Semua Bab THE WIFE WHO STOLE HIS HEART: Bab 91 - Bab 100

The private room at Romano's steakhouse was filled with guy laughter and that easy feeling you get when you've been through some crazy stuff together. Lucas wanted to keep my bachelor party small – just him, Dr. James Chen (who became a real friend during Emma's treatment), Detective Mike Torres, and, surprisingly, Thomas. Having Thomas there was a sign of how much we'd healed as a family."So, Sterling," Detective Torres said, lifting his beer, "are you ready to be officially part of the Romano family craziness, or are you having second thoughts about marrying into Seattle's most dramatic bunch?""The craziness is exactly what I'm signing up for," I said, feeling more chill than I had in weeks. "Plus, after dealing with Thomas's takeover attempt and Sophia's stalking, a wedding feels pretty easy."Thomas, sitting at the end of the table since the family wasn't totally comfortable with him yet, smiled warmly. "Mikel, you deserve all the happiness Bella brings you. And, even more impor

My flower girl dress hangs in Mommy's closet like a cloud made of silk and dreams, and I can barely sleep because tomorrow is the most important day in our whole family's history. The dress is blue like dolphin water with sparkles that catch the light when I spin, and Great-Grandma Elena says it makes me look like a Romano princess.But I have a secret that's bigger than my pretty dress. A secret that I've been working on for weeks with Great-Grandma Elena's help, and tomorrow during the ceremony, I'm going to surprise everyone with something that will make this wedding extra magical."Emma, sweetheart, you need to get some sleep," Mommy says, finding me sitting by my bedroom window watching the fairy lights Lucas strung in Great-Grandma Elena's garden for tomorrow's ceremony. "Tomorrow is a big day, and flower girls need their energy for all that important petal-scattering."I turn around in my window seat, clutching my stuffed dolphin Neptune. "Mommy, I'm too excited to sleep. My he

Elena walked to her jewelry box, removing a piece I'd never seen before. "Bella, this belonged to the first Romano woman who came to America. It's been worn by every Romano bride for four generations."The necklace was stunning but understated--a simple chain holding a pendant of intertwined hearts, worn smooth by decades of love and celebration."Elena, it's beautiful. But I'm not a Romano bride anymore. I'm a Sterling bride becoming a Romano-Sterling wife.""Which makes you exactly the right woman to start a new tradition," Elena said firmly, fastening the necklace around my neck. "This necklace represents Romano women who were brave enough to love partners who made them stronger. You're not inheriting the tradition, darling. You're evolving it."Margaret Sterling's hands trembled as she approached with an antique jewelry box that held thirty years of secrets. Inside, a blue velvet ring box nestled like a precious memory. She opened it carefully, revealing a sapphire engagement ring

Emma stood there, a little white envelope shaking in her hands, in front of all two hundred wedding guests. Her flower girl basket was on the ground, forgotten. Father Morrison had just asked if anyone knew why Bella and Mikel shouldn't get married, and my six-year-old daughter raised her hand like she was in class."I don't have reasons they shouldn't get married," Emma said clearly, "but I need to say something before they say their promises."People laughed, surprised. They knew they were about to see something special. Bella looked at me, her eyes wide. She was just as surprised as everyone else by our daughter's little speech.Father Morrison smiled, like someone who's been to many Romano family parties before. "Emma, what's in that envelope?"Emma nodded, real serious. She opened it carefully, where she'd put dolphin stickers. She got out two pieces of paper with her kid writing and crayon drawings of our family."I wrote my own wedding stuff," she said. "Families make promises

The string quartet played in Elena's pretty garden as the two hundred guests moved from the ceremony to tables with vanilla-scented roses. My new husband and I walked through rice and happy cheers, with Emma next to us, still throwing shiny rose petals and yelling to everyone that she helped plan the best Romano wedding ever."Mrs. Romano-Sterling," Mikel whispered as we stopped at our table. "How's it feel to be married to your business partner?"I smiled and fixed my sapphire ring, catching the sun. "Mr. Romano-Sterling, it feels like home and an adventure at the same time."Emma got on the chair between us, her dress still clean after hours of fun. "Mom and Dad, when do we tell everyone the big family secret?"I got nervous. We planned to announce the baby during the toasts, but Emma wanted to tell everyone now."After dinner," Mikel said, squeezing my hand. "Big news needs the right time."Lucas came to our table with Detective Sarah Martinez, both with champagne and smiles. "Read