Page 56 of Mine to Love

10 MONTHS LATER

It’s a crisp October day,perfect for a wedding. And, finally, after all these years and all my pain, today it’smine,as is the man standing in front of the library he built me. I see him now, though I’ve yet to begin my glide down the aisle. He’s dressed in a traditional black tux with a white undershirt and a black bowtie. Yet, when I look at him, all I see is his smile and those eyes—the eyes that have always looked at me with love, the eyes that have made me feel seen and special, the eyes that told me he was different. He waits for me with love stories of old as our witness and yet, just as I knew the first time he brought me here, today, I am sure—our love story is my favorite.

I glance down, noting my dress. It’s a form fitting gown covered in lace floral appliques. It has a sweetheart bodice, white chiffon sleeves draping off my shoulders, and a small train that trails behind me. Ana helped me style it with sheer white gloves, donning the same floral appliques as the dress. The finishing touches are a pair of diamond stud earrings and my wedding gift from Gio—a diamond tiara. I find it perfectly symbolizes my prisoner-to-princess twist of fate.

Before meeting Gio, I never knew a love or a life like this could exist. My mind was so rooted in survival. The weight of the world was wearing me down, and it took everything in me to keep Delilah from seeing my worry, my trauma, my fear. When Gio and I met, time truly did stop, and I was transported into this fairytale that seemed so unimaginable that I didn’t even realize it when it happened. Perhaps, when I started to feel it, I even fought against it. But now, here we are. Today is both the end and the beginning. And I cannot wait to live the love that will fill the remaining pages of our stories—his, mine, and ours.

Lowering my gaze to Delilah, she looks up at me with a smile and I take her hand. We’ve waited long enough for our happily-ever-after, for our second chance. After what happened with Clive, we both needed time to heal—in more ways than one. Gio took good care of us both. I made a full recovery and with the help of Ariana, who has experience working with trauma victims, Delilah is happier than ever. Though, it didn’t happen overnight nor without setbacks, which is part of the reason Gio and I have waited so long to make our union official. Not to mention, with Alister’s return, Gio needed time to make certain arrangements. Now, officially retired from the job I never truly understood, we begin again—free from the shackles of our past.

Hand in hand, Delilah and I walk through the iron arch covered with climbing roses. Stepping into the garden full of flowers and sculptures of couples in loving embraces, the small group of people I’ve learned to callfamilystand from their white chairs and bear witness to our union. Yet they fade away as I lock eyes with Mr. Moretti. The nearer I get, the quicker I walk. It’s as if there is an invisible string tied between his heart and mine. As I reach him, he kneels and hugs Delilah, kissing her softly on the head. She returns his embrace and then takes her seat next to Damon, Ana, Brinkley, and Ru. And then it’s just the two of us.

He looks me up and down, savoring my spirit and body. I will never get used to the way he looks at me or the kindness he speaks and showers me with. As his eyes meet mine, my lips draw into a smile that makes my cheeks hurt. My breath catches in my throat.

This man of mine is an enigma—gorgeous, protective, powerful, and tender. I once felt as if I didn’t deserve him and all that he’s given me. He’s shared similar sentiments, not feeling like he deserved to be happy after all that he’s done. Perhaps that’s what makes us perfectly made for one another. Perhaps that’s why we’ve been given this chance to spend the rest of our days loving each other. Because only those who know what it is to feel unworthy and unloveable know how to love with enough depth and desperation to heal each other’s broken parts.

“You look enchanting, my angel,” Gio says, offering me his hand. “Are you ready to be my wife?”

“More than anything, yes.”

51

As the settingsun illuminates our bedroom and our wedding guests take their leave, I take my time undressing my wife. Bringing my lips to hers, I invade her mouth with my tongue while my hands skim her waist down to her hips. Reaching around, I admire the curves of her backside before bringing my fingers to the laces of her corset. With military-level precision, I undo the knotted fabric while my tongue dances against hers.

As I finally pull the last of the laces, Darcy moans in both pleasure and relief. She then moves her hands from caressing the back of my neck to removing my tux jacket. The garment falls to the ground with exciting force, and I reciprocate her desire by snatching her tight against me. She gasps and her eyes meet mine. There’s a sense of surprise in her gaze brought on by my abrupt movement and yet, also a fiery passion that’s been growing in her over the months.

“You know, I know the priest said wives submit to their husbands. But I’m enjoying this demanding, impatient, dare I saypossessiveside of you, my love.”

“Well, I learned from the best,” she replies. “Besides, it’s all about balance, right? You give, I take. I give, you?—”

“Reciprocate.” I finish her sentence for her and silence her by kissing her once more. She tastes like cake, but, fortunately for her, I didn’t get quite enough dessert at our reception. Moving my hands to her dress, I strip the fabric from her skin, leaving her standing before me wearing nothing but a white lace thong and gloves, diamonds, and high heels. As I take her in, my jaw tightens, and I wonder how I got so lucky.

“Spin for me.” She blushes and smiles but obliges my request.Thisis the only wifely submission I’m interested in.

As she finishes her twirl, she steps forward and brings her fingers to the buttons on my dress shirt. My hunger for her is insatiably gnawing at my insides. Yet, I allow her to take her time with the buttons. This is her moment just as much as mine—the first time we’ll make love as husband and wife. As she gently pushes my shirt off my shoulders, I smile as I imagine all the remaining firsts we’ve yet to experience. There’s so much uncertainty in life. Surprises abound, both good and bad. But with Darcy and Delilah by my side, I know my life will be full and my heart warm.

As Darcy looks up at me, the fire and playfulness have left her. It is replaced with all the love and emotion of the day—our day. I know exactly how she feels, yet it’s a feeling that words cannot describe. So, instead of trying, I simply pick her up and carry her to our bed. Of all the memories these sheets hold, this will be my favorite.

Touches. Kisses. Loving bites. Teases that make her thighs shake. I imagined us so many times and in so many ways, but I never could’ve imagined this. “I love you, Darcy Moretti. Today, tomorrow, and forever.” With those words, I enter her, and she wraps her legs around my waist, locking her ankles to pull me closer.

EPILOGUE

5 YEARS LATER

“Here you are, angel.”I drape a blanket over Darcy as she sits on the terrace, watching Delilah play in the garden below. She dances around the lemon tree, which has had almost as fruitful of a year as we have.

“Thank you, husband.” Darcy kisses my hand as I wrap my arms around her from behind. I remember her telling me how much she loved this spot and how she imagined mornings out here sipping her coffee. We’ve spent every morning for the last five years making that fantasy a reality. And, while recent events have forced her to switch from coffee to other warm beverages of choice, our mornings together are our favorite part of the day, aside from when we fall asleep in each other’s arms.

With my retirement and our marriage, we’ve both found second chances in more ways than one. No more wars. No more bloodshed. No more shame or loneliness. No more anxiety or panic attacks for her. No more breakfasts spent avoiding eye contact or days walking on eggshells. This love is different, beautiful, gentle, and healing. And, while there is some lingering sadness when she thinks of the circumstances that brought Delilah into this world, the joy of finally giving her a sister hashealed the last broken piece of my beautiful wife’s heart. Because now, it’s not just our love story. It’s Delilah’s too. A bond between sisters that will sustain her long after we’re gone. Now, none of us have to be alone.

“How are you feeling today?” I ask.

“Decided,” Darcy replies. My brows crinkle. I was alluding to nausea or lower back pain. Does she need a foot massage? Or… “Caroline. We should name her Caroline.”

Darcy grabs hold of my hand, gently squeezing it.For Cara.I walk around Darcy’s chair and kneel before her. “Are you sure?” I ask. “You don’t have to do this for me. A name starting with aDwould better complement Delilah.”

Darcy shakes her head. “Our daughters will be their own people. They don’t need to complement each other. And, yes, I’m sure.” Darcy moves her hand to my cheek. “It feels right, considering if things hadn’t unfolded the way they did, you would’ve never needed a maid.”

I’d never thought of it like that. It doesn’t make what happened to Cara any easier to stomach, but it is a silver lining amongst tragedy. In a way, the same can be said for all our happily-ever-afters—Alister’s, Damon’s, and mine. None of them would’ve happened without a tragic twist of fate that set everything in motion.

It’s then that Darcy says, “You know, when I think of how our story began, I can’t help but recognize that it almost didn’t happen. If you would’ve let me walk away, if you hadn’t come looking for me that night, we wouldn’t be here right now. None of us would be.” She places her hand over her stomach. I do the same, smiling as the warmth of her belly soothes my soul. “Thank you for not letting me walk away.”

I shake my head, as if that was ever an option. My soul recognized her in a way I’ll never be able to explain. I don’t even understand it. But I don’t question it. She is everything,everything and more. I stand, and bringing my hand to her chin, lift her face to kiss her. But first… “Thank you for staying. Thank you for loving me, for giving me a family of my own. And thank you…thank you for making me realize there is more to life than blood and bourbon.”