Page 134 of Fighting For Light
Kai pulls me back into his chest and says, “Did you hear me complaining?”
“No,” I mumble against his skin.
“Good, because I consider it a badge of honor.”
“You’re full of it.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s the opposite.”
“Ew, gross!” I slap his chest, and he laughs, feigning hurt where I hit him. The baby monitor sparks to life with Theo’s cries, and I sigh, dropping my head on his chest.
“Do you want me to get him?” Kai asks.
I nod, and he kisses my shoulder before hopping out of bed. I grab Kai’s t-shirt and pull it over my head, fixing my pillows so I can lean against the headboard. A minute later, Kai comes in with Theo against his chest and, of course, he’s not crying anymore.
Kai hands him to me, and I lift my shirt, cradling Theo to my breast. Kai looks down at us, smiling. He throws himself next to me, watching me feed him, and rests his head on the pillow as he leaves his hand on my thigh.
Theo sleepily drinks, and his little hand grips a section of my hair, holding on to it. I lean back against the headboard, waiting for him to finish as my eyes drop.
I gasp, and my eyes spring open as I feel Theo coming out of my arms. Kai has him in his large hands, perfectly safe.
“He’s asleep again,” Kai whispers, putting him in his bassinet beside the bed.
I press my hand against my chest, willing my heart not to burst out of my chest.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. You were asleep.”
I puff out a breath and drop back against the headboard. “That scared the crap out of me. I thought I dropped him.”
He throws himself over me and pulls me into his body. “You would never,mi amor,“ he says. “Sleep. He will probably wakeyou up again in four hours.” I hug him back and fall asleep to the sound of his steady, strong heartbeat.
61
Cordelia
I realize we’re alreadymarried, but I have to admit, it’s exciting to do it again. The beautiful chapel, the perfect dress, the bespoke suits, the flowerseverywhere. It’s a fairytale, and somehow, it has become my life. But with every fairy tale, there is always a dark side, something hiding from the bright, beautiful light. Usually, you don’t know the villain until there’s a reason to. But in my fairy tale, I know exactly who the evil villain is, and I can’t do a single thing about it. My nerves about getting married don’t come from walking down the aisle. They come from the known evil that I can’t anticipate.
It’s a blessing to be married to my best friend, but getting to marry him again with our son there feels like a dream. I look at myself in the mirror, admiring this stunning designer dress. It reminds me of the beach, and the night Kai asked me to be his wife.
It’s a charmeuse fabric in a strapless cowl neck that lays across my chest, highlighting my breasts. Fabric drapes across my arms and then comes together at the back of the dress. The bodice is fitted and makes my figure look borderline sinful the way it hugsmy hips gently and gathers at the corner. Then, the fabric relaxes as it drapes down to my feet. The eye easily moves with the curve of the fabric, ending in a long slit, exposing my right leg. It’s light and silky and makes me feel like a goddess. I almost chose a ball gown style, but when the designer showed me her idea, it was the one.
There’s a knock on the door. “Come in.”
Dad enters, and his eyes widen on me. I’ve never seen this man cry, but there is a first time for everything. “You look beautiful, honey.” He grabs my hand and kisses my cheek.
“Thanks, Dad.” My heart is pounding out of my chest, and I check myself one more time. I look every bit the regal queen Esmarie hoped I would be, and I love it.
“Ready?” he asks, holding his elbow out. I nod and grab my flowers.
“Ready.”
I take his elbow, and we meet the coordinator at the end of the hall. She mutters into her little microphone and pushes us to our places to wait for her cue.
“I didn’t think I would be walking you down the aisle twice, let alone to the same man,” Dad says out of the corner of his mouth. He looks good in his tuxedo with his hair slicked back. Our black-tie wedding is truly stunning. Esmarie knows precisely what she’s doing.
“I’m sorry. Are you implying I’d get a divorce?” I ask while we wait in front of the doors, ready for them to be opened so we can walk down the aisle.
“No, baby girl, I didn’t. It’s kind of unorthodox,” he says.
