Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Anything,” I whisper.
“Love my boy as much as I do.”
I nod, a tear spiraling down my cheek.
“Okay, it’s actually two favors,” she chuckles as she blinks to stop her own tears from falling.
I smile through the emotion overwhelming me.
“Will you please call me mom?”
Oh shit. There goes my makeup.
My face crumbles, and I hug her so hard as a sob escapes me. “I’d like that very much, Mom.”
“Oh my God,” Please tell me you’re both not crying your makeup off,” Grandma Dana cries as she hurries toward us.
Mom and I pull apart, chuckling as Grandma Dana tries to salvage our makeup.
When we’ve calmed down enough to leave the room, nerves spin in my stomach. We exit the house and walk to the woods. Right before we reach the small clearing where Nikolai proposed to me, Mom and Grandma Dana leave me alone so they can take their seats.
Soft piano notes fill the air, and I’m so freaking emotional that my whole body is trembling like a leaf in a shit-storm. I’ve decided to walk myself down the aisle like the strong, independent woman I am.
I suck in a quivering breath, my heart racing in my chest as the tempo starts building, then I take a step forward.
Then another.
And another.
I break through the trees, and seeing all our loved ones seated on either side of the white rose petal aisle, a tear spirals down my cheek.
Then my gaze locks on Nikolai, his features tense with emotion as he stares at me in absolute wonder. Subtly he tries to brush a tear away from the corner of his eye.
Slowly, I move toward the man who’s changed my entire life, and when the final notes of the song trickle through the air, I stop in front of him.
“Christ,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “You take my breath away, Abigail.”
He leans down and presses a tender kiss to my forehead before we turn to face Grandpa Cillian, who’s officiating the marriage.
Grandpa Cillian smiles at us, pride shining from his eyes, then he says, “I was told to make this short and sweet.” Our guests chuckle. “Wow, can we all just take a moment to look at this beautiful bride my grandson managed to snag?”
I let out a burst of laughter and turn in a circle so everyone can see my dress.
“She’s too gorgeous for you, Nikolai,” Maxim calls out.
I met him earlier when he arrived on the island.
I love how light-hearted the atmosphere is.
Grandpa Cillian draws our attention back to him as he says, “Nikolai and Abigail have chosen to say their own vows.”
Yeah, I’m so going to suck at this, but here goes nothing.
I turn to face Nikolai, and we take hold of each other’s hands.
“Mr. Vetrov,” I say with all the seduction I can muster while feeling so damn emotional. “There’s only one word to describe you.” I suck in a trembling breath. “Hero.”
Oh Jesus, please give me the strength not to cry until I’m done talking.
“You’re my hero.” My voice is so strained I fear he might not understand what I’m saying. “You’re everything I ever wanted. I annoyed you with my corny come-on lines. I drove you insane with my persistent flirting.”
Nikolai smiles at me as he remembers when we first met.
My voice is nothing but a soft whisper. “You carried me through my darkest moment. You became the solid ground beneath my feet, the sun warming my days, and the love I never had.”
He reaches up to brush the tears from my cheeks.
“You’re my everything, Nikolai.”
When it’s his turn, he clears his throat. “Everyone knows I’m a stubborn bastard who doesn’t like it when people mess with my routine.” Chuckles and mutters of agreement come from the guests. “But you, Abigail,” he shakes his head as he stares at me with unconditional love. “You didn’t let it scare you off, and I’m so thankful for your bravery and sass. You’re so deep in my heart and soul, there’s no more me. There’s only us and our future together.”
He takes a step closer to me as he says, “You’re my beginning and my end, Abigail.”
While we say our I-dos, we slip our wedding rings on, and a moment later, Grandpa Cillian pronounces us husband and wife.
Nikolai sweeps an arm around me, then tips me backward before he kisses the ever-living crap out of me.
When he lifts his head, he stares deeply into my eyes. “Hi, Mrs. Vetrov.”
A smile spreads over my face. “Say it again.”
He rights me on my feet, and taking my hand, he turns me to face our guests. “I’d like to introduce you all to my wife, Mrs. Vetrov.” Shaking his head, his eyes drift over me with adoration. “Isn’t she exquisite?”
The guests stand up, and suddenly white butterflies fill the clearing.
I cover my mouth with both my hands as I look up, the tiny wings looking like snowflakes. “Oh my God, Nikolai,” I breathe. “It’s beautiful.”