Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

A my

It's my wedding day, and the sun is shining brightly through the windows. Matteo is watching me with love glowing in his eyes.

"Good morning. Are you ready for today?"

I nod. "I can't wait."

Leaning down he presses a kiss to my cheek. "Me either. I had no idea when I walked into the exam room my whole life was about to change. That was the best damn day of my life until you told me you loved me."

"Thank you for loving me. Every day with you is better than the one before."

His alarm goes off, pulling us apart. "If I kiss you, we'll be late to our wedding. Come on. Hope and Carrie will be arriving soon to help you into your wedding dress."

"Oh my gosh, your dress is so pretty. You look like a princess. Now I'm sad I had kind of a plain dress for mine." Hope sighs.

Blushing, I nod. It's everything I hoped it would be with a big skirt, tight bodice in a creamy white satin and lace. And it's so comfortable that I feel like I'm wearing a cloud. "I can't believe she was able to finish it on time, and it fits so perfectly."

Carrie adds another bobby pin to my hair to keep the long lace-edged veil in place. "Matteo is going to lose it when he sees you. I wonder if he'll cry."

I chose not to have a maid of honor or bridesmaids since I only had Elizabeth, Carrie, and Hope. It felt easier to keep it simple with me and Matteo only. To Matteo's disappointment, I didn't have anyone walking me down the aisle. But I preferred it. I'm the one who decided to give myself to Matteo.

Carrie isn't wrong. When Matteo sees me, he loses it for a moment and takes a step toward me before he remembers and stops. He doesn't cry, but I do when I see the love shining in his eyes.

The judge who marries us is a family friend of Elizabeth's. He's a nice man who stays for the day.

Layla is a sweetheart the whole day, even posing for pictures with a big smile on her face. She clings to me as the day goes on, only allowing Matteo to take her a few times. So I'm shocked when Santos gets close, and she flings herself at him.

He laughs and catches her. "I swear she's only trying to make me feel bad for not giving her any more ice cream."

"Santos, you gave her ice cream?" Matteo is annoyed.

One shoulder goes up. "I had some, and she wanted some. It was make her cry by not giving her any or give her some. And I only gave her a few spoonfuls."

She buries her face in his neck, and in only minutes, she's asleep. Doris takes her from him and tucks her into the car seat.

"I'm going to take her back to Elizabeth's now." Doris nods at us. "We'll see you in a week. Have fun."

I give Layla a last kiss before Doris leaves.

"She's going to be fine. It's only a week." Matteo murmurs as he holds me close.

It's after dinner now, and I'm fighting not to yawn. Matteo's arm is around me, and he holds me close.

"Ready to sneak out of here, Mrs. Castillo?"

"Yes, please, Mr. Castillo."

On the plane, he pulls me into his arms. "Was the day everything you wanted?"

"Everything and more. I loved the flowers and the dress but the best part of the day was ending it as yours."

Eyes darkening, he lowers his mouth to mine. "You've been mine since the first day. All today was about was making sure everyone else knew it, too."

Three weeks later

Amy

I sigh as I look down at the test. I'm not sure if I should take it now or wait…

"Amy?" Matteo is standing in the doorway of the bathroom. His eyes widen in surprise.

Shit. "I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if it was the right time—with Luis and everything."

His eyes darken at the mention of his grandfather. "I think now is the perfect time to take it."

"Okay." I nod and read the instructions. Once I'm done, I wash my hands and go to Matteo, wrapping my arms around his middle.

"I wish you told me you were thinking you might be already." He sighs.

"It wasn't until the last day of our honeymoon that I began to wonder. Then we got home and…you know. I forgot all about it. Then I went to make coffee this morning, and it made me nauseous."

His hand runs up and down my back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound…I'm sorry."

"Don't say you're sorry. Your grandfather just died. We're all a little out of sorts."

He pulls back. "I knew he was dying. And I didn't say anything."

My hand goes up to his cheek. "Oh, Matteo. I'm sorry."

Shaking his head, "I'm the one who should be apologizing. My mom and Rafe?—"

"You didn't have a choice. Your grandfather wouldn't let you. You were doing what he wanted." I assure him. "Don't apologize for that."

"How did you know?" He's stunned.

"Because it's very much your grandfather. He wouldn't have wanted anyone aware of what was going on with him."

His sigh is from the bottom of his lungs. "He was adamant. I hated not telling anyone. If it weren't for having you and the wedding to focus on, I probably would have."

The timer he set goes off. His long arm reaches out for the test. My stomach flips a dozen times at the smile on his face. I'm in his arms with him squeezing me tight.

"Thank you. I can't wait for our next daughter. I might be the one with money, but you have shown me not a single dollar made me rich. It wasn't until you and Layla that I truly felt rich, rich."

Matteo's adoption of Layla was signed off by a judge last week. We decided to change her birth certificate after we found out Danny died in jail. His parents refused to bail him out again. So he was held in Dallas for the charges against him for hitting Matteo. He was supposed to be moved back to Temple, but before it happened, the idiot went up against a man who might have been smaller but was more than willing to make up for it with his fists. I felt awful…because the relief outweighed any sadness I thought I would feel.

"I would like to tell Mom you're pregnant today. Is that okay? I think it would help her through the day."

Today is Luis's funeral. I'm not looking forward to it. We've already made the decision that I would go with him to the church service but would not go to the graveside. Layla didn't understand what was going on and was being clingy.

"Okay, if you think it would be good for her." Anything to help Elizabeth. She was clearly under strain.

I still feel bad we missed Luis's passing. We were on the plane back to Dallas when we got the call Luis collapsed. Sadly, he was dead before we landed.

The church is packed with people. I recognize the mayor, a senator, and even the governor is among the crowd.

Through it all, Elizabeth holds her head high and her spine straight. She stays far away from her ex-husband, though. I had no idea she filed for divorce the day after our wedding, and it was signed off by a judge two days ago. None of his sons are near him. And I wonder what's going on, but don't dare ask.

It isn't until Matteo comes home late that I find out.

"Rafe is selling the entire company except what's in Texas?" I'm stunned.

Sighing, he sinks onto the couch and pulls me into his lap. "Yes. It's been nothing but a heavy weight around his neck for years. The business here in Texas is more than enough to keep us in the billion-dollar sphere. It will hardly make anyone destitute if he sells it off. My father is angry and doesn't want Rafe to sell. He swears if Rafe does then he leaves. Rafe is fine with that."

"Are you okay with that?"

He shrugs. "Hell yeah. Rafe has been responsible for everything for far too long. It's long past time he enjoyed life a little more—actually went on a vacation or two. Whatever he wants, I'm good with it."

"And Javier?" I'm curious.

"Oh yeah, he's happy. The only one who isn't is Santos. It means he must decide if he's returning to Dallas for good."

"He might not want to?"

"I think he's worried Mom will focus on him now for marriage and settling down and he's not ready for it all yet."

Running my hand over Matteo's chest. "Hm, maybe we can keep Elizabeth busy and her focus off him."

For the first time since we got back, he chuckles. "Mom has a way of multi-tasking that has me doubting we could keep her busy enough for Santos."

"Or we can find him a fake girlfriend."

Throwing his head back, he laughs loudly. "I deserve that. It was her idea to tell you I needed a fake girlfriend. She might see through it."

"Maybe, and maybe his fake girlfriend will become real the same way we did."

"Maybe. Come on, Mrs. Castillo, you should be in bed resting."