Page 156 of Sinful Promise

Everything about this day has been magical.

“We’re not being antisocial. We’re having some quality family time.”

Zara folds her arms across her chest. “If you hadn’t noticed, your entire family is here. And as your maid of honor, I demand you go andmingle.”

I chuckle. “The power has officially gone to your head.”

Zara narrows her eyes, and I know I’m treading on thin ice.

“Danil, hand Zara the baby before she starts shooting daggers out of her eyes.”

Danil chuckles before passing Dima over to Zara.

I watch her carry his sleeping form over to a table near the pool where Nina, Lucia, Bianca, and Elle are all sitting. My eyes land on the sleeping bundle in Elle’s arms, and I smile at the sight of my new niece.

Dima ended up coming almost two weeks early, much to my annoyance. Whereas Zara and Dimitri’s new addition, Kira, arrived two weeks late, putting her only two weeks older than Dima. It was a magical experience having a baby at the sametime as my sister. Danil and I practically moved into their penthouse for the first month so Zara and I could spend our days curled up on the sofa snuggling our new babies, and Danil and Dimitri could try their best to entertain the twins.

I think birthing the newborn was the easier job.

Danil holds my hand. “Do you want to dance?”

After the ceremony, the glass top that was used to cover the pool has now been turned into a dance floor which is currently being occupied by my parents.

“I don’t think we could compete with that.” I watch my father spin my mother around.

Danil smiles. “It’s cute that they’re having so much fun. I hope we’re still like that when we’re their age…”

I glance up at my husband and feel such a rush of affection that my eyes start to sting with tears.

He looks exceptionally handsome in his tuxedo and his hair has started to curl slightly from the humidity, which makes me even more emotional because Dima’s hair does the same thing.

“What is it?” He reaches out to stroke my cheek.

Sometimes, I can’t help but think back to our first date and how I went from feeling the happiest I’ve ever felt to almost losing everything in the space of a few hours. I curse the power that Igor Ivanov still has over me. Even though he’s gone, I still struggle with the idea that someone else is going to come along and take away every person I love most in this world.

But Danil has been my rock, and we’ve been taking each day as it comes and trying to soak up as much joy as possible.

“I’m just feeling so grateful for our family.”

“Are you sure about that?” He spins me around so I can see Dimitri dancing the robot alongside my dad.

I burst out laughing, and my worries start to dissipate. “That’s something that is going to haunt my dreams.”

Danil never fails to lift my mood and make me feel better.

“You and me both.” Danil chuckles.

For a moment, we both stand looking out over the grounds at our friends and family. Mikhail, Anton, and Lev are standing on the edge of the dancefloor like they’re hired security, despite the fact that we actuallydohave hired security. Alexei has managed to steal Dima from my sister and is gently rocking him as he talks with Massimo, Lucia’s father, and the rest of the children are running riot around the tables, each one covered in ice cream.

These people are my family, and I’m so grateful that my son gets to grow up surrounded by so many wonderful people.

Danil spins me back around to face him, and his eyes soften as he takes in the sight of me in my dress.

“You look so beautiful,malishka.”

My cheeks flood with color as I look down at my dress.

I was worried it was too simple, but when I saw Danil’s eyes light up when I appeared at the end of the aisle, I knew I could wear a paper bag, and he would still think I was beautiful.

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