"Bachelor party!"

I rub my temples for the millionth time today. If I knew the days leading up to the wedding would be this stressful, I would have talked to Rose and had us elope.

I don't think that she is in the same position I am in though, because she is not stuck with idiots like Marco and Tommy. They have been on my case about having a big bachelor party, which I am totally against.

I don't want a big thing. I would be okay with just hanging out with the guys. Plus I have a feeling that Rose would kill me if I had naked women parading in front of me the day before our wedding ceremony.

These idiots are already married so I won't mess up my opportunity by getting strippers for a stupid party.

"No, strippers", I warn.

"Seriously Uncle Xander?", the twins say simultaneously.

I glare at them with a raised brow, "I'm dead serious."

Their shoulders sag in disappointment. They may be eighteen but there is no way in hell I am going to be the reason they go to a strip club.

"What's wrong with just hanging out?", Henry asks. I love this kid. He is the more level-headed one. He balances Reign and River's recklessness.

"I agree with Henry.", Oliver says next to me. We're all having lunch in my office. They came to visit my main building just to see how things are going and to run down a few things fo the wedding.

Marco rolls his eyes, "Of course you agree with Henry. He's your son!".

"I agree with henry and he's not my son.", I state.

Tommy chucks a fry at me. Ever since I've been with Rose I have gotten more comfortable with eating fast food. I was terrified at first but now , having a burger and fries every once in a while doesn't hurt. Plus I just work off the calories at the gym.

"Pierre, Harvey and Darius are going to be there...so no strippers. That's final."

Marco, the twins and Tommy mumble out their agreement.

"Great. Now if you'll please excuse us, Tommy and I have some business to attend to."

We both stand from the table and walk towards my desk, leaving the guys at the conference table I have in the office.

"So what did they say?", I ask him once were out of earshot. His expression hardens as he shakes his head no.

"They said that you can't see her...not now anyway."

My heart falls right into my stomach, "Why not?".

He sighs, "Well the doctor said that they're conducting some tests and that she is undergoing serious psychological evaluation. So now would not be an ideal time for her to see you since you might trigger her and she might...you know...", he moves closer to me, "Lose her mind."

Oh.

"So we should wait.", he further states.

Wait? "For how long?" I ask anxiously.

He shrugs, "I don't know. Maybe in the new year."

That seems pretty far. But I guess I will adhere to what the doctors are saying and wait. I wanted to see Belle right now so that I could give her the closure she deserves and then move on with my life. This medical evaluation is hindering me from doing that now; so I will wait until the doctor gives me the go-ahead.

Tommy places his hand on my shoulder as a smile appears on his face, "Please stop worrying about this for now and focus on the fact that you are getting married to the love of your life in three days."

He's right. I should be putting all my mental focus on the wedding.

"You're getting married.", he says with a chuckle. He sounds as if he can't believe it. I can't believe it. It's like I'm lucid dreaming and someone might ruin this by pouring a bucket of cold water on me to wake me up and shatter this reality.

I look at him with a smile of my own, "I'm getting married."

"Say it louder."

I take a deep breath and belt out into the open space, "I'm getting married!"

The guys cheer and clap while the twins and Henry let out loud cheers of excitement.

I laugh as Tommy and I rejoin them at the table. As I sit and eat with them I realise one thing.

I'm freaking happy.

***

Nervous.

A tight bundle of nerves is what I am. Lex asked me out on a date.

Why am I nervous about my fiancé asking me out? Well.. .it could be the fact that he had Gigi, Val, Charlotte and Isadora come over to the house to help me get ready.

I tried asking these women where is he taking me but all I got was somewhere special. So I just shut my mouth and let them doll me up. It takes about two hours to choose a dress, heels and the makeup look that would suit tonight.

I sit and endure being plucked and touched by Gigi and Charlotte while Val and Isadora shout out what they should do. After a complete hour of hair and makeup, I finally slip into the dress and shoes.

"You're so hot, Xander is going to have a heart attack." Isadora states as I look at myself in the mirror.

The girls did a great job. My body looks amazing in this A-line knee length, long sleeved dress. It is a soft blushing pink color with a v-neckline that is not too low. It shows just a little bit of my cleavage. My fingers play with the fringe tassels that wrap around the front right to the back as they make up the hem of the dress.

I knew that buying this was a great idea. It makes me look just the right amount of sexy as it outlines my curvaceous body; but it's also the right amount of modest too. The look is finished off with a pair of transparent strappy heels. The straps are covered in rhinestones.

When I stare at my face, I am in awe of Charlotte's make up skills. She glammed me up with a slight smokey eye and a dark maroon lip. I'm glowing and not just from the highlighter on my cheeks. I'm glowing from the inside.

Gosh.. I'm happy.

Mom, Jocelyn and June walk in the bedroom and their footsteps halt when they see me. "Honey, you look incredible." Mom says as she walks towards me.

"You guys did a marvelous job." June states.

I twirl, and giggle when the tassels tickle my legs. This dress is awesome!

"Your man is downstairs waiting for you.", June says and with that I sprits some perfume and grab my black Michael Kors clutch and get walk out of the bedroom.

The walk to the the staircase feels like I'm walking in slow motion. My mouth is dry and I am highly aware of my heartbeat. I can hear it pounding in my ears.

Why are you nervous?! It's just a date. It's not like you haven't been on dates with him before. You're marrying the man in forty eight hours.

Calm down!

But I can't be calm. The reality of everything now is making me feel like this. In two days I get to become Mrs. Rosalie Cain.

The chatter in my head stops once I reach the staircase. I spot Lex near the main door as he talks with Marco and Pierre. He looks breathtaking in all black. A black tailored suit, black shirt with the two top buttons undone and dress shoes of the same shade.

The clicking of heels against the marble of the stairs cuts off their conversation. He turns his head towards me and my heart skips a beat. His eyes trail down my body and then back up to end at my face. When I reach the last step he holds out his hand to help me down.

As our hands touch, I feel an electric spark flow within me.

"You are a literal African goddess, I swear.", his voice sounds deeper than usual and a bit huskier.

My body feels on fire from his words. He pulls me close to his body and runs his strong hands down my sides, sliding down the outline of my curves. I nearly combust from the sheer pleasure of his hands on my me.

Someone clearing their throat breaks us part. I look around to see the whole family watching us. "Damn son, wait for the wedding night.", My father says, shocking me right to my very core.

"Dad!"

"Darius!", mom and I shout simultaneously.

Now I'm blushing because I'm so embarrassed.

He shrugs, "What? We all know what they're gonna be doing anyway." he walks to where Lex and I stand. "Reggie you look beautiful." he says before placing a soft kiss to my cheek.

"Xander, you're handsome as always son.", he says to Lex.

I internally agree with him on that one. Lex always looks good.

We all watch as he walks away from us, "Have fun kids.", he says pointedly to Lex and myself then his gaze sweeps up to where mom stands with the rest of the girls, "and you lot should stop being uptight. It's just sex for crying out loud."

He then shoves a cookie in his mouth. I am too shocked by his brazen comments that I didn't even notice the cookie in his hand. He walks back into the kitchen leaving us stunned to silence.

Thank God the children aren't around.

Pierre is the first to break the silence by laughing, "I Love your father Rosa.", he says before continuing to laugh.

Marco joins his father as he chuckles, "The man's brutally honest."

The man's unfiltered.

Lex and I say our goodbyes and I pull him out of the door quickly before anyone else comments on our sex life.

A beautiful beast of a car is parked in the driveway. "Is that a 2018 AMG GT C Edition 50!" my voice rises from a excitement as I stare in awe at this matte black German machine.

Lex chuckles, "You know your cars.", he says as he opens the door for me. I slide in, my body molding into the leather seat.

He slides in on the driver's side, "I know Mercedes cars. There's a difference", I proudly say as I slip my seatbelt on.

"Oh right. You and your irrational love for Mercedes Benz." he says he drives out of the yard.

I roll my eyes at him, "It's not irrational. They make beautiful cars."

They make sexy cars. I swear if sex was to be in an automobile form, it would be a Mercedes. I said what I said and I'm ready to throw hands if anyone else says otherwise.

"Where was this car?", I ask. I have never seen it in his garage amongst all the other cars that he owns.

"I kept it at Tommy's place, unlike me he has some space in his garage." Tommy just like Lex has a love for cars and has his own collection.

The road becomes emptier as the early evening traffic eases up. An idea pops into my head. "Hey sweetie?"

"Yes my love?"

"Can you speed up a little?"

He glances at me for a second, "Are you sure?" he says sounding shocked and hesitant to comply to my suggestion. I'm terrified of speeding cars, but come on. They only made 100 of these cars, only a certain kind of people get this special, limited edition AMG experience and I want to be one of them.

So I throw caution to the wind and get ready to face one of my biggest fears, "I want to hear this baby purr."

My words give him the confirmation he needs as he removes his hand from my thigh, places it on the steering wheel so that he holds it with both hands, before his foot steps on the accelerator and car zooms past everything and everyone.

***

"That was awesome!", I scream as he pulls into the familiar gates of our recently purchased property.

My heart pounds as blood rushes throughout my body. This car is amazing and Lex is such a great driver. Even though a big part of me was very scared of the fact that we might crash and quite literally die, I enjoyed the whole experience.

It was exhilarating.

He chuckles as he steps out of the car to come around and open the door for me. After he helps me out, I am slightly caught by surprise when he hold me at arms length and twirls me around. "I am so lucky.", he says as he holds me close to his chest and places a sweet, tender kiss to my lips.

The blush on my cheeks continues to heat up my face as we walk hand-in-hand up the stairs and into the house. It is still unfurnished, I asked Jocelyn to use her skills to make it as beautiful as her house. She was very delighted to take on the project.

We walk further into the house, the clicks of my heel against the floor echoing into the emptiness. As we reach the atrium, my eyes start to water as I see candles lined up, forming an aisle. White and pink rose petals are scattered on the floor next to the candles.

The makeshift aisle leads us to the pool where the elevated part of the house is. He holds onto the small of my back as he helps me down the stairs that lead to the rest of the backyard.

A small gasp escapes my lips as take in the sight in front of me, "Whoa.", I exclaim. A table set for two is illuminated by what looks like hundreds of fairy lights. The lights form a roof of light suspended over four wooden poles. The table is set on top of a wooden platform that's placed on the grass.

As we mover closer I get a good look at the table setting. There's champagne on ice, two flutes, plates and cutlery. The rose petals are scattered on the table with a candle in a mason jar as the centerpiece.

"This is beautiful. How did you pull this off?" I ask as he pulls the chair out for me to sit.

He sits on his chair in front of me and shoots me that panty dropping grin of his, "I had some help from the boys and Elizabeth."

They did a good job. This looks so well executed.

He pours the champagne into the flutes as hands one to me. He raises his towards mine, to make a toast, "To our forever."

"To our forever...together.", I add the last part before lightly tapping my flute against his.

He pulls out his cellphone, taps on the screen a few times and then slow soothing jazz music fills out the nighttime buzz.

A figure coming towards us from the stairs startles me. "That's one of our servers tonight." Lex says as he holds my hand to calm me.

Once again the surge of electricity I felt back at the mansion runs through my hand.

What is going on?

More importantly...what is this man doing to me?

The figure turns out to be one of the twins, River. He looks dashing in his waiter uniform of white button down shirt and black slacks. He calmly walks towards us, balancing a tray on one of hands with two bowls on it.

"Your appetizers.", he says as he puts a bowl in front of each of us.

The contents inside look very interesting, "Is this watermelon?", I ask as I continue to stare at the bowl in awe.

River nods, "Yes it is. This is a Greek inspired watermelon salad with cubed feta cheese, mint and a sprinkle of black pepper.", he says confidently.

I shift my gaze over to Lex to gauge his reaction. I hold back a laugh as I watch his contort into a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"This better be good.", he says to the teenage boy.

River just smiles widely, "Oh, trust me it will be good."

This kid is just too much. The amount of swagger on him is astonishing, "Is that so?", I ask with a raised questioning eyebrow.

"Yes...watermelon is loaded with citrulline that relaxes blood vessels while increasing blood flow and arousal levels.", he adds a wink then turns on his heel and leaves us with shock written all over our faces.

I turn to look at the salad again, now with a little more apprehension than I had before.

Lex holds up his fork in salute, "Well we better try this arousal level raising salad." we fall silent for a heartbeat just staring at each other before bursting into laughter.

Hoping that this will taste good, I take my own fork and dig in. we each shove a forkful into our mouths. One thought runs through my head as I chew and let the flavours mix in my mouth.

It's good. Not what was expected at all. It's sweet and salty and that black pepper adds in a needed spicy kick. Lex nods and digs in for more, "Okay, it's not bad".

He just doesn't want to admit it's good, "River may take after his grandfather.". I say before I take a sip of the champagne.

A shadow of a smile appears on Lex's face, "Pierre would love that. He left the kids in charge of our menu tonight. This could be their way of proving that some of his culinary genes were passed on to at least one of the children."

He's right. Pierre would be delighted if his grandchildren turned out to culinary geniuses like him. The man is a great cook. A world famous chef and none of his children followed his footsteps.

I see how happy he becomes when I cook with him. We have good chemistry and we just work well together.

As the night progresses, I find out that not only River is a talented cook. Henry made us a beautiful main course of a beautiful, buttery beef tenderloin with hasselback potatoes, asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and carrots.

The whole meal was melt in your mouth good. I just couldn't believe how good it tasted. My taste buds were taken on a religious experience. That is how good the dish was.

For desert Reign and Elizabeth teamed up to make us black forest cannoli parfaits. It's a simple dessert but it is the simplicity of it that makes all the more delicious.

After the wonderful dinner, Lex and I relax as we drink more champagne. His eyes have had this glow in them since we got here. Every time he looks at me he smiles and it makes me feel gooey inside.

"Stop staring." I say averting my gaze away from his. The heat rises to my cheeks.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world."

What now?!

I glance at him, "That's not true.", I say.

His hand takes ahold of mine as he looks deeply into my eyes, "It is true, and as I said back at home, you are a goddess Rose. I worship the ground that you walk on. You could ask me to do anything in the world and I would be happy to oblige."

I'm not crying. I'm not crying. I'm not crying.

Damn it! I'm crying. A tear slips down my cheek but I quickly wipe it away.

"Stop it.', I sniffle, "You're making my heart feel like it's made up gooey marshmallows."

Seriously though, he makes me feel like I can fart rainbows and puke baby unicorns.

"I'm sorry."

What?! "What are you apologizing for? " I confusingly ask.

His gaze continues to hold mine, "I have to apologize to you for the past fiasco we dealt with. I was also to blame because you went through all of that because of me." guilt is all over his face. His eyes are filled with a lot more emotions but shame overshadows the rest.

"Sweetie, you don't have to apologize but.. I accept it. We both went through a tough time while I was taken but now we're back together and to me, that is all that matters."

He leans over the table to kiss my lips gently, "You're too good for me."

I blush at his words. He suddenly stands and holds his hand for me to take, "Would you dance with me please?"

Placing my hand into his, I also get up from my chair, "Yes, I would love to."

We move a few steps away from the table and as he holds me close to him, 'I don't want to miss thing' by Aerosmith softly comes through the speakers.

We hold on to each other as the song plays. He twirls me and runs his hands down my curves when the song gets to the bridge. I find myself singing along as the side of my face is planted on his chest, hearing the light beating of his heart.

This is one of the most romantic things I have ever experienced.

Once the song ends he places a kiss on my forehead before stepping away. I watch as he slowly sinks down to one knee and then takes out a small black velvet box.

"What are you doing?", I ask as my mind goes blank for a few seconds.

His blue eyes look up at me, "Rose, I know I proposed to you in Paris but with all that went on, your ring was taken by Belle."