The Italian Billionaire’s Nubian Queen

Chapter 12

“Ready?”

Alyssa’s frankly terrified eyes met Brianna’s in the mirror.

“I am definitely not ready.”

“Come on, you’ve had six months to change your mind and you’re happier than I’ve ever seen you. And after everything I had to do to be able to tell Liam about your engagement and get a photo of his reaction, you didn’t even care about it.”

“Why would I care?”

“See, I love Adam and I love that we’re starting a family, but I still like knowing that your jerk of a brother-in-law is pissed off about everything.”

Alyssa sighed.

“You know, I seriously don’t care about Liam.”

“I know. That’s why I know this is right for you. You’re happy. So why are you not ready?”

“Because I just know that Alexandra has turned up in white!”

Brianna chuckled.

“She has not. I know that because Claudia said she would make sure that that didn’t happen.”

Alyssa relaxed a little. Claudia worked miracles on a daily basis. If anybody could make sure that Alexandra hadn’t turned up in white, it was Claudia.

“What about paparazzi?”

“All held far away because there are more security people around the perimeter of the property than there are guests at the wedding.”

“Okay. All right. Okay. How do I look?”

“Wonderful. You look wonderful.”

Alyssa sighed. The sleek wedding dress with cap sleeves, sweetheart neckline, and a slight flare at her knees really did look good on her. The veil wasn’t her idea, but it had been Matteo’s grandmother’s. It was old and borrowed, and as for something blue—she’d vetoed that. She’d wanted something green, instead, and that was her engagement ring. It had emeralds and greed jade, and it reminded her of Matteo’s eyes.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. There were no dark clouds. There was no storm. She’d been found, and she’d been found by her soul mate. Her true love. No matter how superstitious and precious it sounded, she knew it was true.

“Where’s mom?”

“Still outside, determined that she won’t ruin her makeup like she did back home.”

Alyssa chuckled.

“She did ruin her makeup, didn’t she?”

“Completely. I, on the other hand, was stoic then and am stoic now.”

“I think that’s because pregnancy hormones have made you completely weird.”

“I am calm and serene and collected.”

“Of course you are, Bree. Is everybody settled? Is it time for me to go?”

“Seriously, Aly, you’ve already done this once. Why’re you so worried?”

“Because this time it’s in a church and everything! Last time, it was at home! At mom’s home. It was fine. It wasn’t a big deal. This time we actually have the car ride to the church, and then there’s a priest and praying…”

“Okay, I get it. Relax. Breathe. Calm down. Remember that if anything looks like it might overwhelm you, Claudia is quite capable of stepping in and taking over for the priest. It would be quite the scandal, but she’s capable of doing it. And Matteo would kill anybody who said a word to hurt you.”

Alyssa grinned.

“I’m not sure if that’s supposed to comfort me, actually. I don’t want there to be bloodshed.”

“Neither does anybody else. Everybody will behave. I guess I have to thank you for getting married now and not in two months. The flight would’ve been a nightmare after I was past six months.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt.”

“You’re going to be the most fabulous aunt, and you’ll soon give my girl cousins.”

Alyssa pursed her lips.

“I’m not thinking of that. One thing at a time.”

“I know. But I’ve seen the look.”

Alyssa melted a little. She’d seen the look in her own eyes, too, and in Matteo’s. Knowing that Brianna was expecting had changed something in her. Sure, they had time—she was only twenty—seven, and they had four years, still. But even so…

There was nothing wrong with getting a move on it, was there?

They weren’t in a rush, but they weren’t not in a rush, either.

“We’ll see how it goes. Whatever happens, happens. Let me get married first. I mean, I’m supposed to be doing that today.”

“Right. Well then, shall we go?”

She smiled and nodded. She was ready. She was as ready as she could be. She was going to remember every moment.

At least, she meant to, but the next thing she remembered was walking down the aisle to her groom. His eyes glowed with pride, like her ring did. She stood beside him and made her vows—no, she would not obey, and they would both cherish each other, forever—and when they ran out, he grabbed her, lifted her, and kissed her, long and sweet, until their friends and family cheered.

And so she became Alyssa Benjamin-Colombo, for the second time.

More hours passed in a blur. All she could remember was that there were many toasts, there was dancing, and she had danced with her mother instead of her father and it had been beautiful. By the time the sun set, the party was just getting started, really, but Matteo pulled her aside.

“Where are we going?”

“Our honeymoon.”

“Really?”

“How do you like south of France?”

“I’ve never been,” she told him, amused.

“Good. I can show it to you.”

“When?”

“Now,” he told her, to her surprise. She found that her sister had packed her a bag.

“You told Bree?”

“Yes, and got her blessing, and she packed for you.”

Alyssa grinned.

“You’re beginning to get to know me.”

“Well, I know how long it can take you to get ready so you’re going to have to pull a coat on over your dress, because we have a plane taking off in twenty.”

“What!”

“I’m afraid so. But there’s a car waiting for us outside. And look out the balcony. You can toss your bouquet before going.”

“Thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“You have no idea,” he told her with a wider grin than her own. She tossed the bouquet to cheers, and a few boos when married and pregnant Brianna caught it. Then Matteo caught her, and planted another kiss on her that had their guests whistling. Her head was reeling by the time he pulled her inside and pulled her along to the door, outside which Claudia waited with the car.