Page 53 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)

T HREE MONTHS LATER

My wedding day dawned bright and beautiful.

It was bright in more ways than one since I woke up next to a snoring Kira in a lush suite at the Four Seasons.

Just a couple of months ago, the two of us being together wouldn't have been possible with my banishment.

It made me feel truly blessed to have her with me, even if she was snoring like a linebacker.

Although tempted to elbow her to stop, I ended up tickling her instead. “What the fuck are you doing?” she demanded.

Neither one of us could be accused of being a morning person. “Trying to get you to keep from snoring in my ear.”

“I do not snore.”

“Oh yes, you do. Like a bear.”

“Whatever,” she grumbled. She jerked the blanket over her head and started to roll back over.

“Hey, wake up. It’s my wedding day.”

She scowled at me. “Yeah, your wedding day, not mine. So let me sleep a little longer.”

“Ugh, you’re such a grump.”

“What exactly did you expect? For you to wake up with me serenading you with love songs while birds flew around like we were in a Disney movie?”

I laughed. “I would’ve liked to see that.”

“Since you know I can’t sing, I’m sure you’re glad I wasn’t singing.”

“Did I tell you Kellan can sing?”

Kira groaned before pulling the bedspread over her. “Yes, you told me. Just like you told me he has a magical pierced penis and ridiculously quick refractory period.”

“He’s worth marrying just for that,” I teased.

She peeked out of the spread at me. “He’s worth marrying because he’s fucking perfect. Like if you look up the ‘perfect man’ on Google, you’ll find his picture.”

“You’re right. He is.” Sighing, I said, “I still can’t understand what the hell he sees in me.”

With a huff, Kira flung the covers off. “You’re joking, right?”

“No. I’m not.”

“Mila, you saved the man’s life. You were willing to give up your family for him. While those two things are worthy enough, you’re a stunningly beautiful woman with a nice ass and perky tits.”

“Kira!” I replied, while shoving her playfully.

“I’m sure Kellan appreciates your ass and tits very much.”

“While he does, I certainly hope that’s not why he’s marrying me. I mean, in a few years and a couple of kids, the ass and tits will be on the floor.”

Kira snorted. “Considering he’s loaded, he can afford to pay for surgery to lift your ass and tits back up.”

“I can’t believe we’re talking about ass and tits on my wedding day!”

“You better get over the idea of having a perfect wedding day.”

“Why?”

“Because when in our lives has anything gone remotely to plan? Least of all, give us a happy ending?”

“True. And I’m not trying to make today perfect. Everyday with Kellan is as close to perfect as it gets.”

Kira made a gagging noise. “Spare me.”

“Just wait. One day you’re going to meet your Mr. Perfect.”

“I’ll settle to have a one-night-stand with Eamon the Manwhore.”

“I noticed he was giving you the eye last night at the rehearsal dinner.”

Kira grinned. “If it hadn’t been for his brothers and my brothers, I think we would’ve had a happy ending.”

“Don’t count on his brothers being any less overprotective. The last thing we need with our new alliance is for the two of you to fuck it up…literally.”

“You people are a bunch of prudes.”

I snorted. “I’m sure there will be other hot Irish men at the wedding that you can hook up with.”

“It won’t be the same.”

“What’s wrong with dating Eamon?”

She wrinkled her nose. “He’s a kid.”

“He’s your age, and you just said you wanted to hook up with him,” I challenged.

“I might fuck young men, but I only date older men.”

“You’re impossible.”

With a playful shove, Kira said, “Go get your shower, and let me lie here in peace.”

“Fine. I’ll go.”

Before Kellan, I’d never really given a lot of thought to my future wedding. But from the moment he asked me to marry him, I couldn’t stop thinking about the ceremony. What flowers to get. What colors to use. What foods for the reception.

Of course, I momentarily forgot I was marrying an Irishman who would have a totally different menu in mind. Not to mention an adorably pushy future mother-in-law.

In the end, the wedding wasn’t going to look exactly as I had envisioned it because I wasn’t going to be married in the Russian Orthodox church with a bunch of Russian traditions. There would be little Russian influence except for my siblings attending.

Instead, I was embracing my future husband’s culture. Although Kellan only cared about making me happy with the ceremony, I wanted to do everything I could to make him just as happy.

After a long, luxurious shower, I came out of the bathroom to find a flurry of activity in our suite. The makeup artist and hair stylist had arrived along with some of my bridesmaids, who were made up of Maeve and Kellan’s sisters-in-laws.

The next few hours flew by in a blur. When I finally stood back from the mirror in my wedding gown, I fought the urge to pinch myself. After everything Kellan and I had been through, it was unbelievable that we’d reached this moment.

“Oh, Mila, you’re stunning!” Kira gushed.

Since I still wasn’t good at taking compliments, I asked, “You think so?”

She bobbed her head. Turning to the others, she said, “Am I right?”

Although tears pooled in her eyes, Isla said, “You’re going to take his breath away.”

Maeve dabbed her eyes with a lacy handkerchief. “You’re so beautiful, Mila. You’re everything I always hoped for when it came to a bride for Kellan.”

Now it was my turn to get the waterworks. “Really?”

“Oh yes.”

“Jesus, you two. I’m too cynical to cry at weddings, yet you’ve already got me all misty-eyed,” Ava remarked.

“With a sniffle, Caterina said, “I think we should all tuck a hanky in our cleavage."

I laughed. “I’m sure the guys would appreciate it when you dug it out during the ceremony.”

“Even in a church, they’re total horndogs,” Ava replied.

At that moment, Orla swept into the room. Clapping her hands, she said, “Okay, ladies, it’s time, so let’s get going.”

Maeve snorted. “Mam, you’re almost as bad as a drill sergeant,” she mused.

Orla swept her hands to her hips. “I don’t need any sass today.”

As the others started out, Orla came to stand in front of me. Tears shone in her eyes. “You look grand.”

“Thank you.”

“Now before I let you go out there, I need to say something.”

Apprehension bubbled within me. Surely, she wasn’t about to try to give me a talk about my wedding night. That ship had sailed long before Kellan. “Um, okay.”

“I know you wish more than anything in the world that your mother could be here today with you.”

Unable to speak, I merely nodded.

“And I wish the same thing for you.” She patted my cheek. “I know she’s smiling down on you today. I can only imagine the pride she feels when she looks at you. You have honored her memory so beautifully.”

Sniffing, I said, “Stop. I can’t.”

“Just know that from this day forward, I will be your mother figure if you’ll have me. I can never take your mother’s place, nor would I want to diminish her memory. But if I can do anything to lessen the pain you feel, I will.”

I reached forward and threw my arms around Orla. “Thank you. You can’t imagine what that means to me.”

She squeezed me tight. “I’m so happy Kellan has you, and that you have him. “

“So do I.”

When I pulled away, Orla smiled. “There’s one more thing. You won’t be walking down the aisle alone.”

I furrowed my brows at her. “What do you mean?”

With a wink, she went over to the door. When she opened it, Dima stood before me in a crisp black tux and leaning on a cane. Even though he’d saved my life and allowed me to end Father, I hadn’t expected him to come to the wedding.

It wasn’t out of bad blood with me, but it was more from the fact that it was still emotionally painful for Dima to be around Kellan after his shooting. I knew he would also be uncomfortable being around so many Irish men after trying to kill Kellan.

Since I didn’t want to do anything to cause him pain, I’d told him that I understood if he couldn’t come, and he’d agreed that it was best if he didn’t. I’d also decided not to let Maks, Lev, or Aleks walk me down the aisle in his place.

“What…how…?”

He smiled as he slowly walked over to me. “You look gorgeous, zaika .”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Kellan asked me to come.”

I gasped. “He set this up?”

“Yes, he did as a wedding surprise for you.”

“Oh my God,” I murmured.

“After learning he was the one who got the specialist to me, I figured I could set aside my trauma for the day you two.”

“Really?” At his nod, tears pooled in my eyes. “You don’t know how happy it makes me that you’re here.”

“I feel the same way. I truly do.”

I then threw myself into his arms. “I love you, Dima.”

“I love you, too, zaika. ”

As I squeezed him tight, I said, “I know this would make Mama so happy.”

A shudder of emotion reverberated through him. “Yes, it would.”

“While this is all so sweet and beautiful, we really have to get going,” Orla implored.

With a laugh, I pulled away from Dima. “Okay, okay, I’m coming.”

She nodded. “I’ve got to take my seat now, so the wedding coordinator will do the rest.”

We followed Orla to the door. All my bridesmaids were in line, along with Julianna and Piper who were my flower girls. Callum also stood with Caterina because he was going to be helping her wrangle Declan and Donnovan, our two ring bearers.

After I slid my arm through Dima’s, I smiled up at him. “Ready to give me away?”

“I wouldn’t be to any other man, but Kellan truly is worthy of you.”

As the massive church organ started up, I kissed Dima’s cheek. “Thank you.”

It felt like the bridal party took forever. When it was finally time for us, I craned my neck to get a look at Kellan. Even though he hated all the hoopla surrounding weddings, not to mention being the center of attention, he’d insisted on giving me the wedding of my dreams.

When we started down the aisle, the guests rose. It felt like I was walking on air as I glided up the marble floor to the altar. The closer I got to Kellan the more overwhelmed with emotion I became. By the time I stood before him, tears streamed down my cheeks.

Instead of waiting for the priest to ask who gave this woman, Kellan pulled me into his arms. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you,” I sniffled.

“Don’t cry.”

“I can’t help it. I’m so happy.”

“So am I.”

As he brought his lips to mine, I didn’t care that we were breaking the rules. All I cared about was the beautiful man before me with the even more beautiful heart. The one who had taught me to embrace my beautiful trauma.

My savior.

My husband.