Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

13. Wedding Bells

2016-Chicago, Illinois

"I'm fucking starving." Angie said to the table. "Do we have to wait for them to get here before we eat?"

Richie and Tiff were running late to their own wedding reception. Not specifically unusual behavior for them.

"Yeah." Carmy responded. "I'm pretty sure it's a fucking rule."

"Mommy, Uncle Carmy said a bad word." Sophia pointed at her uncle.

"I heard, honey." She put her head in her hands.

Michael rubbed her back and leaned in to kiss her head. "You okay?"

"I'm five weeks pregnant, I'm hungry, and I have to sit through a family event completely sober."

"You guys excited?" Carmy asked.

"Yeah. It's still early, so I forget sometimes."

"So how's fucking Noma?" Mikey asked his brother while he took a sip of champagne.

"Uh, good. It's good."

"Working at a three Michelin star restaurant is just good?" Angie asked.

"It's great. It's unbelievable."

"Show me something?"

Carmy smiled and pulled out his phone, showing Angie some pictures of dishes he'd made.

"Okay, this one is a dessert."

"What the hell is that?" She laughed.

"The top layer is coconut cream gelatin. Second is mint shiso. The bottom is chocolate and caramel."

"What's that on the top?"

"Marzipan."

"Holy shit." She groaned. "I'm even hungrier now."

"Uncle Richie!" Sophia smiled.

"Oh thank god."

"For the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jerimovich!"

Everyone clapped and cheered as the couple walked into the room. After waving and shaking hands, they came over to their friends.

"Congrats, man." Mikey stood up and hugged Richie.

"Thanks, guys."

"So happy for you." Angie smiled. "Is the food table open by chance?"

"It's open." Tiff laughed. "You hungry?"

"That's an understatement."

Angie grabbed Sophia's hand and led her to the food table.

"Did you not feed her or something?" Richie asked Mikey.

"That's what you'd think."

🤍

Angie stood outside the reception hall, sipping a glass of water. The door opened and footsteps approached her.

"Sorry." Richie said. "Is this your hiding spot?"

"I can share. What're you hiding from?"

"I don't even know." He sighed. "I just need to clear my head."

"What's going on?"

"Can I be honest?"

"Always."

"I am fucking terrified. It's like...I love her. I know that I love her. But everything could go so fucking wrong. Ya know what I mean?"

"I do. I felt the same way."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. A week before my wedding, I was so scared. I was so close to calling it off."

"What stopped you?"

"Thinking about Michael, and how much he loved me. So, just think about Tiff. About her love for you, and how great your future is gonna be."

Richie discreetly wiped his eyes and smiled. "When did you get so wise?"

"I always have been."

He grinned and pulled her into a hug. "So why're you hiding?"

"Well, my husband's getting champagne drunk, my daughter is eating all the cake, and I'm..."

"You're what?"

"Pregnant."

"Holy shit." He grinned. "That's fucking amazing!"

"We haven't told that many people yet. I wanted you and Tiff to have your moment."

"I'm happy for you."

"I'm happy for you."

"I love you, Ange." He gently kissed her forehead,

"Love you too."

🤍

"Do you need anything before you go to sleep?" Angie whispered to Sophia.

"No."

"Okay." She kissed her cheek and got up. "I love you, baby."

"Love you "

She shut off the light and closed the door as she walked out. She came into the bedroom where Michael was half asleep. She laid down next to him and rested her head on his chest.

"Hi."

"Hi." She chuckled at his drunken state. "You sobering up?"

"Trying."

She kissed his cheek and smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I cannot wait to have this baby."

"Do you think it'll be a boy?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Do you want it to be?"

"I don't know. I think I'm scared that...that I'd turn into my old man."

"You're nothing like your father. You're actually here. You're taking care of your family."

He pulled her in tighter and kissed her forehead. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." She yawned.

"I think it's gonna be a boy."

"Why do you think that?"

"Father's intuition."

"Right." She chuckled.

He reached over to turn off the table lamp. "Goodnight, baby."

"Night, sweetheart."