Loan Shark Love

“Thank you, Sam, that means a lot,” I nod, reaching out to shake his hand.

He hands me something instead, and I stare down at the white envelope in my hand.

“Consider this a repayment or a thank you,” Sam says with a shrug. “Use it for the honeymoon or use it on my girl. Either way, you saved my business and my Rose.”

There’s a crisp white check folded into the envelope and Sam smiles as he walks away, clapping me on the shoulder in a familial sort of way.

“Huh,” Natalie says, coming up behind me in her clacking heels. “He actually looked like he likes you, brother. It must have been a trick of the light or too much celebrating.”

She’s dressed in a lace-covered gown with her hair long cascading down her back. Anderson trails behind her, looking uncomfortable in his suit, but devoted to following my sister around in a way that I can understand all too well.

“Why did we invite you to the wedding again?” I ask, trying not to smile.

“Because, my dear Grey,” Natalie says in a bright voice. She waves a hand, “I made sure this castle you rented was decorated beautifully. I did a great job, didn’t I?”

She did do an amazing job.

She’s just gotten her start in event decoration, but she’s already doing beautiful work. The trees that grow all around the courtyard are strewn with glittering fairy lights, and there are streams of lovely white flowers and purple pansies strung across the dance floor.

Inside the castle, the ceremony had been punctuated with soft, floating music and the smell of fresh flowers arranged in beautiful bundles in the candle holders on the walls. Out here in the fresh, ocean air, the tables are strewn with flowers, and our guests have their pick of an array of food.

I reach over, putting a hand behind my sister’s hair, and kiss her temple.

“You did amazing, Nat, thank you for all this,” I tell her honestly.

The sun is slowly sinking in the clear blue sky, and the birds chitter gently in the trees. Portofino is lit by flickering lanterns, shining across the resort fishing village.

The harbor is flanked by a lush hillside filled with olive groves, blooming vineyards, and bright, pastel-colored homes that line the seaside piazza. It’s a beautiful place, and I can remember it well enough from my childhood. My parents were always big on traveling, but this was the one place they would always come back to. They loved Portofino, and now my wife does as well.

Natalie blushes, and I can’t help but laugh. Anderson grins in response too.

“It was nothing,” she says, turning away to hide her smiling face.

Anderson pulls her over to the dessert table to pick at the little cakes and tarts, and my eyes find the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.

Rose walks through the throng of people, bird seed in her hair, clinging to the strawberry blonde strands that are twisted into a soft bun at the nape of her neck.

She floats across the dance floor like a celestial being, heartbreakingly lovely, and I’m enchanted by her every move. Her silky white gown clings to every curve and dip of her body, and her skin is lightly tanned by the Italian sun from the few days we had spent lazing around on the beaches and getting ready for our wedding.

Her smile could knock a man to his knees, and I very nearly fall there myself to kiss her feet in awe of her. I can’t believe I get to have her forever.

She’s mine.

“You’re mine,” Rose says, curling a finger at me and echoing my thoughts.

I take her in my arms, she smells of vanilla, warm and familiar. We head out onto the dance floor, and I spin my wife, bringing her back to settle in my arms. Others joined us there. Rose has already danced with her little cousins and her father after we had our first dance an hour earlier and now it’s my turn again.

“Rosie,” I begin, and Rose stops me, pressing a soft finger to my lips.

“You can call me Mrs. Kingston,” she tells me, beaming.

My smile feels as if it might just have the power to split my face in two.

“Mrs. Kingston,” I correct myself, gently pressing our foreheads together.

“Yes, Mr. Kingston?” Rose answers, brushing her lips across mine.

“I love you,” I tell her, meaning the words with every ounce of my being.

“I love you, and I have a wedding gift for you,” Rose says, beaming at me.

“My Rosie, nothing in this world could top the present you have given me today. You!”

She looks at me with the slyest of smiles, and I can’t help but wonder what is going through her beautiful mind right now.

“Grey, I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”