We say like that for a while, just holding each other. I hear the door to the room open and I push away from him just enough to see the guys, each with a baby in arm, walking out.
“Well, everything is ready to go. You know we are here anytime you need us.” Victor says as he puts Killian into his carseat.
“Yes anytime. We really love having them around, even if it's just a few hours.” Spence gives me the eye. “So don't go finding yourself a babysitter. I will kick your ass if you let some stranger take time I could be spending with them.”
“Yes sir.” I say with a straight face. He rolls his eyes at me as he leans down to put Arabella in her carseat.
“I am serious, Emmey. I may not be blood, but damn it I am family.” he raises his eyes as he buckles her in.
“You're better than blood, Spence. You know that I love you like a brother AND you are my best friend in the whole world. And we promise to call you first when we need a sitter.”
He nods his head in approval then returns his attention to Aarbella. She giggles as he picks the whole carseat up and places it on his lap, leaning his face down and kissing her tiny hands and face.
“We will walk you out.” Victor says as he hands me and Jonas each one of the diaper bags. He and Spence each take a carseat and we all walk down to the car and say our goodbyes.
“I have to admit I was a little worried about leaving them with the guys, but seeing how great they are with them makes me really happy. I'm glad Spencer is wanting to be such a big part of their lives.”
“I had no doubt that he would. He will be a great uncle, and probably spoil the shit out of them too. I am glad to see how much he enjoys the time with them though. A whole weekend is a lot with two needy little ones, but they seemed to do just fine.” I reply.
“Yes, they did. I know that they will always be safe in his care, and that makes me feel a lot better.” he has a grateful smile on his face.
“I can't wait to be home. I just want to crawl in bed with our babies and cuddle.”
“Am I invited?” he raises a brow at me then returns his eye to the road.
“Well, I don't know. Are you going to cuddle me too?” I say smiling.
He chuckles. “I can't imagine being in our bed without you in my arms, so yes.”
“Then I guess you can come too.”
“You guess?” he says with a gasp.
“Yep” I can't hold my laughter anymore. It's the little moments like this, when we joke and laugh together that make me love him so much more everyday.
“Well, I was planning a night of pleasure for you, but now I am not sure.” he grins and my body responds so well to his words. I have to squeeze my legs together to ease the throbbing between them.
“You wouldn't deprive me, would you?” I bite on my lower lip and give him a sultry look.
“You really think I would be able to keep my hands off of you when you look at me like that?” he shakes his head. “Not a chance, agápi̱ mou. You're getting it all...every night for the rest of our lives.” He reaches over and takes my hand in his, pulling it to his lips and then resting on his thigh for the rest of the ride home.
Once we made it home and inside we made some lunch and put the itty bittys down for a nap. We lay here with the twins between us, just looking into each other's eyes with our fingers intertwined above them. This is my forever, my everything.
Chapter 34
Ember
Everything is so chaotic today. People everywhere, running around like headless chickens. I take a deep calming breath and try to settle my nerves. I miss Jonas so much. It has been two days since I have seen him and this withdrawal I am experiencing is hell on earth.
When I open my eyes Avo is standing in front of me with a sly smile. “I remember being nervous too. It's okay, you know.”
“I know. I just can't wait to see him. I didn't think it would be such a big deal being away from him for a few days. It hasn't helped that his family has pretty much kidnaped my children, so I have had no one to hold and give my love to.” I whine.
“Well it will only be a few more hours my sweet girl. You can give me all the love you want.” she pulls me into a hug. “I miss when you were little and I could carry you around with me all of the time. Your mother hated how much I spoiled you, but someone had to.” she kisses my forehead.
“Thanks Avo, I love you. You and Papa have always meant so much to me, especially after dad passed. I really wish he was here.” tears start to form a trail down my face.
“I miss him everyday, and this day is the one day I alway dreamt of when I was little. I would picture him in a tux, looking so uncomfortable.” we laugh at the thought. He hated dressing up. The man lived in jeans and t-shirts or his coveralls for work.
“Yes, I can see the look on his face.” she smiles and a single tear falls. “He would be pulling at his tie every few minutes, and mumbling about looking stupid. He did that at his own wedding.”
We smile and somehow just talking about him makes me feel better. I know he would be so proud of me and all I have accomplished in life, but more importantly he would love my family.
As if reading my mind Avo takes my hands in hers and smiles sweetly. “He is so proud of you, I know it. I can feel him here, watching over you and my grandbabies. He will be there with you when your uncle walks you down the aisle, and he will be there to give you way. Just because he is not alive doesn't mean he is not with you in spirit.”
I take a deep breath and nod. As I wipe the tears away Spence walks through the door of the house with Victor a few steps behind. He rushes to me and picks me up in a big hug, my feet dangke and he squeezes me tightly.
“He is here with you.” he whispers. Somehow he always knows when it comes to my dad.
“Thanks.” I whisper back as he sets me back on the floor.
“Well let's get all these tears out of the way now, cuz once your makeup is done there is a strict no tears rule.” he jokes, and it brings a true smile to my face.
“How are you holding up? I mean without seeing Jonas.” Victor asks.
“It's awful. Why is it so hard to be away from him? I just don't understand how I can depend on someone so much for happiness.” I laugh, but mean it.
The three of them laugh with me.
“I'm sure it will get easier after you have been together for years.” Spence replies.
“Not likely.” Avo says. “I still get sad when Enzo goes to the vineyard for a few days. It is rare that I don't go with him, I can't stand to be away from him. You must get your intensity from me.” She laughs out the last part.
“Ugh, you two are way too sappy.” Spence rolls his eyes and Victor elbowed him in the ribs. “What?” He looks at him not seeing that what he said somehow bothered Victor.
“Well, the car is here.” Papa says from the doorway.
“Okay, let me find my babies to kiss them goodbye.” I say turning to check the house for Jonas’s parents and extended family.
“I think they are on the terrace.” Papa shouts behind me.
I find my daughter sleeping in the arms of a beautiful dark golden/brown skinned woman with silky balck hair and a large nose. She sits in a rocking chair facing the sea, humming a lullaby to my sleeping angel. I walk around and crough down in front of her, she stops rocking and smiles at me. Her eyes are the same shape as Jonas and Janessa, but a dark chocolate color.
“I know I have taken so much time from your children, but I will only get to see my grandchildren when you and my son bring them to visit. I need to get as much as I can while they are here.” she says in a thick accent.
“I don't mind, I do miss them, but I want you and your husband to have as much time with them as you can.”
I look to the man sitting on the bench along the wall holding Killian. He is wide awake and bouncing on his grandfather's lap. He pulls at the man's grey and white beard and gives a high pitched screaming laugh every time grandpa growls.
“I just w
anted to come kiss them before I leave for the salon.” leaning down I gently kiss the top of Arabella's head, she coos in her sleep and smiles. I walk to Killian and he clenches his little fist, scrunches his face and squeals when he sees me. I pick him up and snuggle my face to his.
“Thank you, so much for taking care of them Mr. and Mrs. Drakos. I can't tell you how much it means that you have accepted me and the kids.” I say as I hand Killian back to his grandpa.
“Please, call my Jarrick. We will be family after today, after all.”
His wife nods. “Yes, and you will be Mrs. Drakos then, so call me Joelle.”
“We are happy to have you all here, and we are very happy to welcome you to our family. Jonas worried us for some time, but I see that he was just waiting for you to come into his life and make him a better man.” Jarrick says with a smile as he looks at Killian.
“Janessa has told us so many wonderful things about you and how you have changed him. I must thank you for that.” Joelle looks up at me with a heartfelt smile.
“I am sure she over exaggerated it, but shouldn't I be thanking you. Without you I would not have the love of my life, or my beautiful children.” I smile at her.
“Well then I suppose we are all to be thankful for one another.”
“Yes, my wife is right. Mostly I am thankful for these little ones.” he says and Killian giggles at him. “I have been waiting for grandchildren, and you have made that dream come true.” He gives me a warm smile before he returns his attention to my son.
“Well I guess I will see you at the venue.” I walk back to where my family is waiting.
Spencer hurries me to the car and we are on our way.
My hair is done and they are starting on my makeup now. I keep trying to look around the woman to see my hair but she is not having it. I hope it looks nice. I want to look beautiful on my wedding day. I think my nerves are still on the edge of a freak out moment. This is really happening today. I will finally be married to the most amazing man I have ever met. No offence daddy.
“Someone needs to get the champagne.” Spence shouts as he walks through the door in his tux.
“I’m on it.” Says Victor from somewhere behind me.
I hear the ‘pop’ of the cork and a flute is placed in my hand with a bubbly pinkish liquid in it. The woman pauses on my makeup and I wait for everyone to have their glass in hand.
“Thank you everyone for being here with me for this. I know you all had to travel to be here, some farther than others, just know that it means the world to me. I can't imagine this day without all of you here to support me….and help me get ready.” I smile and they laugh at me. “Thank you, my friends, my family. I love you all.”
“Cheers!” everyone says in unison and a few glasses clink together throughout the salon.
This shit is amazing. It has a sweetness that bursts when the bubbles hit the tongue and it goes down so smoothly. I take sip after sip until my glass is empty, and Victor takes it from me before the woman continues with my makeup.
We arrive at the wedding venue with two hours to spare. I know that seems like a long time, but right now I am afraid it won't be enough to calm my nerves and racing heart. Looking at my wedding gown hanging just a few feet away has made this so much more real.
Spence is my Man of Honor and he has been amazing. I am so used to being the one planning everything, but he has really impressed me. I know he has had help form Janessa for the overseas plans, but they were all his ideas. He knows me better than anyone, Jonas included, so I really had no issues leaving it all in his hands.
Mr. and Mrs. Drakos along with Janessa offered to plan the wedding after Jonas and I decided to have it in Greece. I won't lie, I was skeptical but what I have seen of the venue so far is absolutely gorgeous.
The room we are in is large with a fifteen foot long white vanity with marquee lights at the back of the room. There are a few cream colored chairs and two loveseats on the left side and three dressing rooms on the right side. A large bathroom with three stalls is just behind the sitting area.
The walls all around are a soft pink with gold framed black and white photos of past brides. The floor is tiled in large 12” square opalesce tiles that shimmer in the sunlight coming from the skylight. The vaulted ceiling has two large white ceiling fans suspended, blades turning slowly.
“Okay, Emmey. You ready to get that bad boy on?” Spence says from behind me as he places his hands on my arms and rubs them up and down. It's soothing.
I breath in and out a few times before nodding. He walks to the dress and takes it from the protective bag. Avo helps me balance when Spencer holds the dress open for me to step into. As he pulls the dress up and buttons the back, I can't help but think it's too much.
The mermaid dress is a very pale pink with an off white lace overlay and a high collar neckline, made of all lace above the breast and down my arms. The lace stands out against my tanned skin. On the back is a tight row of buttons from the coller to the middle of my ass, keeping it snug to my frame. The flair starts just slightly under my ass and flows into a short train.
Avo looks me over with teary eyes that she keeps dabbing with a tissue. If she doesn't stop I will follow suit soon.
“Oh, Ember. You look like an angel. My beautiful girl.” she gushes.
“Yes you really do.” I hear Janessa from behind me.
I turn around to find Spence, Janessa and her cousin all staring at me with wide eyes and big smiles.
I walk to the bathroom where there is a wall of mirrors from floor to ceiling. I look beautiful. My makeup is simple and elegant which makes me really happy. But what really takes my breath away is my hair. It is a loose full looking braid that sweeps over my shoulder, with beautiful silver and crystal baby's breath strung through it and curly tendrils frame my face. It is so simple but delicate and graceful at the same time.
“I want you to wear this.” Avo says as she steps next to me. “It has been in Enzo's family for many generations. Your great grandmother gave it to me on my wedding day, and now I give it to you.”
I look at the thin box in her hand. She opens it and I gasp. I remember my mother once saying something about Avo not giving her some family heirloom on her wedding day, but I had no idea it was a tiara.
I remove it from the black velvet lining and notice there are matching earrings. Wow it is beautiful and so dainty. The tiara is braided silver littered with tiny diamonds, a slight peak with swirls of silver holding a teardrop sapphire in the center. The earrings also hold the same sapphire in the center of a braided design with tiny diamonds throughout.
At this point it is nearly impossible to hold back tears. Spence is in front of me fanning my face and handing me a tissue. Avo leads me to the sitting area and tells me to sit in one of the chairs. She places the tiara on my head hiding the ends in my hair, then puts the earrings in place. I chose not to have a vail and I am so happy I did, because I would hate for this to be covered in any way.
“What a vision you are.” she says as she takes a step back.
“Thank you, Avo. I am so honored to wear this today and hopefully Aarabella will wear it one day.” I say thinking of the joy I would have in passing something to my daughter.
I stand and hug her tightly. She reciprocates and this is the best feeling, the best day I could have ever imagined. I never got this kind of love from my mother, it was alway Avo.
We take a few photos goofing off since we still have about twenty minutes till I walk down the aisle. Spence opens another bottle of that amazing champagne and we all enjoy the bubbly drink before everyone has to make their way outside.
I look at the ceremony area through the window when we start to make our way out of the bridal dressing room. The sea makes the most beautiful backdrop I have ever seen. Chairs are set up on a large terrace looking out at the city below and of course the sea. Each chair is white with a pale pink bow.
There is a very large white wooden arch with lush green vines w
rapped around it, and pale pink and white flowers scattered through the vine. Centered in the archway is a small podium where Papa stands. He looks so handsome in his tux, and I am so happy he will be the one to marry Jonas and I.
We walk through the doors and to the small tent meant for the bridal party to wait till the music starts. Uncle Thomn is there waiting for me with a huge smile on his face and I can see his eyes start to tear up.
“You look so beautiful, Bug. I wish Thadd was here to walk you down the aisle, but I am so honored I am able to do it in his place.” he takes a deep breath. “You are such a strong, smart, independent woman and you have made a wonderful life for yourself. He would be so proud of the woman you have become. I know I am.”
I can feel the tears and again Spence is at my side with a tissue.
“Thank you Uncle Thomn, that really means a lot to me.” snifeling to get through my words. “I am so grateful to have had you in my life all these years. You never left me, even when my mother did, you always made sure I was taken care of. Without my dad here...I would never want anyone other than you to give me away.”
He gives me a watery eyed smile and pulls me into a strong hug, nearly crushing me, but it's ok because it is a much needed show of affection. I feel so many emotions right now and just feeling the love from my uncle has made me calm slightly.
Joelle walks in with both of my children in hand. Killian is dressed in a tiny black tux with a black bowtie. Arabella is in a white sleeveless dress with a fluffy tulle skirt and a pale pink sash around the waist tied into a large bow in the back. My beautiful babies.
“Are you ready?” she asks as she hands Killian off to Victor and Arabella to her niece Lori. Victor is dressed to match Killian and has the ring bearer pillow in hand. Killiian tries to fling it around and almost loses the rings before Spencer gets him under control. Lori is dressed similar to Arabella, but her dress is a form fitting halter top. She smartly decides not to give Arabella the basket of flower petals after seeing how Killian acted.
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 33