Page 37 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

The ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, every detail designed to dazzle as family and friends awaited the arrival of the wedding party at Monica and Andre’s reception.

Flowers wound around the handrail of the staircase leading to the second-floor balcony. Linen-draped tables held towering arrangements of ivory flowers in slender gold vases, surrounded by sparkling plates and silver cutlery.

The gold and silver decor with blush accents was the perfect palette for Thiago’s glamorous social media influencer sister.

Monica’s own videographers and photographers moved discreetly through the room, capturing every moment for the millions of fans who would later devour the content she shared on her Instagram feed.

“I can’t believe our little sister is a married woman,” Thiago said, speaking to his brothers in Spanish.

Ignacio stood beside him, his hair in a man bun, and Maxwell stood on the other side of Ignacio, looking less harried than at the engagement party when he had been ducking his two dates.

“Never thought I’d see the day she gave in. She was so adamant she wasn’t getting married,” Ignacio added, taking a drag from his beer.

“You’re next,” Maxwell said, with a pointed look at Ignacio.

“Don’t expect wedding plans any time soon.

Delta’s tour only wrapped up last month, and we start production on Wrong in July,” Ignacio informed them, referring to his passion project, an indie film loosely based on the true story of one of their family members who had been wrongly accused of murder.

“When are you going back down to your normal weight?” Maxwell asked, gripping one of Ignacio’s large biceps under his suit.

He had packed on muscle for his last role as a soldier in an action-thriller.

“No time soon since Delta likes my new body,” he answered with a smirk.

Maxwell chuckled. “The hard workouts are worth the reward?”

“Every minute,” Ignacio confirmed.

As his brothers talked, Thiago’s gaze swept the venue, filled with the bride and groom’s many family and friends. He spotted India chatting with Connor-Santana wives Skye and Marissa.

She was radiant in Chanel, wearing a powder blue sheath dress adorned with imitation pearls on the sleeves.

Her hair was styled higher than usual in soft curls, but as always, she wore very little jewelry—only simple pearl earrings and one statement piece, the gold and diamond bangle that had become an almost permanent fixture on her wrist of late.

He was pleased she wore it often because he’d picked the bracelet himself, agonizing over various options before settling on the one he believed perfectly encapsulated who she was: a classy, elegant, and strong-as-a-diamond woman.

He was now on the hunt for a new gift to commemorate their one-year anniversary in July.

“How is the situation with Simon?” Ignacio asked Thiago.

Simon had threatened to press charges against Thiago for hitting him.

“Handled. My private investigator found a bystander who captured the moments leading up to Simon’s knockout.

The video showed him manhandling India and shoving me.

He showed Simon the evidence and told him we’d share it with law enforcement if he didn’t leave me and India alone.

The weasel backed down, so I don’t expect to hear from him again. ”

Aunt Florence shuffled over, a gleam in her eye as she said, “I see you took my advice.” She didn’t stop, a self-satisfied upward tilt to her lips as she continued on her way.

Maxwell’s eyes followed her jaunty steps. “What is she talking about?”

“Nothing but the usual,” Thiago said with amusement, taking a sip of champagne.

Minutes later, the soft music the band was playing changed to an upbeat tempo, the doors to the ballroom opened, and the wedding party filed in.

Audra led the way in a gold dress, hair piled on top of her head, with her escort, Andre’s cousin Phineas, on her arm.

Cheers, whistles, and laughter spilled over as the bridesmaids and groomsmen danced in to the music.

Then the doors closed, and the lights dimmed.

The room went still and quiet in anticipation.

Delta’s beautiful voice broke through the silence as she started singing “At Last.” The R&B singer was dressed in a sequined gold dress.

She wore her hair parted in the middle with extensions cascading down to her butt, crooning the emotional words in her angelic voice.

Everyone looked at the front doors, waiting for the arrival of the newlywed couple.

But a spotlight landed on the stairs and illuminated Monica and Andre at the top.

The guests started clapping and cheering.

Anyone sitting stood. Then, arm in arm, the couple slowly began their descent to the beautiful, romantic song.

Monica wore a strapless, blush-colored, floor-length gown.

Thiago had learned from Audra that Monica had wanted to wear the nontraditional dress to the wedding ceremony but changed her mind at the last minute and opted for a traditional white gown.

This entrance and this color befitted her big personality.

The dress complemented her narrow frame, and the oversized flower-inspired prints on the full skirt added additional details of grandeur.

A brilliant smile suffused Monica’s face. The smile on Andre’s rough-hewn face was equally wide—the kind a man wore when he’d won the ultimate prize. Thiago enthusiastically joined in the applause and cheering, his chest overflowing with joy for his younger sister.

Dinner and speeches filled the next hour. With India seated beside him, the time passed in a blur of laughter and conversation with his brothers and their wives.

Much later, as the night was winding down, Thiago stood with the single men as Andre tossed the garter into the crowd. When their cousin Joe caught the piece of lace, some of the men wiped their foreheads in relief while others teased him with good-natured ribbing.

Then it was time to toss the bouquet. Monica stood on the staircase with the single women gathered around, jockeying for position. But instead of throwing the flowers behind her, Monica turned around and walked down the stairs.

The laughter stopped as everyone stared in confusion. She walked directly to her mother, Rose, and placed the bouquet in her hands.

The room went completely silent.

Benicio appeared at Rose’s side and slipped an arm around her shoulders. Speaking into the cordless microphone in his hand, he said in a strong, proud voice, “We have an announcement to make. Rosa and I are engaged. We are getting married again.”

Gasps and laughter rippled through the gathering.

“Did you know about this?” India asked beside Thiago.

“No,” he replied.

Monica grabbed the mic. “Congratulations, Mommy and Papa Ben!”

The room erupted into loud cheers, and Thiago made eye contact with Bruno across the room, silently asking if he’d had any idea of this development. His older brother shrugged, shaking his head, then joined in the clapping.

Thiago watched as his father dipped his stepmother over his arm, kissing her as if he had waited a lifetime for such a moment. The thunderous applause increased and filled every corner of the ballroom.

When they straightened, Rose gently hit his chest, mortified but leaning closer to Benicio, her eyes filled with happiness as she took in the excited reaction of the crowd.

Thiago’s gaze slipped to India, who was clapping as loudly as anyone. He knew how much she respected his father, and her joy was genuine.

After the excitement died down and some of the guests left, those remaining hit the dance floor, including Thiago and India. Fortunately, she liked to dance as much as he did. Much later, with her head resting on his shoulder and her hand in his, Thiago led as they slow-danced to an old R&B tune.

“You have a great family. They’re very welcoming,” India said.

He had introduced her to them earlier, making their relationship public and official. Come next week, the employees of Santana International would also be made aware of their relationship.

“I get the feeling Mr. Santana knew about us already,” she continued.

“He might have helped get us back together. He adores you,” Thiago said.

She briefly lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Good to know. I’ll go to him when you act up.”

He laughed softly as she placed her head on his shoulder again.

Across the room, Audra and her husband Damon were one of the couples on the floor.

They stood in one spot, arms wrapped around each other as they swayed to the music.

Thiago hadn’t always been a fan of the former baseball player, and when the couple was on the brink of divorce, he had been staunchly on his sister’s side.

But after counseling, they reconciled, and he had no doubt their marriage was now unshakeable and would last.

His father and stepmother were also among the last couples dancing, whispering and laughing as they moved around the floor. Something fierce stirred inside him as he watched them. He wanted what they had. An enduring love.

He kissed India’s forehead, certainty settling deep in his chest. One day he would have the honor of marrying her and spending his life with her.

No five-year plan. No carefully chosen night.

Just the two of them. Together. Treasuring each moment.

Always.

***