Elani
I couldn’t have asked for anything else or anyone else in this moment. I couldn’t believe Ales and I pulled it off. As everyone talked to each other in the banquet hall of one of the extravagant hotels in Vegas, the live band began to perform. I looked over at Ales who stood up, stretching his hand out for me to take it. I smiled putting my hand in his. He guided me to the dance floor and the singer began to sing. I didn’t say a word as we swayed to the music. Then, the lyrics got my attention.
♫We can be perfect, we can be stars, we can remember, everything that we are…We’ll take all the history, every battle we’ve won. Put faith in the mystery…♫
I heard the song before on the radio. It was a called In Our Own Worlds by Jamie Lawson. It did perfectly describe us and how we were in our own worlds, only we existed. I looked up at Ales, finding his eyes already on me. He looked amazing with his hair in a bun. Tendrils of hair escaped as we moved around. I couldn’t ask for a more handsome husband. Even now, as rough as he spoke or appeared with his height and body size, his face was still as beautiful as the day I first laid my eyes on him. Ales was truly sculpted by the gods and I thanked them for it every day. He was mine and mine alone.
Ales smirked, cocking his eyebrow. “What’s got you looking at me like that, babe?” he asked, as the live band began playing another tune, this one a bit more upbeat, prompting others to join us on the dance floor.
“Just that you, my husband, are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life.”
My confession caused Ales to throw his head back in laughter. I watched him in amazement. Oh, how I loved that sound more than anything else.
“I love it when you’re full of life and laughter. It warms my heart, Ales.”
He shook his head.
“You’re too good to me, Lani… you really are.”
I couldn’t help it as I smiled at him. This was all I ever wanted, and I couldn’t ask for more. I had my husband, our child and our lives weren’t a threat every day.
Ales surprised me by spinning me while I was spaced out. When I landed back in his arms, I looked up at him.
“Who taught you that?” I asked.
“Some woman who enjoyed dancing,” he answered nonchalantly.
My face twisted into a scowl. I rolled my eyes and looked away as we continued to dance.
“Are you jealous, baby?” he asked me.
I rolled my eyes once more and tried to walk away, but he pulled me right back into him.
“There’s no woman on this earth that could ever replace you. You hear me, woman?” he teased.
I scoffed but smiled at his attempt to reassure me.
“It’s okay. I know you’d feel the same if any of my exes turned up and tried to claim me.”
Ales’ eyes glowed a dangerous glint as he smiled.
“We both know I would break every bone in his body and watch him bleed out slowly before I let him even look at you. Come on, baby, you know me better than that.”
This time, I threw my head back and laughed loudly. Ales took this opportunity to nip the axis between my neck and shoulder. My laughter turned into a moan that I was sure those around us heard. I cleared my throat and righted my head. I cocked my eyebrow at him and he had the nerve to give an innocent boyish look. The bastard.
I shook my head at him and moved my arm from his shoulder. I grabbed the lapel of his grey charcoal suit jacket and pulled him closer to me. I planted a soft kiss on his lips.
“You’re so annoying,” I said when I removed my lips from his.
He kissed me again, this time snaking his arm around my waist, and pulled me into him. When he removed his lips, I missed their softness.
“Pick a place,” he said.
“What?” I asked confused by his question.
“Where do you want to go? For our honeymoon?”
“Let’s go home,” I said without a second thought.
“Greece it is… I haven’t been back there ever since I woke up. I couldn’t go back there without you,” he confessed.
I nodded.
“This is why I love you so.”
“You can’t love me as much as I love you. I wouldn’t allow it. You know that.”
I chuckled.
“You just have to be hard-headed even in something like this.”
He smiled at me and kissed me once more. I was happy we were going back home, even if it was just to visit. My heart soared.
***
As we got near the end of our reception. The live band took the stage one last time. I heard the beginning of the song, but I wasn’t sure if that was my favorite song. When the singer took the mic and sang the first verse, my heart did a double flip and burst into a million pieces.
♫ I could lose my heart tonight, if you don’t turn and walk away…♫
I wanted to scream. Instead, I stood up and walked over to the dance floor standing right in front of the stage as the singer sang my favorite song, I Could Fall In Love by Selena. I didn’t care that I was up there swaying back and forth as he continued to sing the rest of the song.
After a moment, I felt Ales’ hand snake around my waist. I leaned into him, and we swayed together. As he sang, my heart soared. I was here and happy with the man of my dreams. He didn’t know how long I prayed and yearned for him. I missed him and wanted him to come to me so bad, yet I didn’t voice it. Tears filled my eyes, and I shut them as I laid my arms over his. He didn’t know how perfect this was for me. I was so grateful for this man. He gave me everything without me ever asking, and I didn’t know if I could ever repay him for doing so.
“Thank you for everything, baby. Thank you,” I said as the song was coming to an end.
“I’d give this and so much more Elani. You have no idea.”
I turned to face him. Ales’ kissed my tears and waited for me to open my eyes, once more looking up at this beautiful man that was all mine.
“You ready to go, Mrs. Petra?”
I couldn’t help it as I broke out into the biggest smile ever and nodded.
“I’ll always be ready to go with you, my liege.”
He smirked, leaning in to kiss me. As he was kissing me, he wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up. Spinning us in a circle, he continued to kiss me. I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven, but knowing Ales, he went and brought heaven down to me. The way I loved him, no one could ever match it. This man was part of me, part of my being and there was nowhere else I’d rather be than here smiling as he continued to kiss me, despite everyone telling him it was enough. It would never be enough. His lips would never be enough for me to not kiss anymore. I couldn’t wish for this day to be any different. It was pure bliss in its truest form.