Page 110 of Saddle and Bound

Chapter 73

Rosie

My heart still beats strongly as I adjust my dress, reflecting on the hour just spent with Alex. His reaction to my surprise was more than I had dared to hope. The way he looked at me, as if I were the embodiment of a dream... I will never forget it.

But now it's time to focus on the ceremony. The air vibrates with excitement as we gather at the garden entrance. Sunflowers, Maria's favorite flowers, are everywhere, creating a golden sea that sways gently in the breeze.

I look around, observing my friends in their bridesmaid dresses. We chose the same color for everyone - a warm gold that perfectly matches the sunflowers - but each dress is unique, designed to highlight each of our individual beauty.

Val looks like a forest fairy in her dress, fitted at the waist and wide on the skirt. Her petite figure is enhanced by the light fabric that waves with every movement, making her seem almost ethereal.

Aurora is stunning in her short pants outfit, enriched with golden and transparent veils that fall softly, giving the illusion of a floating, long skirt. The fluid fabric moves like liquid gold with every step, capturing light enchantingly. Her choice is as elegant as it is practical, allowing her to move freely in preparation for her performance. She's an excellent ballerina, and her show will be wonderful.

Lexy, always bold, chose a form-fitting dress that highlights her slender figure. The golden fabric shines on her skin, making her look like a living statue.

My dress, with its heart-shaped neckline that made me fall in love at first sight, makes me feel like a modern princess. The soft skirt moves gently around my legs, while the two side slits add a touch of sensuality and allow freedom of movement.

The guys all look splendid in their elegant suits, with details subtly echoing the golden color of our dresses. I can't help but notice Alex, his eyes shining as he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart tremble. His gaze seems to tell me a thousand things without uttering a word.

Not far away, Chris can't take his eyes off Val. He looks at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world, covering her with his infinite love with every glance, every gesture. Val blushes slightly under his attention, but her radiant smile reveals how happy she is.

Ethan moves frenetically among the guests, his camera constantly shooting. He captures every detail, every emotion, creating a visual narrative of this special day.

In stark contrast to Ethan's energy, Max stands apart, his face as impassive as always. Fran and Diego try to involve him, telling jokes and amusing anecdotes, but their attempts seem to break against a wall of indifference. They can't even draw a smile from him. Diego glances towards the girls, but I'm not sure who the glances are directed at. They seem like furtive looks.

Lexy, beautiful in her golden dress, seems serene while chatting with other guests. But I can't help but notice how her gaze hardens every time it falls on Max, throwing glances loaded with resentment.

At the improvised altar, adorned with sunflowers and golden ribbons, my father Robert waits nervously. His hands move restlessly, adjusting and readjusting his tie. By his side, his best friend, who is also Chris and Rory's father and Alex's adoptive father, ready to officiate the ceremony, whispers words of encouragement. There's something incredibly sweet in this scene, in seeing the love and support surrounding my father at this important moment.

I've recently met Alex's adoptive parents, and they are wonderful people, just as they were described to me. I can't wait to get to know them better, but they have already made me feel loved and welcomed.

Suddenly, the music changes and everyone turns towards the garden entrance. Maria makes her entrance, splendid in her form-fitting lace dress. The fabric seems to merge with her skin, creating a timeless elegance effect. Her eyes shine with happiness as she slowly advances along the flower-lined corridor.

I look at my father and see his nervousness instantly dissolve. His eyes light up and a radiant smile opens on his face. In that moment, I see all the love he feels for Maria, and I feel my eyes fill with tears of joy.

As Maria approaches the altar, I feel that this is truly the beginning of a new chapter for our family. And I couldn't be happier.

Chapter 74

Alex

The ceremony has started.

I'm glad Marco and Paola, my adoptive parents, arrived last night. It's always nice to have them around - they're wonderful people I'm genuinely attached to.

I was thrilled to introduce Rosie as my girlfriend. I felt exactly like a son presenting his girlfriend to the family, and having Chris and Rory beside me when I did it helped me feel less nervous and more at ease.

I've always been grateful, and always will be, for this second chance I've been given.

Rosie likes them, and they obviously like her - no need to say how much this makes me happy.

They would have come earlier, but they also manage a ranch and have been busy. Their ranch is smaller and fortunately hasn't been in as much trouble as ours lately, but they've been quite occupied with the births of new foals.

Everything went smoothly... and I can't wait to see them. I'm always excited about new foals - seems I've developed quite the paternal instinct.

Marco is officiating with a charisma and elegance I'm familiar with. His warm voice fills the air, telling the story of how he brought Robert to Italy and how, thanks to him, Robert and Maria met. His words are touching, full of emotion and meaning.

But as moving as Marco's speech is, I can't fully concentrate on it. My eyes keep returning to Rosie. She's simply breathtaking. The golden dress suits her incredibly, making her red hair and fair skin glow. But it's not just her external beauty that captivates me. It's her smile, the way her eyes shine with happiness for her father. It's the grace of her movements, the sweetness of her gaze. It's everything about her.

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