Gemma turned on her side and propped her chin on the heel of her hand. “I forgot completely about that.”
Gabriel pulled her close and kissed her softly. “Forget the bank. I have. It’s our wedding day.”
Giddy delight shimmered through her. She could still scarcely believe that she and Gabriel were getting married after all, that she would wear her lovely wedding dress and walk down the aisle toward him. That Gabriel loved her with passion, and had for years.
* * *
The wedding was held in a pretty church on top of a hill, with a breathtaking view of Dolphin Bay.
Gemma was ready early. Her mother, Lauren and the kids and Elena had arrived just minutes before the influx of hairdressers and beauticians. She’d deliberately hurried each stage because the last thing she wanted to do was to make Gabriel wait.
After everything that had happened, all she wanted to do was get to the church early and get married to her man.
Her gown was gorgeous, dove-soft ivory silk that made her skin glow like honey and made her hair look even richer. The Fabergé diamonds went perfectly with the dress.
While she had dressed, Luisa had filled her in on the history of the jewels. Apparently, Gabriel’s grandfather, Guido, had fallen in love with a Russian girl during the war. Separated by the conflict, he had continued to woo her with letters. When the replies had stopped, worried, he had gone to Russia and found her.
Destitute after the losses of the war, Eugenie had decided he wouldn’t want her anymore. Guido Messena had proven otherwise. The jewels had been his wedding gift to her.
Luisa had given her a smiling glance at the end of the small story and Gemma had picked up on the subtext. Gabriel had known the romantic history of the jewels. He had chosen them for that reason.
When the bridal limousine arrived at the church, it was so early guests had to be hurried inside. Gabriel, who was outside the church talking with Nick and one of his other brothers, Kyle, glanced across at her and met her gaze for a heart-stopping moment.
Mesmerizingly handsome in a gray morning suit, instead of going inside the church with his brothers, Gabriel helped her out of the limousine, smiled into her eyes then took her arm.
When they reached the nave and the music began, Gemma stopped and waited for Elena to organize Sanchia, who was the flower girl.
When Gabriel didn’t walk on and join Nick and Kyle at the altar, but stayed with them, waiting for the wedding march to begin, she sent him an anxious look. “They’re waiting for you at the altar.”
In response he took her arm, drawing her close to his side as Sanchia began her careful trek to the altar, tossing rose petals. “They can wait. Right now I’m going to walk up the aisle with my two girls.”
* * * * *