Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kyle was starting to notice that something was wrong with Dimitri. While he was present and spent time with her, Evie, and Max, he didn’t seem as happy as he had been, and it worried her.

Her time was spent getting things ready for the ceremony with Max that was happening in two days. She wanted everything to go smoothly and wanted both of them to be happy.

After Kyle put Evie down for a nap, she decided to talk to Dimitri. She headed to his office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

When she opened the door, and he realized it was her, he stopped what he was doing. “You know you didn’t have to knock.”

“I didn’t want to barge in on anything. Do you have a minute to talk?”

“I do. Is everything all right?”

“I don’t know. I feel like there is something wrong with you; you’re present but seem distant.”

“I’m good. I’m just working through things. It’s nothing to concern you, I just . . .”

Dimitri paused, not sure if he should tell her everything. He let out a sigh and swiped his hand down his face.

“I’m having a hard time with Evie not being biologically mine. I love her, and I couldn’t imagine life without her now, but I feel kind of jealous of Max.

“She even looks like him. I want that. I want that with you.”

Kyle walked over to Dimitri and sat on his lap.

“You will—we just need time. Pregnancy can take a while, and I just stopped taking my birth control.”

“I know, which is why I said I just need to work some through things.”

“You and Max both got something very special from me, so neither of you should feel jealous.

“I know it’s easier said than done, but know that I love you both the same, and Evie looks at both of you as her dad.”

“Don’t worry, ~myshka~, I just need to get my head out of my ass. I promise you that I’m okay.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I would be the type of person to want children, but you’ve changed that. You’ve changed a lot of things for us.”

“Hopefully, that’s a good thing.”

“It is, ~myshka~.”

***

It was déjà vu for Kyle. She stood in a wedding dress waiting to walk down the aisle toward a man she loved.

She made sure this ceremony was different from the one she had with Dimitri. Each deserved one only for them. The only similar thing was who was participating.

Ryan was walking her down the aisle; Dimitri was Max’s best man; and Evie was the flower girl, led by Varina.

Anatoli was the person conducting the ceremony for Kyle and Max. Kyle thought it was perfect; Anatoli had become a big part of her life, and he adored Evie as much as the rest of them.

“Since this is not a typical wedding ceremony, there is no need for the formalities and to have pre-made quotes. Instead, I would like to say some words about the couple in front of me.”

“I’ve known Max and his family since childhood; Max has become my brother, and I always told him he shouldn’t settle for less than what he deserves.”

“I knew the moment I saw him with Kyle that she was what he needed.”

Anatoli paused for a moment and looked at Kyle.

“I haven’t known Kyle nearly as long as I have Max, but I know that she loves him and would do anything for him. If any of us are in trouble, she’ll do whatever she can to help.”

“A few of us have experienced her life-saving kindness, and I couldn’t ask for a better woman for Max. Now, I’ll let Max and Kyle exchange vows.”

Anatoli nodded to Max, and Max took a deep breath.

“I’m not sure how to put my love for you into words. When I first saw you in the bar, I knew who you were and thought about how the picture did not do your real-life beauty any justice.”

“My choices were driven by my desire to want you, and I have never been more thankful for you and to you.”

“I’m thankful for having you to love and for providing me with a family. I love you, and I can’t wait to grow old with you.”

Kyle knew it was her turn without looking at Anatoli.

“Max, when I first met you, I was afraid of you—of this life and what you would do.”

“But I quickly realized that, while you come across as demanding and mean, you would protect me from everything that would hurt me.”

“You’ve turned my life upside down, but I don’t regret it for one second. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I know that I could never fall out of love with you.”

“I love you, and I look forward to all the adventures in our future.”

After the vows, Anatoli had them exchange the rings.

The ring Max gave her was a perfect match to her engagement ring and wedding band from Dimitri; she loved that they had coordinated the look.

“I love you, little bee,” Max said before pulling Kyle into a kiss.

“I love you too,” Kyle whispered once the kiss was broken.

Kyle was beyond happy.

Everything was falling into place, and she had everyone she loved here today. Celebrating love and her life with Max and Dimitri was everything she didn’t know she wanted.