Victoria

His hands are settled onto either side of my waist, his taller figure smoothly swaying against mine. Dancing to the soft music by the small huddle of violin players, at our Reception, I don't think I've gained the slightest thought to tear my gaze away from Rio's.

And the curiosity eats up at me. "So where is this honeymoon going to take place?" I ask, my arms snaked around his shoulders.

I catch the sight of my husband's full lips quirk up immensely, as if he can't help himself. "Still curious about it, huh?" He responds huskily, and I roll my eyes.

"C'mon ma, you're the one that wanted it to be a surprise." He remarks, truthfully. Against the gangster, I wrinkle my nose.

"Right, but it's eating up at me." I fail miserably at suppressing a smile. "Guess I'm too excited, that's all."

My husband smirks. "You should be."

I feel my cheeks heat up, as I peer up on my tiptoes to peck his lips. Rio returns the passionate kiss - pulling me a tad bit closer with his own hands.

"I love you," he states; I feel his warm breath hit my pink lips. The pumping blood in my heart pulsates, as my teeth tug at my bottom lip. But before I can part my lips to tell him I love him too, a mischievous grin surfaces upon Rio's face. "But you're gonna have to wait for that surprise, Mrs. Cortez."

And the grin fails to be hidden yet again, when I release a mere groan. I then glide my hands to the gangster's tattooed neck, before leaning up to press my lips on his once again. "I can do that. And I love you, too." I finally say.

--

After dances for slow songs, and fast, the big day is still going epic. Everyone is now settled in their seats at the round dining tables within the Reception building - some coming back from the snack table as they wait for the wedding cake to be cut, others still coming back inside from dancing or watching the live music.

All I'm seeing are smiles; it's building up on the content feeling inside my chest. By far, this is the most greatest day of my life.

As I make my way to the mic and small stage inside the vast building, a gentle tug at my dress causes me to glimpse back. My niece's brown irises are now steadied on mine. I smile.

"You did a great job with those rings." I compliment, sending a wink. "I knew you weren't as clumsy as your mother makes you out to be." Just then, Ann makes her way over to us. My sister stops right next to her daughter's side, resting a hand on her short shoulder.

"And you," I smile meeting my sister's gaze, "you did spectacular, Ann. The wedding, the reception... I can't thank you enough."

Ann forms a small smile, going to pull me in for a hug. "It was my pleasure, sis. All I ask for in return, low key, is a fat piece of that cake." She murmurs when I wrap my arms around her. I laugh, "I had intended on it. And speaking of..." I release her.

"That's actually what I was on my way to do." I point over my shoulder. "Gotta gather everyone around for the cake, mind calling in the ones outside?" I ask - just before the lulling scent of Rio's light cologne washes over me, and I find him by my side.

He smiles at me while he slips his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. And when my back soon faces my sister and her daughter, Abby's voice starts from behind me.

"You two have matching tattoos!" She remarks cheerfully, instantly earning my awed smile. I turn around to fixate on her eyes.
"We do!" I tell her. "I got it the very night he proposed to me."

I watch the sheepish grin on Abby's face curve upward even more, "makes me love you two even more!" she finishes. I laugh as Rio chuckles beside me, and I quickly glance beside me to see the all too familiar twinkle in his eye. I intertwine his fingers with mine, looking to Ann again. She gestures to leave and gather around the guests, after taking Abby's small hand into hers.

Continuing to head towards the stage, with my husband now next to me, we make our way to announce that we'll be cutting the cake - in which ended in satisfied cheers and smiles.

And about an hour or two later, out of my wedding dress and now vesturing a shorter crimson red dress, I take a seat at the table that I spotted Chris at, making myself comfortable.

In his fine suit, Attwood's lips seem to briefly twitch. "Already packed for the honeymoon?" He questions, taking a sip from his glass of strawberry daiquiri.

I run a hand through my loose brown waves while diffusing a soft breath. "Just finished loading my bags into the car. Rio finished his but had to fill the tank with more gas, so here I am!" I glance over to see Teddy seated next to Attwood; his dark tuxedo fitting and a lot like Chris's. I'm happy to see him here.

"Hey, Teddy!" I send him a quick wave along with a smile, as he delivers one back.

"My, my!" One familiar voice begins a few feet away, before I look up to see Liki walk up to the table with his hands occupied with drinks - and a piece of cake nearly crumbling between the fingertips of his right hand. His Korean complexion is lit up as he nears me; clearly excited. "The Queen is now present at the Gang Table!"

Chris delivers Liki a sudden and harsh nudge on his arm, causing for the piece of wedding cake to fall onto the floor - luckily, not the drinks. Liki winces before pouting because of the loss of cake, seconds before sitting the drinks on the table's surface. Chris carefully points at Micheal and Amanda's table, signaling for the Korean to keep quiet on the gang talk.

I suppress my laughter, soon feeling a warm touch contact my shoulder, right above my tattoo.

"Hey, darlin'." Rio starts lowly, approaching my side. I send him a small smile, watching him scan over the gang seated at the table. His chocolate brown irises lock onto mine shortly after, again. "You gotta minute?" He asks.

Coming to a stand, Rio slips my hand into his, soon leading us aside. When it's just me and him, I search between either of his gallant eyes - able to tell it's quite serious.

"I wanted to ask you somethin'." He says, staring into my eyes as well.

"This marriage is a big step, and I know you want things for it..." the gangster sweeps his tongue across his full lips, "and when I saw you talking to the gang I thought about it. Leading them, still, you want it?" He questions, business and curiosity laced behind his raw tone.

Standing close to him, I don't avert from his gaze. I take a breath. "For our future, and for the sake of our children," I include, "I wouldn't want as much crime. But to answer your question..."

I jolt my gaze toward the table the gang, and even Ann who makes her way over to it, huddles at.

"Picture time!" I blurt, beginning in my tracks toward them - though I felt Rio's confused gaze remain on me. The ladies and gentlemen at the table smirk and come to a firm stand, beginning to gather around.

"MORE?" Ann playfully frowns, before Liki stealthily, I notice, plants his arm over her shoulders to include her over.

Teddy, Chris, Liki, Ann and Abby, Amanda and her family, and everyone else that's left, rummages into position behind me.

And I extend the arm that holds my cell phone, to squeeze all of us unto the camera.

"Yep, one more. Because everyone takes family photos at weddings, right?" I crack a genuine smile, glancing over to my husband - who's lips eventually begin to twitch, understanding my final answer, before plastering an irresistible smile.

Rio and I share a knowing look, a moment, before he makes his way over, too. He plants his feet right beside me - as my best friend, as my other half - and he hovers with a widening smile.

Everyone focuses on the camera in my hand, surfacing wide and bright smiles, as we stand together.

--

As Rio kindly opens the passenger side door of his sleek black BMW for me, I peer up one more time to offer a farewell smile to the family and friends waving us goodbye.

Sliding into the car, Rio enters and makes himself comfortable in the driver seat after shutting the door behind me. With my hand laid between our seats, my husband takes my warm hand into his - I catch glimpse of my diamond ring glisten under the indoor car lights. I feel my lips twitch.

He starts the car, causing the engine to roar to life. His dark brown eyes latch onto mine. "You ready for that honeymoon, sweetheart?" He asks me huskily, showcasing a grin.

I purse my lips a moment, later forming a smile. I'm sure to squeeze his hand in mine, before leaning over to hover his side.

"More than I'll ever be, baby." I say, teasingly nibbling on the gangster's earlobe. Against my chest, I feel his toned shoulders slightly tense up, a second. That is, before I lean back in my seat again.

I watch Rio curl his lip before his tan cheeks turn mere pink, before he hungrily bites down onto his lip. Seeing his lips curve immensely, Rio puts the car into drive, as we begin our way to our honeymoon - in which I'm beyond excited and looking forward to.

---

Hello, loves!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!! Next will be up over the weekend!

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