Page 50 of Arranged with Twins
Leo - One year later
S unlight pours across the terraced gardens of the Villa Margherita, a private estate I leased in Tuscany for our wedding. The venue sits on a hillside overlooking vineyards that stretch toward the horizon, creating a backdrop that makes everything feel like a painting come to life.
I stand at the altar wearing a perfectly tailored suit, watching guests settle into their seats. The gathering is small, with fewer than fifty people, but each person here matters to us. Ilya stands beside me as best man, looking uncomfortable in formal wear but proud to be here.
In the second row, Vincent and Katherine Cooper sit with careful space between them and the rest of the guests.
Katherine keeps her gaze fixed on her hands, her designer dress elegant but understated compared to her former wardrobe.
She hasn’t met my gaze once today, and her reluctance to be here radiates from her posture.
Vincent, however, watches the aisle expectantly, waiting for his daughter to appear.
I’ve observed his micro-expressions throughout the morning, noting the slight tightening around his eyes when he realized he wouldn’t be walking Sienna down the aisle, the way he straightens whenever footsteps approach, and the hopeful glances toward the villa’s entrance.
This is the third time Sienna has seen her parents since reaching out shortly after the twins’ birth. The first meeting was tense and awkward, filled with careful apologies and conditional promises. The second went slightly better, though Katherine still seems incapable of genuine maternal warmth.
Vincent, at least, appears to be trying.
He’s sold his remaining assets to pay off debts, taken a position with a financial consulting firm, and speaks to Sienna with something approaching humility.
Whether his change is genuine or calculated for access to his grandchildren and/or my financial reserves remains to be seen, but Sienna believes people deserve the chance to evolve.
I’m less optimistic about Katherine’s capacity for transformation, but I support Sienna’s decision to keep the door open, even if only slightly.
Music begins to drift from the string quartet positioned near the villa’s stone terrace. The ceremony is starting, and my pulse accelerates with anticipation and joy rather than the nervous energy I might have expected.
Nadia appears first, walking down the petal-scattered aisle in a flowing dress of her own design. She carries a small bouquet of wildflowers and grins at me as she passes, clearly delighted to be part of this celebration.
Then Sienna emerges from the villa’s arched doorway, and everything else fades into insignificance.
She wears a dress that’s uniquely her and designed by her friend.
White silk flows like water, with intricate beadwork that catches the afternoon light.
The design is unconventional and asymmetrical in places, with unexpected details that somehow make it perfect for the woman who now refuses to conform to anyone else’s expectations.
Nadia outdid herself creating something that’s both a wedding dress and a work of art.
The veil is short and almost jaunty, with similar intricate beadwork.
Instead of a bouquet, Sienna carries our children.
Elizaveta, now a year old with her father’s dark hair and curious blue eyes, peers at the gathered guests with solemn interest. Lev, slightly larger than his sister and already showing signs of his mother’s stubborn independence, reaches for everything within his grasp.
Sienna walks with her head high, confidence radiating from every step. She’s no longer the uncertain young woman who was handed over in an arranged marriage. This is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to claim it.
When she reaches the altar, she hands Elizaveta to Ilya and Lev to Nadia. Both children settle immediately into their honorary aunt and uncle’s arms, comfortable with the people who’ve become extended family.
“You look beautiful,” I tell Sienna as I take her hands in mine.
“So do you.” Her smile lights up her entire face. “Ready to make this official?”
“I’ve been ready since the moment I realized I loved you.”
The officiant, a local magistrate who speaks excellent English, begins the ceremony with words about love, commitment, and the choice to build a life together.
His accent adds charm to the proceedings, but I barely hear the formal language.
Instead, I focus on Sienna’s face and the happiness that seems to glow from within her.
“Do you have personal vows you’d like to exchange?” asks the magistrate.
I clear my throat and look directly into Sienna’s gaze. “I spent most of my life believing caring about someone was weakness, and love made you vulnerable to your enemies. You taught me love is the only strength worth having.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“You’re my wife, my equal, and my forever.” I squeeze her hands gently. “Nothing will ever change that, and no one will ever come between us.”
“Leo.” Her voice falters slightly with emotion. “A year and a half ago, I thought my life was over before it really began. You showed me that I was wrong. It was just beginning.” She takes a shaky breath before continuing.
“You gave me the courage to choose myself, trust my own judgment, and believe I deserved love without conditions or compromise. You’re my husband, my partner, and my home.” Her smile widens despite the tears now flowing freely. “I choose you today and every day for the rest of our lives.”
The magistrate pronounces us married, and when I kiss my wife, the small crowd erupts in applause and cheers. For Sienna, it seems like the world has gone quiet. Her expression tells me this moment exists in a bubble of perfect peace with just us.
The reception flows seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.
Tables arranged under market umbrellas offer local specialties and wines from the surrounding vineyards.
Elizaveta and Lev hold court in a portable playpen, charming guests and providing endless entertainment with their babbling and attempts to crawl over the wall and escape.
Vincent approaches the playpen where his grandchildren are napping after their lunch, and I quickly follow, feeling protective. His expression softens as he looks at them, genuine affection replacing the calculating look I remember from our business dealings.
“They’re beautiful children,” he says when I join him. “Elizaveta has Sienna’s stubbornness, I think, even at this age.”
“She does.” I study his face, looking for signs of manipulation or hidden agenda. Instead, I see what might actually be grandfatherly pride.
“I know you don’t trust me.” He doesn’t look away from the sleeping babies. “I can’t blame you for that. I made choices that put my daughter and grandchildren in danger.”
“You did.”
“I’m trying to be better.” He finally meets my gaze. “Not for forgiveness, because I know that ship has sailed, but because they deserve grandparents who actually care about their wellbeing more than their own interests.”
“Do you care more about them than your own interests?”
Vincent considers the question seriously. “I’m learning to. It’s harder than you might think, unlearning forty years of selfishness, but I’m trying.”
“That’s all Sienna asks for.” I glance toward where my wife is laughing with Nadia and Ilya. “She wants you to put for the effort to be worthy of their love and never break their hearts the way you did hers.”
“I’m trying,” he says again.
“What about Katherine?” I glance to where his wife sits alone at a corner table, nursing a glass of wine and checking her phone. She’s been civil today but distant, participating in the celebration without embracing it.
“Katherine may not be capable of change, but that’s her choice to make.” He seems pained by that. “She’s always been more concerned with appearances than substance. When I think about how far she went with Adrian…” He trails off before finally adding, “The marriage will never be the same.”
I shrug. “That’s your business. As long as you understand any relationship with our family depends on genuine care for Sienna and the children, not what you might gain from the association, I won’t interfere.”
“I understand.” He looks back at the sleeping twins. “I lost everything I thought mattered. Maybe that was what I needed to figure out what actually does.”
Later, as the sun begins to set over the Tuscan hills, Sienna and I dance to music provided by the string quartet. She fits perfectly in my arms. “No regrets?” I ask as we sway to the gentle melody.
“Only that it took us so long to get here.” She leans back to look at me. “I guess maybe we needed all those obstacles to appreciate what we have now.”
“Obstacles like your parents trying to have me killed?” I grin, though there’s not any real humor in the words.
“Among other things.” Her laugh is light and free. “Just look at us now. Married by choice, raising our children together, and building something real.”
“I love you, Mrs. Denisov.” The name suits her perfectly.
“I love you too, Mr. Denisov.” She stretches up to kiss me softly. “Thank you for choosing me.”
“Thank you for choosing me back.”
As the evening deepens, guests begin collecting children and preparing for departure.
Nadia has taken approximately three hundred photos and promises to have albums ready within the week.
Ilya shakes my hand with formality behind which he hides his genuine emotions, but I can see his happiness for us.
Vincent approaches to say goodbye, bending to kiss Sienna’s cheek and shake my hand with what seems like real respect. “Thank you for including us today. It means a lot.”
Then Katherine steps forward, her smile polite and brittle.
She kisses the air beside Sienna’s cheek and says, “You looked radiant. Very... modern .” Her gaze flicks briefly to the asymmetrical beading on Sienna’s gown, and the subtle arch of one brow betrays what she doesn’t say aloud.
Sienna stiffens slightly but apparently chooses to let it go.
Then she turns to me with a practiced smile. “Congratulations, Leo,” she says, the warmth in her tone as cosmetic as her lip gloss. “You certainly know how to put on a memorable event.”
Before either of us can reply, she slips her arm through Vincent’s and walks with him to their rented car without looking back. She didn’t spare any words or even a glance for the babies we’re holding.
“Are you all right?” I ask my wife softly.
She nods. “I didn’t expect anything more from her, so I’m not disappointed.” She turns to me, wrapping her arms around me. “I only invited her for Vincent’s sake, to be honest. I don’t think…”
“She’ll ever be a decent mother or grandmother?” I finish, and she nods. “Probably not, but you’re gracious to try.”
She’s unable to continue the conversation as the last of our guests leave almost at once.
We share parting and waves before finally, only our small family remains on the villa’s terrace.
Elizaveta has fallen asleep in Sienna’s arms, while Lev fights exhaustion in mine, occasionally opening his eyes to babble at the string lights twinkling overhead.
“Perfect day,” Sienna murmurs as we settle into comfortable chairs overlooking the darkening vineyard.
“Absolute perfection,” I agree. “Perfect wife, perfect children, and a perfect life.”
“Don’t jinx it.” She laughs softly, adjusting Elizaveta’s blanket. “I suppose we’ve already survived the worst that could happen though.”
“We’ve survived everything that tried to tear us apart.” I look at our sleeping son, and my chest tightens with emotions impossible to contain. “From now on, we get to focus on building instead of just defending.”
“What should we build first?”
“Whatever you want.” I reach across the small space between our chairs to take her free hand. “We have all the time in the world to figure it out together.”