Stay With Me (35 page)

With a weak voice, I replied, “I do.”

“You’re so blessed to have a new family who loves and cares about you my darling.”

Looking into Kim’s eyes, I smiled. “I am. But I’m more blessed having you and Scott in my life. I’ll never forget what you’ve both done for me and the hurt you’ve had to go through.”

Her hand lifted as her fingers wrapped around a loose curl framing my face. “I’m so happy you found happiness.”

Pressing my lips together, I barely was able to speak. “Me too.”

She leaned over and softly kissed my cheek. “I’m going to go check on everything. The wedding will be starting soon.”

With a nod, I took in a deep breath as I watched her walk away. It was then my eyes caught Katerina’s. She slowly walked up to me, reaching her hand out for mine as she squeezed it.

“You make him so happy.”

Swallowing hard, I replied, “He makes me so happy.”

She nodded. “Do you know what I admire the most about you, Kilyn?”

I shook my head.

With a crooked smile, she answered. “Your strength. I know the family can be a bit overwhelming at times.”

With a chuckle, I replied, “At times.”

“But you never let it scare you off. And most of all, you followed your own dreams.”

Looking down for a quick moment, I peered back into her eyes. “You’re not upset with me that I didn’t want to marry in the church?”

“At first, I was upset. I will not lie. But times are different, and I’ve been stubborn in letting go of some of the traditions in the family. But in the end, I only want my son’s happiness.”

Reaching up, I quickly wiped a tear away.

She shook her finger. “Dab! Don’t wipe.”

Laughing, I nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

Next to walk up was Thano’s Yiayia. Placing her hands on my stomach, she said something in Greek that caused every other Greek in the room to start cheering.

“Opa!”

I swallowed hard and looked at Claire. She leaned in and said, “Rather that than them spitting on you.”

“What did she say?” I asked Katerina.

With a wink, she took my hand in her hand. “She wishes you to have a baby before she dies.”

“Oh,” was all I could manage to say as I looked at her and forced a smile.

The door opened and Sara the wedding planner stepped inside. There were so many conversations going on, I had given up long ago trying to listen to them all. Katerina’s sister and a few of the cousins along with Yiayia had been in my dressing room all morning. One of the Marias did my hair while Sophia, did my makeup along with Claire’s.

“All right. It’s time to clear out the room and get seated ladies.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d already told Sara I was going to need a few moments by myself before the ceremony. I loved Thano’s family, but I still needed to get used to them.

Claire walked up to me and smiled. She looked beautiful in her champagne colored dress. The strapless sweetheart bodice made her already tiny waist look smaller, while the tiered ruffle gown added the perfect amount of fun for a beach wedding.

“Are you okay?”

With a quick nod, I said, “Yep.”

Narrowing her left eye at me, she tilted her head. “Are you okay?”

My chin trembled. “I’ve never been so happy in my life, Claire. I’m so afraid I’m about to wake up and it’s all going to be a dream. Do I deserve to be this happy?”

“Oh, Kilyn, sweetie. I promise you this is not a dream, and yes, you more than anyone deserves it.”

I closed my eyes and counted to twenty as I took in a deep breath. “God, I hope no one spits on me as I walk down the aisle.”

Opening my eyes, we both busted out laughing.

The light knock on the door drew my attention to it. Scott, Claire’s father, poked his head in. “Hey. I was instructed to get you out Claire.”

She glanced back at me and pouted. “See ya soon, babe.”

I nodded and let go of her hand.

Scott held the door open for Claire and then shut it behind them.

Setting the bouquet down, I slowly walked around the room.

“I’m getting married,” I whispered out loud.

Walking up to the window, I peered out. I could see all the white chairs set up on the beach. The long red carpet led almost to the water’s edge as I followed it with my eyes.

My breath caught when I saw him.

Thano.

I covered my mouth as a sob escaped from my lips. He was dressed in a black tux standing next to his best friend Gus. My eyes drifted down and I giggled when I saw he didn’t have any shoes on.

He was standing there in his bare feet and it had to have been the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.

Then his eyes locked on mine as my stomach dipped and my chest fluttered. He smiled and I returned the gesture.

I wasn’t sure if he knew I was in this room or he felt me looking. Either way, I was lost in those eyes. Lost in his love for me.

Lifting my hand, I placed it on the window. I’m marrying this man. My very own Greek god.

The light knock on the door had me dropping my hand and stepping away from the window.

“Hey, darling. Are you ready?”

Placing my hands over my stomach, I giggled. “I’m so nervous.”

Scott walked up to me and placed his hands on my arms. “I remember the day I married Kim.”

Smiling, I asked, “Were you nervous?”

He pulled his head back and chuckled. “Nervous? No. I was scared to death.”

I instantly felt my body relaxing.

“Then I saw her walking down the aisle and it was like pouf! I was no longer scared. I didn’t need to know if we were going to be okay. All I needed was that beautiful smile walking toward me. When she finally made it to me all my worries and fears were replaced with pure happiness. That’s the only way I can describe it.”

With a wide grin, I looked down as I thought of my parents. Looking back up at Scott, I cleared my throat. “Thank you, for everything you’ve ever done for me. Everything. And thank you for standing in for my father today. As much as I’d love to have him here, I love that you’re the one walking me down the aisle.”

A tear slipped from his eyes as he quickly wiped it away. “I love you like you’re my own daughter. I hope you know that.”

Nodding, I whispered, “I do, and I love you.”

“Now, come on before you have us both crying and you get me in trouble with Sara.”

With a giggle, I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Scott took my flowers and handed them to me.

“Ready?”

Dragging in a deep breath, I replied, “Ready!”

W
HEN SHE STEPPED
away from the window my chest squeezed.

Taking in a deep breath, I turned out and looked out over the ocean. The last time I stood in this spot it ended in a way I’d probably never forget. Frowning, I thought about how I didn’t feel the least bit guilty.

With Kilyn everything was so different. It felt different. I felt different. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t worried.

Smiling, I thought about last night when I had a drink with my Pappou.

“Tomorrow is the planting season,” he said with a smile.

“The planting season?” I had a feeling this was my grandfather’s way of saying I needed to get Kilyn pregnant quickly.

Taking a drink, he nodded. “Athanasios, do you know how love works?”

With a laugh, I tilted my head and replied, “I would hope I know a little something.”

He shook his head, “Nah, you know nothing.”

Laughing, I motioned for him to speak. “Tell me, Pappou.”

With a smile, he leaned closer to me. “I’ll tell you what my Pappou told me the night before I married your Yiayia. You build love from the ground up. It takes watering and care. The sun will shine on it most days.” He nodded as if lost in a thought. Lifting his hand he pointed up. “But . . . those clouds, oh, those clouds will move in and storms will come. You have to be her shelter, Athanasios. She is a strong woman, but she needs you by her side always. You tend to her with love and passion. A woman likes a strong man in and out of her bed.”

I looked away, smiled and nodded. “I will always tend to our love.”

“Good,” he responded. “Now, when can I expect a child from your Irish beauty?”

The music began as Gus tapped me on the back. “This is it, dude.”

I spun around and took in a deep breath.

My little cousin, Nichole, came skipping down the aisle. She was singing something as she threw rose petals up in the air. With a chuckle, I watched as she came to stop right in front of me.

“Athanasios! Kilyn looks like a princess!”

Everyone laughed.

Leaning down, I asked, “Does she look as beautiful as you do?”

Nichole’s face lit up. “Yes!” She moved in closer and whispered, “Don’t tell anyone, but I think she looks the prettiest out of everyone. I don’t want to hurt any feelings.”

I crossed my heart and replied back. “I won’t tell anyone.”

Standing, I watched as Sara motioned for Nichole to stand to the side. As she turned to leave she stopped and quickly spun around. “Oh! I heard Kilyn telling Claire that you were going to love what she had on under her dress too! I think it’s another dress because they were both really happy about it.”

My mouth fell open as I stared at her and Gus busted out laughing next to me.

Nichole spun around in a twirl and skipped over to Sara.

I cleared my throat and tried not to look at my parents.

Gus leaned in and said, “Jesus, I hope like hell that was captured on the video. I want so badly to see your face.”

Hitting him with my elbow, I said, “Shut up, Gus. Just stand there and be quiet.” I smiled when I saw Claire walking down the aisle. She looked beautiful. It took everything out of me not to start laughing when a few of my mother’s cousins began to act like they were spitting on her. Claire must have jumped ten feet in the air as she looked at them with a horrified expression. When she made it up to the front she flashed me a smile.

“Is she okay?” I asked.

With a nod, she replied, “I’ve never seen her so happy or look so beautiful.”

Heat surged through my body and I swear everyone could hear my heart pounding.

The music changed and the music began to play. “Here we go,” Gus mumbled as I tried to calm my racing heart. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. I was glad he was here with me and able to be my best man.

The moment she appeared in front of me I was left breathless. She smiled as soon as she saw me. It was like we were the only two people as our gaze locked on each other.

It felt like it took them forever to walk down the aisle. I was so lost in her beauty I wasn’t even paying attention to my crazy family.

Stopping in front of me, Scott lifted her veil and kissed her on both cheeks. Taking my hand, he placed her hand in it. “Take care of her.”

With a nod of my head, I replied, “Always, sir.”

Placing my attention back on the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. “You truly are stunning. No amount of words could describe how beautiful you look.”

She pressed her lips together before finding her voice. “You look so very handsome.”