Victoria

Wedding planning?!

Now, my heart pounds fast and wild behind my chest from Rio's recent words.

After glancing at Ann who's peering down with wide eyes at the red liquid that's splattered across the island, my gaze jolts toward my fiancé next to me. An amused grin tugs at his full lips as he's glancing between both my sister and I. The gangster's toned figure beneath my fingertips vibrates from the chuckle he sounds.

I stare at him with raised brows, watching him sweep his tongue across his lips before he settles on my shocked gaze.

"I'm joking, darlin'." He says smoothly, against me. "Well to plan the wedding so soon, I mean. But we gotta think about this stuff. Just think in about a few more months you'll be Mrs. Cortez." He smiles charmingly, before he pulls me into him.

Rio captures my pink lips in a soft kiss, and I find my pulse quickening. I gently pull away; resting a hand upon his chest as either of his own hands are grasping my waist.

"Rio exactly, we have months to think about all of this." I say softly, holding his gallant gaze.

"True..." He says lowly, when I watch his dark brown eyes flick down to my pink lips. "I'm just excited, is all." He finishes huskily, biting down on his lip.

I feel my own quirk up, when I take both of my hands and reach up to cup his face. I make his twinkling gaze align with my own.

"It'll happen, and the day will come sooner than you know." I assure him, gazing between his lulling brown eyes - the set of irises that I've missed immensely over the long and dreadful hours of yesterday.

"Until then, and even all the years after that, I love you." I add clearly, not hesitating to captivate his full lips on my own. I can feel Rio smile against me - resulting in my heart to hammer; the passion in my veins intense and electrifying.

"And until you guys learn how to get a room, I'll be on the couch." I hear my sister say, and I peel my lips from Rio's to see her wiping up the last bit of spilled wine.

Ann tosses the drenched paper towels into the trash, on her way past us. Her boots kick ahead of her as he nears the kitchen archway.
"Oh, and as for the wedding planning when the time comes," she sighs whilst spinning on her heels to face us; her hazel specks glistening with anticipation once they fixate on me, "I'll be more than glad to." She says confidently - her glossy lips twitching afterward.

I send my sister a small smile, and a half nod soon follows. I watch her spin around again to head into the living room.

I tug at my lip, turning to face Rio again as he still holds me close in his strong arms. His dark brown irises are dancing with contentment, as they search my own.

"Blondie's gonna plan our wedding huh," he starts huskily, his hands comfortably rubbing against my back in circular motions, "who would've thought?" He says - failing miserably at holding back his familiar smirk. I giggle against him, before I plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"She'll do great." I playfully smack his arm, before spinning around and jogging into the living room after my sister.

--

Around five hours have passed since Rio arrived home with dinner, and now, the house is silent, and the serenity is at ease and peaceful. It's been too long since I've had the chance to lay down as I am, with my body sprawled across the couch in my living room.

And I cherished every single moment of Ann's visit, but now the time is settling in for my fiancé and I to catch up, and I take pride in the opportunity to spend time with him alone.

My sister left the house after receiving a text from Abby's babysitter that Abby starting gaining a slight fever - so without a doubt Ann had to ditch. Which lead to me having nothing better to do than to help Rio with preparing dinner. And after doing so we ate, which was an amazing meal hand cooked by my fiancé, and I didn't think the night could get any better.

That leads to now. Now Rio is back in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes, as I lay in the living room to gather some rest.

But Rio, without a sliver of doubt, is who I missed more than anyone.

Suddenly, and right on cue, I feel a set of plump lips peck my forehead as I lay across my black couch. I immediately crack a smile, before fluttering open my eyes.

Blinking up at the gangster, Rio stands over the back of the sofa to press his full lips against my own before I can blink again, smirking above me. Seconds after, I watch him walk around the couch to claim a spot near my resting feet; lifting my feet to rest them across his long legs as leans back comfortably.

I peer down, admiring the sight of him. Rio purses his lips, as he throws his head back. And while I gather he isn't paying attention to my gentle stare, I send his laid back figure a deliberate once over.

The gangster is in a plain black t-shirt, and he vestures black basketball shorts. His black hair is short, but I can tell it's combed - and the hairy stubs across his jawline dark and unshaved. And as he rests his head back on the couch, his tattoo across his neck stands out from the light descending from the lamp next to him.

I feel my pink lips quirk up, as I recall the night I got my own tattoo; the smaller bird tat permanent on my resting back. I wouldn't trade that night for anything.

Resting my head back down again, I drift off into thought. It was the first night Rio and I danced - just after an hour of deep conversations. I remember the familiar twinkle that danced across his warm irises that night, as he sat across from me. And, I will never forget the moment he proposed, once we headed back home. Right on our front porch, was the greatest few minutes of my life.

I can't imagine how overwhelming that feeling will be on our wedding day.

I bite my lip; my smile eventually succeeding in spilling out. I tangle my fingers in my brown hair, as my gaze fixates on the ceiling above.

As I do, I hear a phone buzz. Though I keep my gaze above until I hear Rio soon chuckle lowly to himself shortly after the phone went off. Peering down, I see him glancing down at the cell in his hands, a grin playing about on his lips as he scans across the small screen.

"What's up?" I ask, breaking the peaceful silence myself that once lingered. I watch Rio glimpse over at me, while he shakes his head.

"Just Chris." He chuckles, peering down to the phone again. "He's just keeping me updated on someone he took in a couple days back." He informs me.

"Took in?" I perch a questionable brow.

"Yeah, sweetheart." He responds, licking his lips as he pushes the cell back into his pocket. "He uh, he found this kid on the streets. His name is Teddy. Kid's only sixteen." He explains, keeping his solemn gaze on mine. "When he saw him there like that it meant something to 'em you know? Now the kid's with us. Everyone's been teaching him around so he can grow tough."

Rio smirks. "But he's gettin' the hang of it all." He says.

"Well that's kind of him, of anyone frankly. And taking someone in like that isn't an easy job." I state, throwing my head back. "Chris is a good guy." I conclude, plastering a small smile to myself.

I remember the very first night I saw Chris - it wasn't precisely a formal meet-and-greet. Chris Attwood was my first 'patient' I had to help that was part of Rio's gang.

I can think back at that night like it was yesterday. Though it also feels like forever ago. I hurried downstairs only to see my front door wide open, and a body laid across my kitchen table's hard surface. I remember the blood that dripped from his wound continuously, mercilessly landing onto my wooden floor.

Luckily, I managed to pull that bullet out. And here we are - at the least of what I would've ever expected.

"Speaking of, darlin'..." Rio pulls me from my memory, and when I avert my gaze onto him again, he's scratching the back of his tattooed neck. "I'm gonna ask 'em to be my best man, of course." He adds lowly.

I immediately sit upright, with the support of either palm, and vesture a widening smile. "Really? I mean, it's not that I didn't expect it. You guys are like...brothers. You are brothers." I say. Rio showcases a smile; his white teeth revealing in my direction.

"Aw, well that's great." I smile in return, crossing my legs in my pajama shorts.

I curl my lip, as he watches me. "Well, it may not come as a surprise to you, of course, but I was going to ask Ann to be my maid of honor!" I beam.

Rio's charming smile seems to widen. "That's fantastic, baby." He says, before leaning toward me - either hand of his resting beside either side of my waist now, before his nose brushes against my own. "But you're right, it's not that shocking." He jokes smoothly, before capturing my pink lips in a passionate kiss.

I giggle against his tall figure, seconds before he towers over me to lay me back down again - with him above me this time.

---

Hello, loves!! Thank you a bunch for reading!!! Love you all and hope you get a good night's sleep tonight!

Remember that Jesus loves ya!

Much love!

xx