Ciara Mendes
"I hate this one. It makes my butt seem nonexistent," Eve frown staring at her reflection in the mirror on the platform she was standing on.
"That's your sixth dress, you're the most insatiable woman I have ever met," Bridget says taking a sip of the wine the boutique's manager had offered us upon our arrival.
Eve mutter something inscrutable before turning towards us, "Who designed this anyway. I thought it was suppose to be a wedding dress not something my grandma would wear to bed."
"I see what you mean. That bow does nothing for the dress," I agree with Eve.
"I honestly can not believe I'm getting married before you, not that I'm rubbing it in are anything."
I smile remembering the day my best friend rush into my office waving her left hand around with a big diamond ring on her ring finger.
"It's fine I know what you mean, besides I'm in no hurry," Who am I fooling Giovanni and I have been dating for a year and a half now yet he still haven't propose. He's been quite busy actually.
"Marriage makes everything complicated," Bridget says. After mending our relationship she talked things over with Alaric and both decide it was best for Zendra if they shared custody and be there for her whenever she needed, she's still dating Fisher and by the looks of it they'll never get married.
"That's not true Micah and I are the happiest married couple," Navia says and I couldn't help smiling at her. My male best friend married her literally two weeks after she graduated university and Navia decided to find a job here instead of finding one in New Jersey.
"Touché," Evei reply from inside of the dressing room. A minute later she step out in a gorgeous silver dress. "Ladies I think I found the one." My eyes tear up as she walk towards us. The three of us standing to meet her.
"Look at you all glowed up," Bridget says taking her hand so she can twirl Evei for a proper view of the dress. Evei wasn't the biggest fan of Bridget but they started to get along since the past couple of months. Eve ask her to be the bridesmaid, Navia the matron of honour and of course I'm her maid of honour.
"You look beautiful," Navia gushes.
"Thanks, Ciara?" Eve call taking my hands. "What do you think?"
I pull her in a hug. "I'm so proud of you and you look stunning."
I glance at my reflection in the mirror, we were at the daycare picking up the children before we go out to have lunch. My hair was in a messy bun, my eyebrows could use a trim, my grey top reek of baby puke and my left cheek held a small red mark thanks to Felicity sharp finger nails that I forgot to cut. I'm only thankful that she didn't cut herself with them because of my recklessness and forgetfulness.
"How far along?" Bridget says coming to stand next to me reapplying her red lipstick.
I stare at her reflection through the restroom mirror, "What do you mean?"
"Are you forgetting, not only am I your sister but I've been through pregnancy before. I can see your symptoms from a mile away."
I frown. "Two months and a week." I mutter.
"When were you planning to tell me, when you are fully showing?"
I sigh turning to face her, "Calm down, Giovanni doesn't even know yet." Before she could speak I continue. "He's been really busy lately and we never get much time together considering that Felicity needs both our attention. We take turns taking care of her while the other rest, there's just no convenient time to tell him."
"Oh Ciara, I'm sorry," I nod as she brush her fingers through her hair. "I'm babysitting Felicity tonight you need to tell him."
"I'm a bit nervous," I confess. "We haven't talked about having a child together since a long time, what if he doesn't want anotherâ"
She place a hand on my shoulder, "You have nothing to be nervous about, Giovanni loves you and he'll be excited to hear you're carrying his child. Just trust me on this."
I nod before walking out together.
"Look who's here," The daycare worker says walking over to me with Felicity in her arms and Zendra following close behind. Felicity face light up the moment she saw me, she made cooing sounds as the woman place her in my arms.
"Rhea might visit on holidays and any other time she can but I swear as soon as that little girl can talk you're the one she'll call mommy," Bridget says taking Zendra's hand.
We met Micah, Fisher and Eve future husband Andrew at a restaurant two minutes away from the daycare. Giovanni was suppose to be here but he couldn't make it because unfortunately he had an important conference. Lately he has become such a workaholic.
Andrew hazel eyes lights up as soon as they landed on Eve, I watch as he run a hand over his low cut hair before standing to greet us. Micah and Fisher who was sitting at the table stood as well.
Time to feel like the seventh wheel.
Giovanni Haynes
I sat in my car finishing a call when the passenger door was yanked open. I watch as Ciara got in and close the door, Bridget push her hand out to wave at us as her car took off down the road.
Earlier I had called her to meet me at this address but looking at her now I can tell that she would rather be somewhere else. She sat facing away from me, I lean over to kiss her cheek but she quickly move away.
I stare at her confuse, "Well hello to you too."
"What are we doing here Giovanni?" She says folding her arms.
I study her for a few more minutes. Her hair was messy and her shirt had so many wrinkles, "Why are you upset?"
She look at me for the first time since she arrive, "I'm just tired don't mind me," She replied through gritted teeth.
Sighing I got out of the car opening the door for her while holding a hand out,"Come on."
She hesitate before taking it. "Where are we going Giovanni?" She ask as we begin to walk up a stony path.
"You'll see when we get there in the meantime I need you to tell me what's bothering you?"
"It's nothing," She says pulling her hand from mine and walking ahead as if she knew where we were going. When she realize I stop she turn to look at me.
"Do you forget who you're talking to? Buttercup just tell me what's on your mind," I practically begged her while cupping her cheeks.
"It's you Giovanni. Since I moved in with you you're hardly ever home and when you do come home then I'd be too tired to actually sit and have a proper conversation with you. When was the last time have you even kissed me properly!"
She yell causing an old lady who was walking her dog to stop and look at us, I gave her a nod to carry on about her business. I waited until she was out of sight before taking Ciara hand once more and walking further until we were standing in front of a modern two story house.
"Giovanni who does this house belong to? I'm really not in the mood to meet anyone," I smile at her and in return she frown.
"Do you like it?" She stared at me confuse, the frown not leaving her face. "Just answer the question babe."
She turn to look at the house, "I guess but why does it matter?"
I let go of her hand and walk towards the house while reaching in my pocket for the keys, her foot steps were heard as she jog to catch up. As soon as we climb the few steps to reach the front door I open it and motion for her to go in first, which she did after a slight hesitation.
"It matters because it's ours," I close the door behind us and walk towards her to see the expression she wore.
"Another big house for me to have dinner alone in," She says in a dull tone.
"Ciara I know I haven't been around much lately but that's all going to change now. I was working on finding the perfect house I knew you'll love and I had someone decorate the entire thing because I didn't want to overwhelm you," I close the distance between us and hug her to my chest. "Do you want to know the best part?"
"What?" She says now crying.
"From now on I'll be doing all the office work here and when I do have to fly out, I'll take you with me." Instead of answering she continue to cry. "Ciara there's something I have to ask you."
I pull away from her and watch as she dry her tears waiting for my next move. Getting down on one knee I took the red box from my pocket and pull it open to reveal a ring as beautiful as her personality.
"I remember watching you roll your eyes at a guy one time in a movie while saying how you hate those long mushy lines they say when they're going to propose, so I'm going to skip all of that and just ask away. Ciara Mendes will you marry me?"
"Giovanni I'm pregnant," She says right after I ask the question.
I stood looking at her, "I am aware."
"What?!" She says her mouth agape.
"Come on buttercup, I know your body better than you do. Do you think 'I haven't been to the gym in a while' was going to cut it for long or how you never wore large T-shirts..." I eyed the one she was wearing while tugging on it for her to move closer. "but all of a sudden it's all you could wear even though you're only two months in. I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to tell me. Why hide it buttercup?"
"You were so busy I thought you didn't care about me anymore and how do you know I'm two months?"
I smirk, "I remember vividly how that little devil was conceived, it was on that Saturday night in London when the rain was pouring and youâ"
"Never mind," She interrupt. I grin at her as I continue to remember that night I should have thanked Rhea for taking Felicity off our hands for a few days.
"I will never stop caring for you and I'll be needing an answer to my question," I wrap my arms around her waist.
She seem confused then as if a light bulb turn itself on in her head she smile. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Pulling her closer I press my lips against her, feeling satisfied as she grant me access for my tongue to roam around her perfect mouth. I pull away causing her to frown. "Was that a proper kiss for you soon to be Mrs Ciara Haynes?"
She smile sweetly, running her fingers through the back of my hair. "It was Mr Haynes."
--------
That's that.
I'm going to miss writing in Giovanni POV. (sigh dramatically)
I'm going to miss him too.
Thank you lovely readers for taking your precious time to read my book, I appreciate it much. Also with everything that's happening in the world today, do what I do and stay safe by reading a good book and pretending the world problems are nonexistent ð.
For my writers out there 'Write drunk edit sober'.
If there are any questions you guys feel like asking, ask away.
Once again thank you for all your support.
June 20,2021: Now that you've read the entire book I have a quick question. If you were to rename this book, what would you name it?
July 20, 2023: Updated and edited version available on Lulu bookstore. Please order your copy and add a review â¤ï¸