Page 49 of The Hottest Daddy
“Don’t you want to marry Daddy?”
“Of course I do, more than anything.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “It’s all those people watching me walk down the aisle that scares me. Do me a favor, Ber, and distract them for me?”
Berry gave her a high five, giggling. They were in the best suite in the hotel in Siena, where later that afternoon, Sunday would marry Berry’s father, River Giotto—the love of Sunday’s life. They had decided to marry in Italy, close to where they would soon be living, rather than Colorado, and River had paid for all of their closest friends to come with them. The wedding itself would be a simple ceremony in the hotel’s sumptuous grounds, followed by a casual reception—music, food, wine, and laughter.
Sunday, still in her silky under slip, looked at the wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe door. It was simple, plain, all the detail being in the veil she would wear. She didn’t want the full merengue, she had told the wedding planner, and she’d had help from her girlfriends, Daisy and Aria, to pick out the perfect thing to wear.
Daisy had cried at everything she tried on, garnering much teasing from both Aria and Sunday. Aria, thin and exhausted from chemotherapy, was determined that she would be well enough to fly to Italy and River made sure she and Daisy were treated like royalty—business class flights, and a gorgeous suite as well as on-hand medical help if Aria needed it.
Sunday would walk herself down the aisle, along with Berry, of course. River’s best friend, Luke, would stand up next to him. Sunday now ran through everything in her head, knowing everything was planned down to the last second, but still, after everything they had been through in the last year, she allowed herself the nerves.
Daisy came to help her into her dress, and Sunday grinned as her friend tried not to cry again. “Dais, seriously, you’ll make me cry.”
“I’m just so happy you got your happy ever after, Sun.”
Sunday smiled at her. “Your turn next.”
“Ha,” Daisy rolled her eyes. “If you could clone your lovely man for me, maybe.”
Sunday laughed. “I’ll do my best … and there’s always Luke.”
“Stop trying to make me and Luke happen. We’ve been in the friendzone way, way too long.” Daisy zipped Sunday’s dress. “There. God, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Sunday said shyly. She felt beautiful, too, her eyes wide and excited, a pink blush on her cheeks. She couldn’t wait to marry River—even the thought of him waiting for her downstairs made her want to run down and into his arms.
After the wedding, they would fly off to the Seychelles for a week, while Berry stayed in Italy with Carmen, River’s de-facto sister. Both River and Sunday agree—it was the part of their wedding they were most looking forward to. A week of nothing but sea, sun, sand, and sex.Bliss, thought Sunday now.
An hour later, she was walking down the small aisle in the gardens of the hotel. River, drop-dead gorgeous in a dark gray suit, his smile wide, took her hands as she reached him, leaning in to kiss her. “You’re an angel.”
“Wait until tonight,” she whispered back with a mischievous grin. “I’ll be a devil.”
River chuckled, touching her face, and then it was time. They were married in a few minutes, the simple vows exchanged, and the laughter and applause of their friends and family gratefully received. River kissed his new wife passionately, and a little inappropriately, to the amusement of all who were gathered.
“Mrs. Giotto,” he said with a grin, and she laughed.
“Sunday Giotto. Of all the names I’ve had in my life, it’s definitely a keeper.”
The reception was a relaxed affair, delicious finger food and champagne flowing, and Sunday and River laughed and talked with their friends, but never left each other’s side. Their hands, now adorned with white gold bands, stayed clasped, their eyes meeting often, secret smiles playing on their lips.
River was driving them to the airport and Sunday and he took turns hugging Berry goodbye. The little girl didn’t seem at all fazed that they were going away, still hopped up on all the sugar she had been fed during the day.
River laughed about that as they drove away, waving. “Good luck, Carmen. Berry’s had enough sugar to fuel an uprising.”
Sunday giggled. “And we don’t have to deal with it. Huzzah!”
“Huzzah indeed,” River smiled at her. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“We’re freaking married!”
They both whooped loudly and laughed as they sped towards the airport. On the small private jet, they gladly changed out of their wedding clothes and took advantage of the small bedroom, making love then falling into an exhausted sleep as the plane flew them towards the paradise islands.
The secluded beachfront villa River had rented for them had its own private beach, and as Sunday stood on the silky white sand, she wondered at how her life had turned out. River came out from the house and slid his arms around her waist. “You like?”
“There are no words, baby. It’s almost unreal.” The sun beat down on them, the sound of the ocean a balm on her tired body. She turned in River’s arms and smiled up at him. “Hello, hubby.”
“Hey, wifey.” He pressed his lips to hers and the kiss deepened until they were both breathless. River leaned his hot forehead against hers. “I was going to suggest a nice, cool shower …”
