Page 146 of Mr. Monroe

“Si, Dolcezza. They are coming,” she said as a teasing grin spread across her face. “Now, may I ask if you’re Italian?”

“Unfortunately, the only Italian in me was put there by your beloved grandson and is growing bigger by the second,” I said as she snickered. “Why do you ask, Nonna?”

“I don’t know of any other culture that would have their brides get ready in a room attached to a kitchen,” she teased. “Are the chefs taking care of you?”

“You know they are,” I chuckled and brought my hand through the bend of her arm, escorting her to the sofa I had placed in the corner of the room to make this part of the second kitchen feel more like a bridal dressing room.

Yes, my food cravings were a problem, and no, Bree wasn’t lying when she couldn’t understand why I didn’t look like the Goodyear Blimp, either. I ate so much rich and fattening food the last few months that I shouldn’t have been able to fit into my dress, but by some miracle, I could.

I was grateful my pregnancy had been relatively pleasant, as much as a pregnancy can be. It wasn’t what I’d expected, but nothing was when it came to Spencer, was it? Every plan I’d ever made with the guy went the other way somehow. Our fake, no-strings-attached marriage ended up in soulmate-level love. Oh, and the five years I insisted on waiting to get married turned into six months because why wouldn’t it? I’d given up on trying to plan anything when it came to our relationship because I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to control. It was something I wanted to enjoy.

I still think Spencer was half expecting this to be an elaborate prank. I’d been pretty spontaneous these days, which was all part of exercising my ability to let go of my need to control everything. It was going pretty well, if I did say so myself. I managed to whip this wedding together in six weeks, from this elegant hotel venue down to the helicopter waiting to take us to Jim’s yacht, ready to set sail to Alaska for our honeymoon. It was all done on short notice, and so far, it was working as planned. All I could do now was cross my fingers that Murphy’s Law didn’t crash the party.

“You only gave me a month’s notice to be here, Bella,” Nonna said while the chef came out and gave her a plate of snack food. “I’m just thankful to be here.”

“Trust me, Nonna,” I said, “if I’d planned this any farther out, it would’ve only given time for more things to go wrong. I would’ve really ended up turning this into a five-year engagement.”

She chuckled as I heard the door open, admitting Sloane and Becca.

“There she is,” Sloane said, and before I could say a word, Bex was bear-hugging me tightly.

“I’m so happy to see you, kiddo,” I said, brushing my hand over her head. “Are you excited, and did you get plenty of rest?”

“Yes, and yes,” she chirped. “I can’t wait to surprise Uncle Spencer. We’ve been here for two days.”

“I know, little one,” I said before reaching out to hug my future sister-in-law. “You look beautiful, Sloane. Now, Spence is going to be excited to see you all. You might get a tight hug from him when you walk up the aisle with those rings, too, Bex. You’ll be walking with a sweet boy named John.”

“I met him, and I think I have to practice again with him because I tripped last night,” she said with a frown.

“Nonsense,” I smiled at her and brushed the tip of my finger over her nose. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t there last night, but it would’ve blown the surprise for Uncle Spencer if we rehearsed together.”

“How many people will be here?” she asked with trepidation.

The ballroom where the ceremony would be held was massive, and I didn’t want to tell her nearly all our friends from across the globe would be in attendance. She’d probably be petrified at the thought.

Spencer couldn’t have given a fuck if we were here, in Vegas, in front of a judge, or in a closet. The guests and venue didn’t interest him, but it interested me. If Natalia Hoover were getting married, it would be a sight to see, and everyone would know about it.

“Nat, it’s time for everyone to find their seats,” Bree said, part maid of honor and part wedding coordinator. “We’ve got fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks, Breanne,” I said, then looked back at Becca. “Listen, you and I are going to be the stars of this show. I didn’t have our dresses made by a very talented Parisian tailor because I wanted this to be a simple wedding, yeah? I’m so happy to marry Uncle Spencer and become a real part of your family that I want to celebrate it in front of everyone I know. And, to thank you kids for doing such an incredible job, our friend Cameron is going to take you all on a helicopter ride after the wedding.”

“Oh no,” she said. “Maybe that’s why John got so angry with me for tripping.”

“Angry?” I frowned until I realized who we were talking about. “Oh, sweetie, no. Don’t you worry about little John. He can be far too serious for his own good. The funny part is that his dad, Jake, is the biggest goofball around. I think he probably gave John a pep-talk and reminded him not to worry about things being perfect.” I smiled, then hugged her.

“We need to wrap it up,” Bree said.

I rose and sighed, “I wonder when I become a mother, if you’ll actually start treating me like your friend instead of your child?”

She chuckled, “I might consider it once you’re a married woman.”

I rolled my eyes, “I can’t even with you sometimes, honey,” I said, then walked over to the wall of mirrors that was ideally situated with lights to shine down on the pale gown I wore.

“You look so beautiful,” Cass said, adjusting the Harry Winston diamond tiara on the crown of my head.

“I know,” I said with a sexy smile. “I don’t know why I’m not on the cover of Mom’s Vogue or something. This is too much beauty to behold sometimes.”

“Five minutes, ladies. Ushers are here to escort the bridesmaids and grandmother,” the wedding coordinator said, taking the words out of Breanne’s mouth, I was sure.

---