Page 28 of Dante (Members From Money Season 2. #153)

It was a media frenzy, and it lasted for several months. Right up to the time when they set the date for the wedding. She not only had to deal with that aspect of it, but there was a nasty and uncomfortable incident involving the woman he had been seeing before.

The actress Magda did not take kindly to the fact that he had thrown her over for an assistant and one who was carrying another man's child to boot.

As soon as the news hit, she approached them when they stepped into the ballroom of the Regal hotel for a function.

It was their first public outing as a couple.

He had given her an exquisite square cut diamond to officially mark their engagement, and she was now living with him.

Her brother had given up his apartment and was now living at her former house.

He had also insisted on completely outfitting her by placing a call to Monique.

Blazing with righteous indignation and not caring about public appearances, Magda sailed towards them in a flurry of emerald green gown that was molded to her body.

"Now I see why you said goodbye. I thought you didn't screw the help."

Clamping his hand on Courtney's arm, he stopped her from responding to the insult.

"You want to step all the way back and not say another word against the woman I'm going to marry," he warned.

The ballroom was filled to the brim as people had turned out in support of the hurricane victims in several Third World countries.

His company had been very active in putting up funds to alleviate the sufferings of the victims and his PR had convinced him that it was time for the public to see them together.

Magda's eyes spat venom as she turned to look at Courtney.

"He's going to leave you. Just watch. The great and invincible Dante Livingston doesn't stay with one woman for very long."

"Then that's my business, isn't it?" Courtney shook her head when Dante started to respond.

"I know what I'm getting into, and it would be in your best interest to go back to your date and try for dignity.

I'm not in the habit of fighting over a man and neither should you.

And this one happens to be mine. Just letting you know. "

Magda stared at her furiously, the color draining from her face. She waited a beat before looking at Dante.

"She's carrying another man's baby. Have you no shame?"

"Where she's concerned, none," he responded coolly, the comment carelessly offhanded.

"Now, I would advise you not to piss me off any further.

I will take your feelings into consideration this time, but I must remind you that I have a major interest in the movie you're currently involved in, and my reach is very long.

I will also say that I'm sorry if you were hurt in any way by me.

I regret that. I'm in love with Courtney, all the way in love with her and anyone who hurts her in any way, I'm going to take it very personally. "

Deciding it was prudent and wise for her to back down, Magda turned away without another word.

"Ready to dance?"

She stared at him and shook her head as she stepped into his arms. The rest of the room who had taken an avid interest in the scene suddenly turned away and conversation built up.

"Was it easy for you?" she wondered as he circled her around the room.

"What?" Tilting his head down, he took in the glowing face and felt his heart taking the familiar dive.

Her hair was brushed back from a subtly made-up face, the lipstick coating her full and sexy lips, the color of crushed rose petals.

Her dress was of the same color, a soft cashmere that draped her body lovingly.

She had just started to show, and the style of the dress had accommodated her thickening waistline.

"Leaving her."

His thick brows arched. "Yes."

"Really?"

"Want me to lie?" he murmured. It felt incredibly right to have her in his arms like this, as if they had been doing this forever.

"No." Tilting her head, she stared at him. She should have felt qualms at the woman's vicious words about him leaving her one day, but she was secure in his love. He had shown her in so many ways that he was here to stay.

"Worried?"

"About?"

He settled his hands at the small of her back and rubbed automatically. "That I will leave you eventually."

Her brows arched. "Not at all."

He grinned at her. "You're that confident."

"Oh, yes I am. We both know that if I even think you're going to leave me, I will have no reservations about committing murder. And I have backup. My brother is a cop."

"Hmm." Tilting her face up, he brushed his lips against hers and ignored the flash of the camera. "Then I suppose I'd better behave myself and stick with you."

Wrapping her hands around his neck, she leaned in and deepened the kiss. "I suppose you'd better."

She was introduced to several of the wives who were present and found herself welcomed into their exclusive clique.

Very soon she found herself laughing and having a conversation with some of the most powerful women in society.

The incident with Magda was forgotten as she answered questions regarding the upcoming wedding.

And she had fun. It was not a setting she was accustomed to, but they made her feel at home.

Later when they were at his place, he carried her up the stairs and proceeded to massage her aching insteps.

"Am I to expect this kind of treatment every night?"

Putting away her shoes, he rose to take off her clothes.

"Don't get used to it," he warned lightly. "There will come a time when I'm going to forget you're here."

He laughed at the look on her face. "Or not."

"I doubt you will." Wrapping her hands around his neck, she went on her toes to join her lips to his. "Make love to me."

His eyes darkened at the request, and he hurried to comply.

'Living the American Dream'. Their story made the front pages of several popular magazines and fed the readers with tidbits of their backgrounds.

The wedding in December was highly anticipated of course.

And invitations to the ceremony were coveted with only a few people being invited.

The ceremony was to be small and intimate, with the reception open to several hundred people.

A wedding planner and her full complement of staff were hired because Dante insisted on her not doing anything. She was six months pregnant and finally showing. They were having a girl and had already decided on the name. Chloe Emma Livingston. He was also adamant that she should stop working.

"I'm quite fine. The nausea is manageable and hardly there anymore. Besides, you need the help. Where are you going to find someone who can put up with your arrogance and rudeness at this point?"

He had glared at her for a full two minutes before responding. "I want you at home. The doctor said your blood pressure is elevated."

"Slightly," she reminded him. "Please don't ask me to quit my job, I love working and I know you're going to say I don't need the money, but I need to feel useful."

"You're planning a wedding and decorating the nursery," he pointed out in frustration.

"I'm not planning my wedding. An entire team of planners are doing that and you won't allow me to lift a finger to do anything in the nursery."

"We pay people to do both things."

"There you go."

He had conceded but warned that any sign of her feeling uncomfortable or getting sick, and that was it. "I mean it Courtney."

She had won the victory for now but knew he would be watching her like a hawk.

Her status had changed at the office as well.

People who had formerly tolerated her now treated her with the utmost respect.

'The quartet' as she liked to refer to the receptionists were almost obsequious in their dealings with her.

Donald and she were still on friendly terms, but he was a little aloof and distant.

He had established boundaries, and she understood perfectly, even if she was disappointed.

She was engaged to the CEO of the company which meant she was off-limits.

On a brilliant yet cold day in December, she tied the knot and said her vows in front of fifty people in the prestigious St. Patrick's Cathedral on the second Sunday in December.

The reception was held at the Regal Hotel where the papers reported that the bride was spectacularly beautiful wearing her ice-blue wedding gown made of delicate Venetian lace and designed with her pregnancy in mind.

It was also reported that the groom, looking resplendent in dark blue tux appeared to be very much in love with his bride and did not leave her side for an inch.

She was officially Mrs. Dante Livingston.

And was dazed by the wonder of it all. One reporter asked her if she ever thought this was what she had envisioned for herself and she had laughingly told him a resounding no.

And it was true. She did not care about the money of course and tried her best not to think of it.

The lawyers had been around several times and a prenup had been signed without hesitation on her part.

She who had spent her formative years living in a drab and dreary group home. She was married to a very powerful and important man, one who loved her and was not afraid to take her on and the baby she was carrying. It seemed surreal.

"I love you," she told him as they danced their first dance as husband and wife. He was wearing her ring, a simple gold band with diamonds around the edges.

He stared at her quizzically. "What brought that on?"

"It's my wedding day and I'm entitled to tell my husband that I love him."

"True." He lifted a hand to touch her cheek. "But I have a feeling it's more than that."

"I'm overwhelmed." She had sworn that she would not get emotional. She knew some of it could be attributed to hormones, but she wanted to be calm and not have tears spilling from her eyes. Her fingers tangled through his thick dark hair. "You love me."