“I like it.” She turned for a better view of her backside. Yep, she filled out the tight black leather pants nicely. “So, why not?”
“Humph.” Rose picked up the rejected wedding dress and stalked out of the dressing room.
“See. You upset your aunt. She thinks you’re going to get married in black leather.”
“Not black leather, I promise you, Ma.” Isabella kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll look around and find something that works for me. You’ve got all the other details to take care of and I don’t want you to wear yourself out before the wedding.”
Pausing at the dressing room door, she grinned back at her mother. “By the way, love the darker blue you selected for your dress. Nice contrast to the bridesmaids’ pale rainbow colors.”
“It’s my wedding day.” Isabella resisted the urge to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. When she hit thirty, husband material became less plentiful. At thirty-five, she questioned if matrimony was for her. Now, at thirty-eight, she found her soul mate, a part of her still unable to believe it.
“Thank the gods all the fuss will be over in a few hours.” The whirlwind of activity over the past three weeks left her exhausted and looking forward to the honeymoon. “Of course, you’re looking forward to the honeymoon. Look who you’re sharing it with.” She couldn’t stop the grin spreading across her face.
Stretching her arms above her head, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed and looked around. Her parents asked her to stay with them last night, in her old room since the wedding would take place here in the home she grew up in. She and her mother talked for a change, instead of arguing, until the wee hours.
Angela still was adjusting to the trauma of walking in on Gino and Tom in the act of making love. Thinking about the pain her mother and brother had between them over that experience still made Isabella’s heart wrench. Well, maybe Ma learned her lesson about letting herself into her kid’s homes unannounced. Lord only knew what mother dear would discover if she walked in on her and Galvin at some point in the future.
Doing a couple of side stretches, her mind returned to her wedding and life changes. When she and Galvin came home from their trip, she planned to go out into the world to work for the good of others. Amazing how easy quitting her job at the television station, in order to focus on the new things she wanted to accomplish, had been.
Looking at the reflection in the mirror, she shared her thoughts with the image. “You’ve changed, baby. You gave up a job you considered to be your life and instead want to do good. Too bad Sam thought your decision was because of him, but nothing is further from the truth.”
Sam apologized and asked her to come back to work…no begged her, but she declined. There were no hard feelings about what happened. In fact, she was delighted to see him on the road to recovery, both from the burns he’d received in the fire and his broken marriage.
No, time to move on. Her life changed drastically the last few weeks.
Mentally going over the guest list while waiting for her mother, she was still puzzled over the cryptic messages left by her three best friends. Each said they would try to come, but didn’t offer any reason as to why they weren’t sure. Try wasn’t much of an RSVP, and Isabella couldn’t blame her mother when she had a fit over all three of their notes.
Granted her mother put the wedding together quickly and insisted her cousins had to be bridesmaids. But for the women whom she’d started on this journey with the night of their drunken dance in the park, to not accept their invitations was odd. They also hadn’t responded to her calls asking what was up with them, either. Oh well, maybe they were working on their own immortal relationships and who knew what realm they were in.
Still, my feelings are a little hurt. I thought we were best friends. Always there for each other.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach as she appraised her selection for the walk down the aisle. She gave up on finding one ready-made and worked with a seamstress to design this creation.
The woman looked at her like she was out of her mind when she told her white leather was the material of choice. Being a professional, after her initial surprise, the seamstress took the sketches Isabella drew up and whipped out her tape measure. After getting all of the bride’s measurements down, she instructed Isabella to come back in a week for the first fitting.
Several adjustments later, Isabella admired the finished product. Her mother’s initial reaction should be interesting. Through careful planning, she avoided showing the dress to Angela and today allowed no time for any changes to be made.
“Knock, knock.” Her mother followed the words through the door and stopped so suddenly that Aunt Rose, her shadow these days, ran into her back.
“Dear God in heaven. What is this?” Angela’s hand clasped her neck as she gasped out the words. She and Rose stared, their eyes round and owlish.
“This, ladies, is my wedding gown.” Isabella turned back to the mirror and adjusted the neckline, pulling up one of the off the shoulder straps of the white leather bustier. Her bare abs, now toned and tanned, showed off well. The matching skirt was longer than she originally planned, coming almost to her knees, but the slit up the side allowed her to move around with ease.
“Oh, Bella. How could you?” Angela came forward and fingered the gold studs on the waist band of the skirt. Matching ones adorned the bottom of the bustier and the hem of the skirt. The gold on her outfit accessorized the bracelets on her arms.
“I like it Ma. It fits who I am now.”
Angela closed her eyes. When she opened them, she blinked hard to keep the tears pooling in the corners at bay. “You’ve been so strange since you came out of that coma. I think you received damage to more than just your lungs.” She placed a hand up to her mouth. “God forgive me for saying this, but I think you’ve got brain damage.” A tear tricked down her cheek.
“Don’t cry, Ma, you’ll ruin your makeup. I don’t have brain damage; it’s just that people change.” She kissed her mother’s forehead. “Listen. I hear the music starting.” She gave a quick hug to both women. “I think you better go get seated. Send Pop in on your way out.”
Turning back to the mirror, she slipped gold hoops into her ears. They went well with the cuffs on her wrists and the chain of gold Galvin placed on her neck last night. Yes, she was into gold these days.
The door opened and her father stood behind her, his eyes round with surprise.
“What do you think?” She knew her father would accept her choice with more ease than her mother. He always put a positive spin on everything she did.
“I must say, it is different, but if it’s what you want, then I love your choice.” He held out his arm. “Shall we go so I can walk the most beautiful bride in the world down the aisle or in this case stairs?”
“Thanks, Pop.” She picked up her bouquet and hung on to his arm, fighting back tears. Why hadn’t she realized how important his approval would be for her on this special day? Getting the nod from Pop always meant a lot to her in every area of her life, but today took on special meaning.
They stood at the top of the stairs and she saw Galvin standing at the end of the living room, waiting. Her mother and aunts did a beautiful job on the decorations. She was glad they decided to keep the wedding small.
Her immediate family and Gino’s love Tom smiled at her. Plus, the aunts and uncles, along with all the cousins who acted as bridesmaid, looked as if they still couldn’t believe she’s snagged a man. For Galvin, representation was slight. His parents and Loki, acting as his best man. Too bad his grandfather had been delayed, but he sent word he’d make the reception.
The reception will more than make up for the limited people in this intimate setting.
The first strains of Ride of the Valkyrie started to play just like her grandmother insisted and Isabella Girardi took her first steps toward a new life.
“Congratulations, Sis.”
G
ino startled Isabella when he wrapped his arms around her from behind. The last time she’d spied him, he was across the room and appeared to be arguing with their mother.
“Thank you, little brother. You and Ma having another battle of wills? She didn’t look too happy when I saw the two of you.”
A lopsided grin twisted his full lips and he shot a rolled eye look at Tom. “Yeah, I made the mistake of mentioning that Tom and I are considering tying the knot.”
The three males gathered around her shared a laugh. Galvin and Tom knew Angela well enough now to figure out how that went over, but Isabella sighed in frustration. “Well, when you get ready to say “I do,” let me know. I’ll be in the front row.”
“Not to worry. You and the big guy here are first on the invite list.” Gino cast a glance around the room. “Though I don’t think our guests will equal yours. Definitely a unique collection of family and friends you have brother-in-law.” He patted Galvin on the shoulder.
“You can say that.” Galvin reached for Isabella’s hand. “We’ll have you and Tom over to dinner when we get settled and share the dirt on how I know them.”
“Sounds good. As long as my sister doesn’t do the cooking we’ll be there.” He scooted out of way of the swat Isabella tried to land on his head. Grabbing Tom’s hand they both waved over their shoulder and disappeared into the crowd.
Someone clanged their silverware on a glass and the ballroom full of reception guests chanted, “Kiss. Kiss.”
Galvin obliged with a passionate tonsil tickling one that left her breathless. After he released her, Isabella adjusted her bustier for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Darling, you’ve got to stop with the hand thing.”
“Whatever are you talking about?” His fingers traced across the back of the studded bodice.
Pushing his hand away she snapped, “You know damned well. Stop pushing up my bustier every time the crowd demands a kiss.”
“Okay, I’ll be good.” He sealed the promise with a quick kiss.
Looking out over the several hundred gathered friends and family, she observed a unique blend of individuals. “Do you think we did the right thing in not telling my family the exact truth about yours?”
She saw several questioning looks exchanged as the reception progressed. There would be plenty of talk in the days to come about Galvin’s odd group of relatives and friends. Her mother would question her relentlessly at the first opportunity on their strange choice of dress and behavior.
Slipping his arms around her waist, Galvin pulled her against him and joined her in watching the assembled guests.
“I still think it’s best for now. Give them a chance to get to know my immediate family first. Then, if you feel the need to share with your parents and your brother, we’ll divulge their true identity privately. It’s probably better the rest continue to think I come from a strange background.”
They stood quietly on the fringes of their reception and watched, savoring the touch of each other. Oh my God, there are the girls. They did come. Isabella saw two of her friends work their way through the crowd towing escorts behind them. She wasn’t sure they were going to even make the reception. The only communication she’d had with them the past couple of weeks had been her hurried voice mails that didn’t get returned.
Tonya’s date’s intense black eyes darted around the room, reminding Isabella of a bird of prey. The glow on her friend’s face told Isabella the dark haired beauty had found happiness.
Karen’s arm linked through that of an arrogant looking male whose ears fit right in with some of Galvin’s friends. Isabella loved the pale pink silk suit he wore. Now that was one confident man.
“Where’s Diane?” The bride wanted to know after hugs all around.
Karen looked over her shoulder. “She was right behind me. Oh, there she is.”
Squeezing between a large man with blue hair and another who could be described as a borderline giant, Diane held tightly to the hand of the man in black trailing behind.
Taking in the black cape draped over his shoulders, Isabella shivered as a chill ran down her spine. His pale skin and strange eyes green gave her the sense he was about to ask to bite her neck. Isabella’s hand involuntarily reached up to cover her throat. Please tell me Diane hasn’t been dumb enough to hook up with one of those blood suckers she’s always going on about.
During the introductions, Isabella caught her friends appraising Galvin with the same curiosity she had about their dates. Had they all found their immortals?
“We need to talk.” Diane whispered in her ear as another group of people converged on them. “Meet us at our favorite bar the Friday after you get back from your honeymoon.”
“Okay.” Isabella had time to give her friend a quick squeeze before her new husband tugged on her arm.
“There’s someone I want you to meet, my love.”
A beautiful oriental woman approached and bowed deeply to Galvin.
He returned the bow and took the woman’s tiny hand. “Kwan-Yin, delighted you chose to honor our marriage with your attendance. May I present my bride, Isabella.”
The woman dressed in a dark blue silk gown with a mandarin collar and lavish embroidery turned her attention to Isabella. Fighting the urge to squirm, Isabella returned the studied gaze of the intense black eyes.
“You have done well, Galvin. I have come to give my blessing to your union. Welcome, my dear.”
Soft papery lips brushed Isabella’s cheek, much like butterfly wings. “Thank you.” The woman’s spicy oriental scent tickled her nose.
Kwan-Yin bowed and floated away to a group of strangers who were definitely from Galvin’s side of the guest list.
“Who was that?”
“Kwan-Yin? My dear, she is the Chinese goddess of fertility. She has blessed us with many children.” He kissed her hand and smiled.
“I hope she didn’t get too carried away. I don’t intend on becoming a broodmare, popping out a kid a year.”
Galvin threw back his head and laughed, attracting the attention of the strange band of partiers the fertility goddess stopped to greet. Two men and a woman broke away and started toward them.
“You’re in for a treat now,” he whispered as they approached.
The woman extended her hand, “Galvin, you have been captured. I do hope this does not stop your visits to my court.” She caressed his arm intimately.
Resisting the temptation to tell the beautiful woman to take her hands off her husband, Isabella forced a smile and silently observed the interaction.
No doubt about it, another goddess. Damn, did they all have to be so beautiful? And what was with this flowing dress thing? Was that the ‘in dress’ worn in all the other realms. Hate the long tumbling hair, too.
“Aphrodite, how nice you graced us with your presence. I’m sure we will visit from time to time.” He removed the hand that played along his arm and kissed it before returning it to its owner’s side. “This is my wife, Isabella.”
His arm slipped around her waist, drawing her close to him. “Darling, may I present Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Zeus, ruler of Mount Olympus. The lovely Aphrodite is married to one Zeus’s sons, Hephaestus.
Isabella noticed the dark glares directed at Galvin and the woman during their flirtatious interplay by one of the men that made up the little party of three. So, the great god Zeus didn’t approve his daughter-in-law’s wandering eye. From the stories, she’d heard about him, the old lecher wasn’t in much of a position to disapprove of anyone’s need to seek outside entertainment.
“And, this,” Galvin indicated the large man standing behind Zeus, “is Poseidon, God of the Sea.”
Holy crap. Had Sif invited the entire mythological world? She hoped the dates her friends brought were immortals or they were missing out on a great opportunity to hook up with one.
Aphrodite blessed her with a tight little smile. “Delighted to meet you. You have stolen a wonderful one here.” She re
ached out to touch Galvin again, only to have the roaming hand captured by her father-in-law.
Yeah right, she was delighted to meet her. Just what she needed…another sarcastic goddess.
“My dear daughter, I think we need to find Odin and extend our congratulations for the new addition to his family.” The Greek god inclined his head toward Isabella. “Your visits will be a great asset to Mount Olympus. You must make sure Galvin brings you.” Zeus tucked Aphrodite’s hand in his arm and led the blonde beauty away.
Something tells me the son better keep an eye on his father. Daddy may call her daughter, but he acts more like a jealous lover.
“As well as to my kingdom under the sea.” Poseidon took Isabella’s hand in his and placed a lingering kiss on the back of it before he hurried to catch up with his friends.
“Wow.” She studied the trio as they made way around the room. “How many realms are represented tonight?”
Galvin shrugged, “Most, I think. With the exception of Hell. Satan and my grandfather aren’t the best of friends. But my mother didn’t want to offend anyone by leaving them off the guest list, so she did invite the Lord of Darkness too. He opted not to come, though.”
Thank goodness he declined. Isabella ignored creepy-crawly sensation across the back of her next and changed the subject.
“Between the ruler of Mount Olympus, the God of the Sea and the God of War and Wisdom, we’ve got most of the world’s greatest womanizers here tonight.” She laughed up at her husband.
“As long as they don’t attempt to seduce you, I have no objection.” He kissed her again.
“I feel overwhelmed, so it’s probably for the best my mother doesn’t know who all these people really are. She’d have a heart attack.” Isabella looked around the room. “You do realize I still haven’t met your grandfather. Did he come?”
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