Beautiful Life: The Carpino Series (22 page)

I look over to Tony who pulls me into his side.  Looking back down at Gabby, I say, “I hope your family doesn’t hate me.”

Still looking shocked beyond belief, she says raising her eyebrows, “They won’t hate you, although I’m pretty sure they’ll hold a grudge against Tony for a while.  But I doubt he’ll care.”

“Tony?” we hear and all turn toward the front of the church to see the Tony’s family pastor, Mark, standing in business casual attire holding a well-read Bible.  He asks further, “Shall we?”

Tony takes my hand and we walk to the front of the church.  I met Mark when he married Gabby and Jude just a few short weeks ago.  He knows the Pastor of this little chapel on the out skirts of town and recommended it to Tony.  He thought it would be quaint and cozy for a wedding with only two guests. 

It’s beautiful and if I had the time to search all of Omaha, I might have chosen this little chapel myself.  The floors are old wood and distressed from years of wear.  The stained glass windows running down the outside aisles are shining brightly today from the sun casting a luminous glow for our noontime wedding.  At the front of the church looks to be an old cross you can tell wasn’t purchased or ordered for the space.  Instead it looks beautifully handcrafted, but not perfectly so, probably made by a church member.  The whole place is simple but charming and definitely me. 

“You’re sure about all this?  I’m sorry to keep asking, but this is quite unconventional and I want to make sure you’ve thought this through,” he asks.

Tony looks at me with heated eyes and says in a strong voice like he couldn’t mean it more, “Absolutely.”

I smile at Tony and then look to the pastor to say, “Yes.”

“All right,” he says.  Then he gives Gabby and Jude a narrow gaze and goes on, “Seems like everyone’s in a hurry lately.”

Gabby steps closer to Jude who is standing off to the side and he claims her by pulling her back to his front.  Gabby gives me big eyes and Jude smiles smugly. 

“Some more than others,” Mark goes on, but this time he’s looking at Tony with one eyebrow raised while shaking his head. 

I feel Tony grab my hand and chuckle at the same time.  I guess Pastor Mark isn’t a fan of short engagements.  But then again, Tony and I probably take the cake for short engagements. 

“Wait,” I hear Tony say from my side.

I tense, looking over at him as he releases my hand and turns to move.  I see him bend to pick something up from the front pew.  Turning around, he’s holding a beautiful cluster of roses that are a stunning array of blush pinks.  The arrangement is tight with long stems wrapped in a baby blue ribbon.  When he hands me the bouquet he obviously arranged, you’d think I would be enthralled with the flowers, but I can’t take my eyes off the ribbon. 

Holding my surprise wedding bouquet, I can’t tear my eyes away to mutter, “It’s wrapped up in a baby blue ribbon.”

“Yeah,” he mutters back. 

I barely let my fingertips brush the tips of the pink petals, finally tearing my eyes away to look at Tony, “Thank you.”

“I didn’t know what you’d want,” he said.

“It’s perfect,” I say. 

With my perfect bouquet in one hand, Tony entwines the fingers of my other giving me a squeeze as the Pastor starts our private ceremony.  As I listen to him speak about love and patience and kindness and gentleness, I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my life.  Tony’s already shown me all these things and even after him telling me about the threat this morning, I’ve never felt safer. 

I haven’t felt safe for so long.  After living scared of what could come next, what could be done to me, not knowing what to expect from someone you should trust, safe holds a whole new meaning.  That’s why after I took a few minutes this morning to let it sink in why Tony kept from me what he did, there was nothing to forgive.  Nothing to question.  I trust him with my whole being and I know when I asked him never to do it again, he won’t. 

I feel Tony pull on my hand and I turn toward him.  Reaching into his pocket, he produces rings I had no idea he had.  Taking my left hand, he shocks me as he slides an amazing ring on my finger.  It’s contemporary yet delicate with a brilliant diamond set high in white gold with more tiny diamonds running down the thin band.  I can’t take my eyes off my ring, almost like I can’t believe it’s real.  As delicate as it feels, it holds a weight so heavy with meaning I can’t help the tears that form in my throat and pool in my eyes instantly. 

I see Tony’s hand come up, pointing an index finger at me with another ring hanging at his knuckle.  This ring couldn’t be more opposite the one he just slid on my finger.  It’s thick, black and heavy, it looks like it could be brushed titanium in the center flanked by silver so dark it’s almost black on either side.  It’s gorgeous, masculine and couldn’t be more indicative of Tony.  Looking to him, he’s gives me a half grin and jerks his chin for me to take the ring.  Juggling my bouquet, I take the ring off his index finger and slide it on to his left hand like he did mine. 

I feel his hands come to my hips, pulling me to him and holding me tight as he says, “I love you, gem.  I can’t believe I’m here today because for so long you were just a dream and a prayer.  But today my prayer has been answered.  You’ve given me your trust but I’ll never be done earning it.  I promise to care for you, love you, protect you and lay down my life for you.  Today I give you me.”

I can’t help it.  I feel like his words could bring me to my knees.  I pull in a deep breath and try to keep it together.  We didn’t plan our vows so I try my best to wing it, “Tone, you’ve not only given me you, but you’ve given me myself back.  You’ve given me a dream I never thought possible.  You’ve given me the love I’ve never experienced and you’ve shown me a life I never thought I’d have.  I love you, honey, and I promise to always be what you need, for now and always.”

Tony’s almost black eyes burn into mine and I vaguely hear from our side the pastor announcing us man and wife.  Tony pulls a hand up to my neck, threading his fingers in my hair to bring me close, but he doesn’t kiss me. 

“Love you,” he murmurs against my lips.

I blink slowly and respond, “Forever.”

He then kisses me.  Not hard, not soft, but perfectly, just like Tony always manages. 

Breaking through our wedding kiss is a sniffle and a beeping tone.  Tony and I both look to the side at the same time and Gabby is swiping tears away and dropping her hand that is holding her cell phone. 

“Did you video us?” Tony bites out.

She sniffles again still standing with her back to Jude, “Yes.  You’ll want it someday and it’ll make your mom happy.  Stand there, I want to take your picture, too.”

Tony shakes his head and looks back to me, never letting me go.  I smile big at him and he grins back. 

“I can’t believe we’re married,” I say.

“Believe it, sweetheart,” he says pulling me in for another kiss. 

We hear more camera phone beeps and I feel Tony exhale against my mouth in frustration.  I giggle and Tony looks to the Pastor to say, “Thanks, Mark.”

He smiles at us both, “I’m honored.  I just hope you parents speak to me in the next year and I really hope they don’t leave my church.”

“They won’t,” Tony says with certainty. 

“Stand together, let me get some more pictures,” Gabby says, doing her best to capture our wedding memories for us.

Gabby takes as many pictures as Tony allows and then both Jude and Gabby shower us with hugs, handshakes and cheek kisses. 

“I really don’t know what to say,” Jude starts.  “Can we at least take you to lunch?”

“Yes, let us take you to lunch,” Gabby adds.  “When are you going to tell everyone?”

Tony claims me by putting an arm around my waist and pulling my front to his side.  Leveling his heated eyes on me, he says, “We aren’t going to lunch.”

At the tone of his voice and look in his eyes, I feel my nipples go hard and find myself hoping it doesn’t show in this skin tight dress.  Not knowing what to do or say and feeling my face go warm, I look hesitantly over at Jude and Gabby giving them a small shrug of my shoulders. 

Jude grins and Gabby says, “Okay, then.  Dinner tonight.  A big family dinner!  I’ll invite everyone and we can celebrate.”

I feel Tony’s arm spasm around my waist and look at him for him say to me but answer Gabby, “No.”

“Come on, Tony.  Tomorrow?” she keeps trying.

I can tell Tony’s about to say no again.  I frown at him and look over at Gabby, “Thanks.  Tomorrow’s good, but only if I can bring Rosa.  We had plans for dinner tomorrow.”

“Please try and keep your mouth shut, Gabba.  I want a day to ourselves before I have to take on the Carpinos,” Tony warns.

“Of course.  Oh, I have a lot to do,” she sighs.  She looks to us both with a soft face while moving in for more hugs, “I love you both and I’m so happy for you.  Congrats.”

We say our goodbyes to everyone and Tony leans into kiss me again muttering, “Time to take you home.”

I sigh as I take one last look at our beautiful little chapel and put my bouquet to my nose and inhale.  Tony holds his hand out for me.  I thread my fingers through his and follow my husband so he can take me home. 

“No Tone, I want you,” I say breathing hard, doing everything I can to hold off my orgasm. 

“You’ll get me.  Let me take care of you first.  I want to hear my wife moan,” I hear in my ear.  Tony is behind me with his arms around me, one hand between my legs and the other at my breast rolling my nipple. 

“Please,” I beg, needing him like I’ve never needed him before.  Craving him, his possession, his power, nourishing me, making me whole only the way Tony can. 

Before I know it, he puts just enough additional pressure on my clit to push me over the edge I was trying to hang on to.

“Oh,” I heave as my body shakes.

Tony doesn’t let me go, he keeps at me, wringing my orgasm out of me as I shake in his arms. 

“Love you, gem,” he says in my ear.

“Tony,” I wheeze and he finally lets me go, turning me in his arms and gently pushes me down to the bed. 

Once we got back to Tony’s house (or “home”, as crazy as that sounds in my head), it was all hands, mouths, fingers and Tony couldn’t get my dress off me fast enough.  I wasn’t paying much attention because I could only concentrate on him, but I’m pretty sure we left a trail of wedding clothes from the garage. 

He comes down over me and I spread my legs for him to fall between.  He rests one forearm over my head and his other hand comes up to frame the side of my face. 

“Gem,” he calls to me softly.

Still coming down from my first intense orgasm as Mrs. Carpino, I open my heavy eyes to look up at him.

“I don’t want to use a condom, are you good with that?” he asks, sweeping my face with his gaze. 

“What?” I ask, still trying to catch my breath.

“Please, I want you and I don’t want anything in between us.  I’m ready for whatever happens, when it happens,” he says low, his gaze settling on my eyes as he brushes my jaw with his thumb.

I feel him between my legs now, long and hard covered in soft silky skin sliding up and down between my legs where I’m still sensitive.  I’m more than wet and ready for him.  He feels better than he’s ever felt with nothing between us.  I’m scared to death at the same time I want him now more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

“Answer me, Leigh,” he says on an upward glide hitting my clit and making me shiver again.

“I don’t know,” I mutter.  “How can you be ready?  So soon?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything as I am today.  Marrying you.  Starting a life with you.  Giving you what you want, what you deserve.  Let me give you everything, Leigh,” he says on a downward glide where I feel the tip of him. 

I lower my lids exhaling.  My hands on his shoulders move up to his neck and into his hair that I love.  Opening my eyes, I look up at him and softly say, “Yes, Tony.”

He doesn’t wait another second, he angles his hips and surges inside me taking my breath away.  Filling me to the root, so big and full, I’ve never felt anything this beautiful. 

He pulls out a bit, surges back in only to stop again and groans, “You feel good.”

Then he starts to move.  And I mean move, just the way I love it.  He slams into me in his perfect demanding way, unable to slow down.  It’s good, all good, better than ever before with nothing between us and when he finally buries himself inside me, he moans how much he loves me. 

Like I always do, I envelope him with my limbs and hang on as tight as I can.  He turns his head to bury his face in my hair. 

Hanging on tight I say quietly, “Thank you, honey.”

I feel his whole body grunt once with a single chortle.  I even feel him inside me and sense him smile against the side of my head.  He says sarcastically as he presses into me one more time, “Sweetheart, you never need to thank me for that.  But you’re welcome.”

I squeeze him saying, “Tony.  I’m talking about the day in your conference room when you took over my divorce.  I didn’t understand it then, but you made me a promise and today you delivered.  You’ve given me a beautiful life.  A life I never thought I’d have, a life I wouldn’t even let myself dream about because it hurt too much to know I might never get anything as beautiful as this.  You saved me and I got you in the process.”

Sliding an arm under my back, he rolls us so I’m on top.  I pull my knees up to straddle him and lean up a bit to look down into his almost black eyes burning into mine.

“It starts today, gem.  A new start and a life together,” he says.

I smile a small smile and lean in to kiss my husband.

*****

I hang up the phone and move out of my office to find Leigh.  For the second time today, on our wedding day no less, I’m going to have to tell her something that’s not going to make her happy. 

We just finished dinner.  Gabby texted a couple hours ago and informed me she arranged to have dinner delivered for us.  It was a full spread of appetizers, prime rib, all the sides and desert with a bottle of champagne and two bottles of wine.  I tried to think of everything, but didn’t think past the actual wedding.  I’ve gotta hand it to Gabby who thinks of every detail.  My cousin is the shit.

As I turn the corner, I don’t see her in the kitchen, but I do see her bouquet placed in the center of the island.  She must have dug through the cabinets, because it’s in a glass pitcher filled with water since I don’t have a vase.  Smiling, I turn and see Leigh curled up in the corner of the sofa with Fin laid out beside her with his head in her lap again.  She has a glass of wine in one hand and the other is busy giving her dog another head massage. 

She looks up at me as I stop and shake my head at her, “He’s on the sofa now?”

She screws up her nose while shrugging her shoulders and puts her wine to her lips as if she’s apologizing for not caring that Fin is on the sofa. 

After swallowing she says, again like she’s apologizing but doesn’t care, “He loves me.  He just can’t help it.”

Shaking my head at her again, I go to them, give Fin a scratch and say, “Get down, buddy.”

He half-heartedly moves and I take his spot by Leigh, “You’re not gonna like what I have to say.”

“Why, what happened?” she asks.

“I talked to security.  They sent me up to management in administration.  They don’t want you to come to work tomorrow.  Maybe even all week.  They want to see what happens and how this plays out.  They assured me your job is safe but they can’t have you there if it means potentially putting other staff and patients in danger.”

She looks away but says, “I understand, I just feel bad.”  She looks back to me and adds, “Maybe I should have talked to them.  I’m sure you didn’t try and persuade them otherwise.”

“No, I didn’t.  But I talked to them as your attorney, not your husband.  If I talked to them as your husband, I wouldn’t have let them make the decision.  I would’ve just told them you wouldn’t be back at work until we got this figured out,” I said smiling.

She rolls her eyes at me and goes on, “I just don’t get it.  It’s not like Preston really cared about me.  I think he was happy to finally be rid of me.  Why would he do this now when he did everything he could to avoid jail time?”

“I have no idea,” I say, twirling a lock of her hair in my fingers.  “I’m sorry, though.  I know how much you care about your job.  Hopefully it will only be a few days.”

“Hopefully.  I’ll just hang out here tomorrow, I guess.”

“Maybe you should come to the office with me,” I more than strongly state.

She immediately frowns, “I’ll be good here.  You have an alarm.”

“
We
have an alarm,” I correct her and go on. “Leigh, please.  It’ll make me feel better.  We can talk about it again tomorrow.  You can hang out with Paige and I want you to be around the practice.  It’ll be part ours someday.”

I see her eyes give in even before she mutters, “Okay.” 

“Good,” I smile and move in to her.  “Now I want desert.”

“We’ve had desert, Tony.  You had cheesecake and half my crème brulee,” she smirks back at me.

“You know that’s not the desert I’m talking about,” I say against her lips as I scoot us down in the sofa.  I go on to tease, “Please?”

“You’re not going to get everything you want just by saying ‘please,’ Tony.  Don’t get used to that,” she runs her hands up the back of my t-shirt.

“I don’t know,” I start.  “I’m two for two.  I’m hoping to bat a thousand on my wedding day.”

This makes her giggle as I strip her clothes off again to make love to my wife on the sofa.  With nothing between us.

*****

“You go first,” Tony bites out to Paige.

“Don’t be a grumpopotamus.  You’re obviously irritable, you go first,” she throws back at him. 

I stand at Tony’s side with our rings burning a hole in my pocket.  And they’re burning a hole because we’re standing amidst his entire family and our secret marriage is about to be revealed.  My heart is beating a mile a minute because I’m super afraid of how they will react, especially Lizzy Carpino who loves her son and I’m pretty sure would have appreciated seeing him get married.  

What in the hell was I thinking saying yes to his private shotgun wedding proposal?

Today has been a long day.  Tony was behind at work because he took two days off he wasn’t prepared to take off.  He had a shitload to handle on his embezzlement case and catch up with some other acquisition cases, as well.  He had to get to his office early-early, which meant I was drug to his office early-early.

My day wasn’t boring like I thought it would be because Paige is fun and I don’t think anything could be boring with Paige around.  We filed case files, we gabbed, we answered the phones, we drank lots of coffee, she showed me the ropes of her job which she tells me she hates and then we filed our nails before applying a cuticle treatment.  She also informed me it’s good I already have a career otherwise I might get roped into working there, too.  Tony took me to lunch, made out with me in the elevator and then promised me a real honeymoon as soon as he can swing it with his case load and I can get the time off from the hospital.

After work, Tony and I went straight “home” for him to change and let Finny out.  Then we zoomed over to pick up Rosa for the family dinner and big reveal. 

Now I’m standing in Gabby and Jude’s great room, again in the middle of a Paige versus Tony squabble.  Only this time, we’re also surrounded by the rest of his family, too.  Gabby really doesn’t mess around when she says she’s going to have a family dinner.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, is here which only makes the rings in my pocket smolder hotter reminding me of what’s to come.  I won’t be surprised if they combust into a burst of flames necessitating me to stop, drop and roll so I don’t go down in a blaze of glory with our new beautiful rings symbolizing our soon-to-be-not-so-secret wedding. 

Again, what
in the hell
was I thinking? 

“Paige.  For the love of all things holy, just say what you’re gonna say so we can all get on with it,” Tony says, frustratingly so.

“What is your problem--” Paige starts to spit back but Gabby interrupts everyone.

“I know,” Gabby sort of yells.  “Ladies first.  Paige, tell us your news then Tony’s up next.”

“Would somebody just say something,” Gino almost pleads.  “I’m hungry.”

“Fine,” Paige huffs before bringing herself up to full stature.  She smiles big and proud announcing, “I’m starting a business!”

“What?” Tony’s dad belts out.

“What kind of business?” Lizzie asks frowning.

“Catering,” she states, smiling big again.

“What do you know about running a business?” Charlotte asks.

Sophia elbows her sister, “Stop it!”  Then looks back to Paige, “That’s great, Paige.  We’re proud of you.”

“Do you have any customers?” her dad asks.

“I’m so excited for you.  You’ll do great.” Gabby adds.

Paige looks to Gabby and Sophia giving them a more than meaningful, “Thank you,” before throwing Charlotte a dirty look.  Turning back to her parents, she says, “Yes, I have customers.  I’ve been doing this on the side for a while and I think it’s going to work out well.  Although,” she says, screwing up her face and looking straight at her mom, “I’m going to need to use your kitchen for a while.  Until I get my own space.”

Lizzie, while sighing, tips her head and smiles minutely at her youngest daughter like any mother would who wants all their kids’ dreams to come true, no matter how big and unreachable they think they are. 

“Of course, sweetheart.  Anything you need,” Lizzie says.

Her dad sighs at her shaking his head but says, “I guess we’ll see how it goes.  We need to get you set up as an LLC right away for tax purposes.  Your brother can do that for you.”

“I want to do this dad.  I have a plan, I’m not some little kid.  It’s going to be great.  I’ve already made my own logo and everything.  I’m naming my company Birds of a Feather.”

“What does that mean?” Charlotte chimes in again.

“Are you specializing in poultry?” Rosa asks.

“It doesn’t matter what it means,” Sophia elbows Charlotte again.  “She gets name recognition, builds her brand, it will be better than coming up with some lame catering title making it obvious she’s a caterer,” looking back to Paige she adds, “I love it.”