Chapter 9 - The Wedding Nobody Saw Coming
Damian proposed six months later.
He did it without bodyguards.
Without diamonds the size of stones.
Without a single person watching.
They were standing in the kitchen.
Meline was making coffee.
Damian placed a box beside her.
She stared.
“What's this?”
“A question.”
She opened it.
The ring was simple.
Elegant.
Perfect.
She looked up.
“Damian.”
He took her hands.
“I've spent my entire life believing family was a weapon.”
She listened.
“My father taught me that love made you weak.”
He smiled.
“You taught me he was wrong.”
Meline's eyes filled.
“I don't want a life built around what happened before us.”
He knelt.
“I want a life built around what we choose.”
She laughed through tears.
“You really rehearsed this.”
“Several times.”
“How many?”
“Too many.”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
The wedding was held beside the lake house.
Meline wore a simple ivory dress.
Damian wore black.
Elias stood beside her.
Vincent stood beside Damian.
Adrian attended under supervision.
For the first time, all four siblings stood together without fear.
Meline's mother had no grave.
They honored her with a chair decorated with white flowers.
After the ceremony, Meline visited it.
She held the old silver pendant.
“Mom,” she whispered, “we made it.”
Damian stood behind her.
“She would be proud.”
Meline turned.
“How do you know?”
“Because she trusted me with you.”
Meline smiled.
“I think she knew.”
They returned to the celebration.
Music filled the yard.
People danced.
Elias gave a ridiculous speech.
Vincent embarrassed Damian.
Adrian said very little.
Then Meline noticed him standing alone.
She walked over.
“You okay?”
He nodded.
“I'm not used to this.”
“What's this?”
“Being included.”
She smiled.
“You're family.”
He looked away.
“That's dangerous.”
“No.”
She touched his shoulder.
“Not anymore.”
He smiled.
“Thanks.”
Later that night, Damian found Meline under the lights.
“Dance with me.”
“I thought you hated dancing.”
“I hate dancing badly.”
She laughed.
“Then we're both doomed.”
They danced.
For once, Damian Russo didn't look like a mafia boss.
He looked like a husband beginning his life.
As midnight approached, snow began falling.
Meline looked up.
“Christmas.”
Damian smiled.
“The first one we can actually enjoy.”
She rested her head against him.
“What will you buy me?”
“Nothing.”
She looked shocked.
“Nothing?”
“I already gave you my shirt.”
She laughed.
“That was accidental.”
“It became my favorite mistake.”
She kissed him.
May you like
The past had not disappeared.
But it no longer controlled them.
