Page 184 of Sinner's Salvation

“I have the power, and you pull the strings,” I confirm to him.

He backs me into a wall and kisses me until I gasp for air.

“Strip.”

Our backyard is decorated for our special day. The fairy lights are white, the candles are violet, and the floral arrangements are a mix of lavender irises and white roses.

I walk down the violet carpet toward the white pavilion where we will say “I do.” Again.

Celia and Leia are in front of me, dropping white rose petals from their little baskets, and Aiden is carrying the rings. Our friends are all in the wedding party: the guys stand next to Cameron, and the girls wait for me with bright smiles. With elbows looped together, my father and I approach my husband. It has been a work in progress, but in the last year, my parents moved on after the shooting. They see how happy I am, how in love Cameron and I are, and how much we support each other in our careers.

The sun shines brightly in the backyard. I clutch the bouquet in my hands, emotions overwhelming me in the best way.

I reach Cameron, who looks beyond handsome in his elegant suit, a violet handkerchief in his breast pocket. He takes my hand in his, giving it a little squeeze.

“Thank you, sir.” His voice breaks with powerful emotions, pulling at mine. I can barely suppress my tears.

My father moves back with a subtle head tilt in Cameron’s direction. When he leaves, Cameron whispers, “You’re gorgeous. I love you.”

We say “I do” again, and everyone cheers, but we have eyes only for the other.

Our backyard glimmers with the fairy lights when the day gives way to night. Inside the elegant white tent, hundreds of guests drink and mingle. That’s what I get for marrying a senator. We pose for the camera and dance until my feet hurt.

When the night ends, Cameron carries me over the threshold. In his arms, I am at home. My soul recognizes this, and I give in to this blissful feeling.

Rose petals decorate the bed in the shape of a heart, and candles are lit across the room. He makes me feel so pampered and adored. Soft music plays as we undress through kisses.

He pushes me toward the bed, caging me in.

“Looking forward to spending forever with you, my love.”

Me too. I cup his face, and he pushes inside, making love to me.

The next morning, we fly to the private island for our honeymoon. I liked it so much the first time that I wanted to return.

He grins, telling me, “I bought it as a gift for you.”

“Thank you.” I’m not surprised. If I learned something in the last year, whenever I say I like something, he’ll gift it to me. Crazy man that owns my every heartbeat.

“Our own special place away from everything and everyone.”

The girls told me to enjoy these moments when there is no danger. It never lasts too long, and I do just that, enjoying my husband and this life with him. I wouldn’t change a thing.

A week later, we’re lounging on the chairs by the ocean when a helicopter whooshes over our heads and lands not far from us. Holding on to my hat, I laugh when I realize who it is, and my husband curses under his breath.

“I knew they would pull this shit.”

We spend the day with our friends on the lounges by the sea. Kieran has his palm on Aurora’s belly, her back pressed to his chest as they kiss. Hayden puts some sunscreen on Alessandra’s chest, peppering kisses on her small belly, and she closes her eyes, smiling radiantly. Cato feeds Chiara, caressing her belly and whatever he whispers in her ear, she’s all giggly and flushed.

All four of us are pregnant. I watch my husband looking longingly at my belly. I know what that means, a very deep and intense love making session follows.

After he found out I could have fertility issues, he would constantly assure me I am all he needs, but I insisted I want to try to conceive. Making his greatest wish reality elates me, and I can barely hold the secret any longer.

I was terrified that with my childhood sickness, I would not be able to conceive naturally, yet here I am pregnant.

We call it a night and retire to our bedroom.

I turn to him and pepper kisses over his chest, “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

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