Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“I vowed then and there that this money would pay for your wedding, Little Sun,” my mother had said, a beaming smile on her face as she hugged me tight.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her no, nor could I accept it in good conscience, but luckily Tallon had been more than happy to take the money. I only found out later that he had decided to use just enough of it so that she could say she had paid for the wedding, but he had also set up a separate account for my mother for all of the interest she should’ve accumulated for the money if it hadn’t been buried, plus a large chunk from Tallon.
She would never have to work for the rest of her life.
It was a hard-fought battle to get her to accept the money, but eventually, Tallon won with his sheer persistence. I could tell from the smile on my mother’s face that she appreciated Tallon’s stubborn kindness.
“Just like your Papa,” she told me, softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Thankfully, except for my mother and my eldest cousin, the rest of my family had yet to show up in front of me.
Despite the truce between our two families, My uncle still held a grudge. I doubted that would go away in his lifetime but luckily, my cousins seemed to be more humbled after the experience with Tallon and his people.
My eldest cousin was officially announced as the next leader of the Bratva. I had been shocked when he had come to apologize in his father’s stead, for using me, kidnapping me, and then trying to kill me.
I was hesitant, but the guilt in his eyes had been real. Family was important, after all. He vowed to restore our family name, this time in the right way, and Tallon at least seemed satisfied now that my grandfather’s cycle of hatred was breaking.
For me, however, I didn’t want anything to do with that side of my family any longer. Whether it was my uncles or cousins, even my grandfather, I was done with them.
The legacy that had been left to me was over. It was their burden now, and I felt free.
I stretched my arms behind me, yawning loudly as I struggled to keep my eyes open under the warm noon sunbeams that fell through the window. My muscles stretched and my bones cracked after being so stiff for so long.
I settled in, a small smile on my lips as I basked in the summer sunlight. It seemed like everything was wrapped up with a nice little bow, all the loose ends cut away, and a sense of peace had descended upon us all.
Fall would be on its way soon and once it came, so would our wedding. I could picture it now–the crispy autumn leaves of reds and golds, the outdoor air as we stood at the altar, only my fiance in my eyes as I exchanged this ring for one that would bind us together forever more.
As quick as the vision came, it faded as I felt a large pair of arms wrap around me from behind, a soft head of curls burying itself into my neck. I could feel the soft breath against my skin as he breathed out, his lips barely touching my skin.
“Is your important work done?” I giggled, softly pouring my hands into his hair, gently playing with the ends of his springy and rather long hair–he had grown it out once he realized how much I loved to play with it.
“Hm,” he mumbled, and I could feel the slight nod as he glanced up and over my shoulder. “What’s going on here?”
“Wedding preparations,” I told him with a roll of my eyes. “The ones you skipped out on for the past week, babe.”
“You look like you have it handled.” He smirked, shifting to press a very loud smacking kiss to my cheek. I laughed, my cheeks turning red as he spun me around in the swivel chair, kneeling before me with that mischievous grin I loved.
“You could still help, you know,” I told him, smiling as I cupped his cheeks in my hands.
There was a bit of a dark outline under his eyes, not anything too bad but just noticeable. I wasn’t sure what had him and Vinny as he told me to call him rushing around like chickens without a head, but it was important.
I reached behind me, hoping to take his mind off of whatever they were working so hard about as I grabbed the forget-me-not and orchid in each hand, presenting him with the choices with a big smile.
“Forget-me-not or bamboo orchid, which one do you want at our wedding?” I asked him.
I watched his eyes flicker between the flowers, even raising an eyebrow at me when I thrust them into his face but he nonetheless, obliged and smelled the center of each one.
He frowned, lines on his forehead as he flicked between both rapidly, then finally grinned up at me, a little mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Whichever makes you happier,” he said sweetly.
My heart warmed at the honest answer, his sincerity burning in his eyes but I wasn’t about to let him get away with this by sweet-talking me, even though I was pretty sure he really didn’t care.
“Tallon.” I gave up, dropping the flowers on the table as I gave him a pouting look. “It’s your day too. I want us to make these decisions together. There’s so much to decide, and I want it to be perfect for both of us, not just whatever I want. Please help me?”
I gave him the wide puppy dog eyes that I knew he couldn’t ignore and he laughed, leaning up to press a kiss to my lips.
“Okay, okay.” He laughed, getting to his feet. “But I’m getting my cuddles in the meantime.”
“Wait, what?” I frowned, unsure of what he meant until he literally scooped me out of the chair like I weighed nothing.
I yelped, clutching onto him as my whole body was lifted into the air. He held me princess-style, a smug grin on his face as he strides over the loveseat.
Before I could even protest, he dropped me onto the seat sideways and collapsed on my lap, scooting until his head was resting on my chest. I leaned back against the pillows, as he sighed in absolute bliss.
“You could’ve asked,” I told him, glancing down at him as I pulled up my phone so both of us could see it.
“But this was more fun,” he shot back, quite content and cozy.
I just laughed, leaning down to kiss his forehead like he had done so many times for me. “You’re so silly,” I whispered to him.
He just smirked, reaching for my phone as I spotted something interesting. I let him take it, my hands automatically burying themselves in his hair as he found the folder I had labeled for venues and cakes.
“Ooh, I like this one,” Tallon grinned, showing me the photo.
It was the candy-land-themed cake that I had put in there as a joke, just because I knew Tallon had a sweet tooth. I rolled my eyes.
“How did I know you were going to pick that one?” I huffed.
“You love me.” He stuck out his tongue playfully.
I just smiled, feeling happier than I had in my entire life just by being by his side.
After everything we’d been through though, we deserved to celebrate and have a little fun.
“Yes,” I answered him quietly, watching his face light up as he scrolled through the dozens of cakes I’d saved for him to see.
“Yes, I do.”
*Natalia*
“Gorgeous!” Alina cried with wide sparkling eyes.
The dozens of beautiful models strutted down the runway in designer white dresses, princess styles and ball gowns, sheaths and A-lines, and even white jumpsuits and tuxedos.
The music blared in my ears, as did the person behind the mic as he announced the names of the designers behind the outfits. Though my best friend sighed dreamily, absolutely in love with the fashion show before us, I just stood there awkwardly.
It wasn’t every day I got to attend a bridal show, especially one with big designer names as Alina had explained to me, but my interest in the fancy fashion was waning very quickly. I had hoped to see some dresses on bodies like mine, but I didn’t have the hips or chest to fill out these designs, not like the models on the runway.
Maybe I was just being a little too self-conscious, but I didn’t think any of these dresses would look as nice on me as they did on these models. I sighed, glancing around at the cheering women around me, wearing fancier outfits than anything I owned and diamonds on their nails.
I couldn’t help but feel like I was standing alone in this crowded room like I didn’t belong.
“Alina,” I called out to my best friend amidst the loud music and chaotic happiness of the potential brides around us.
She looked over at me with a wide grin and I told her, “I’m going to check out the booths!”
