and we forgave

Chapter 32

NESSIE

"Right, the details", I begin, drinking from my cup of hot tea while wrapped in a blanket on a chair on the terrace. It's already end of October and the air started getting chilly. However, I needed air for the conversation I am about to have.

With Adam.

About our wedding.

"So, when would you like our wedding to be?", he asks me. He is leaning against the railing of the terrace, obviously in his tux. He's facing the garden, I'm staring at the cup in my hands. Neither of us can look at each other.

"As soon as possible", I answer, my voice shaking. "Before the baby arrives."

He nods and takes out his phone to check his schedule. We are actually planning our wedding day now. "Would it be okay if we do it after the 20th of November?"

"Sure, why?", I ask him.

He swallows hard, as if the answer pains him to say out loud. "Because then is the Benvenutti Gala. If you come at the gala, I can introduce you to the world as my fiancée properly."

The Benvenutti Gala. I read about it. Saw tones of posts about it. Never even dreamed I would be able to attend it. "The Benvenutti Gala?", I ask, still shocked.

"Yes, I was invited. Everyone I know will be there. Every one of my partners. You will need a proper introduction, I think the gala might do the trick", he explains. I swallow hard but nod. He continues, as in pain as before: "Which leads me to the second thing we need to discuss. Given who I am, I am expected to have an official wedding. Like a big party and so on. I've talked to my lawyer, to Alec and to other friends and they all see no choice but to make a really big celebration and invite all my partners and acquittances."

"How much people are we talking about?", I ask, shivering hard.

"Hundreds", he answers honest.

I swallow hard.

"I always pictured a small wedding, just some family and friends", I confess. A tear rolls down my face knowing I can't have that. Adam agreed to help me out and get married. It's only fitting I help him back. "You know, somewhere not so public and just being there, our families together", I keep dreaming for a few seconds. I swallow hard and wipe away the tears. "Alright then", I answer, my voice shaking. "We can have a big wedding."

"Thank you", he replies, not facing me again. "I'll help with the preparations too. I can also hire a wedding planner so that our work will be easier. Just say it and it's done."

I know nothing about high class weddings. Never wanted to know. "A wedding planner would be nice, thank you."

He swallows hard and nods again. "And about the Benvenutti Gala, can I send your RSVP? Would you like to come?"

"Do I have a choice?", I ask, laughing sarcastically.

"You always have a choice", he replies, his voice more honest than I've ever heard him.

I freeze at that. "Yeah, I'll be there. Let's meet all those stuffed up richies."

He chuckles. I also let a twitch on my mouth.

Adam turns to leave back inside. He reaches the door but stops with his hand on the door knob. "And love", he begins and I shiver at the nickname. He continues: "What you described as your dream wedding is exactly what I always hoped for mine. I'm sorry we didn't get our dreams to come true."

He leaves without giving me a chance to add anything else.