Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"You should put those there," I say to the servants that are holding the red carpet. They nod and I tick it mark on my checklist.

I approach the other servant that appears to be in his early twenties. "No Ross, she wants white flowers not pink. Change them immediately." I say walking out to the lawn to check if everything is set.

"Oh wow, that is so beautiful. Great job you guys." I tell the gardeners that are shaping the tree in a heart shape.

Now I know you’ll are wondering what’s going on. Well for starters, this is a surprise and to top it all up it’s a surprise wedding for Alice. John knows about it but Alice doesn’t. I don’t want her to know about it at least not until everything is done. I know everyone is stressed and I, in particular, am more stressed than anyone else. I didn’t even get a pleasant sleep last night because I kept thinking about Alice and what I can do to make it up to her.

I know how it feels when your past keeps reflecting on your present. It’s like a healed bruise, you touch it and you feel the pain again. Alice doesn’t deserve that. No one does.

Last night, I didn’t only think about Alice, but I thought of that bastard who broke the news to the media. I will find that person and I will take down whoever it is, but for now, I will let things roll off my back and try to make it up to Alice. I figured that since every single media and social network are talking about the wedding, why not conduct the ceremony earlier than anyone would expect?

The Russians won’t know about it and Alice will claim the rights of her son and no one will ever know.

I had to wake up at five o’clock in the morning so I can instruct all the servants on what to do. I told them to keep it a secret, no one should find out not even any of the family members…. Well, that was going well until John saw me in the kitchen. I was baking the wedding cake. I told him about the wedding and he was very happy. He even suggested white flowers as decoration since it’s Alice’s favorite. I didn’t tell Richie about it and I plan on not telling him till Alice gets informed.

"Make sure every single thing is perfect," I say to the servants working.

I know it won’t be exactly as Alice dreamt it would but I’m sure it’s not gonna be that bad.

I mark those things that are done, the flowers, the aisle decorations, the sitting area, and every other thing. I even got the wedding dress Alice tried at the store. I can’t wait to see her reaction when she finds out.

I make sure everything is right in place and I go back into the house to check if breakfast is ready. I earlier made pancakes, John said it’s Alice’s favorite…so obviously I had to make it. I told one of the maids to make some other side breakfast dishes just in case the others don’t like pancakes.

No sooner did the dishes get ready than I take them to the table. John helps me with the cake garnishing and while doing that I got to know more about him. He is very nice and with how he is handling things I can tell that he is a calm person.

John really loves Alice, he tells me that he and Alice met at a musical theater. She is a singer and from that moment he knew that he wants to spend his life with her.

"What is going on here?" Emily ask; drafting John’s and my attention to her

"Good morning Emily," John says.

"What are you doing John?" She asks. She looks at the glass wall dividing the house and the lawn. It is completely closed with the curtains. I instructed the servant to do that so Alice’s surprise doesn’t get ruined.

"Why is the wall covered with curtains?"

"Rachel and I are planning my wedding. We are planning on conducting it today."

"That’s a really good idea. I’m sure Alice is very excited about it." Emily says

"Thanks. It’s Rachel's idea by the way." He says smiling that me.

"Ohh," Emily says rolling her eyes uninterestedly. She walks to the dining table and takes a seat.

Shortly, the garnishing was done and I keep the cake aside. I take the apron off and John thanked me once again for the wedding planning. I reminded him of what he has to do when Alice comes into the room.

John and I join the rest of the family at the dining table. Everyone was there except Richie and Alice. I am very sure that they are still in bed. Richie’s dad doesn’t eat breakfast with us so he’s not here.

He’s hardly around the house.

Not quite long, Richie walks into the room.

"Good morning everyone," He says, he kisses my cheek before taking a seat next to me

I couldn’t resist an eye roll.

"Hmm….. this is very good," Emily says finally, shoveling another bite of pancake into her mouth.

"Thanks, I made it." I smile sipping the juice.

With that look on her face, I am sure that she regrets saying that.

"It’s not that good actually." She says pushing the plate. She takes an apple and begins to eat it.

I wonder what will remove from her if she admits that she likes the pancake.

"The pancakes are very good Rachel," John says to me.

The smile on my face broadens and I look at Emily and say "Thank you, John." I finally turn my gaze on him.

Just that moment low thin voice chips into the room. "Good morning everyone."

I turn around and see Alice. I immediately gave John a thumbs-up. It’s time for what I have been waiting for.

John stands up and slowly walks towards Alice with a beautiful smile on his face. His eyes glitter with all his love for her.

"Alice," He says, taking her hand. He walks her to the middle of the room. A gasp escapes her lips as John drops to one knee.

Alice already has an engagement ring so there wasn’t a need to get another ring. He holds his hand up for her "Will you marry me, today?" Just then the curtains open revealing the beautiful decorations of the aisle and a white rose falls on Alice. Tears of joy fill Alice’s eyes and unable to speak she nods her head saying yes. He takes her hand on his and leaves a peck on it.

"I love you," He says, standing up. He pulls her close and captures her lips in a passionate kiss.

"I am pregnant," Alice blurts out once he releases her lips from his.

"Are you serious?" John asks, moving his eyes to her belly and back to her face.

"Yes, I'm pregnant."

"Oh my God, I can't believe it." He wraps his arm around her "We are gonna have a baby." He places his hand above her flat belly. "I love you."

"I love you too." John kisses her again.

**

After breakfast, I change to a beautiful blue deep plunging neckline gown with black heels. I take a look at the full ensemble.

The gown compliments my shape.

Walking out of the closet, I see Richie standing by the door.

"You never fail to wow me." He says with one hand resting on the wall. He slipped his arms around my waist and nuzzled my neck with his nose before kissing me repeatedly up to my ear, where he whispered, "I think we should get married today. Don’t you think so?"

I elbowed him lightly in the ribs as he danced away, smirking.

"I don’t think so." I laugh at his reaction.

"You are such a fiancé." He smirks. I roll my eyes and stand in front of the mirror to put on my earring.

Richie begins to touch my neck, and then my hair as he moves it away, he leaves hot kisses on my skin. My cheeks flicker red as I arch my back. Richie wraps his arms around my waist and rests his head on my shoulder.

"Look at us. We look good don’t we?" He says looking at the mirror and then at me. I don’t say a word and he kisses my shoulder and runs his lips on my skin towards my ear.

My heart is about to beat out of my chest and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. He continues his gentle assault and he turns me and we are facing each other. He stares into my eyes and smiles. His eyes exude love, protection, and security. His lips brushed mine softly, delicately, like butterfly wings just long enough that he could inhale my breath, feel the warmth of my skin, and taste my lipstick shade.

He leans to deepen the kiss but I hold him back taking a second to breathe. With a smile, I say "Richie, the wedding is about to start."

We walk out of the room and into the lawn. I am so proud of myself right now. The lawn looks very beautiful, I think I will make a very good wedding planner. I take a seat and Richie sits beside me.

The music starts and Jake walks to the aisle with a little basket draped around his neck, he scatters petals along the aisle as he walks there. It is a last minute wedding preparation so I had to convince Jake to be the flower girl…. well, I bribed him with three chocolate bars and I think it’s so worth it. When I told John about the wedding, he made sure Jake comes to attend it and I think it’s beautiful that Jake will witness the wedding of his mother. Jake is five years old, and he looks just like Alice, with ocean-blue eyes, and pink lips. Even his hair color is the same as hers.

The music switch to a whimsical windchime-inspired melody, and Alice walks down the aisle. She is glowing, and there is a bright smile on her face. Alice takes her place next to John, and the ceremony starts.

It's amazing to see how in love they are with each other. They are so cute together.

I suddenly feel a hand caressing my exposed skin. It is so warm and very comforting. I don’t need to turn around to know it’s Richie. He can’t just seem to take his hand off me. I am about to speak when John races me to it.

"Uhm- Rachel, the pastor?" John asks holding Alice's hand.

Oh my God! I forgot about that last thing.

"Richie will conduct the wedding." That is the first thing that popped into my head.

"I will?" He raises an eyebrow and I nod smirking at him "Yes you will."

"Rach, I don’t how to conduct a wedding." He whispers to me while standing up.

Richie strides up to them and takes his place. He clears his throat before he begins.

"Alice, John. We gather here to get the both of you married."

Oh God! I facepalmed my forehead.

Richie then takes his phone and flickers through it. He clears his throat again and reads out from his phone "Do you, Alice smith take John Moranzino to be your lawfully-wedded husband?"

"I do." She says smiling uncontrollably

"Do you, John, take Alice Smith to be your lawfully-wedded wife?"

"Forever and until the end of time."

"I guess that does it. You may now kiss your bride." Richie says.

John pulls Alice close and captures her lips in a passionate kiss. I clap my hands like everyone else as feel a single tear roll down my cheek.

They are so beautiful.

~UNKNOWN POV

I watch them from afar as they got married. They all look very happy, the smiles on their faces, their laughers, and the happiness in their eyes makes me eager to trigger the bullet. I can’t wait to get the honor of taking their happiness away from them.

Boss is not going to be happy about this. I take my phone out of my pocket and dial his number.

"я прихожу с миром и ухожу с миром (I come in peace and I leave in peace)" I say knowing that if I don’t say the code he wouldn’t listen to me

"Поговори со мной (Speak to me)" He says

"Я нашел их босс. Они только что поженились. Дай мне слово, и мы снимем их (I found them boss. They just got married. Give me your word and we’ll take them down.)"

I could hear some noises shuffling in the background. It sounds like someone screaming.

"Не делайте движения. Сейчас не время (Do not make a move. Now isn’t the time.)" He says

"Мы причиним им вред, когда они меньше всего ожидают (We will harm them when they least expect.)" He continues to speak

"хорошо босс (Okay boss)"

"Следите за каждым из членов семьи. Нацельтесь на Рэйчел и Ричи Моранзино. Я дам вам знать, когда придет время срабатывать. (Keep an eye on each of the family members. Get your target on Rachel and Richie Moranzino. I will let you know when it’s time to trigger.)" He says throwing an arrow at their photos.

"Я заставлю тебя сожалеть обо всем, что ты сделал (I will make you regret every single thing you did.)" I hear him whisper before he ends the call.

It's time you count your good days Moranzino family. You’ll never expect what’s coming your way.