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“No.”
“You don’t?” he teased.
“Of course I do. But that’s not what I need to tell you.”
“But don’t you think it’s an appropriate thing to tell your groom on your wedding day?”
“Very well. I love you.”
“When you say it like that, I’m not sure I believe you.”
She leaned forward and slid her fingers into his hair, drawing him close for a slow, deep kiss. “I love you.”
His response was almost a purr. “Much better.”
“Now are you ready to hear what I have to say?”
“Yes.”
Their impending nuptials had certainly brought out the mischief maker in Gabriel. Or perhaps it was getting away from the palace and all his responsibility. Olivia made a note to kidnap him at least once a year and bring him somewhere with no cell phones and no television so they could get reacquainted.
“When I spoke with the doctor yesterday—” she gathered a deep breath “—he gave me some rather startling news.”
The wicked light died in Gabriel’s eyes. He grew somber. He caught her fingers in a tight grip. “Is something wrong?”
“No. In fact, I think everything might be okay in time.”
“How so?”
“He thinks that a fertility specialist might be able to harvest eggs from my ovaries.” She watched Gabriel carefully, hoping he was open to what she had in mind. “It would require finding a woman willing to be a surrogate, but it’s possible that you and I could still make babies together.”
“This is the most amazing news.”
Gabriel caught her around the waist and pulled her against his body. Dipping his head, he captured her lips with his for a long, slow kiss.
* * *
By the time he released her mouth they were both breathing heavily. Gabriel’s eyes sparkled like the sun on the water behind them. Joy sped through her as she realized she was about to marry the man she adored.
“Come on, let’s get you up on the donkey and get to the church.”
“Are you sure it’s tradition?” she protested, eyeing the creature doubtfully.
“Positive.”
Their parade up the steep street to the church was not the formal affair it
would have been in Sherdana. There was no gilded carriage pulled by six perfectly matched white horses. No thousands of people lining the streets to wave and throw rose petals at them. But there were smiles and hearty cheers as Gabriel lead the donkey through the heart of the town.
When they reached the church, Gabriel introduced his housekeeper, Elena, who took Olivia aside to help her into the modest knee-length wedding dress with cap sleeves and a large bow at the waist. A note from Noelle accompanied the dress, explaining that Libby had come to her a few days after Olivia went into the hospital because Gabriel was planning on marrying Olivia in a small island wedding and wanted a dress to suit the occasion.
So, despite his lack of contact during her hospital stay, Gabriel hadn’t accepted that their engagement was at an end. He’d still wanted her as his wife, even though his family and political advisers would counsel him to move on.
Awash with joy, Olivia clutched the note to her chest and stared at her reflection. Although the design was much simpler than the lace-and-crystal-embellished gown she’d have worn to marry Gabriel in Sherdana, it was perfect. As was the man who awaited her at the front of the beautiful Greek church.
Gabriel’s gaze never once wavered as she walked toward him, accompanied by the song of a single violin. There was no doubt, no restraint in his golden eyes, only possessiveness, and she reveled in his love.
He took her hand as she came to stand beside him and she tingled in delight. Elena and her husband were the only witnesses. The intimacy of the empty church allowed them the privacy to focus completely on each other and they exchanged vows in reverent tones. When they returned to Sherdana, there would be celebrations with family and friends. Until then, all they wanted was each other.
