Page 46 of Knocked up by the Mafia

“It’s decided then. Danny-boy here will send you the invites for the Irish side, and you can arrange the Russian side. We’ll send through the contracts to look over during the course of this week.”

Ronan uses his cane to get up. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Volkov. I look forward to doing business with you.”

Ivan shakes his hand. “A pleasure, Mr. Quinn.”

I stand and follow as Daniel slowly walks out.

Time speeds past. We’re not allowed to stay together before the wedding, even though I got Natalie pregnant already. We talk over the phone about our plans and what we want, but I’m too busy with Ronan to really spend time with her except at the follow-ups for the baby with the doctors.

Those moments I treasure, and we certainly book more appointments than needed to see each other as often as possible.

It’s all brought us to this day. Standing in the church, the Catholic priest standing in front of me, ready. I stand with Ronan behind me as best man, Robbie and Jarryd next to him.

Because Natalia’s parents aren’t here yet, Ivan walks her down the aisle, and the moment she steps through the door, my heart stops. Everything freezes for the longest time. She is in a beautiful fairy-like gown. The dress has a simple top belted off just above her protruding belly. The skirt of the dress flows down softly around her to the floor.

Ronan squeezes my shoulder. “Good choice, Daniel.”

I smile and nod. “The best I ever made.”

The ceremony happens in a blur, and before I know it, I’m kissing her, and we’re walking through confetti to the reception across the road.

Nat and I sit at the head table with Ronan, Ivan, Alessandro, and the wives as our special guests. Ronan invited Molly, and I’m sure he fancies her, but I won’t say anything. He probably doesn’t want anyone to know.

As the night progresses, I opt to stay sober with Nat while everyone else gets steadily drunk. Robbie gets the Sorvino brothers so drunk that he convinces them to attempt to dance to Irish music. It’s a drunk, fun party filled with laughs.

When Nat goes to dance with Ivan, Evgenii sits beside me. We’ve hardly spoken. Ivan said he was busy with work. I look at him. “Come to kill me at last?”

“Take care of her. She’s fucking special.” He looks at me seriously. “I might be old, but I’ll kill you if you hurt her.”

I nod. “I can appreciate that. I might come to like you, Evgenii.”

He snorts and leaves, going back to his wife, who is dancing with some other girls.

I know everyone will be hung over like hell tomorrow, and we get to do it again in two weeks. At least Nat and I can move into our house in East Islip and start working on it. Both families wanted to give us grand homes, but we wanted something we picked for ourselves. Something I could fix up with her.

Something to build together.

I smile at Nat as she sits back beside me. When she looks at me, I kiss her softly.

“You are my everything.”

“Say that again after my Russian family makes your brothers drink their weight in vodka.” She giggles, and I love it.

***

Natalia

What a whirlwind. I’m starting to get too big to move. I’m due soon. Daniel and I have been fixing up our home for the last two weeks. I’ve had to do what I can between letting my parents meet Daniel and getting ready for the wedding. Thankfully, they like him and are excited for the baby. Even Evgenii has warmed up to the idea of having a red-haired little niece or nephew. I feel swept off my feet, planning for the second wedding and working on the house. Most nights, I fall asleep early in Daniel’s arms, but he never complains. He’s so gentle with me.

Today is the day. The traditional wedding from my family. Two weddings to keep the peace. My mom gushes over me in Russian, and I smile. Ivan will walk me again, not my father, because Ivan is the head of the family. However, my father will meet him in front and give me away with Ivan.

Our party is just as raucous as the Irish. It seems my family wants to show that we can be just as much fun. Ronan dances with several of our family members and has brought Molly again. I suspect he likes her but doesn’t want to say.

Then it’s over. The weddings are over, and everyone is instructed to leave us be. We can’t go anywhere for our honeymoon because I’m pregnant, but I don’t want to. I want to finish painting the nursery for when the baby arrives. I already know the gender and will surprise Daniel with it once we’re done painting it today. I mostly sit in the rocking chair in the corner while he paints, keeping him company. I know he's done when he stands up, stretches, and smiles.

“It looks perfect,” I say as he puts away the paint. “She’s going to love it.”

“I’m sure she will….” He pauses and looks at me with a smile. “She?”

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