Page 88 of Matteo

“Yes, I want you to have your own home so you can make it everything you want. Any house you want, however you want it to look, you’re getting it.” I promise her.

Chocolate is melting up at me. “How very presumptuous of you. There’s that proposal you’re supposed to be working on.”

“Not presumptuous. I know you crave me like I’m your air, the same way I do for you. Marriage, forever without any escape, is all I want, too. Let’s get Layla to bed, so we can have our own little celebration of him signing the papers. And make sure we’re doing all we can to ensure you’re pregnant.”

CHAPTER 27

Amy

“Matteo, that is simply not possible. We cannot plan a wedding she deserves in the time you are proposing. Especially if she wants to have it at the Museum of Art. A custom wedding dress will take weeks. I cannot believe you.” Elizabeth sighs.

“The reason I picked this designer is not simply because she’s local and makes beautiful clothes for plus size women. She promised she can deliver a dress in eight days. I called the museum, and after a sizable donation, we have a date twelve days from now. I’m not in love with it happening on a Monday and in the afternoon at that. But I checked the weather forecast, and it will be a warmer day. So in the end, it’s better.”

A custom dress made just for me? We’re having the wedding at the Dallas Museum of Art. Oh my god, that’s amazing. But all the information flying at me feels overwhelming. Twelve days, we’re getting married in only twelve days from now in a big society wedding? My knees go weak, and I sag into the overstuffed chair.

“Amy, my dear, are you all right?” Elizabeth is concerned as she rubs Layla’s back to soothe her as Layla reaches for me.

I shake my head. “I’m fine.”

I’m picked up and put into Matteo’s lap. How do I forget how strong he is? “Talk to me. What’s the matter?”

“I love the idea of getting married at the museum, but I’m not sure about all the people,” I admit. I’m worried I’m being a pain for being so anxious.

“All what people?”

“You know, all the people your family will want to invite.” I gesture to Elizabeth. “I wouldn’t want anyone to worry about offending people if they don’t get an invitation.”

Matteo catches my chin in a firm but gentle grip and brings my face up to his. “This wedding is about you and me. My family won’t have any input on our guest list. I’m aware I have to invite my father. Never mind I talk to him twice a year, for a ten-minute conversation consisting of nothing more interesting than the weather and work. My nephew, I’m looking forward to. Other than that, there are maybe three former colleagues I would like added to my guest list. The rest will be up to you.”

“Oh.” I don’t understand why I’m disappointed when I should be happy.

“What’s wrong?”

I want to lie, but he knows me too well to even try. “I guess I didn’t think I’d be disappointed about…”

“You want a big white wedding.”

I’m too embarrassed to say the word, only able to nod.

“I know. I remember you saying you were disappointed with your courthouse wedding. We can have a big wedding without having three hundred guests. It’s one of the reasons why we’re having it at the museum. We’ll fill it with an obnoxious amount of flowers. There is a call out for a string quartet for the ceremony. We can keep them the whole way through or do something else.” He assures me.

“How do you know me so well?”

He chuckles as he presses his lips to my cheek. “Because I love you.”

“You’re planning a wedding better than I ever thought I would have.”

“Since it’s going to be your last one, it has to be amazing. And there’s a lot more to pin down. We have to work with the event coordinator for the museum, but we’re also going to have our own planner. They’re both going to be here this evening. Once we tell them what we want, we leave it to them to make it happen.”

“Have I told you thank you for loving me today?” I sigh and wish like hell Elizabeth wasn’t standing nearby with Layla in her arms.

“Not yet, and you better not. I need to get to work, and you need to get your dress.” Matteo is very aware of what I’m thinking.

I kiss his cheek before sliding off his lap. “I’ll tell you later tonight.”

“I’m counting on it. Doris, please take Layla into her room. She’s going to get upset when we all leave at once.” Matteo’s hand is at my back.

Amy

---