Page 96 of Thiago
“No time soon since Delta likes my new body,” he answered with a smirk.
Maxwell chuckled. “The hard workouts are worth the reward?”
“Every minute,” Ignacio confirmed.
As his brothers talked, Thiago’s gaze swept the venue, filled with the bride and groom’s many family and friends. He spotted India chatting with Connor-Santana wives Skye and Marissa.
She was radiant in Chanel, wearing a powder blue sheath dress adorned with imitation pearls on the sleeves. Her hair was styled higher than usual in soft curls, but as always, she wore very little jewelry—only simple pearl earrings and one statement piece, the gold and diamond bangle that had become an almost permanent fixture on her wrist of late.
He was pleased she wore it often because he’d picked the bracelet himself, agonizing over various options before settling on the one he believed perfectly encapsulated who she was: a classy, elegant, and strong-as-a-diamond woman. He was nowon the hunt for a new gift to commemorate their one-year anniversary in July.
“How is the situation with Simon?” Ignacio asked Thiago.
Simon had threatened to press charges against Thiago for hitting him.
“Handled. My private investigator found a bystander who captured the moments leading up to Simon’s knockout. The video showed him manhandling India and shoving me. He showed Simon the evidence and told him we’d share it with law enforcement if he didn’t leave me and India alone. The weasel backed down, so I don’t expect to hear from him again.”
Aunt Florence shuffled over, a gleam in her eye as she said, “I see you took my advice.” She didn’t stop, a self-satisfied upward tilt to her lips as she continued on her way.
Maxwell’s eyes followed her jaunty steps. “What is she talking about?”
“Nothing but the usual,” Thiago said with amusement, taking a sip of champagne.
Minutes later, the soft music the band was playing changed to an upbeat tempo, the doors to the ballroom opened, and the wedding party filed in. Audra led the way in a gold dress, hair piled on top of her head, with her escort, Andre’s cousin Phineas, on her arm. Cheers, whistles, and laughter spilled over as the bridesmaids and groomsmen danced in to the music.
Then the doors closed, and the lights dimmed. The room went still and quiet in anticipation. Delta’s beautiful voice broke through the silence as she started singing “At Last.” The R&B singer was dressed in a sequined gold dress. She wore her hair parted in the middle with extensions cascading down to her butt, crooning the emotional words in her angelic voice.
Everyone looked at the front doors, waiting for the arrival of the newlywed couple. But a spotlight landed on the stairs and illuminated Monica and Andre at the top. The guests startedclapping and cheering. Anyone sitting stood. Then, arm in arm, the couple slowly began their descent to the beautiful, romantic song.
Monica wore a strapless, blush-colored, floor-length gown. Thiago had learned from Audra that Monica had wanted to wear the nontraditional dress to the wedding ceremony but changed her mind at the last minute and opted for a traditional white gown. This entrance and this color befitted her big personality. The dress complemented her narrow frame, and the oversized flower-inspired prints on the full skirt added additional details of grandeur.
A brilliant smile suffused Monica’s face. The smile on Andre’s rough-hewn face was equally wide—the kind a man wore when he’d won the ultimate prize. Thiago enthusiastically joined in the applause and cheering, his chest overflowing with joy for his younger sister.
Dinner and speeches filled the next hour. With India seated beside him, the time passed in a blur of laughter and conversation with his brothers and their wives.
Much later, as the night was winding down, Thiago stood with the single men as Andre tossed the garter into the crowd. When their cousin Joe caught the piece of lace, some of the men wiped their foreheads in relief while others teased him with good-natured ribbing.
Then it was time to toss the bouquet. Monica stood on the staircase with the single women gathered around, jockeying for position. But instead of throwing the flowers behind her, Monica turned around and walked down the stairs.
The laughter stopped as everyone stared in confusion. She walked directly to her mother, Rose, and placed the bouquet in her hands.
The room went completely silent.
Benicio appeared at Rose’s side and slipped an arm around her shoulders. Speaking into the cordless microphone in his hand, he said in a strong, proud voice, “We have an announcement to make. Rosa and I are engaged. We are getting married again.”
Gasps and laughter rippled through the gathering.
“Did you know about this?” India asked beside Thiago.
“No,” he replied.
Monica grabbed the mic. “Congratulations, Mommy and Papa Ben!”
The room erupted into loud cheers, and Thiago made eye contact with Bruno across the room, silently asking if he’d had any idea of this development. His older brother shrugged, shaking his head, then joined in the clapping.
Thiago watched as his father dipped his stepmother over his arm, kissing her as if he had waited a lifetime for such a moment. The thunderous applause increased and filled every corner of the ballroom.
When they straightened, Rose gently hit his chest, mortified but leaning closer to Benicio, her eyes filled with happiness as she took in the excited reaction of the crowd.
