I was warm. Really warm. Like I was wrapped in a safe cocoon.
Alessio’s arm was wrapped protectively—almost possessively around my waist. My back was to his front as we spooned. My hand went over his as I smiled.
His fingers caressed my bare stomach under the soft blanket. He must have covered us up when I fell asleep. That made me smile wider.
I shifted around in his embrace and turned to face him. His eyes were already on me, his face peaceful.
“Hey,” he muttered, pulling me as close as I could get with my stomach.
“How long was I sleeping?” I asked, my hand going to his face. I touched his rough stubble, my fingers slightly scratching his chin.
“About an hour and half. I see I have worn you out. And here I thought we could go for hours,” Alessio teased with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.
I poked his cheek. “I’m hungry, though.”
He sighed and got up. I shivered from the cold air when the blanket was pulled away from my chest. I quickly wrapped it tightly around myself again.
Alessio winked before handing me my dress. I noticed that he already had his pants and shirt on.
Now that was a sorrowful sight. Or not. He looked really delicious in a suit.
Alessio pulled the blanket away. He palmed my rounded stomach and bent down, placing a kiss right above my belly button. As soon as his lips made contact with my bare skin, Princess kicked.
Alessio chuckled. “You are a fighter,” he whispered against my belly.
After another kiss, he pulled back and helped me with my dress. When I was comfortable against the pillows, Alessio brought the basket to me.
“Lena prepared some sandwiches for us. I think they might be a little cold by now,” Alessio explained.
I shrugged and practically dove into the basket. I had a bite in five seconds flat. “I’m really starving,” I mumbled around a mouthful of sandwich.
Alessio raised an eyebrow and then shrugged. “Okay then.”
We cuddled close as we ate in silence. When the basket was empty and all the food was gone, I closed my eyes. “I think I ate too much.”
“You did,” Alessio agreed with a laugh. “I guess Princess was really hungry.”
I nodded before pulling away. “Let’s go. I’m sure everyone is waiting for us.”
Alessio helped me stand up. His arms instinctively went around my hips. His lips found mine in a hard, bruising kiss.
“You make me lose control, Ayla,” he said against my lips. “I see you and all I want to do is kiss you. Make love to you. Fuck you so hard that all you can see, think, and remember is me.”
I melted into his embrace, his words making my heart flutter. “I can’t decide if that’s really sweet.”
He kissed me again. And again. Alessio kissed me until we were both breathless.
He looked down at me lovingly. “I want to be your first thought when you wake up and your last thought before you sleep. Hell, I want to be in your thoughts all the time.”
I placed my hand over his heart. The heart he had given me so trustingly and with so much love. “You have nothing to worry about. Because you are always in my thoughts, Alessio. Even in my dreams. You are with me all the time,” I replied.
“Good.”
And then he smiled a breathtaking smile. It stole my breath away.
In that moment, I realized that I always wanted to see that smile. I would do anything to see that beautiful, joyous smile over and over again.
Alessio entwined our fingers together, and we walked back to the house as a married couple.
It may have not been official, but we didn’t need to be official. The vows were made, and we accepted each other. We were married. No one could deny us that.
When we reached the front door, Alessio paused and smiled. “Well, I have to do this. Don’t want Maddie to kill me in my sleep,” he said with a small laugh.
My eyes widened, and I let out a giggle as he cradled me in his arms. My hands went around his neck, holding him tight.
With me in his arms, he walked us into the house. There was a loud cheer as we stepped inside. Alessio didn’t let me down until we were in the living room.
Everyone was standing there, surrounding us with laughter, smiles, and so much love.
I needed this. I needed this family. My daughter needed them.
I didn’t know what I would have done without all of these people.
As soon as Alessio placed me on my feet, Maddie was on me. She hugged me tight before pulling away. Her eyes held tears, but they didn’t fall. “Congratulations, babe.”
Lena and Evaline hugged me next. Their happiness made my heart overflow with love. “Thank you,” I whispered when they pulled away too.