Page 102 of Love Me Always

“You’re allowed to feel however you want to. I was sick multiple times on the morning of my wedding.”

“Really?!”

“I was a mess but you… you are anything but. You are so ready to marry that man and he is more than ready to marry you, so let’s go.” She held open the door and as I took the first step, she held up the train of my dress that easily bundled into her arms. “Take your time. Please don’t fall. I don’t fancy a detour to the emergency room,” she teased from behind me.

“Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Mother.”

“Oh, it’smothernow, is it? Now I know I’m in trouble.”

“See, I did it without falling flat on my face, so far so good.” I smoothed my palms over my dress as I made my way to the grand staircase that led me to my father.

When I turned the corner, there he stood, looking handsome in his tuxedo, his hair was immaculately held in place as usual, his beard freshly trimmed, and his foot tapped repeatedly on the floor as he checked his Rolex.

“Victor.” My mother spoke from beside me which caused his head to snap up immediately.

“Oh, Anastacia.” He marveled as an emotional smile spread across his face.

“Doesn’t she look beautiful?” my mother asked as her hand rested on the small of my back.

“Absolutely breathtaking, just like her mother.” My father looked like the proudest man in all the world and maybe he was.

Artem appeared at his side within an instant as they made their way up to escort us down. Artem helped my mother and my father held out his arm for me.

My mother was helped into a car with Carmella and my grandmother while Loreta, Robin and Tay followed behind. I saw Chad waiting by mine and my father’s car which surprised me since Artem was the one driving us.

“Papa, I thought it was just Artem?” I whispered.

“I’m just being careful, flower, don’t worry.” He kissed the top of my head as he helped me down the steps towards the door Chad had rapidly opened.

“You look lovely, Ana.” Chad smiled as I reached him.

“Thank you.” My father directed me into the car before any other words were exchanged, and honestly, it hurt me a little since before Lorenzo, we were close.

The door closed gently behind me as Chad settled into the passenger seat, Artem in the driver’s side and my father slid into the back beside me. He handed me my bouquet as I clutched at the stems with all my might.

“Are you ready, flower?” my father asked calmly as he kissed my knuckles.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

As I steppedinto the venue, I noticed how much work our mothers had put into today. I had no words for how jaw dropping it looked. Flowers hung and decorated the ceiling, drapes were intwined between the roses as candles lined the aisle. Petals decorated the white aisle runner, and of course they were rose petals. We had agreed on the first week of June since roses were in full bloom here then. I made my way to the floral arch at the foot of the aisle. I had never seen so many flowers in all my life, but I knew they would make Anastacia happy.

I joined Gino, Red, and Emmet at the foot of the aisle as I waited for Anastacia to arrive. I looked out at everyone dressed to the nines, it was a mixture of family, friends and alliances. Most men in this room would have loved to be in my position, to be the ones to marry Anastacia Fedorov, but only I got to. Only I got to see the heart she hid behind that hard exterior, only I got to kiss those fucking perfect lips, only I got to hold her in my arms during the night and only I got to see her breathtaking body naked. Come to think of it, I was probably the most hated man in here.

“How are you feeling, Boss?” Red smiled as he slapped his palm on my back.

“All right.”

“Not nervous at all?” Emmet teased. “She may not even show up.” Was he fucking serious right now? I promised no fist fights at the wedding, so unfortunately, he will have to take a beating later.

“No, Emmet, I’m not nervous, and I know she’s going to show up.” I didn’t look at him, I just looked towards the entrance where until I saw one of my men nod, I wouldn’t be turning around or looking away.

“Emmet, stop trying to deliberately fire him up, we all know she’ll show up. She loves him.” I hadn’t told anyone we had declared our love to one another, but I guessed Gino knew me too well to not notice.

“Wait, have you said those three magic words we were sure you were allergic to?” Red’s face was a damn picture as you could have scraped his jaw off the floor.

“Are you three hellbent on pissing me off today?” I could see the smug look on each one of their faces as they snickered like children.

“We’re just kidding, we couldn’t be happier. You deserve to be happy despite thinking otherwise.” Gino nudged my arm as we then stood in silence.

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