My cock aches to get inside, but breathlessly, I pull apart. “Shit, baby. I’d fuck you right here, but we have somewhere to be, and we’re already late.”
She giggles, peppering my jaw with hunger-filled kisses, before drawing away, desire still perched in her gaze. “Later, then?” She bites into her lower lip.
“Did you even have to ask?” My words hold all the promise of what she has to look forward to.
With a rough exhale, I finally open my door, then come around to open hers, giving her my hand as we exit together. As we stroll across the grass, I’m taken back to the day I proposed.
We were once right here, having a picnic, before I took her to the very same place I’m taking her now.
She lays her head against me as I clutch her in my arm. “Are we heading to the castle?” There’s excitement lined in her words.
“I’m sorry we haven’t come back here in a while,” I say. “I swear I meant to, but the days, they flew by.”
“I know the feeling.” She lets out a content sigh, circling her arm around my back. “I’m glad we get to go now.”
The last time we were here was five years ago when we took the kids with us. Carnelia was twelve at the time and wanted to see where I had officially proposed. She said when she grows up, she wants to get engaged at the very same spot we did. Now at seventeen, she’s every bit her mother—smart, beautiful, wanting to become a doctor too. And love, well? It’s the last thing on her mind. She kinda hates it right now. Your first breakup will do that to you. Seeing her sad, it has me wanting to do things to a young kid, I never thought I would.
We near the castle and climb up the steps. When we reach the last one, she glances over at me with the widest smile, and together, we climb the rest of the way.
“Happy anniversary!” people shout from all around us, and she almost stumbles against me.
“Dante?” She slaps a hand over her mouth, unshed tears glazing within her eyes. “How did you pull this off?”
Everyone we love is here—family, friends, our children. Now, we’ll have another day to look back on, to remember our love, to remind our kids of it when we’re too old to do it ourselves.
I cup her face, a smirk melting to my face. “I had some help.”
She shakes her head in wonder, taking my hand as we face our guests together.
“He got you good, huh?” Chiara laughs, giving each of us a quick hug, while Dom nods in greeting.
Raquel shakes her head. “You all did. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” she tells Chiara, her gaze narrowing playfully.
“Believe me . . .” Her eyes enlarge. “It was hard. It was why I didn’t answer any of your calls today.”
The DJ begins to play as guests rise from the long, decorated tables, lined with candles and tall vases filled with calla lilies.
Tristen gets up from his table and hugs his mother tight. “You look pretty, Mom,” he tells her and she ruffles his hair, kissing his forehead.
“And you look very handsome in your suit.”
Just then, Carnelia approaches, wearing the same knee-length flowy dress her mother is, the same one I had bought for each of them for today. Carnelia’s face alights with a beaming smile at both of us.
“So . . .” She props a hand on her hip, popping a single brow. “Are you surprised, Mom? Daddy worked really hard on today.” She wraps an arm around my back and I tighten mine against her, kissing the top of her head.
“Beyond surprised. You two were in on it too?”
“Yep.” Her chin rises proudly. “I’m the one who chose all the decorations.”
“Wow.” Raquel’s voice tightens with overflowing emotion. “You guys are so good to me.”
“We love you, Mom,” Tristen says.
“We do, baby,” I tell her, my gaze boring into hers, loving this family of mine with every inch of my heart.
“I have one more surprise for you,” I say, giving my daughter another kiss before heading toward the DJ booth and grabbing the mic.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here on this special day for Raquel and me. See, today isn’t just our anniversary, it’s a day where we get to do it all over again.” I slip my eyes to the woman I love, her gaze widening. “I always told you that I would marry you all over again, but today, I get to keep that promise, baby, and this time, it’s with our amazing children with us. So, what do you say, Mrs. Cavaleri?” With the mic in hand, I tread up to her, getting down on one knee. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me one more time?”