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“Hey,” I say, gathering enough of my wits around me to react at last. “I’m not the worst.”
“No,” he says, kissing me again, sweetly. I almost forget that my dad is here. He’s gone silent like he can’t think of anything else to say to object. “You’re the best.”
“If you’re trying to impress us…” Dad starts, grumbling again. But now it sounds like grumpiness, not real objections.
“Dad,” I say, turning to him with the ring shining on my finger. “Dad, come on. Please. I’m so happy. Can’t you be happy for me?”
Dad sighs heavily.
“I can be happy for you,” he says, begrudgingly. “But I can worry about you, too. You’re my only daughter.”
“And wouldn’t you worry about me even if I had known Nico for fifteen years and loved him all that time?” I ask. “Aren’t you always telling me it’s a father’s job to worry?”
He passes a weary hand over his face. “Yes,” he says. “I suppose you have a point. And if you’re determined to give this a try… I don’t think I can stop you.”
It’s not his blessing, but it’s close enough for now. I know I can work on the rest.
“Thank you, Dad,” I say, as Nico’s arm goes around my shoulders, tucking me against him. “I know you’ll see – this is not something any of us are going to regret.”
And even as I say it, I know in my bones that it has to be true.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nico
The last couple of weeks have gone by in a whirlwind.
I still can't believe that I'm here, that we made it this far. But here we are. A lot of work has gone into making this possible, and we're finally here.
There was a lot of organization to do. First of all, we had to make sure we had the necessary paperwork for Liliana to come and live with me here in Monaco. There was a lot of work with shipping all of her belongings from the US back here, and of course, settling her into my house. Our house, now.
We had to make sure that her family was informed of the latest developments, and that her friends from back home knew as well. After all, we had to invite them all to fly over to join us for the ceremony. We decided that getting married as soon as possible was the best option, to make sure that there would be a legal reason for Liliana to stay here. After all, I'm not expecting her to work, so she wasn't going to be getting a work visa.
It's fast. I know a lot of people would say that. That we've just rushed into things, meeting and falling in love and getting married all within less than a month. But time means nothing when you're absolutely sure. And I’m sure. This is the woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with. This is the woman who will raise my children.
And why would I want to wait any longer to get started on that?
So, here I am, looking at myself in the mirror as I perfect my tie. It has to be perfect today, exactly the right size of knot, exactly the right position. Everything has to be perfect.
Because today is our wedding day.
I can't help but think of her waiting for me at the end of the aisle, and it sends a shiver down my spine. Even with such a short amount of time to plan everything, I managed to pull a few strings with some friends of mine to get a very well-renowned designer to create a custom wedding dress for her in a rush. It cost a pretty penny, of course, but nothing that my finances couldn't handle.
My own friends and family have gathered around us, filling up the hotels of Monaco, ready to watch us say our vows. Now all that remains is to actually say them.
I've never been nervous in presentations, never been nervous giving speeches or talking at seminars. But here I am, about to walk down the aisle and say my vows - and I feel nerves creeping in on me. I wonder if Liliana feels the same. If she still knows, just like I do, that this is absolutely the right thing.
I couldn't imagine doing anything else today. No matter how fast it may be, no matter how much money we have had to spend in order to make this a possibility in such a short time, I don't think there is any universe in which I would accept anything less. Today I am marrying the woman I love, and it doesn't get any better than that.
“Are you ready?”
I turn to see my best man, as it happens, the closest person in my life, the one I knew I could rely on, turned out to be Henri. My assistant has been there for me every moment for the last few years, and I don’t doubt that he probably knows me better than I know myself. He was the obvious choice. Not only that, but I’ve made some decisions about the future of the company in these weeks, and who will one day take it over after I’m no longer able.
