Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter Seventeen

Rome

  We get to the gallery meeting up with Henry. He got here before we did. Not that we regret it but being up half the night wasn't the brightest idea. Worth it though. Rosemary took a couple of months not wanting to be touched due to what had happened and I missed her.

  Off that topic, I get to see her all dressed up tonight and I can't wait. She rarely gets dolled up because of her belly being bigger so I cherish the moments she does.

  "Let's put the tables lined up more in the center away from the paintings but spread out so everyone isn't crowded." I'm grateful there aren't too many people coming because it's less of a chance I'm taking with my paintings. We were assured there wouldn't be any kids or strong alcoholic beverages and everyone would be limited to how many glasses. We didn't mind kids but they made the rules themselves.

  Henry and I set up the chairs after finishing the tables while Rosemary set up the flowers. She's doing amazing with the decorations, it's looking romantic in here.

"Alright, that's the last one," Henry says and I nod thanking him. "We can add the plates now and then set up the aisle and arch. I have the painting of them ready to be set up over there by the cake but Rosemary is going to prep it."

  "Yes, I just finished the flowers, I'm going to set up the portrait now along with the food area." She says and kisses my cheek before going back to work. Henry and I head to the back to grab the aisle runner and arch. "You seem happy, Rome." Henry breaks the silence and I nod. "I am. Haven't felt this way in so long. I love her." I admit to him and he smiles at me. "Going to ask her to marry you?" He asks as we start walking to the front.

  "I will. Sometime after the baby probably. We're just so busy right now I don't want her to feel overwhelmed." He just nods and we get everything set up.

  Time feels like it's flying by as everything quickly comes together. The eating zone, the aisle, the food, and the walkway for the guests to roam around looking at the art. They asked for classical music to play to keep the gallery mood and wanted a small dance area. We set up the fake candles and finished the setup.

  Guest start to arrive on time and we guide them to their seat. Rosemary heads to the back to change out of her sweatpants. Henry and I are already in our tuxedos. Security in their positions by the paintings and statues. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to check. "Hey Henry, you got this? Rosemary just needs me to close up the back of her dress real quick." He nods waving me off. When I get to my office where she's changing, I step in and see her struggling. "Rosie, you have zero patience." I softly laugh, shaking my head. "Not funny Rome. I used to be able to do this now it's hard. I can't do a lot of things and I'm not even full-term yet." She pouts and gives up on the dress.

  "That's why I'm here to help you." I try to cheer her up and I grab her hands, kissing each of them. "You need to relax and let me help." She just rolls her eyes at me and turns around. "You look gorgeous by the way. I think you're going to shine brighter than the bride." I tell her as I kiss her bare shoulder. She shivers at my touch. I kiss her shoulder again, closer to her neck. "Rome stop.." she struggles to hide her moan and her body caves into my touch.

  "Your lips tell me one thing... but your body says another." I grab her hips and hold her against me. I press my lower half into her bottom so she can feel what she's doing to me.

  "We can't." She whispers and I ignore her. I pull up her dress and find her naked underneath. "For later." She says and moans when I slip my finger in. "Or now," I say back and she nods. "Be quick, the wedding." She says and I laugh.

  Rose turns in my arms and makes me sit down after pulling me out of my pants. She climbs over, straddling me, and shoves me into her. "Baby." I kiss her lips to quiet her when she moans. She bounces on me for a couple of minutes before her legs start to shake. I moan into her mouth when I feel her tighten around me and we release together. Her body shakes on top of me and I hold her in place.

"Geesh, that was good," I whisper in her ear and she nods. "You're always on top." She giggles and gives me a sloppy kiss as she climbs off of me. "Now zip me up. I need to fix my hair now." She huffs but smiles at me.

—

The ceremony was cute and sweet. Just made me think about me waiting at the end and watching Rosemary walk down towards me. For now, I'm going to focus on our baby. Marriage in the future.

"What are you smiling at?" Bernie asks as he walks up to me. "Nothing, congratulations bud. It was beautiful." I shake his hand. "Thank you, truly thank you and your team for helping set it all up. We love it." He says just as his wife walks over. "Hey, Patrice," I say and she hugs me before going to her husband's side. "I agree with Bern here. We love it! Our guests as well, all I hear are compliments!" She says excitedly.

  "It was all your idea. I just made sure it happened." I smile at them and spot Rosemary. "Your first dance is about to start, head to the dance floor," I tell the couple and they do,  the guests are either eating or finished and mingling. Making my way over to Rosemary, I see she's talking to Henry. He spots me and waves me over.

"Hey, what are you two up to?" I wrap an arm around Rose and she leans into me. Henry smiles at us, "We were talking about the baby. How you still haven't bought anything, what are you waiting for?" He scolds us but in a playful manner. He isn't wrong we've been so busy with the baby Josh issue and this wedding. We have no time for our little family. For our baby.

I rest my hand on her bump, "I know, we're six months and need to get things together."

"We have three months, it's okay," Rose says and I give her a look. "If you give birth early we won't be prepared, we need to get things together starting now, Henry is right." I try to explain but she rolls her eyes and walks to the back. "Mood swings." Henry laughs and pats me on my back.

—

The following day

       After church, Rosemary avoids me. She does her best to at least since we do live together. While we are alone before my sisters come over here, I decide to take advantage of our alone time and talk to her. She's currently out on the balcony that overlooks the backyard. I sit in the seat next to her and she glances at me before focusing back on the yard.

  "What's the matter?" I ask as I follow the directions she's looking at. She's just watching the pool water, as it glimmers with the sun. "Rome.. You went against me in front of people. You made me look stupid." she frowns. I sigh and grab her hand. This time she doesn't pull away like she did in church.

  "Rose.." I start and she looks at me. "I wasn't trying to make you feel bad about what I said. Maybe I should have spoken about it in private instead of talking about it with Henry there. I'm sorry." she just shrugs at me and looks back at the pool. "It's fine, not like you're wrong. I'm just nervous since I have no experience and it's clear you'll be fine. I've been putting off everything about the baby." she sighs and slants back in the chair.

  "That's not true, you were good with Josh while he was with us. You're going to be an incredible mom. I do not doubt it." I smile at her as she looks at me. "We're in this together Rosemary. We will figure parenting out, together." this time she smiles at me and I pull her onto me, kissing her head after she lays against me.