Chapter Fourty Eight
"No... No... No" Raymond replied, realized how hurt his daughter was, and how terribly he had responded. He knew that she was right. He had been selfish....always focused on his company that he had forgotten what mattered most. His family. He had neglected her. Made her quit things she loved... Made her do things she didn't want to do. And now he had lost it all. Had lost his company, and he felt like he was loosing her too.
He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry, baby" he whispered, "I have been a terrible father. Chasing after things that didn't really matter. Put my relationship with you on hold. I guess I always told myself there was still time to make up for it, but I was wrong, and I'm sorry. I'm so worried about you too. Is this really what you want?"
Kelly wasn't quite sure. She cared about Dimitri. She liked him... A lot... Maybe even loved him. Although she wasn't quite sure how he felt about her, she thought maybe they could make it work. They had to... For the sake of their child. She nodded her head.
"Are you happy about the baby?" she asked, sniffing loudly and lifting her head so she could look at her father.
"Of course I am, Pumpkin" Raymond replied. "I'm sorry I didn't act like I was, but I am, honestly. I'm going to be a grand pa. This is a chance for me to do everything I didn't do with you... Everything I missed out on with you. I won't make that mistake again. If you need me... For any reason, I'll be there for you... Both of you"
"And Dimitri?" she asked. She wanted to know how he felt about Dimitri being the father and his future son in law.
"Oh I'm going to have a talk with him" Raymond said frowning, "He and I can work something out. I have known him for a while, and even if he is a pain in the ass, I know he's a good man. He's tough and I like that... Has a lot of potential in the business aspect.... In family, I'm not quite sure so I can't say."
He stared at Kelly again. "You are sure this is what you want?" he asked.
Kelly wasn't, but she had to try. Have a little faith, just like Dimitri said. So she simply nodded her head again.
"I'm sure dad" she said.
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"Will you, Kelly Darcy, take this man…"
While the marriage celebrant intoned the traditional vow with all due solemnity, Kelly was still struggling to believe it was really happening, that she was standing here in full bridal regalia, about to say the words that would make her Dimitri Collins’s wife.
Things had moved so damn fast. This man…who she had had a one night stand with…her wedding to him more a teenage fantasy than an adult reality, yet here they were, standing on the green grass of the inner quadrangle, everyone who worked at the company, along with her family and Dimitri’s closest friends, bearing witness to the marriage. This was how she’d dreamed of it, although in her dreams and fantasies, she wasn't getting married because she got pregnant. Hell, she wasn't even sure how Dimitri felt about her.
If only the baby hadn’t forced this end, if she’d been sure of Dimitri’s love for her, Kelly knew she might have been a deliriously happy bride. As it was, her stomach was full of butterflies and all she could do was hope that everything would turn out right. Or right enough to live with this decision.
The celebrant looked expectantly at her.
"I will," she said.
A leap of faith. That was all she needed right?
"Will you, Dimitri Collins, take this woman…"
No doubt about his reply. He’d been the driving force towards this wedding from the moment she’d agreed to marry him. No quick civil ceremony in a register office. A proper celebration of their union in front of those closest to them. He had insisted on it.
At first, she didn't want to make a big deal by inviting everyone. Wanting to keep the wedding as private as possible, but his reply had made any argument impossible— "I’m not going to hide you, Kelly. And I am not entering you into a competition. I never planned to get married, but here I am, and I'm going to do this right. To me you are the most beautiful woman in the world and I want everyone to know it. To know I’m married to you."
Had he said that simply to quell the panic she felt? Oh, she desperately wanted to believe him. Whatever the truth, Kelly had desperately wanted to live up to Dimitri’s stated view of her, at least on their wedding day.
She’d asked Lizzy, to help her choose the wedding dress, a fabulous design in ivory silk with lace and seed pearls, making it possible to wear a pearl necklace which Dimitri had given her, and a wonderful long veil attached to a pearl tiara.
Evelyn, with sentimental tears in her eyes, had declared she looked just like a princess, and her dear mother would be very proud of her today, but most of all Kelly wanted Dimitri to be proud of her, proud to have her as his wife.
"I will," he said, very firmly. And Kelly shook her head, bringing herself back to reality.
Then they were exchanging the gold rings he had chosen. She was glad he wanted to wear one, too, the symbol of his commitment to their marriage.
This past weeks he’d devoted most of his time to helping her with the company. Fulfilling his promise to help her with the mortgage, proving to her that he had a deep interest in it, even making suggestions for improvements that should be considered. But how long was this going to last? How long before they got enough of each other?
Don't think about that. She told herself.
Not today.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Dimitri was smiling at her. She could hear the clicking of the camera. Her heart was rocketing around her chest in anticipation of the kiss that was to come. It was impossible to move her facial muscles into a responding smile. Her mind was wildly sorting out the expression in Dimitri's eyes.
