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Dinner was wonderful but she barely tasted it, the butterflies in her stomach keeping her suspended in an anticipating mode that overwhelmed everything else. Each dance she shared with Stefano deepened her need and she thought the evening would never end.
Just before ten-thirty, he moved over to the DJ and took the microphone holding out his hand for her to join him. She did, lifting her lips to his with a soft kiss wondering what he was going to say.
“We wanted to thank everyone for coming today to share in our happiness. Looking around the room I’m reminded of how much love has gone into getting us here, love of those sitting amongst us, and the love of those whose spirits are here and their memories live on in the pictures before us,” he paused pressing a kiss against Hailey’s hair before adding one to her rings making her smile. “And since you all are sharing today with us, I wanted to share with you something special I’ve arranged for my beautiful wife. One might think it’s easy to decide what to get someone who asks for nothing, but when trying to figure out just what will show them how much they truly mean to you, it becomes the most difficult task in the world. Until you realize that nothing you buy will ever be able to demonstrate that and move onto something that will simply make them happy.”
Hailey gave him a smile as the guests laughed and she pressed a soft kiss to his lips earning some whistles from those present.
“With the idea in mind of simply making you smile and happy, I’ve arranged a two-part gift for you my love,” Stefano stated turning her towards the wall of the tent where they were standing. “Say hello to your own private island and villa my darling.”
“Stefano!” She gasped seeing the crystal-clear beaches and the house in the photos that came up on it.
“And your first-class accommodations to get there or anywhere else in the sea,” he added when the new yacht came up onto the screen.
“Stefano,” she said again shaking her head at him unable to stop from smiling. “It’s gorgeous, my love.”
“It can’t compare to your beauty. Nothing in this world can,” he countered kissing her temple as she leaned into him.
“I think I should have gone first now,” she teased as they brought out his gift. “It cost very little, but it comes straight from my heart my love.”
Stefano moved over to the stand and carefully took the covering off, staring in surprise at the photo inside the frame. His heart constricted and he turned to her, not caring who saw the slight mist of tears in his eyes, as he reached out, softly brushing his fingertips around her face before claiming her lips in his. The kiss left her weak kneed and she clung to his shoulders until he swept her up into his arms, one underneath her knees and the other holding her carefully to him, his hand splayed across her bare back.
“I love you my dearest heart,” Stefano said softly, and her heart fluttered madly although she knew that in the quiet of their guests it would still be heard and likely why he said it.
“No more than I love you,” she said sliding her fingers softly against his cheek.
“Would you take the girl home already, son? Some of us aren’t getting any younger and I’d like a great-grandchild or two to spoil fairly soon,” Theo stated putting a blush into her cheeks that Stefano couldn’t resist.
“We are home Grandfather,” he said refusing to put her down.
“Son, I had your grandmother inside in private within three hours of our wedding. I think you’ve got some catching up to do,” Theo argued, and Hailey buried her face into Stefano’s chest knowing she was blushing bright red.
“They can’t leave until the bouquet’s been tossed,” Elena said bringing the smaller version over to them. “You will have to put her down for this Stefano.”
“Never,” he said but she reached up whispering something into his ear the others couldn’t hear, and he let out a low groan before allowing her to lower her feet to the floor.
“What did you tell him?” Olympia asked as she moved by with a grin at Elena’s insistence that she join the singe ladies on the floor.
“About the garter,” she replied aiming the bouquet directly for Olympia with Stefano’s help.
Hailey gave her a grin seeing the blush that hit Olympia’s cheeks before sitting down to let Stefano remove the garter. She felt her cheeks redden slightly as his fingers brushed against her leg and nearly fainted when he stole her lips in a kiss, as he stroked her thigh, higher than where the garter laid. She was dying and needed to be alone with him soon, convince him to make her his and his alone.
The garter landed with Xavier, after a little bit of work on his part to receive it, and she smiled watching him and Olympia dance seeing the love shining between them. Stefano pulled her back up against his chest, his hands sliding up and down her arms and she shivered slightly.
“Cold?” he asked lowering his head down near hers as the song ended.
“No, I’m fine,” she said trying to control her breathing as they said their goodnights.
Stefano lifted her back into his arms as they went to cross the lawn, having their families’ word that they would ensure all gifts were stored securely before they left for the night. No one was staying at the house but them tonight and he moved to the front door, carrying her inside before locking them in, the others having gotten their belongings into their cars long before now.
Hailey expected him to sit her down on her feet when they reached the entryway and was surprised when he moved them up the stairs, turning the lights off as they journeyed to the bedroom suite. Her heart beat a little faster with each step he took, and she held onto him the tiniest bit tighter.
Stefano turned off the hall light, moving them into the master suite and turned the light low as he set her down onto her feet. He saw her look around the room in surprise and turned her to face him. “Olympia and the girls snuck away about an hour ago said that you should have something special on your wedding night.”
“And everyone’s still outside, possibly able to see the slightest outline of us? Surely they don’t think we’re just going to jump straight into bed.”
“I doubt it, not knowing that, but they would know I’d bring you up here, kiss you and soothe your last-minute fears before showing you what being with a man, your husband can be.”
“So, what exactly do you suggest we do until they’ve left?” she asked as he lifted his hands to her hair, unpinning it to allow it to fall around her, pushing the headband from it.
