keira said, sipping her champagne, “Mrs. Kingston. How does it feel?”
“Surreal,” ir admitted. “But right.”
Sutton smiled, rubbing her back absently. “You two are perfect together. After seeing you with Roman, I could never see you with someone like Dan.”
“Who? You mean loser Dan,” Keira corrected with a grin.
ir looked across the garden at Roman, who was chatting with his father and Luca. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up, his eyes finding hers instantly. The connection between them was almost tangible, a silent conversation across the space.
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“You know,” ir said softly, “after everything with Peter, after finding out what happened to Mom and Dad… I never thought I’d feel this happy.”
Sutton squeezed her hand. “They’re here with us today. I can feel it.”
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“Me too,” Keira agreed, her usual sarcasm absent for once. “And they’d be so proud of you, ir. Taking over thepany, building this life for yourself.”
“For us,” ir corrected. “We’re in this together, the three of us. Always have been, always will be.”
“Damn straight,” Keira dered, raising her ss. “To the Warner sisters.”
“To family,” Sutton added.
“To new beginnings,” ir finished.
As they clinked sses, Roman approached, sliding his arm around ir’s waist. “Sorry to interrupt, but I believe I’m owed
er dance with my wife.”
Wife. The word still sent a thrill through ir.
“She’s all yours,” Keira said magnanimously. “We’ve had her for thest twenty–something years. Your turn now.”
Roman grinned. “I n to make the most of it.”
As he led her back to the dance floor, Roman pulled her close under the stars. She was so d they hadn’t waited to get married.
AD