AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eric stands up, clearing his throat, demanding attention.
“Before Lex and Charlie make us cry and ruin our make-up, I’d just like to say I called this years ago. So, anyone who I placed bets with, pay up because Daddy needs a new pair of Dolce & Gabbana loafers.”
“Are we back to calling you, Daddy?” Uncle Rocky complains, scowling. “You’re killing my buzz.”
“What buzz exactly?” Eric scoffs, crossing his arms. “You told everyone in the elevator you just watched some porn clip where the girl squirted from one end of the room to the other.”
There are several groans from the table and a bread roll thrown at Uncle Rocky.
“And I’m still a buzzing…”
I shake my head, grateful that my sister Alexa and my younger cousins were down the other end of the table and busy in another conversation.
“Okay, we’re done with the two of you,” I tell them, pointing my finger. “Behave.”
All is forgotten the moment Mom stands up with Dad. With quick breaths, I bite my lip, willing the nerves to ease. Will gently rubs my back, instantly calming me.
“We welcomed you, Will, into our family before Amelia graced us with her presence,” Dad begins, commanding the room as he always does. “The day she was born, I handed her to you, placing her in your arms. At the age of ten, you promised Charlotte and me you would always protect her.”
He clears the slight croak in his voice to continue. “For a while, each one of us lost our way. We all made mistakes, but the one thing we were trying to do was protect the one we love. It didn’t kill us. It made us stronger. I know you will treat my daughter the way she deserves to be treated and give her a marriage and life you both desire. You’ve always been like a son to me, then to grow and become a good friend. To have you officially as my son-in-law makes our family complete.”
Will lets go of my hand as we both stand to embrace my parents. Dad and Will’s hug goes longer than my own, but perhaps, they need the time to rest their demons once and for all.
This moment is the next chapter of our new life.
I take a seat, but Will continues to stand. Much like my father, Will is incredibly confident when it comes to public speaking. With his champagne glass in his hand, his shoulders pull back while everyone waits for him to begin.
“Five years ago, this girl wearing chucks out of all things appears in my office building. I remember the first time I saw her, annoyed some college kid was probably here for an interview, and she had her head buried in her phone,” he pauses with a knowing grin, glancing at me with a twinkle in his eyes. “I never expected it to be the girl who had made my childhood hell. The same girl who dared me to do things, only to get me into trouble.”
/>
“You and me both,” Andy hollers with a laugh as we all join in.
“A long time ago, she made me pinky swear, all because I wouldn’t let her jump off a ladder and into the pool. I quote, I had to come to her wedding, buy her the most expensive present, and no matter what song she chose, I have to dance with her even if I hate it.”
Will extends his hand as I reach for it, prompting me to rise from my chair, so we’re standing beside each other.
“And so, Amelia Edwards Romano. To stay true to the pinky promise, I’ve come to the wedding,” he starts with a smirk playing on his lips, hands me a black velvet jewelry box. I open it and gasp—inside is a diamond necklace with an emerald pendant, matching the ring he gave me.
Will removes it from the box, placing it around my neck, then hooks the clasp as my hands graze over the necklace now secured around my neck.
“I’ve given you the most expensive present,” he murmurs, kissing my shoulder softly. “And now, I ask for the first dance to the song of your choice.”
With my hand in his, I follow him to the small dancefloor while thinking of what song to play. When it comes to mind, I turn to see my father sitting at the piano with a microphone being placed in front of him.
“We are in Vegas, after all,” I tell Will before I walk over to the piano and whisper my choice into my father’s ear. Mom comes and sits beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
The piano sounds begin to fill the room, the classic melody of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” composed beautifully by my father. As a child, it wasn’t often he would have time to sit at the piano and play, let alone sing, but when he did, I would sit right beside him and sing along.
My arms wrap around Will’s neck as I stare at his beautiful face.
“Happy?” He smiles, leaning in to kiss my lips.
“I never want this night to end.”
“Oh, but my dear wife, it must end,” he teases, running his finger down my arm, causing me to shiver in delight. “See, I have plans for you tonight. And you wouldn’t want to disappoint your husband on the first night of marriage, now, would you?”
“I hate to break it you. I’m not a virgin. But you already knew that, though I will say I’ve never had sex in a pool before, and the one in this suite looks rather inviting.”
