Chapter 255: One More Sleep
- RAYA -
Dex’s family arrives, cutting the oddly surreal and somewhat disturbing conversation with Patricia short. I don’t know what to believe. This is not a simple, happy reunion by any means.
Hearing our mother talk vaguely about her life gives me the feeling that I’m talking to someone who is not entirely... sane. Especially when she’s suggesting that we need someone who will torture and kill for us without getting caught.
It makes me sad. I can’t argue with the possibility that we’ve been better off without her, despite how hard it was. It may have been harder with her around.
With Saul, Gemma, and Vanessa here, Rory and I are forced to shake off this new revelation of our mom’s presence and carry on. At this point, it’s almost becoming natural to encounter shocking things and then just... proceed with life, digesting the newness as we go.
With everything that’s happened, there’s one thing I know for sure: I just want to marry Dex. That’s my focus. That’s my goal. Then we can leave the chaos from this week behind us. If we never want to see Patricia again, we won’t have to. We can keep her at a safe distance and wish her and my dad well. Hopefully she lets us.
"Are you up for this?" Dex asks in my ear.
We just arrived at the table set up for us for dinner, and everyone is already here, waiting under the glow of candlelight. Dex’s hand is at my back, his presence by my side. I doubt I’d be able to put on a brave face without him. He’s my calm in the storm.
"We can have dinner alone, angel," he whispers. "Just say the word."
"I’m okay," I whisper back, and he responds by kissing me. It’s soft and sweet, and as brief as the time is that his lips are resting against mine, it’s long enough to rearrange the mess my thoughts are in and put them at ease.
This is about us. Dex and I. Nothing can dim the glow that tomorrow promises, because the vows we’re going to be making to each other are not fleeting. They’re not brief. They’re forever.
I don’t even need the ceremony. I don’t need the ring. All I need is him.
"Wooooo!" Someone cheers, and I pull away to see Gemma and Vanessa tapping their glasses with forks, both of them with radiant smiles as they watch Dex and I.
"We’re so excited for both of you," Gemma says when Dex sits down at the head of the table and I sit between Rory and Saul close to the other end.
I’m guessing the Riccas have some knowledge of proper seating at formal dinners, because everyone was already scattered around the table, leaving precisely two seats left for Dex and I to choose from when we got here.
Gemma is between Dex and Rory, which I’m happy about. Gemma is so loving and warm. It will make Rory feel at ease, for sure. Luciano is seated across from Rory, and Vanessa is across from me with Saul between the two of us.
My parents are the only couple seated together, and they’re sandwiched between Luciano and Dex at the other end. It’s oddly... perfect. Rory and I won’t be forced to talk to them from here, and anything they might say will be buffered by our two dominant, intimidating partners on either side of them.
Who would have thought a seating arrangement could make me feel so comfortable, even when I’m not next to Dex? I have a feeling Gemma was behind it. She has the grace and wisdom to size up a situation and make decisions like this that would make everyone feel the most comfortable.
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, offering my silent gratitude and hoping the wine comes soon.
"Thank you so much for inviting us," Gemma says, patting Dex’s hand and then looking down the table at me with a wink.
"Moira Rose is fine, by the way," Vanessa says across from me. "Our housekeeper is looking in on her while we’re here."
"Oh, thank you." I scoot my chair in and spread a napkin across my lap. "I’m not worried. I’m so glad you all could come."
I don’t mention the fact that Saul was here before. Everyone is obviously aware of it, apart from my parents. It’s probably not polite to bring up at dinner given the fact that two men are being held against their will somewhere as a result.
"Were you surprised?" Vanessa asks, eyes glittering with excitement. "I bet it was hard for Dex to keep it a secret."
"I didn’t have to keep it a secret for long, thankfully," he replies.
"I was surprised," I say, feeling the warmth of embarrassment heat my cheeks now that everyone is looking at me. "In a good way. I definitely didn’t expect it."
"What about the wedding dress? Did Dex bring one for you?" Vanessa asks eagerly.
"Vanessa!" Gemma says along with what sounds like a reprimand in Italian, and Vanessa’s shoulders slump a little.
"It’s okay," I giggle, looking between the two of them. "That’s such an incredible story, actually."
The server comes with a pitcher of water, filling each of our glasses before taking our orders. There’s a gentle breeze that stirs the bouquets of exotic flowers on the table, and satisfaction fills me while I watch everyone take turns ordering.
A lot has happened. There has been so much drama, but there is magic here in this place with these people. And I’m so grateful to be part of it.
Dex catches my eye and smiles. He looks so happy. So handsome, too. His eyes look golden with the candlelight between us, and that familiar wild flutter stirs in my chest.
"Can I see the ring?" Vanessa asks once the server has left. I reach across the table to show her, and her eyes light up.
"It looks just as beautiful on you as it did on my sister," Saul says.
"This was Zia Luna’s ring?" Vanessa gasps. "Wow."
"I’m honored to wear it," I tell them, admiring it myself when I take my hand back.
"Tell me the dress story!" Vanessa says.
Her enthusiasm is endearing. I remember daydreaming about what my wedding would be like when I was her age. The guys I was dreaming about don’t even hold a candle to Dex Mobius, though. It’s funny now.
"It’s like everything else with Dex and Raya," Rory says, speaking up. "Obviously divined by a higher power."
Rory and I share in telling the story of how we met Luciana, the name making everyone chuckle a little bit, especially Luciano’s little sister. The dynamic between the two of them is cute. They definitely bicker like siblings, and I catch Rory watching them with a crooked smile.
"Handmade Italian lace?" Gemma gasps when we get to that part. "What are the odds?"
"Well it is the most beautiful," Saul points out. "It’s hardly a surprise."
"But for it to show up in Costa Rica by mistake? And for Luciana to have a dream to make the dress?" She angles a brow Saul’s way before turning to Dex. "It’s your mother, Alexander. She’s watching out for you."
"Thank you, Zia," he says softly.
"It’s true," she insists. "She obviously blesses this marriage. Maybe she brought the two of you together in the first place."
My gaze travels to Patricia. One corner of her lips twitches toward a smile, and she winks. It’s like we share a secret, and I’m not sure how to feel about that—especially since she hasn’t shared enough with me to really understand what the secret is all about in the first place. She’s only left Rory and I with more questions.
Are we witches? Or are we just... strange? What is our ancestry? What exactly has she experienced in her life? Who was chasing her? And what happened when she was captured?
When the food comes, the conversation changes. Vanessa starts asking Rory questions about being a food critic and suggests new restaurants Rory should try. Saul and Luciano trade cryptic messages that must have something to do with the family business. My parents talk amongst themselves. And I sip my wine, just enjoying the food and the atmosphere and trying not to let the butterflies take over about tomorrow.
Once the dinner is over and everyone seems pleasantly full, Rory hooks her arm in mine. She’s the only one who hasn’t been drinking because of her heart. Even Saul and Gemma let Vanessa drink, which I’m guessing has something to do with the fact that they’re Italian. They made it seem like it’s a natural thing.
"You’re staying with me tonight, right?" Rory asks.
"Wait, wait, wait," Luciano says, straightening from the stretch he was in. "No one said anything about that."
"They’re safe now," Saul tells him. The confidence in his tone puts any remaining anxiety I had completely at ease. He has that effect.
"And you can guarantee that?" Luciano asks, his expression darkening. Okay, so maybe Saul doesn’t have that calming effect on his son.
"Yes," Saul says with a steely glare.
"Great, so it’s settled," Rory declares, grinning widely at a scowling Luciano. "I think we should stay in your cabina, Ray. Is that alright with you Dex?"
"Of course," Dex says, the depth of his voice and his eyes warming me even more than the wine already has.
The butterflies spiral even more wildly inside. There’s only one sleep left before I marry my best friend. It’s happening. Tomorrow I’m going to wake up as Auraya Gray and go to sleep as Auraya Mobius.
