Page 150 of Fix You

“No, there wasn’t,” I said softly.

As he shifted on his feet, Callum fiddled with his cufflinks. “While I was a total bastard to Rafe, I was even worse to you.” Tears shimmered in his eyes. “Regardless of the costs, I never should’ve tried to keep you and Rafe apart. After everything you’d been through, he brought you so much happiness. But more than that, he helped you heal.”

Now it was my turn to get teary. “You don’t know how much it means for me to hear you say that.”

“I mean every word.”

As a sob tore from my throat, I threw my arms around Callum’s neck. “Thank you, brother mine.”

“You’re welcome, sister mine.”

The wedding planner cleared her throat. “I really hate to interrupt such a heartfelt moment, but it’s really time you got down the aisle.”

With a nod, I extricated myself from Callum. We then hurried as best we could with my massive train to get in place at the aisle. Callum extended his arm to me, and I slipped mine through his.

The string quartet struck up theBridal March, and Callum began leading me up the aisle. At first, I focused only on the stares boring into me. My stomach clenched, and I fought the urge to bolt.

But then I lifted my eyes up the long aisle to where Rafe stood waiting for me. A beaming smile lit up his handsome face. And although I knew he would be criticized for it, tears streamed down his cheeks. I had to fight the urge to break into a run to close the gap between us.

When we finally reached the altar, I dove straight into his waiting arms. A gasp rang out in the church when Rafe kissed me.

Callum cleared his throat. “Maeve, it’s not that part yet!” he hissed.

Grinning up at Rafe, I replied, “What did anyone ever get from following the rules?”

With a wink, Rafe added, “Certainly not the happy ending we’re getting.”

Rolling his eyes, Callum replied, “I think I’ll take that apology back now.”

“Fine. We’ll behave.” Batting my eyes at Rafe, I said, “Won’t we?”

“Only until the honeymoon.”

“Just because we’re in a church, don’t think I won’t hesitate to belt you one,” Callum growled.

The priest cleared his throat. “May I continue?”

“Yes, please,” I replied as Callum said, “Get on with it.”

The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur. We said our vows, gave and received rings, and then we were pronounced husband and wife. After a semi-chaste kiss, the music started again, and Rafe and I walked down the aisle into our happily ever after.

Epilogue: Raphael

As I gazed down at the baby girl wriggling in Maeve’s arms, I couldn’t keep the beaming smile from my face.

“She’s every bit as beautiful as her mother,” I remarked, my voice filled with emotion.

Maeve grinned up at me. “Apparently the Neretti genes are strong. You wouldn’t know Callum had a thing to do with this gorgeous girl considering she’s her mother’s mini.”

I laughed. “Better not let him hear you say that.”

“Oh, he’s said himself how this baby is all Caterina.”

Four months ago, our niece, Julianna, made her much-anticipated appearance. Her adoring parents had blessed Maevenot only by asking her to be Julianna’s godmother, but by giving Maeve as a middle name to their daughter.

Caterina further brought Maeve to happy tears when she said, “I hope she’ll be as strong and beautiful as her namesake.”

Besides her parents, Julianna was blessed with seven uncles and an aunt who couldn’t wait to spoil her rotten. Well, I suppose there were three aunts when you counted our Isla and Drea.

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