Page 89 of Pain and Possession

NoèThreeMonthsLater

Everyone always tells you to cherish each moment. They warn you how quickly things can change. I for one never realized how right they were until I was already knee deep in unfamiliar territory. Entirely uncharted waters.

I sit my scotch down on the table as my heart drums in my chest, I've been nursing the same glass for two hours and it's done less than fucking nothing for my nerves. I crack my neck as I walk to the mirror for the fourth time in twenty minutes glancing at the clock overhead.

2:55pm five more minutes.

Hock steps up behind me his dark shaggy hair grown out longer than he's worn it before, neatly pulled up high on his head. Probably Laney's handiwork. It's been good watching my best friend, my brother find is own happiness over the past two months since Laney became an annoying near constant presence at the compound.

"You look like you're going to vomit." He remarks, his eyebrows pulling together so hard they almost merge. I exhale deeply before breathing in again, the urge to bite or maim myself lingering in the back of my mind.

Anything to alleviate this horrid sensation. The waiting, the counting down.

Everything within me is screaming to barge down the hall and rip through the set of double doors exactly fifty-two steps from mine. I may have walked it once…or roughly two dozen times since this morning. Three days I've been alone. Without my little doll beside me, without her delicate touch. Unable to hum to her growing stomach, to remind myself she's safe within my grasp. My eyes dart to the clock again as I clench my fists.

2:57pm any moment now and I'll do it. I'll walk out of this stuffy room and stomp out the uncomfortable feeling that's been brewing deep in my chest since she left. Any moment now and I'll have her back where she belongs.

I run my hand through my tousled hair, making sure it's staying in place. Desperate to do something with this nervous energy, "The security team is in place?"

Hock groans, "Yes. Just the same as it was the past three times you asked. Try to relax."

"Insightful, thank you I hadn't thought of that." I jerk my glass off the table finishing it off as the doors swing open. Charlotte steps through her long blonde hair pulled up in a braided ponytail, a fishtail one her favorite. She doesn't need me to do it for her anymore. Hasn't for a long time. I can't help but smile as her eyes meet mine, the long emerald, green dress she's wearing looks beautiful on her. Tears fill her eyes as she smiles back at me.

"Stop it! You'll mess up my makeup it's time to walk!"

I look back at myself one last time making sure my matching emerald green tie is in place as mom walks in behind her, "Oh Noè, you look so nervous."

I scoff as I turn to them, "I'm not nervous."

"Big bad mafia boss man is scared shitless on his wedding day." Hock mocks as mom smacks his arm before quickly latching onto mine as she pulls us from the room. It's almost too good to be true how much things have changed since the ball. Everything they had on us was successfully recovered along with everything useful we got off their servers. The remaining trafficking rings were dismantled, and things settled into relative normalcy. Even mom has been coming around more, although the sight of the compound still sends her into a near panic. She's been leaving the house though, insisting on attending every prenatal care appointment with Olive and I. She's even started painting again, mostly watercolor artwork for the nursery but it's a start.Feeling Good by MichaelBubléstarts to play softly as Hock wraps his arm around Laney who meets him in the middle. Winking at her before they head onto the large staircase of Oheka Castle, the onyx metal banisters decorated beautifully in maroon and white roses. String lights intertwined within them. I exhale a shaky breath as mom squeezes my arm tightly pulling my attention to her timid blue eyes. Looking the happiest I've ever seen them.

"I'm proud of you Noè Alessandro Arcuri." I smile at her, my heart fluttering as I swallow the large lump that forms in my throat. I settle at my spot within the wide candlelit concave of the stairs as those doors slide open again. A slow, wide smile spreads over my face as the small group of our family and friends faces change. All their attention on the heartbreakingly beautiful woman I know just entered above me. I know I'm supposed to wait. I'm supposed to stay here until she reaches the bottom. Nona and Charlotte made us practice it at least a dozen times.

Fuck that.

My feet are moving up the stairs before my eyes fall on her. Quickly coming to a stop when I seeher.My perfect little doll. Tears well in my eyes as I slow my steps, meeting her in the middle. Her beautiful satin ivory gown pooling at her feet as she stills. For that moment we're alone, it's me and Olive and nothing else matters.

You are so fucking beautiful.

I reach out for her as my control slips but right now I couldn't care less about the tears slipping down my cheek. To hell if it makes me look weak. I am weak for her. Now and always. Her soft hand touches mine as I help her down the next steps, her swollen stomach hugged tightly by her gown.

She's everything.

"You were supposed to wait for me." She whispers, a hint of a smile in her voice as she clings onto my arm. I look over at her, finding her amber eyes already on me.

"I couldn't not for another second." We reach the bottom of the stairs as the music dies down, the officiant already beginning to speak but I can't hear his words becauseshe'slooking at me in that way that only she can. The way that makes everything around me seem pale and grey when compared toher.

"I fucking love you."

She chuckles making more laughter filter in from the guests, "I fucking love you more."

Liar.

The End

Epilogue: The Vow

OliveOneYearLater

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