The CEO's Unexpected Child(31)

       
           



       

Claire could hardly believe it. She'd been content in gaining Luca's  large, loud family as her own, but to have her mother close again made  tears start to pool in her eyes. She looked up and breathed through her  nose. If she messed up her eye makeup, Carla would get onto her.

"I hate to break up the family reunion    ," Daisy said, "but it's time to get this wedding going."

The Moretti sisters scrambled to gather their things and slip out of  the room. Daisy was carrying Eva down the aisle, so she took her from  her grandmother's arms. "Follow me and I'll have the ushers seat you."

Then, just as quickly, Claire found herself alone. She gave herself one  quick glance in the mirror and picked up her bouquet. Her stomach was  fluttering, but for the first time in weeks, it was just nerves, not  nausea. She took a deep breath and the anxiety faded. There was no  reason to be worried about this wedding. She'd never been more sure of  anything in her life as she was about marrying Luca.

Glancing out the window, she saw all the parents seated and Daisy followed. It was time to go.

Stepping carefully downstairs, she stopped at the deck to await her  music. There, she could see several rows of white chairs lining the  sandy path to the archway, filled with faces of friends and family,  eager and happy to witness this moment. Beneath the archway of white  flowers stood the officiant, Daisy, Eva and Luca.

His gaze was glued to her as she came outside. For once, it was his jaw  that dropped open with amazement and his eyes that shone glassy with  tears. He was wearing a white linen suit without a tie, keeping the look  casual. Even then, he was still the most handsome man she'd ever seen  in person. It was hard to believe this man-the father of her  children-was about to be her husband. It was more than she ever could've  hoped for.

The music started and everyone stood and turned to look in her  direction. Claire stepped barefooted into the soft golden sand and  headed down the path to her happily-ever-after.