Chapter 0329

“Do you take this woman?” the justice asks, smiling kindly at Daniel, “to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Daniel beams down at me and I can’t but smile back at him, laughing a little at the joy on his face.

“I do,” Daniel says, and I wrinkle my nose at him. We're putting on an act, of course, but honestly? Honestly, a lot of it is real. I

love my best friend. I'd marry him and live in a sexless marriage of convenience to raise this baby as his child instead of his

brother any day.

Of course, I have other plans.

But this? It’s not a bad backup.

“And do you,” the justice turns to me now, looking at me like the fond mother I never had. “Take this man to be your husband?”

“Yup,” I say, laughing a little as I do so, and then I take a step closer to him, squeezing his hands with my own. Daniel rolls his

eyes at me and looks at me incredulously, mouthing the word “yup?!” like he can’t believe I just said that and I laugh and correct

myself. “Yes!” I say, laughing outright now, “yes, sorry, yes. Yes, I take him, I do.”

“Then I pronounce you man and wife!”

Asmall cheer goes up from our gathered loved ones as Daniel wraps an arm around my waist and pulling me lightly against him.

Then he kisses me, gently, sealing the deal. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back — just a small, chaste kiss.

Because even though Daniel is my best friend...

Well, I don’t really allow myself to consider what I’m really feeling at this moment. What it does to me to marry Daniel, when what

I really want...

He pulls away from me, smiling and turning towards our little crowd, raising our joined hands for everyone to see.

Janeen and my dad, standing with Jerome, whoop and holler with joy, while Natalia and Alessi, sit on the other side of the tiny

aisle with my father. All three clap politely, my father and Alessi beaming at us. My father, to my shock, wipes a tear from his eye.

I smile and blow him a kiss, knowing I need him on my side.

Daniel and I complete some quick paperwork and then scurry down the aisle, our family coming happily with us. Outside of City

Hall Natalia, Alessi, and my father give us a series of kisses and well-wishes, knowing that it’s time for them to go.

“Are you sure, daughter,” my father says, looking mournfully down at me. “That you will not come to dinner? Tristan and I will

take you somewhere wonderful, truly celebrate the day —*

“No,” I say, pitching my eyes down and pretending to regret it. But then — as I’ve been doing too much lately, though it’s so

effective that I don’t know if I’ll ever stop —I slide a hand over my belly. “I — I don’t think I can keep any of it down. The morning

sickness has gotten really bad...”

It's a lie, of course. I’m thoroughly pregnant — we had a doctor confirm everything a few days ago — but I still haven’t felt any

different in my body.

“Ah,” my father says, leaning forward to kiss me on the forehead. “Your mother was just the same. But, soon, yes? We will

celebrate.”

“Of course, papa,” I say, smiling fondly up at him. His eyes get a little wet as he gazes down at me, but then he pats my cheek

and turns away, heading for his car.

“And we,” Natalia says, standing on her tiptoes to kiss Daniel on both cheeks. “Will see you tomorrow!”

Alessi sighs a little to have it brought up again — he likes peace in his family, I know, and wishes to avoid awkward subjects like

his nephew’s paternity test — but Natalia pays no mind.

“Yes, Natalia,” Daniel says, laughing and kissing her back. “Tomorrow morning. I'll bring you coffee.”

“Please, don’t,” she sighs. “Your American coffee...” she shudders as if it’s the worst thing on earth.

Not missing that Natalia doesn’t say a damn word to me, I wrap an arm around Daniel’s waist as we wave goodbye to them.

“Well, husband?” I say, grinning up at him. “What’s next?”

“Well, I'd say we should do the

heteronormative thing-aad gogat You

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I grin up at him, laughing as Jerome, Janeen, and my dad join us.

“They're some real pieces of work, aren’t they,” my dad murmurs, watching the Italians go.

“You have nooo idea,” Daniel sighs, turning to smile at him.

“Let's get out of here,” Janeen

groans, tugging at my rm “Fhisis)

nga st wedding

ania been to, there’s not even any

booze!” Please read the original

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“Groom's hot though,” Jerome says,

smiling at Daniel and taking hig-aitn.

aneen ule the away and

down the stairs towards our car.

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