Alyssa and Nicholas exchanged rings amidst cheers and congratulatory wishes. Aunt Claudia and granny blessed them abundantly as it was their dream to welcome her into the family.
“Why are you rushing the wedding? I have a PTM at Alex’s school tomorrow and a conference coming up on Friday,” protested Sienna.
“Come over in your work clothes but I can’t postpone, Sien,” said Nicholas, making her roll her eyes at him.
“No, it’s better we attend it at one go and then return home,” said Skylar, and even Hayley agreed.
“Will Eva be able to attend my wedding?” asked Alyssa hopefully, but they were skeptical and couldn’t give any proper reply to that question.
“No one knows where she is. I haven’t been able to contact them since yesterday,” said her mom while the others giggled, imagining what they would be up to.
“I’m dying of curiosity. Where could Alexander have taken her?” asked Hayley, and they all discussed all possibilities, but Alyssa knew that none of those probabilities were true. They did not know how Alexander’s head functioned. His ideas were unique!
“Wherever he might have taken her, I just wish that they would reconcile their differences and find their happily ever after,” said Alyssa, and everyone agreed.
The food was indeed special as promised and they all tucked in, praising her mom for her efforts. After dinner, Nicholas and Lucas spoke to her dad to convince him to take a second opinion about his illness. “Please don’t decline, uncle Daniel. We want to ensure that you’re getting the perfect treatment so that you can recover fast,” said Nicholas.
“Yes, dad. I want you to play with our children. I hate to see you unwell,” said Alyssa, who sat beside him. Daniel Van Every placed an arm around his daughter and looked at her fondly.
“Yes, now that you’ve agreed to take over my responsibilities, I’ll relax and concentrate on my treatment,” promised her dad.
“I’m sorry for making this so difficult for you, dad. I would have agreed long ago if only you had told me,” she said, feeling upset.
“You couldn’t because you needed me to train you,” said Nicholas with a grin, and uncle Daniel laughed.
“That’s true. All credit goes to my boy, Nicholas. He’s the one who united me with my daughter,” agreed Daniel Van Every.
“Yes, I will need another treat for that,” said Nicholas and her mom too laughed.
“Surely when you come over tomorrow. I have called the seamstress over tomorrow evening, Alyssa. Give your measurements for your wedding dress.”
“Sure, mom.”
“We can then sit down and discuss the menu and other details. The event manager is also coming over.”
“Yes, mom but please don’t go overboard. Keep it simple and concentrate on dad instead,” said Alyssa, feeling guilty.
“This is the last wedding of our family, Alyssa. After the way Alexander got married, we have only this one to fulfill our dreams,” said her dad.
“Do you want to postpone it, uncle Daniel? If it’s too stressful, I can postpone it,” suggested Nicholas.
“No, no. I won’t be doing anything. The event management team will be in charge of everything. We will have the wedding on Saturday,” said her dad. Aunt Claudia and granny too joined in.
They planned the guest list together.
“Most of them wouldn’t be able to attend at such short notice. So let’s just keep it to a bare minimum. Only close friends and family,” said aunt Claudia.
It was late when they could finally wrap up and return home. Although her parents insisted they stay back, Alyssa was adamant and wanted to go home. Nicholas was relieved that she didn’t agree and drove home with a smile on his face. Alyssa remembered his promise before they left and her heart skipped a beat thinking of what they would do now.
“So, at last, we are officially engaged. How do you feel?” he asked.
“Blissful and excited. What about you?”
“As if I’m walking in a dream. I wanted this for so long that I can’t believe that it’s actually coming true. Now my only wish is for the wedding to happen smoothly. I hope Alexander doesn’t arrive beforehand to spoil everything.”
“Yes, me too, but I want you both to be at peace with one another. I want Alex to accept you happily and be present at my wedding,” said Alyssa with a sigh.
“Why don’t you call him and inform him if it means so much to you?” asked Nicholas. Although he didn’t wish to deal with Alexander at the moment, he didn’t want to be selfish. Alexander’s approval meant the world to Alyssa, and she meant the world to him. This was imminent, as he had to face her brother at one point or the other. The only way to find his happily ever after was to reconcile and make peace with Alexander Van Every. Now the question was would he forget his enmity and accept him willingly?
“I tried, but he has kept his phone switched off. I’ll keep trying,” said Alyssa.
They reached home and Nicholas picked her up bridal style and carried her over the threshold in true traditional style, making her chuckle. “This is a norm for the wedding night, not engagement night,” she pointed out.
“I’ll do it on both occasions. Both are equally special for me,” he said, gazing into her eyes, his lips stretched into a radiant smile that reached his eyes. His dimple blew her mind away, just as it always did, and she fell more in love with him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“You’re the most precious person in my life. All my moments spent with you are special for me,” she whispered.
“I’m touched, babe,” he whispered hoarsely, his heart beating faster with excitement. This was the life he wanted, and finally, it was his. He entered the bedroom and slowly placed her down in front of the mirror. Alyssa stared at their reflection in the mirror. While he looked dashing in his tuxedo, she looked shy, innocent, angelic, and glowing all over. What struck her most was how beautiful they looked together, like a couple truly in love.
“Ready?” he whispered hoarsely as his fingers went to her neck to clasp a beautiful platinum chain with her name engraved on it. “My engagement gift to you, my love,” he whispered as Alyssa gazed with wonder at the chain with the pendant having her name engraved on it.
“It’s beautiful, Nicholas. I also have a gift for you. Wait, I’ll just get it,” she said, dashing off to her closet. She brought a big box and handed it over to him.
“What’s in this?” he asked with curiosity.
“See for yourself,” she prodded him and he placed the box on the bed, opening it with care. He gasped, seeing a huge crystal photo stand with a beautiful photograph of them together. “Do you remember that date? You took me on a cruise over the Hudson River,” she reminded him.
“I have forgotten none of our dates. There weren’t many,” he said, staring at the gift. “This is a very special gift, Alyssa. You have no idea how much it means to me.”
“I’m glad you like it. I have photographs of us in Singapore, custom-made for this photo stand.”
“Great, I would love to see them, but before that, we have some unfinished business,” he said.
“Oh, what unfinished business?” she asked.
“Don’t you remember what I said earlier? I’ll be the one to unzip this dress off you. I have been waiting all evening to do the honor.” Alyssa smiled, since she remembered it distinctly and was waiting for it too.
“I remember. Why else do you think I declined mom and dad?”
“Then what are we waiting for? Turn around, my love.” Alyssa waited with her breath stuck in her throat for him to slip the dress off her. Would he make love afterward? She felt on top of the world, loved, cherished as his fiancee, and eager to get married to him. She could imagine how her wedded life would be! Blissful, fun, and exciting!
Her breath hitched when she felt his burning, hot touch on her skin as he slowly unzipped the dress and let it fall to the floor in a heap. With her creamy skin exposed to his hungry eyes, Nicholas picked her up and carried her to the bed.
“I love you, my precious one. Ready for me?” he whispered, his teeth grazing her ear lobe, biting and licking the sting, making her gasp and moan with pleasure.
“Yes, I’m always ready for you.” He claimed her lips in a passionate and erotic kiss that had her moaning and writhing for him in no time.
“Are you wet for me?” he whispered hoarsely.
‘See for yourself,” she urged him.
They made sweet love to one another, and it was as good as the first time. Despite repeated rounds, they still couldn’t get enough of one another. At last, exhausted, they lay in each other’s arms. “Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes, I would love to.”