Chapter 263: Toasts
- RAYA -
The reception lunch area is magical with the golden glow of lights and vibrant local flowers hanging in garlands from the ceiling amidst the muted misty morning green of our surroundings. It’s all magical. It looks like we’ve stepped into an enchanted space where faeries might suddenly appear. Maybe they’re already here.
In the center of a long wooden table is a red runner with red taper candles burning inside tall glass candleholders. Each place setting is a beautiful arrangement of white plates, red napkins, gold flatware, and elegant wine, champagne, and water glasses.
Dex and I stand hand-in-hand looking at it until he turns with a soft smile. That dimple under his beard draws my attention, the depth of his eyes, the strong line of his jaw. Every endearing, sexy part of him contributes to the feeling that sizzles through me, burning brighter than our surroundings.
Without a word, he pulls me gently to our seats. We don’t have to be separated like we were at dinner last night. This time, we’re seated in the center on one side of the table. Rory and Luciano take the seats across from us, my sister’s eyes sparkling with love. And everyone else fills in around us, chatting happily and casting affectionate gazes our way.
It’s beautiful being surrounded by this small gathering of family, but Dex’s hand in mine under the table is the focus of my whole attention. He leans close and whispers in my ear, "You look breathtaking, my wife."
"Thank you," I whisper back with shyness, a giggle, and the lingering warmth of his love flushing pink across my skin. "Thank you for all of this. It’s incredible."
"I forgot a bouquet," he says with a guilty smile. "I realized it once you were walking toward me."
"I didn’t even think of it, honestly," I tell him. "All I wanted was to see you."
"All I wanted was to see you," he chuckles, emphasizing the last word.
With shared smiles, we both stare at each other, transfixed. Everything else is ambiance, a canvas for our union to be displayed on, but the real treasure of importance is right here between us. It’s sacred. We’ve created something sacred just by being together. How beautiful and perfect is that? And how did I get so lucky?
A glass rings with the strike of metal, and we both look over to see Vanessa grinning, holding her water glass and golden fork.
"That means you kiss," she explains with a giggle.
Dex turns with that same adoring gaze and kisses me. It’s slow, the parting of his lips against mine and modest dip of his tongue that briefly tangles and teases the warmth that he is fully welcome to inhabit always. When he pulls away, I lean into his retreat, reluctant to part even with everyone else present.
This beautiful lunch with our family can hurry along, as far as I’m concerned. All I want is to unwrap the dressings of this sacred union and plunge into the deep oneness we’ve created. It’s an infinite universe dusted with burning starlight, and we are the only inhabitants.
After we’re served an appetizer of prosciutto wrapped figs and our glasses are filled with champagne, Rory pushes her chair out and stands.
"I’d like to make a toast to the bride and groom," she says, all whilst smiling at me. "Raya, you have been a light to me during my darkest times. I never would have survived our childhood with my soul still intact, at least, without you. I’m not sure you know how much you helped me, because it just comes natural to you—like breathing."
She pauses as my eyes burn with tears. "You deserve more than happiness, Auraya. You deserve joy and devotion and a lifetime of blessings, and I’m so grateful that you met Dex, because I know you will have those things with him."
Her gaze shifts to the man next to me, to my husband.
"Thank you, Dex, for taking care of my sister. For protecting her so many times already. For seeing and cherishing the beautiful soul that she is. I’m so honored to have you as a brother. And I’m so honored to be here sharing this adventure with you both. Thank you for sheltering me and caring for me and... loving me," she says with a small, self-conscious chuckle while tears glitter in her eyes, "flaws and all. I can’t tell you how much I treasure you both. So... here’s to you: Mrs. and Mr. Mobius."
She lifts her glass and everyone else does the same. "Congratulations!" There are claps and laughter and cheers, and everyone drinks in unison. I blow Rory a kiss and mouth ’thank you,’ and she winks in return.
"Well I didn’t prepare anything," Luciano says, standing next, and the jest of a deeply sentimental expression makes everyone laugh. Rory slaps him on the arm and sits down, shaking her head and chuckling.
It’s so funny how Luciano is set to be the boss of a crime family and yet has such a comical, almost immature side to him. I wouldn’t imagine him as violent or fearsome or ruthless, but I wonder if he’s always had this lighter side to him or if my sister is partially responsible. Because he takes a moment to beam at her like he’s eager for her approval above all else.
"Dex," he says, gesturing toward my husband with his glass, "You’ve always been like a brother to me—a sheltered, spoiled, annoyingly handsome little brother..."
"He’s older than you!" Vanessa calls out, and everyone chuckles.
"Is he?" Luciano feigns surprised confusion, followed by more soft laughter.
"Anyway, we all missed you, brother." Luciano’s teasing dissipates, and he turns serious. "Those years when you were gone, you were missed terribly. I’m glad this magic between the two of you has brought you home and kept you home. Family is everything, and we are all so happy and grateful to welcome Raya into ours. We’re a tough group, Raya," he chuckles, "but we love just as hard as we do anything else. And I hope you like Sunday family dinners, sis, because you’re both expected to join us now. Every Sunday."
"Every Sunday," Gemma repeats, lifting her glass with smiling eyes.
"Amen," Saul adds, lifting his as well.
"Cheers to the bride and groom," Luciano says with a wink and drinks the rest of his champagne. Cheers resound as everyone else joins in.
Then Luciano bends down and whispers something in Rory’s ear before turning to address us all again. "And by the way, you all are invited to begin drafting beautiful toasts for Rory and I at our upcoming wedding. Date TBD."
Then he sits back down, leaving the rest of us gaping at them—except Saul who chuckles heartily.
After watching Rory’s reaction to gauge how serious he is, I end up squealing. "You’re getting married?"
She smiles shyly without committing anything to words as she looks around the table at all of the eyes that have now alighted on her. Luciano leans to whisper something else, and a blush spreads across her cheeks and turns her ears red.
"It looks like more congratulations are in order," Dex says, standing and pulling me up next to him. His arm wraps around my waist, and he lifts a glass with his free hand.
"God bless you, Rory, for helping us all out with this clown. When you need a break, the guest house is yours."
Everyone laughs, even Luciano who looks like nothing could spoil his mood right now. His arm is around my sister’s chair, hand caressing her shoulder. And Rory looks at him, amused by the joke, eyebrows raised like she’s emphasizing Dex’s offer so Luci knows to stay in line.
"Congratulations," I tell them, leaning into Dex and lifting my glass. "I’m so excited for you both. Who knew this day could get any better?"
Rory watches with apparent surprise as we all toast to her and Luciano. Saul, Gemma, Vanessa, and even our parents—all of them lift their glasses with us, sharing in the joy of another wedding that will bring us together in the future.
"Wow, the Riccas and the Grays!" Vanessa exclaims. "There’s something magical about our families. Too bad you two don’t have a brother.
