Chapter 34

Michael wasn’t just a bundle of nerves; he was a ball of pure, unadulterated excitement. Dressed in the tuxedo Anelise had chosen for him, he glanced around at the other men in the room, all similarly attired.

He felt a surge of gratitude as he looked at the men he’d chosen to stand beside him on this day. They were more than just friends; they were family.

JJ sauntered over, a bag in hand. He pulled out a bottle of scotch and a set of glasses. “Alright, guys, let’s have a drink before we kick off this party!”

Laughter filled the room as the men gathered around. JJ poured a generous shot for each of them and raised his glass. “To Michael and Ani. Here’s to a life filled with love, adventure, amazing sex, and a bunch of kids to get our parents off our backs!”

“Amen!” Christopher hollered, sending another wave of laughter through the room.

“Congrats to Michael, for taking the leap and finding the perfect woman for him and Ollie!” JJ finished. They clinked glasses and downed their drinks, quickly stashing the evidence as Naomi entered the room.

“Hope you’re all decent!” She called out before bustling in, her cheeks flushed.

“Oh, you all look so handsome! We’ve got fifteen minutes, then you guys are heading out front, okay? Michael, don’t forget to walk your mother to her seat,” Naomi reminded him, still in full party-planner mode.

She approached Michael, adjusting his tie and smoothing his shoulders. “Nervous?”

He shook his head. “Not at all! How’s Ani doing?”

“She’s stunning and perfect, ready to walk down the aisle to you. She’s so calm it’s making me nervous!” Naomi chuckled. “But she’s ready to be with you. She wants her happily ever after with you.” She pulled him into a hug.

“Thank you, Naomi. I can’t express how much it means to me that you’ve welcomed Ollie and me into your family, and for everything you’ve done. ‘Thank you’ seems so inadequate, but I’ll say it again. Thank you,” he said softly.

She pulled back, fighting back tears, and placed a hand on his cheek. “You’re more than welcome. You can repay us by living a wonderful, full life. Oh, and your mother and I agree on at least three more grandkids.”

He laughed. “I think you’re both nuts, but I love you for it.”

She smiled, gave them a few last-minute reminders, and then left.

“See? If you can pop out a few, then the rest of us are safe for a few more years!” JJ said.

“What about the woman you brought tonight?” Michael asked, “Aren’t you two dating?”

“How do you define dating? Because we meet up for sex a few times a week, but we’re not dating. See, she does this thing with her tongue—” JJ’s words were cut off by a smack as the minister walked in, announcing it was time.

The men headed for the door, laughing, and lined up to receive their boutonnières. They then exited through a side door, taking their places at the altar. The music played softly as Michael escorted Susan to her seat up front.

After kissing his mother and hugging his father, he looked around, taking in the simple elegance and romance of the setting. He remembered that the reception venue was supposed to mirror this.

The lights, the flowers, the swags of fabric in shades of mauve, deep purple, and dark green all combined to create an atmosphere of love. He couldn’t wait to see what Naomi had done at the reception.

The music shifted, and the bridesmaids began their procession down the aisle, all dressed in mauve. Initially, he’d been skeptical about the dress choice when he’d heard about the “deep v and high slit,” fearing they might look a bit trashy.

But seeing Ashley, Tiffany, Monica, and Emily in the dresses, he realized they looked beautiful. And when Leslie walked down the aisle in the same dress, but in deep purple, Craig leaned over and whispered.

“Dude! What the fuck is Ani trying to do? Kill me? It’s my job as the best man to hook up with a bridesmaid!”

Michael rolled his eyes and chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Leslie grin at him and take her place. Next, Ollie came down the aisle, holding the pillow with the fake rings tied to it, smiling at everyone.

He stopped and stood between his father and Craig as the music changed again to a classical song that Anelise loved. When they heard it played by the four-piece orchestra and piano, he felt a tightening in his chest.

He was swept up in the emotion the song stirred in the room. And then he looked down the aisle, and his breath was knocked from his body.

Anelise was walking down the aisle on Johnathon’s arm, a radiant smile on her face. She looked like an angel approaching him.

Her dress was simple but perfect for her, accentuating her curves in all the right places. Her dark red hair shone in the delicate up-do, a silver headpiece resting atop it.

The roses and calla lilies she loved so much, in mauve, deep purple, and white, were gathered at her waist as she held onto the man who had supported her so much over the years. She looked straight into his eyes, her gaze piercing his heart.

Michael had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life, and the fact that she loved him humbled him to his core, bringing tears to his eyes. He quickly brushed them away as she drew closer, seeing the joy and adoration on her face.

He was itching to take her into his arms, but they hadn’t even gotten to that part yet, and he was antsy as hell. He felt Craig’s hand on his shoulder in solidarity and knew it was close. They waited for the minister as the music faded.

“Who gives this woman to be married?” he asked.

“Her family does, with their blessing,” Johnathan answered, kissing her cheek and whispering, “I love you, sweet girl.”

He shook Michael’s hand and gently placed her hand in his. He walked to the pew where Naomi was sitting, and the gathered guests took their seats. Anelise handed her bouquet to Leslie, and Michael took her other hand.

Michael barely heard a word the minister was saying; he was too busy staring at the woman before him, committing every detail to memory so he would never forget this moment.

Michael’s attention was yanked back to the present when the minister called his name. He was asked if he pledged to love, honor, and cherish Anelise for as long as they both lived. His response was loud and clear, leaving no room for doubt. “Yes, I will.”

Anelise echoed his sentiment, and then it was time for the rings. Craig handed over hers, Leslie handed over his, and they were blessed and slipped onto their fingers, each one a symbol of their love.

The minister continued speaking, but Michael’s focus was elsewhere until he heard the words that made his heart leap. They were pronounced man and wife, and he was given permission to kiss the woman he loved.

A grin spread across Michael’s face as he pulled her close, cradling her face in his hands. He kissed her slowly, deeply, passionately, while the crowd erupted in cheers.

His hands slid down to her waist, pulling her even closer, his lips still craving hers until she finally pulled away, gasping for breath and smiling.

She leaned in close and whispered, “That was the best kiss we’ve ever shared!”

He agreed, whispering back, “And Leslie and Tiff were right! I want to lift this dress and make you mine right now! You look absolutely breathtaking, stunning, and beautiful!”

Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink, and they walked back down the aisle to the sound of cheers. They made their way outside, allowing the guests to move from the church to the Bell Tower for cocktail hour while they posed for family and group pictures.

Once the camera flashes had subsided, the wedding party piled into the limo bus that Naomi had reserved, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

“I love you. I just wanted to tell you that before the night gets away from us,” Ani said.

“I love you, too. This has been the best day of my life,” he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. “We are going to have the best life, Ani!”

She agreed, settling into his arms as they watched their friends and family mingle.

She noticed Leslie and Craig talking rather closely and raised an eyebrow. Steve and Ray, two of Michael’s coworkers he’d quickly become friends with, seemed to be getting along well with everyone else. She couldn’t help but feel pleased. Everything was shaping up for a perfect evening.