Damien Doukas’ POV
I shifted my feet anxiously and glanced at my watch. “Feeling nervous are we?” Slade smirked, his blue eyes glinting mischievously.
I glared at him and snapped, “No!”
Drake stifled a laugh before turning away when he saw the glare I was giving him. “Relax, everything will be fine. I went through this last year. What makes you think Adrianna will leave you at the altar when you gave her a bun?”
“He gave her two buns,” Slade had corrected before they burst out into raucous laughter. I shut my eyes and dragged my hand down my face. What the hell was I thinking when I asked them to be my best men?
“Will the both of you fuck off? It is my wedding day, and I do not want anything or anyone ruining it.” I grumbled and shot them a harsh stare.
“Fine, I’ll shut up because if I ruined anything, Olivia would kill me,” Drake muttered as he meddled with his bow tie.
Slade snorted and ran his fingers through his hair, making it more tousled. “That is why I do not do commitment. I do as I please without having to answer to anyone.”
I rolled my eyes at them, but secretly, I was pleased that my best friends were here with me on this special day. My hand slipped into my pocket where the ring lay, and I sighed anxiously. The crowd that involved my family and friends and Adrianna’s family and friends had already arrived and were chatting among themselves, waiting for the ceremony to start.
I spotted my mother flitting here and there checking on everything. When she was done, she came up to me and tucked a white rose into my breast pocket. She gave me a huge grin. “I can’t believe today is happening!”
I gave a big smile and kissed my mother dutifully on the cheek. “Well, it is. Thanks for helping Adrianna and me to plan it. She seems too tired to keep up with everything.”
My mom laughed before shooting a deadpanned look. “I have been planning this wedding ever since I had met Adrianna nine months ago.” She gushed excitedly before straightening my suit.
I rolled my eyes, but a grin tugged onto my mouth. “What made you so sure I was going to marry her?”
My mother snorted delicately before giving me a pointed look. “I’ve planned this for ten months with Olivia and Kaitlyn. Hell, I even made Kaden come all the way from England to make you jealous! Of course, I know when my mother instincts are right.”
My eyes widened, and I frowned when her words made sense into my head. “You planned what?” I demanded, stunned.
My mother froze before clamping her mouth shut. “Oh, nothing. Look! The ceremony is starting!”
“Mother!” I admonished, and she sighed before pursing her lips.
“Kaitlyn, Olivia, and I have been doing almost everything to push you and Adrianna together, and here you are in a church getting married! Now, will you stop pushing for answers and get yourself ready? The ceremony is starting!”
I shook my head. I should have known. My mother was scheming, too scheming. But I was grateful to them. Had it not been for their scheming and pushing (and nagging), I wouldn’t be where I am with Adrianna today… in a church to get married, no less!
“All right, fine, but you have to tell me everything later—”
“Oh, look the music is starting!” My mother cut me off and went to join my father and my sisters at the front pew. I swallowed nervously, and Drake and Slade quieted down. At least, they had the sense to shut up for the ceremony.
The vicar waited beside me, and the music began. Everyone stood up, and soon, a little girl skipped down the aisle throwing rose petals onto the ground. Olivia came next and blushed when Drake smirked at her suggestively.
I rolled my eyes at the pair, but my breath fell short when I spotted Adrianna coming into the room. All air in my lungs whooshed out as I spotted her at the other end of the room.
She was dressed in white. The gown was flowy, and it showed off the baby bump without making it obvious. All in all, she was beautiful, and she was going to be officially mine today. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her until Markos handed her over to me with a slight frown on his face before giving me a nod.
Adrianna beamed at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back. The ceremony started, and I am ashamed to say that I could not remember anything except how beautiful Adrianna looked. She was radiant, and her hair was in a half-up do and the rest in loose curls. She was gorgeous.
“Mr. Doukas?”
“What?” I asked stupidly as I was snapped out of my thoughts, and opposite me, Adrianna stifled a laugh.
“The ring.” The vicar prompted with a patient smile. I was too absorbed with how Adrianna looked that I had missed the entire monologue?
Behind me, I could hear Drake and Slade snickering, but I ignored them. I took out Adrianna’s wedding band and carefully slipped it on her finger that was adorned with her engagement ring. Adrianna and I exchanged excited grins. She took the silver band, slipped it on my finger, and squeezed my hand tightly.
“Mr. Doukas, would you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?” The vicar asked.
I replied strongly, “I do.” I was surprised my voice came out confidently when I was pretty sure I was shaking like a leaf.
“And do you Ms. Valdez take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” Adrianna said, and her eyes welled up with tears. I smiled and brushed them away with the pad of my thumb. Emotion crashed through me, and before the vicar could finish, “By the power vested in me, I pronounce,” I was already kissing her.
This kiss with Adrianna was gentle and infused with enough heat to let her know that I loved her. This kiss was our first kiss as man and wife, and I knew I would cherish it for the rest of my days.
“Get a room!” Someone yelled, breaking the haze of love and passion in my mind. Adrianna pulled away, blushing furiously as we met the amused gazes of our friends and family.
“Ladies and gentleman, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Doukas,” the vicar announced, and the crowd burst into thunderous applause. I grinned down at Adrianna and pressed a kiss to her forehead tenderly. “I love you, Mrs. Doukas.”
Adrianna beamed up at me and the lighting in the church seemed to glow brighter. “I love you too, Mr. Doukas.” She tiptoed and pressed a kiss to my lips. I smiled and turned back to the crowd as we went forward from the altar.
I would always cherish this day up to the day I was old and dying.
***
Adrianna Doukas’ POV
Adrianna Doukas. I couldn’t help but grin wildly. I am now a married woman and to someone I love. “I love you, Adrianna.” I looked up to see Damien smiling tenderly at me. “How are our two boys? Tired?”
I smiled up at him before caressing the baby bump lightly. “No, they seem content. Now go and mingle with our guests and stop worrying about me. I am fine. I am just going to get a snack before I join you.”
Damien scrutinized me before giving in. “All right. But if you are tired, let me know, and we can go for our honeymoon immediately,” he said firmly before pressing a chaste kiss on my lips. I smiled as he went back to entertain our guests as I watched him as I nibbled on some snacks.
We are at the after-party hosted by Laura and Alexander at a hotel ballroom for the reception. Now, I was out of my wedding dress into something simpler and more comfortable but, nonetheless, elegant.
Now and then, a couple of guests would come up to me and congratulate me for our nuptials. I spotted Olivia and Drake dancing while Laura and Kaitlyn were playing with Trevor and showing him off to anyone who was interested.
My gaze wandered over the crowd to see Slade standing alone in a corner with a wine glass in his hand and an expression of longing on his face, not that anyone could see him when he was standing in a corner in the shadows.
I made my way towards him before giving him a smile. “Everything okay?” Slade raised an eyebrow before shrugging, the longing expression on his handsome face gone. “Of course, what made you think otherwise, my lovely Adrianna?”
A small smile had played on my lips before I rolled my eyes. “Do not give me that nonsense. You are like a brother to me. I can see that you are longing for something.”
Slade snorted before downing the entire glass of wine before shrugging. “Have you ever felt like you are alone even though you have people that care for you?”
I raised an eyebrow at his question. “Of course, when my ex-fiancé died, I had my family, but I still felt alone.”
“Yes, that. Drake has Olivia, and Damien has you. But I have no one,” he said quietly before rubbing his face with his hand.
My eyes widened, and I gasped. “You want someone that cares about you like a girlfriend? If you want, I could set you up with—”
“Fuck off. Do I look that bloody desperate? I am a catch! I don’t need help.” Slade scorned, and I stifled a laugh. “Just forget it. The alcohol is making me spill my guts to you as if you’re my fucking shrink. Ever mention what I told you to your husband or Drake, you’re dead; babies or no babies.”
Slade warned, and I rolled my eyes. We both knew he was joking. I sighed. “On a serious note, if you are ever lonely or anything, you can come to Damien and me, you know. And I do not mind setting you up with women I know.”
Slade groaned. “Thanks but no thanks. My company is doing well, and I am sure everyone has heard about it. I don’t need anyone wanting me because of my money. Plus, what female wants to be with a businessman who is also a mobster? Anyway, if I find someone, I’ll leave it to fate, that stupid bitch. No matchmaking needed, unlike you and Damien.”
I frowned in confusion. “What about Damien and I being under matchmaking?”
Slade chortled. “You mean you didn’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked patiently, dealing with Slade required more patience than dealing with Trevor.
Slade burst into laughter. “No wonder you and Damien are perfect for each other. Both of you are totally clueless that your mother-in-law and Olivia had planned your meeting with Damien from the very start!”
I raised my eyebrows, and my lips made an “O” shape. “Really?” I shrugged. “It does not matter; in fact, I may have to thank them. Without them, I would not be where I am with Damien today.”
Slade merely grunted, and another thought came to my mind. I gasped. “Oh! When the twins arrive, I would like you to be in New York to meet them. After all, you are one of their godfathers.”
Slade cocked an eyebrow, his crystal blue eyes lighting with surprise. “Really? All right, I’ll be there.”
“Mmm-hmmm.” I nodded, and Slade smirked slyly before grabbing me into a tight hug. I frowned and laughed before hugging him back.
“What are you up to?”
“Hey! Hands off my wife, you stupid f—” I pulled out of Slade’s embrace and gave him a pointed look before I was pulled into Damien’s side.
“Damien, he is just playing with you.”
Slade groaned and shot me a glare. “Way to ruin my fun, my lovely Adrianna.” I laughed, and Damien rolled his eyes.
“Go and find a wife so you can stop flirting with mine!”
Slade burst out into laughter before walking off. “I need more alcohol if you keep telling me to have commitment.”
I shook my head at him and turned to Damien. “What are you doing? Are you not supposed to be entertaining our guests?”
Damien grinned down at me. “I am here to collect my beautiful bride for the last dance.”
I beamed at Damien and slipped my hand in his larger one. “All right. Let’s go.”
Damien twirled me around the dance floor before he pressed me tightly as he could against his body, and we started swaying to the music like we did at the charity event at his home back in Greece.
I lay my head on Damien’s chest, and he kissed my forehead gently. I smiled contentedly. I would always remember this day for the rest of my life.