I should have realized history would repeat itself if I pushed Maria too hard. Not that she'd try and kill herself, she's stronger than Avery, but I feared, in the end, I'd lose my little sister. I couldn't have lived with myself if I had. God, I hated causing her pain. That's why I allowed her to marry the filthy biker. I let them both marry filthy bikers because they deserved to be happy.
Bikers were not what I wanted for Maria, but I can't deny the beautiful little girl she and Jett created is a massive part of my heart.
I'll never regret a damn thing I've done in this life. I live without regret, always have. Everything happens for a reason. There was a reason my father left my mother and married another woman all those years ago, that reasons name is Hammer. There was a reason my father came back to my mother, and her name is Maria.
There was a reason Avery fell for Ghost; that reason is Daniel and Vinny.
There's a reason Maria fell for Jett, that reason is Jessica and the new baby, soon to be born.
There's a reason I met Marnie at Brooke and Hawk's wedding. That reason? To show me what love is all about, to make me a father, and to have my heart healed by the little girls who hold both our hearts.
As of the early hours of this morning, another reason came along and joined my family. His name is Curtis Marshall. Hammer and Willow were blessed with their third son early this morning. I knew it was going to happen, and I think I cursed myself by mentioning it. However, I went to the hospital this morning to meet him. He looks just like Hammer, just as Noah does. Connor looks like his mother, but all three hold a special place in my heart.
Hammer told me that he wouldn't be able to attend the wedding because he didn't want to leave Willow. Willow told me to ignore Hammer and that he'd be here. She said she'd hopefully make it to the reception because the birth was easy, and both she and Curtis are just fine. I don't want her to overdo it, but it’s ultimately her decision.
Hammer arrived ten minutes ago and is waiting for me outside. I couldn't have picked anyone else to be my best man, although Tony would have taken his place had Hammer not been able to attend.
“You're a good guy, Tony.” I clasp his shoulder, silently thanking him for his loyalty.
He nods slightly as a tiny knock at the door reminds me that I have but five minutes before showtime. Tony opens the door to the three most beautiful little girls in the world. Lydia, Amber, and Jessica.
All three little girls are dressed the same. Same lilac, princess bridesmaid dresses, same curls hanging down from their pinup do with the daisies in their hairs. They look fucking adorable. They walk in holding hands.
“Hi, gorzus boy.”
I chuckle at Jessica, sweet little angel. “Hi, baby girl.” Her little laugh fills my ears. She reminds me so much of her mother when she was small.
“Daddy?” I smile at Amber. “Do you like my dress?” She pulls it out slightly to show me how pretty her dress is.
God, she's cute.
Yeah, I said that. My daughter's cute, so fuckin' shoot me.
“It's beautiful, Amber. You look beautiful.” The smile my words draw from that little girl’s face makes it all worthwhile.
“Daddy?” I turn my attention to Lydia. She's in the middle holding her sister’s hand on the right, and her cousins on the left like a little woman much older than she really is. “Mommy is ready to be your wife. Are you ready to be her husband?”
“As I'll ever be, baby girl.”
As I'll ever be.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Marnie
It's time, sissy.” Brooke squeezes my hands excitedly. It's my wedding day, and she looks amazing in her long cream dress. Brooke really did get her figure back. Her long blonde hair is styled in a fashionable French twist, her cream-colored, silk, breast-length jacket, and matching pumps, make her whole outfit look like it came from Paris itself.
“Do I look okay?” I ask as I look down at myself. I know I look fine. More than.
I've had the best treatment any woman could have asked for today. So many people helping me get ready for the best day of my life. Draven made sure the top stylists and makeup artists were here for my big day. He even made sure every woman in our wedding party got the full spa treatments this morning.
My blonde hair has been curled and pinned up in a chic ponytail. My makeup is so professionally done that I look like a damn model. I might be pregnant, but my dress is amazing. Avery did a wonderful job, and the material came all the way from Italy! It sits just above my knees, poofs at the waist, it's sleeveless, heart-shaped and encrusted with actual diamonds across the bust. The design was altered somewhat from the first sketch, but I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect. It's evident that I'm pregnant, but my belly doesn't look as big in this dress.
I know Draven will love the way I look. I just hope he doesn't get pissed at other men looking at me, because they will, dressed like this.
“You look stunning. Draven is going to die when he sees how beautiful you look.” Brooke kisses my cheek, making me smile, but I feel a little sick. I'm having doubts, and I shouldn't be having doubts about marrying Draven.
“You don't think that this is a bad idea, do you?” Brooke narrows her eyes. “I'm marrying into the mob, Brooke. For all the good things Draven does, the bad will outweigh them tenfold. I would be a fool to think otherwise.”
“Is that what you really think?” I stare at her, not knowing what to say. “Yes, you are marrying into the mob, you're marrying a Mafia Don, a very dangerous one. The things he does do not bear thinking about. He's controlling, dominant, aggressive, a killer, all the things a woman should avoid like the plague. Draven will have you followed every day of your life, and he'll call you all the time to make sure you're okay. He'll more than likely kill any man who so much as looks at you with lust in their eyes, but has he ever hit you?”
I shake my head. I can honestly say that Draven has never laid a hand on me. I know in my hear that he never would.
“Has he ever done anything to hurt you?” Again, I shake my head. “No, because he really loves you, Marnie. I never believed he'd ever love anyone but himself, but he is so in love with you. How many Don's would stand with their arm around the woman they love in such public places for anything other than ownership? That's not it for Draven. Yes, you are his, but he is just as much yours. He's not ashamed to show what he feels for you, and that speaks volumes, Marnie. I won't even mention the lengths he's already gone to, to make you happy.”
I feel a fluttering in my stomach, and I smile. My unborn baby is trying to tell me that his or her daddy is worth it all. Marry a Mafia Don is not what I ever imagined for myself, I don't think anyone in their right mind would, but I'd be a liar if I said I didn't love Draven more than life itself. I set out with the only intention of having him in our baby's life. I never dreamed we'd fall in love, let alone be getting married.
I know once I say my vows today, once we're pronounced husband and wife, there will be no way out of this life for me or my children. However, I can't right now see any reason why I'd want out. The Famiglia put me through hell, and still, that wasn't enough to make me leave the man I love.
“This isn't what I wanted for you, Marnie. Not in a million years. I've heard the stories of the things Draven Vidal has done. However, can I really say that I married into a family of saints? Of course, I can't because they can be just as bad. Yet, you have never judged me for the choices I have made, for the family I made with the man I love. I will never judge you for your choices either. This is your chance to be happy, Marnie. So take it, sweetheart.”
I wrap my arms around my sister, and I hold her to me. “Thank you.” I kiss her cheek. “I was just having a little wobble, but you've made me see that love is everything.”
“You taught me that.” She laughs in my ear. “Now, let's go. He'll be waiting for you.”
And so it begins.
Anyone ever told you that when they get married, when they walk down the beauti
fully decorated aisle to the man who holds their heart, that they see nothing but him? They were right. That's exactly how it is for me as I walk towards Draven.
I don't take in the beauty of the room, the people here to witness our marriage – and there are a lot of them thanks to Draven's family.
The only family I have here are Brooke, her husband and kids, and my Lydia and Amber. Draven allowed me to invite some of the Snakes Henchmen MC members and their wives and kids. Those I'm close to.
Draven has a huge family; most of them are here, filling up the room. It was nice to meet them all, even if they did want to meet me individually. I was polite to all of them because that's the kind of person I am. Plus, I would never do anything to embarrass Draven. He's the Don, the boss, he may well love me, but he's in charge, and I know my place. Just because he loves me does not mean I'm immune to his wrath should I make him look stupid in front of the people he has power over.
Our relationship outside of the famiglia is ours, and it's perfect, I'm his equal in everything we do. However, I cannot and will not interfere with his business. I don't even want to.
I should feel sad that I have no real family but my daughter's, sister and nephews here, but I'm not, they are the only people I care about being here with me.
Draven looks so dammed handsome. He's wearing a midnight blue suit, white suit, and blue tie. His dark hair is slicked back as usual, but there's an air about him today that I've never seen before. He looks happier than I've ever known him to be, and his eyes are locked on me, tears welling in his at the sight of me.