Page 55 of Nikolai

I beam up at him. "Thank you, Sam."

"Alba is right. You deserve your happily ever after, sweetheart." He kisses the top of my head. "I'll see you out there."

Twenty minutes later, Alba is about to call Bella and give her the word that I am ready when there is a knock on the door, followed by Demetri entering the room. He's dressed in a crisp suit, which is his standard attire, but the black and white one he has on today is more fitting of the occasion. "Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all," I smile.

Demetri steps up to me and kisses my forehead. "Tih kra-sah-vee-tsa.You are beautiful.My son is a lucky man."

"Thank you, Demetri."

"I come here to ask if I may have the honor of walking you down the aisle. It would bring me great joy to escort you toward your future with my son."

I release a shuttered breath. It's no secret I don't have any family to share my day with, but if I have learned anything over the past year and especially the past four days is family is not always by blood. The Volkov's and The Kings are my family.

"Thank you, Demetri. I would love for you to walk me down the aisle," my voice shakes, and I blink away the tears that threaten to spill as I look down at the floor.

Demetri places his finger under my chin, tilting my head back. "Today, I gain a daughter. And today, not only do you gain a husband, but you gain a father. Nothing will make me prouder."

19

Nikolai

Needing a few moments to myself, I slip out the back entrance of the guesthouse Leah, and I have occupied for a short time. I stop and glance out at the lake, making my way to the giant oak tree near the water's edge, which mirrors the bright blue sky above. In my serenity, I let everything that has led up to this day sink in.

"Thought I would find you here." My brother comes to stand beside me.

"I needed a moment of peace."

"Nervous?" Logan asks.

"Not at all," I admit.

"I'm happy for you, brother. And damn proud that you asked me to stand by your side as your best man." Logan clears his throat of emotion. I take a second to respond, schooling my own.

"You are my brother—my blood. I would have no other man stand with me on such an important day," I tell him. Soft music begins to play in the distance, and Logan takes in a long, cleansing breath before facing me.

"Ready?"

"Let no man stand in my way, brother." I smile, as an eagerness to see my woman takes over me.

On our walk to the gazebo, overlooking the lake, I take in our family. Though small, the men and women here today are the most important people in mine and Leah's lives. White flowers, along with lush greenery, cover everything from the gazebo to the chairs our guests sit on. To the side, sits a piano and a cello player. Waiting for my brother and me is Quinn, who is officiating the ceremony today. He leans in. "I now understand why you Volkov men like to wear suits so damn much," Quinn straightened his tie. "It gets you laid. My woman couldn't keep her hands off me earlier. I think I'll add this little get up to my roleplay wardrobe." Logan, who can't hold back his smirk, shakes his head, and I laugh, amused by Quinn's in your face I am who I am demeanor.

"We don't need to hear about your sexual escapades, brother," Logan jests.

"Sharing is caring, brother," Quinn quips.

Turning my attention to the crowd, my eyes find Marta, sitting beside Leah's neighbor from her hometown, Mrs. Mae. Marta waves my way, tears already pooling in her eyes, and I flash her a smile. The fact that my father flew her to Polson means more to me than he may know. The only faces missing amongst all the others today are Sasha and Victor. Though it's been more than a month, Sasha has a long road ahead of him before he's back on his feet.

The music changes and our guests rise from their seats. In the distance, French doors on the back of the house open, revealing my bride, with my father standing at her side. Suddenly, I find myself overwhelmed with emotion. Leah takes her first few steps onto the deck, into the warm glow of the setting sun. Captivated by her beauty, my heart races, and my breath catches as she floats gracefully down the steps, stopping for a moment at the end of the aisle. My woman is the most breathtakingly beautiful creature I have ever been blessed to lay eyes on. Dressed in a long satin gown, fitted to hug every curve of her body, she walks toward me, her amber eyes locked on mine. She adds to the beauty of the red roses she holds in her hands and those adorning her long, dark hair, cascading in curls down her back. Her bright smile causes a tightening of my chest from the abundance of love I feel for her.

Leah and my father stop a foot away, and before placing her hand in mine, Leah whispers, "Thank you, Demetri." Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears.

My father kisses her forehead. "It was my honor, daughter." Her tears finally fall, and I fight back my own. He then faces me, placing Leah's small hand in mine. "I've never been prouder of you than I am right now. I love you, son." My father takes his leave.

I stare at my future wife's face, memorizing every aspect of this moment, and filing away every precious memory. Her eyes sparkle as she gazes at me, and I find myself leaning down to capture her lips.

"Whoa. Hold up, Casanova. We have to get through all the mushy shit before you get to the kiss," Quinn interrupts, and bouts of laughter fill the air. Leah blushes, and it's so fucking adorable. Quinn clears his throat. "First of all, I'd like to say that I'm fuckin' honored that I was asked to hitch these two. Lord knows we've waited long enough." Again, more laughter and I laugh along with them, as my eyes never leave Leah's. "Alright, let's do this." Quinn gives me a nod, giving me the stage.

---