Page 64 of Watch Me, Daddy

“Does this mean I’m officially part of the Murphy clan now?” I quipped, a playful smile tugging at my lips. He chuckled, a rumble that sent warmth through my body, and his hand tightened gently around mine.

“More than that, Irina,” he replied, his voice softening, pausing for just long enough to pull back and meet my gaze. “You’re mine now. You belong to me. I’m going to take care of you, protect you, and make sure you’re safe and happy. You’re my bride, my future wife, my forever.”

For a long moment, I held his gaze with mine. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling a surge of utter contentment and pure excitement. His words were sweet, but the dark seduction in his eyes were anything but. I decided to lean into it and play with him a little bit.

“Does that mean I get to wear a big white dress and throw a bouquet?”

“Whatever you desire, my sweet bride,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Since it’s my big day, does that mean I get to call the shots and boss you around?” I sassed, unable to resist throwing a playful jab his way.

“Only if you promise to do it with that irresistible pout,” he replied with a wink.

“Well, Mr. Murphy, you’ve got yourself a deal. But fair warning, I might turn into more than just a handful.”

“As long as I’m the one that gets to handle all of you,” he said as he leaned in closer, his voice low and husky. A shiver ran down my spine at his words, his intensity pulling me in.

“Is that a demand, Mr. Murphy?” I asked pointedly. I rose a single brow in challenge.

“Consider it a promise of what’s to come,” he vowed, while he flashed a grin in my direction that sent my heart racing.

Without missing a beat, Aidan’s hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer until there was barely a breath of space between us. The heat of his body seeped into mine, and the fire within me ignited once again.

I barely had time to catch my breath before his lips captured mine, a delicious blend of hunger and tenderness. It was a kiss that spoke of promises made and unspoken emotions, a dance between two souls bound by something much deeper than words could convey.

It was perfection.

CHAPTER19

Three months later…

Irina

As the day of our wedding drew near, my growing excitement and anxious nerves mingled within me like a tornado that threatened to veer off course at any given moment.

Choosing the wedding dress was a momentous task. I tried on a countless number of them before I finally settled on the perfect one.

The dress was a vision of elegance and grace. It featured a bodice adorned with intricate lace reminiscent of delicate snowflakes, reminding me of my home country of Russia. The fabric cascaded down in gentle layers, signifying the rolling hills of Ireland. It fit my body like a glove. I’d always imagined myself in a princess style dress, but this one fit me far better than any of the ones I’d left on the dressing room rack. Once I put it on, I couldn’t imagine myself in anything else.

We settled on an Irish Catholic church in the center of South Boston for the ceremony. Its towering stone walls, weathered by time, reminded me of a castle of old. Stained glass windows adorned with intricate patterns filtered the sunlight into a mosaic of colors that cast glittering light dancing across the floor. The soft glow illuminated rows of polished wooden pews. The scent of aged wood and incense lingered in the air, carrying with it hope for the future.

After the ceremony, the reception would take place at Murphy’s Grill and Pub with the entire family and all of the attendees. I’d heard all about their famous sweet potato fries, and I couldn’t wait for the chance to not only see the place for the first time, but to get a basket all to myself.

Next came the monumental task of selecting flowers. Rows of bouquets and arrangements greeted me at the florist, each bursting with vibrant colors and fragrances. I wanted the flowers to mirror the intertwining of our lives, so I chose deep red roses for their passion, white lilies for purity, and dashes of green to symbolize our growth.

With the image of the bouquet that I had chosen firmly in my mind, I worked with the cake decorator to craft a masterpiece. Layers of ivory fondant formed the canvas for intricate lace patterns that adorned the sides of the red velvet cake. The tiers were decorated with lifelike sugar-crafted red roses, each petal meticulously sculpted to perfection. Delicate white lilies peeked out from between the layers, and to complete the design, intertwining vines of green leaves wound their way around the tiers.

I spent an inordinate amount of time diving into the rest of the intricate details that went into planning a wedding, including the seating arrangements, table centerpieces, and even the choices of music.

When the day finally came, I was ready, albeit a little nervous.

I found myself worriedly pacing around the lavish penthouse suite that Aidan had surprised me with so I could get ready with the girls in the hours before the wedding. Ada, Leah, and Caitlin had already gone to the church. The hotel was only a block away from the venue, so I’d insisted they go without me so I could finish up on my own. Honestly, it was mainly so I could try to get my nerves under control.

My hands fumbled with my hair and makeup, the mirror reflecting my anxious expression as I attempted to make everything perfect.

I adjusted my veil for the umpteenth time, wondering if I had made the right choices. The weight of the upcoming ceremony pressed on me, and my heart raced with both excitement and a touch of uncertainty. The magnitude of it all was suddenly quite overwhelming.

Just as I was about to fixate on my reflection once again, there was a gentle knock on the door. My heart leapt into my throat, and I hurried to open it.

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