Chapter 43 The Wedding

Two months later...

Allie

I couldn't believe this day was finally here. I was marrying Nico. Unbeknownst to him, his adoption of Gracie would be finalized today as well. It was my wedding gift to him - one of them anyway.

Before the end of the day, my husband would find out that he had two kids. Well, he would have two in six and a half months, that is.

With all of the chaos in the weeks following the stabbing - the media attention, the album release and the publicity tour for it, selling my old house, plus planning the wedding - it took me far longer than it should have to realize that my period was late.

When I was cleaning out my purse four nights ago and came across the emergency tampon that I keep in the side pocket, it suddenly registered that I couldn't remember the last time I'd needed one of those.

I didn't think much of it - at first. After all, I take my birth control pills every day. I even have a daily alarm set on my phone just to make sure I don't forget. Plus, with Gracie, I'd had terrible morning sickness that felt like it had lasted from the moment of her conception until I was around the three-month mark, I had been perpetually exhausted, and my boobs had seemingly grown overnight.

I didn't have any of that crap going on, thankfully, so there was no need to bother taking a pregnancy test, right? I had assumed it was just the stress of everything, and that my period would show up any day.

Then, I had awakened around 3:00 am, suddenly remembering the antibiotics I had been prescribed at the hospital because the doctor, thanks to Nathan the nurse, had been concerned about possible infection from the scratches and scrapes on my arm. I had dutifully taken the antibiotics for the full ten days. As I had lain there trying not to freak out, I'd acknowledged the fact that the antibiotics had most likely rendered my birth control less effective, lack of other symptoms be damned.

I had been instantly elated at the thought that I was actually carrying Nico's baby, closely followed by the thought that"Oh shit, I'm think I'm carrying Nico's baby!"

I wanted more kids, and so did he. He had made that more than clear on several occasions, so I knew he'd be happy. I was just nervous that it was too soon, that we should have had more time to adjust to being a family of three before we added a fourth to the mix.

I had listened to Nico's deep, even breathing as he slept curled up against my back, trying to fight the urge to get up and drive to an all-night pharmacy for a pregnancy test. Yeah, because that wouldn' t attract any attention, right?

I'd forced myself to wait patiently until after I had dropped Gracie off at preschool the next morning, before stopping to buy a test. My sunglasses and baseball cap didn't provide much of a disguise, but the clerk hadn't even bother glancing at my face as she rung up my purchase.

I had rushed home, anxious to take the test while Nico was out doing a radio interview downtown. Ten minutes later, I was still just staring at the positive result with a huge smile on my face.

I had remembered the last time I'd taken a pregnancy test, with a pang in my heart. Alex had been standing next to me then, wrapping me in his arms as we waited for the stick to show us the plus sign we had hoped for.Gracie had been born 36 weeks later.

Since Nico was in the process of adopting her, I didn't want to upstage that with news of this pregnancy. I had managed, with Michael's help, to pull some strings to get the adoption finalized in time for our wedding day.

I was going to present him with the adoption papers atthe end of the ceremony, and had already worked out those details with the judge who was officiating the ceremony for us. I decided to wait to surprise him with thisother bit of news when we were alone on our wedding night.

I had taken a picture of the positive test result with my phone to print out later. I'd briefly considered keeping the test to show him, but had quickly discarded that idea because...ewww! I was not keeping a used pee-stick, even if I had carefully wiped it off before putting the cap back on.

I'd been nervous and distracted in the three days since then, but had blamed it on excitement over the wedding and stress from all of the little last-minute details when Nico had looked at me with concern and asked if I was all right.

Which brings me here, to this moment, as I gaze out the window of the honeymoon suite where Gracie and I are getting ready with help from my mom and Angela, Nonna, Becca, Hannah, Emma, and Min. I had elected not to have professional makeup and hair stylists, a decision supported whole-heartedly by Nico.

"This wedding is about us, Sunshine. The real us," he'd told me with a kiss to my forehead, "not some made-up photo-op for the world to see."

Aunt Ellen had popped her head in briefly to let me know she was here with the cake.She had made cakes for every special occasion I'd celebrated for the last several years, and today was no exception. She was thrilled that I'd asked her, and we had both cried when she said that she knew Alex was happy that I'd found love again.

Since we were having such a small, intimate ceremony, Nico and I had decided against having attendants. It would just be us, the judge who was officiating, and Gracie as a combination flower girl and ring bearer, with Matt and Hannah signing as witnesses.

The Alexander Vineyard was a gorgeous setting for a wedding, and we were so lucky that a last-minute opening had become available. The attached resort-style hotel provided the perfect space for our family and friends to gather for the weekend's festivities.We'd had our rehearsal dinner last night and a lovely brunch earlier today, which would be followed by our ceremony later this afternoon, and then a small reception this evening.

We'd been greeted yesterday afternoon by Blue Marian, and his husband Tristan, who owned the vineyard. They were a gorgeous couple, with adorable children and a sweet dog to round out their family. They didn't bat an eye at the sight of four rockstars, since Blue's brother was a famous country singer.

Nico's mother had been a little worried as we checked in that they would find Nonna's T-shirt offensive, since it wasn't exactly family-friendly. Nonna had insisted on being comfortable for the drive to the northern part of the state, and had worn her T-shirt from Tony's "coming out" photo op at The Grove.

Tristan busted out laughing when he caught sight of it, calling Blue over to see it.

"Love is Love. If you don't believe that, then fuck you!" Blue laughed as he read it aloud, before asking Nonna where she got it.

"I think I just found the perfect shirts for the next family reunion," he murmured to his husband, before telling Nonna that she reminded him of his Aunt Tilly.

"God, can you imagine if the two of them ever met?" I heard him ask Tristan as they wandered off hand in hand. I heard Tristan laugh and say something about "Granny and Irene being almost as bad", before I was distracted by the sight of Nico walking in with Gracie on his shoulders. He had to duck under the doorway, making her laugh and squeal "Daddy, look out!" He was grinning ear to ear, as he usually did when she called him 'Daddy'.

The rehearsal and the dinner following it had gone smoothly,and Nico, Gracie, and I had retired to our suite afterward. Nico had flat-out refused to be separated from me on the night before our wedding, despite our mothers and Nonna arguing that it was bad luck.

I had agreed, with what I was sure was a lovesick smile, when he'd declared, "I've spent too many damned years sleeping without Allie in my arms. I'm not about to do it the night before our wedding!"

My father had directed his sternest glare his way before reminding him that sleeping was all he'd better be doing. "Your ring isn't on her finger quite yet, so remember that premarital relations are not allowed."

Matt had choked on his beer, and Josh, James and Tony all gaped at Nico before Dad lost his composure and laughed. By the time Dad had told the story of the initial "premarital relations" speech, we were all roaring with laughter, even Gracie and Micah, Min's son, who had no clue what we were laughing at but laughed anyway.

As it turned out, Nico ignored Dad's admonishment, making love to me late into the night with a sweet intensity that brought tears to my eyes.

"Allie, sweetie, are you ready?" I turned away from the window as my mom's voice pulled me from my musings.

I spotted Gracie twirling around in a circle, delighting in the way her dress swung back and forth around her legs. She was wearing a dusty rose dress, in deference to her request for "a pink princess dress."

She and I both wore our hair down today, with a crown of flowers in our hair and a few flowers and ribbons trailing down amongst our curls. Since I had done the traditional white wedding gown and veil for my marriage to Alex, I wanted something different this time.

My dress was a vintage-looking silk dress in a beautiful darker champagne color, with a lace overlay in a slightly lighter shade. The flowers I'd selected were various shades of pink, from the palest blush to the dusty rose of Gracie's dress, with a few champagne-colored blooms mixed in.There was not a rose to be found. I still hated the fucking things.

After talking with my dad to make sure he wouldn't mind, I had decided to walk down the aisle with Gracie, rather than having Dad give me away.He had done that with my wedding to Alex, and had actually thanked me for doing something different.

"I've already given you away once, baby girl. I'm not sure my heart can take doing it again," he'd told me with a rueful smile and a huge hug.

Seeing Gracie gearing up for an even bigger twirl in her "swishy dress", I stopped her before she made herself sick.

"Let's go, Gracie-girl. It's time for us to go see your Daddy."

She giggled and slipped her hand in mine. Mom handed me my bouquet, and Nonna handed the basket of flower petals to Gracie. The rings were tied to the basket handle with pretty ribbon, and I checked to make sure they were still secure before we headed outside to the gazebo where everyone waited.

I stopped on the walkway around the corner from the gazebo, waiting for the wedding coordinator to give me our cue to begin walking down the aisle.I leaned down and whispered to Gracie "It's a surprise for Daddy, so don't tell him yet, but you're getting your new last name, too, today." She gasped and looked up at me, giggling as I nodded my head. We had tried to explain the adoption process, but the only thing she really understood was that she would be Peretti then, too.

I heard the processional music starting, and she signalled us to begin walking. Gracie walked a step or two ahead of me, dropping flower petals and waving at everyone. I smiled down at her, then looked up to find Nico's steady gaze on me. He looked so intense, as if he were trying to will me to walk faster. I gave him a smile, and his face lit up.

When Gracie got about ten feet away from the front, she gave up on the flowers and dashed over to Nico's side. He scooped her up for a fierce hug, kissing her forehead before setting her back down on her feet to greet me.

He reached out his hand, and I placed my hand in his as he pulled me closer. His eyes roved over my face, as if trying to memorize how I looked.

"You take my breath away, Sunshine," he whispered huskily.

I smiled again, unable to speak with the emotion clogging my throat. We turned to face the front, with Gracie standing on my other side, as arranged.

Judge Carlson spoke about the power of love and the sanctity of marriage, before asking us to say our vows. Traditional vows were one of two things that Nico had requested when it came to the ceremony.

"I'm not sure I can stand up and tell everyone how much you mean to me with crying, Sunshine," he'd confessed. I told him that was fine, since I was sure any vows I could write would pale in comparison to the eloquence of his words as a songwriter.

I handed Gracie my bouquet to hold, and I retrieved both rings from her basket as Nico and I were instructed to join both hands and face each other. I slipped my wedding band to him, to hold until the time came for him to put it on my finger.

I smiled brightly through my tears as Nico repeated his vows and said "I do," in a strong, sure voice.

I repeated my vows, and saw tears in Nico's eyes. His hand tightened on mine, and his eyes closed, in what looked a gesture of relief, after I said "I do."We exchanged rings, and Nico raised my hand to his lips after sliding the band into place. "I love you, Sunshine," he whispered.

The judge didn't even finish the words "You may kiss your bride," before Nico was wrapping me in his arms and kissing me like his life depended on it. We broke apart to the sound of laughter, applause, and several wolf-whistles.

Now it was time for Nico's other request. He wanted to make a vow to Gracie.Hannah stepped up and took the bouquet and flower basket from her, as Nico scooped her back up in his arms.

"Nico, do you take Grace Elizabeth to forever be your daughter, to love her, watch over her, guide her, and protect her always?" We had left out the traditional 'until death do you part' of all of our vows, substituting 'always' and 'forever' instead.

"I do," his voice rang out, wavering every so slightly as he tried to control his emotions.

"Grace, do you promise to forever love your Daddy, to listen to him, laugh with him, and sing with him? "

"I do!" Gracie yelled emphatically, with even more enthusiasm than she had shown when we had rehearsed last night.

Everyone laughed, and several of us, including Nico and me, also cried. Nico slipped a sterling silver chain over her head, on which a beautiful filigree ring hung.The ring had a small emerald, signifying both hers and Nico's birthstone. The ring was an adult size, so Gracie could wear it on a chain for special occasions during childhood, then wear it on her right hand when she was old enough.

"We have one final detail to address before I introduce the happy family," Judge Carlson said, giving me a slight wink.

Nico, still holding Gracie, looked confused.He glanced at me as if looking for answers. I just smiled, as more tears filled my eyes.

"As you all know, a petition was filed recently for Nico to legally adopt Grace, and I am happy to announce that it is official. Allow me to introduce you to Miss Grace Elizabeth Peretti, and her parents, Nico and Allison Peretti."

Nico turned toward me as Judge Carlson's words registered, and he grasped my hand with his free hand, his other arm still holding tightly to Gracie.

"Sunshine?" he asked incredulously. "Did you know...?"

His voice cracked and trailed off as I nodded, barely able to see him through my tears. He pulled me close, so that the three of us were hugging each other. No words were needed.

The reception passed in a blur of good food, dancing, singing and laughter. The photographer made sure to get plenty of pictures of everyone. I smiled to see Tony and James sitting at a table with Aunt Ellen, and Alex's cousins John and Jenny. James had grown up with all of them, and it was clear that they wanted to get to know Tony better, now that he was James's boyfriend.

Nico kept an eagle eye on Gracie, who spent a good deal of time dancing with Min's son Micah, who was five, a year older than her. The two held hands when they weren't dancing, and Micah even tried to hold her chair for her, as Josh had taught him to. It was the cutest thing ever, although Nico looked like he had indigestion. I heard him asking my dad how he had done it, raising two girls and having them date and chase boys.

My Dad just snorted and shot him a mock glare. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, Nico. Micah's a good kid. After all, it's not like Gracie's gone and fallen in love with a rockstar or anything." Nick and Matt were standing nearby, and Matt started laughing until Nick spoke up.

"Yeah, believe me, Nico, having your daughter fall in love with a rockstar will be enough to keep you awake at night." He turned a deadpan stare on Matt, who chuckled nervously as he carefully eyed his girlfriend's father.

"Dad!" Becca chastised, overhearing his comment. Nick just smiled and shook his head, before dropping a kiss on her temple.

"Just kidding, sweet pea," he said to her, then smirked at Matt, motioning with his hands that he was keeping an eye on him.

Min, Josh and Micah were the first to leave the reception, heading to their suite when it was clear that Micah was tired. The three of them had been inseparable for months now, and I strongly suspected we would hear wedding bells from them sooner rather than later. I knew Josh would marry her tomorrow if he could. He'd been pretty vocal about it. Min had been badly burned by her shitty ex-husband, and was hesitant to rush into anything permanent, especially with her son to consider. I only hoped she put Josh out of his misery soon.

Gracie had been napping on my brother Scott's lap for about thirty minutes by that point, having settled in at their table to play with her cousin Cole, who slept through most of the festivities in his baby carrier when he wasn't being passed around for the various adults to coo over. Nonna, in particular, had delighted in holding him for long while, with Gracie peering over her arm to make faces at her cousin to try to make him smile.

Gracie was going to spend the night with my folks in their suite, before going home with them tomorrow morning. Nico and I were staying on here for a few days, electing to wait on taking a big honeymoon trip for a while. Nico was concerned about disrupting Gracie's routine any more than we already had over the past couple of months, and I had to agree.

"Mrs. Peretti, your husband is desperate to be alone with you soon, before he loses his fucking mind," Nico whispered fiercely in my ear. He had been using the words 'husband' and 'wife' every chance he got tonight. It made me smile every time. He snaked his arm around my waist and drew me flush against him, subtly grinding against me.

"Please, Sunshine? I need to make love to my wife."

I looked at him as if I were considering his request. "Hmm, what if your wife wants you to fuck her instead."

His eyes blazed with heat at my words. "That's it, love, we're outta here."

He pulled away from me, clasping my hand tightly in his as he made his way to the DJ who was set up in the corner. He motioned to the microphone before reaching for it, as the DJ turned down the music so Nico could speak.

"Allie and I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of our special day. Feel free to stay and dance and continue the party, but we're going to say goodnight." Laughter rang out, along with hoots, cat-calls and wolf whistles, as Nico hustled me from the room, barely giving me time to even wave goodbye.

He hurried me to the elevator, and I caught sight of an amused Blue and Tristan sitting just inside the bar off the lobby.They both raised their glasses toward us in a toast, laughing as the elevator doors opened and Nico scooped me up in his arms and strode in, pushing the button to close the doors quickly behind us.

His mouth was on mine before the doors closed all the way, and he slowly lowered me to my feet. It was a small hotel, only three stories, so the elevator ride took mere moments. Nico practically ran down the hall to our suite, and I was laughing and holding on to his arm as he urged me along with him.

Once we got inside the room, Nico turned to look at me and slowly, reverently, cupped my face in his hands as he drew me in for a kiss.

He carefully drew down my zipper, helping me step out of my wedding dress. He looked at the ivory lace bra and panties I was wearing, then at the crown of flowers on my head. He stilled my hand as I reached up to remove the pins and clips holding it in place.

"Leave the crown on, love," he instructed, before stepping back to remove his own clothing until he was standing before me in all his naked glory. He reached for me again, brushing a curl back behind my ear.

"Thank you, Sunshine. I have everything I ever wanted. My wife, our daughter, and hopefully someday," he whispered softly, reaching down to cover my belly with his hand, "even more babies to love."

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment to give him my final surprise.I stepped back, turning to get the gift bag I'd placed on the side table.

"What are you doing, Sunshine?" he asked in confusion, reaching for me and trying to set the bag down.

I smiled at him as tears welled in my eyes, and he looked at me with alarm.

"Allie?" he asked hesitantly. "What's wrong, love?"

I handed him the bag, guiding him to sit down on the edge of the bed, then motioning for him to open it.

He looked at me questioningly, and I simply motioned toward the bag again.

"Look in the bag, honey. Just trust me," I cajoled when he still looked confused.

He pushed aside the tissue paper, pulling out an envelope and the T-shirt that I'd carefully folded and placed in the bag. At the sight of the pink, child-sized shirt, his obvious confusion grew.

He held the shirt in his hands as I took the envelope and set it aside. I gently took the shirt from him and unfolded it, holding it up in front of me so that he could read what it said.

"I'm going to be a fantastic big sister!" he read aloud, his eyes widening as his confusion seemed to clear. I handed him the shirt, and his gaze darted to my bare stomach.He gently, reverently, placed his palm over my still mostly flat belly, cupping the tiny baby pooch left over from my pregnancy with Gracie.

"Are you..." he swallowed hard as his eyes darted back up to scan my face. I just smiled as the first of my tears fell, then handed him the envelope.

He took it with shaking hands, carefully opening it and pulling out the single sheet of paper. His eyes roved over it, taking in the sight of the photo of the positive pregnancy test, and the words I'd printed underneath.

"Congratulations, Daddy. Baby #2 will be here in six and a half months!"

Nico looked at me in shock for a beat or two, then reached forward and pulled me close to him. Since he was still sitting on the edge of the bed, this put my stomach fairly level with his face.

"We're having a baby?" he asked, his voice hoarse with emotion. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

He closed his eyes for a moment, tipping his head backas if in prayer. He brought both hands up from where they were grasping my thighs, cupping them around my belly. He opened his eyes and looked at me, and I cried harder at the sight of the tears shimmering in his beautiful chocolate-brown gaze.

I rested one hand on his shoulder and ran the other through his hair, from his temple to his nape. He leaned into my hand and nuzzled his head into my touch before leaning forward to place a gentle, almost reverent kiss to my belly.

"Hello, little one," he said, his voice catching as he tried to control his emotions.

"I'm your Daddy, and you are going to have the best Mommy and big sister in the world."

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