CHAPTER 31: Wedding Night

The reception continued despite the drama.

Or maybe because of it. There was a defiant energy in the room—a determination to celebrate despite James's attempted disruption.

"To the bride and groom!" David toasted. "May your marriage be filled with less drama than your engagement!"

Everyone laughed. Even me, though my hands were still shaking from seeing James.

Alexander kept me close all evening. His hand on my lower back. His eyes checking on me constantly.

"I'm okay," I assured him during dinner.

"Are you? Really?"

"I'm married to you. I'm better than okay."

He smiled and kissed my temple. "Dance with me again?"

"We just danced."

"I want to dance with my wife. Is that a crime?"

My wife. I'd never get tired of hearing that.

We swayed on the dance floor while guests ate and chatted. The rain had stopped, leaving everything fresh and clean.

"Victoria says the police have James," Alexander murmured. "They're holding him overnight. He'll be arraigned Monday on the restraining order violation."

"Will he go to jail?"

"Probably not. First offense. But it'll be on his record. And it proves he's unstable."

I rested my head on his chest. "I almost feel sorry for him."

"Don't. He made his choices."

"He's lost everything. His job. His family. His father."

"He didn't lose me. He threw me away." Alexander's voice was firm. "There's a difference."

Catherine appeared, cutting in gently. "May I steal my son for a dance?"

"Of course." I stepped back.

As they danced, Victoria appeared at my side with cake.

"You need to eat. Baby needs food."

"I had dinner."

"You had three bites. Eat." She handed me a fork. "So. You're officially my stepmother now. That's weird."

"Very weird."

"But good weird." She smiled. "You make Dad happy. That makes you family."

"Even though I'm younger than you?"

"Especially because of that. Means you'll probably outlive him and can tell embarrassing stories at his funeral."

"Victoria!"

"What? I'm practical." But her eyes were soft. "Seriously though. Welcome to the Sterling family, Bella. We're messy and complicated, but we're yours now."

I hugged her impulsively. "Thank you. For everything. For helping plan this. For accepting me. For being Team Bella."

"Always Team Bella." She pulled back. "Now eat your cake. It cost $3,000 and it better be worth it."

---

By 10 PM, I was exhausted.

The pregnancy, the stress, the emotion—it had all caught up to me.

Alexander noticed immediately. "You're fading."

"I'm fine—"

"You're swaying on your feet. Let's say goodnight."

We made our rounds, thanking guests. Catherine hugged me tightly.

"Be happy," she whispered. "Both of you."

"We will."

Victoria handed me a gift bag. "Wedding night essentials. Don't open it in front of Dad, it'll embarrass him."

Alexander drove us back to the penthouse—we'd decided against a honeymoon until after the baby was born.

"I can't travel when I'm seven months pregnant," I'd argued. "Let's wait."

Now, as we rode the elevator up to our home, the reality hit me.

I was married.

To Alexander Sterling.

This was real.

"You're quiet," he observed.

"Just... processing. This morning I was Bella Martinez. Now I'm Bella Sterling."

"Do you like it? The name?"

"I love it." I smiled. "Though legally I'm keeping Martinez too. Bella Martinez Sterling."

"Hyphenated. Very modern."

"I'm a modern woman married to a traditional man. We compromise."

The elevator doors opened. Alexander swept me into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I laughed.

"Carrying my bride over the threshold. It's tradition."

"You're going to hurt your back."

"You're not that heavy. Especially for someone carrying my child."

He carried me inside, kicking the door shut behind us.

The penthouse had been transformed. Rose petals everywhere. Candles lit. Champagne chilling—sparkling cider for me.

"Victoria," we both said simultaneously.

Alexander set me down gently in the bedroom.

More roses. More candles. And on the bed, the gift bag Victoria had given me.

Curious, I opened it.

Lingerie. Expensive, beautiful lingerie. And a note: "For when the pregnancy glow needs a little extra shine. - V"

I laughed, showing Alexander.

His ears turned red. "My daughter has no boundaries."

"She's thoughtful." I set the bag aside. "Though I'm too tired for anything except sleep."

"Thank God. So am I." He loosened his tie. "Best wedding night ever—going to bed early with my pregnant wife."

"Romantic."

"Practical." He pulled me close. "We have the rest of our lives for romance. Tonight, we sleep."

But as we changed and climbed into bed, neither of us could sleep.

"Married," I whispered in the dark.

"Married," he confirmed.

"Your son tried to crash our wedding."

"And failed."

"Your mother cried during the vows."

"Everyone cried during the vows. You made me cry, and I never cry."

I smiled against his chest. "I can't believe we did it. Actually got married."

"I can." His hand found my small bump. "We're a family now. Legally. Officially. Nothing can change that."

"James will try."

"James can try all he wants. You're my wife. This is our baby. He has no claim to either of you."

I tilted my head up to kiss him. "I love you, husband."

"I love you too, wife." He kissed me back. "Now sleep. You're exhausted."

"So are you."

"I'm allowed. I just married the most beautiful, stubborn, incredible woman in the world. It's been an emotional day."

I snuggled closer. "Best day of my life."

"Even with James showing up?"

"Especially with James showing up. It proved nothing can stop us. Not scandal, not family drama, not threats. We're stronger than all of it."

"We are," he agreed.

Within minutes, I felt him relax into sleep.

But I stayed awake a little longer, replaying the day.

The vows. The kiss. The first dance. Even James's interruption—because we'd survived it. Together.

I was Bella Sterling now.

Wife. Soon-to-be mother. Part of this complicated, messy, beautiful family.

And for the first time in months, I felt completely at peace.

Tomorrow, we'd deal with James's arrest. With the media coverage. With whatever came next.

But tonight?

Tonight I was just a newlywed, lying in bed with her husband, feeling our baby grow inside me.

And that was everything.