Page 124 of Bound Bride
Him.
And the adorable little baby growing inside me.
Kon straightens up as I approach, and not once does he take his eyes off me.
When we reach him, he carefully takes my hand from my mother and then thanks her and my sister for bringing me here safely.
"Hey," I whisper as we stand in front of the archway.
"Hey," he whispers right back. "You know we don't have to whisper."
"Oh." A giggle escapes me and my cheeks flush. "Are you okay?"
Kon's eyes wander over my face and then he locks onto my eyes. "More than okay."
Suddenly, Ethan steps around Kon and moves onto the small raised podium next to us.
My eyes widen as he digs into his pocket and pulls out a small square of paper and as he speaks, it clicks in my mind.
When Kon asked to be in charge of who would officiate this, he already knew exactly who was right for the job.
"Good afternoon," Ethan begins. "We are gathered here today to witness the precious vow renewal between Konstantin Belyaev and his darling wife, Rose Belyaevna. When he asked me to officiate this, he told me not to drag my speech on for too long because he doesn't like being the center of attention."
A small murmur of laughter rises through the crowd and Kon shoots Ethan a look of daggers.
"I told him that I would do just that, but before I hand you over to the two best people I have ever known, I want to say that in all my years by Kon's side, I have never seen him happier or more full of life than in these past months since Rose came into his life. I think I speak for all of New York when I say Kon has also gained a slightly merciful side that I hope to never see, because if I do then I'll know I've done something wrong."
More laughter and Kon rolls his eyes, fixating his attention on me.
I smile back and stroke my thumb over his knuckles.
"Well, you've heard enough from me." Ethan tilts his head. "I believe our boss has something he'd like to say."
Kon glances affectionately at Ethan, then he takes a deep breath and looks into my eyes.
There's a flicker of apprehension there and for the first time in his life, Kon might actually be nervous.
"Rose," he says quietly. "I never thought I was built for a life of the mundane. Everything, for as far back as I can remember, has been at top speed with no time or chance to take a moment and enjoy what others take for granted. I thought I would live my life fast and hard until the sun set on me. Until I met you. First, you kept pace with me, and I thought I'd found someone who would race through life with me. But the more I got to know you, the more I realized I did not want that. All of a sudden, I found myself wanting life to move slower so I could enjoy more time with you. I fall asleep each night with the blessing of knowing I'll wake up with you in my arms. I live with the luxury of seeing your clothes next to mine in the dresser, your toothbrush next to mine, and your bottles of conditioner next to mine. I now live with the mundane and find myself looking at the world differently, all so I can come home with stories to tell you because I know you will listen to each one. And then I get the gift of listening to you tell me about your day while knowing I get to live like this for the rest of my life. I never thought I was built for a life of the mundane, but with you I now know that the mundane is a luxury I am blessed with, because it gives me a life with you that I would not trade for the world. I love you, Rose. I will always love you and I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how true that is."
I can't hold it together.
Every word plays with my already overstimulated emotions, and halfway through Kon's speech, I burst into tears.
It takes all my effort to keep them quiet but by the end, I'm trembling and weeping while Calvin presses tissue after tissue into my free hand.
"Are you okay?" Kon's brows pinch together with worry and I quickly nod my head.
"I'm fine," I gasp through the tears. "That was beautiful and I'm pregnant, so you're kind of an asshole!"
Laughter rumbles through our guests while Kon smiles and steps closer to me.
"An asshole you love."
"True," I wail. "I didn't prepare anything even half as beautiful as that!"
"You're here and you're beautiful while carrying my child," Kon says softly. "Nothing can top that."
"Oh god!" I roll my eyes and dab at my tears. "You're making it worse!"
