Chapter Thirty-Four
The next morning they reluctantly returned home. Carmella and Jaxon went to buy their wedding rings. Jaxon treated her to lunch afterward and they went to meet her parents later on.
The house was full of guests of all shapes and sizes who had arrived to attend their wedding, "Carmella, come and sit with me for a while," said aunt Greta, her mom's sister. Carmella went to sit with her and her daughter, Vera, who was twenty-five and already married with a 3-year-old daughter, Jenna.
Carmella chatted with her as Jenna played on her lap. "Marrying a celeb, are you? How did you guys meet?" Asked Vera, wiggling her eyebrows.
"She had a crush on me so she applied for a job opening at my fashion house, although it was clearly stated that I wanted only a male assistant," informed Jaxon with a wicked grin on his face.
"He's lying, I did not have any crush on him. He was this horrid creature who could only growl and bark at people, you know," said an agitated Carmella.
Jaxon laughed loudly, a happy rumble that came from deep within his soul. He knew she would react this way. He knew her so well and pulling her leg was his favorite pastime these days.
"What rubbish! Am I a werewolf that I'll growl and bark?" He asked with a wink at Vera.
"Whatever! Why don't you admit that you were the one who fell head over heels for me after seeing my resume," said Carmella with flaming red cheeks.
Tyler and River walked into the house and all attention was diverted towards them thankfully. Carmella glared at Jaxon and he chuckled at her.
"Okay, you win. I was the one who was whipped with you," admitted Jaxon and everyone looked at them indulgently.
"Aww, you guys are so cute," said Vera, and Carmella blushed. Jaxon grinned and went off to meet Tyler while River came towards them. Their mom also joined them after finishing off a little work. They caught up with all the gossip about all their relatives, their relative's neighbors, their own neighbors, and about every possible human that they remotely knew. You know the way it is at weddings!
The next day her mom wanted to host a small bridal shower get-together for the whole family to be gathered together just before the wedding day.
"It's at lunchtime so you can have lots of rest for your big day on the next day," her mom said to Carmella.
"Okay mom, we'll be here," said Carmella.
"You need to pack your stuff and come over Carmella and stay the night here. It's unlucky to be with your groom the night before your wedding," said aunt Greta. Carmella looked at her mom helplessly.
"Yes, your aunt is right, Carmella, " said her mom. Her other aunts who had joined them too for gossip too voiced their own thoughts in agreement and Carmella had no choice but to agree. River slipped out and went to inform Jaxon of the fate that was meted out to them by the elders.
Jaxon was furious at the order and strode towards the group for a battle. "Jaxon, it's okay, son. Control yourself one night and the love will multiply on your wedding day. It's no use bringing the wrath of the entire women population upon you," advised Carmella's dad when he heard about it. Seeing Jaxon stride purposely towards the huge battalion of aunts, he decided to stop him to prevent a scene.
Jaxon sighed, "Okay dad," he said and sat down with Tyler for a drink to drown his sorrow.
They went home and Jaxon pulled Carmella into his chest. "It's just a matter of one night. Wait eagerly for our wedding night, baby. I have four new poses to try the whole night. So sleep all you can tomorrow night, " he said biting her earlobe.
"You're impossible, Jaxon," she said with a grin. But she loved him nevertheless. The whole time they packed up for their flight back to New York the morning after their wedding.
"We have an early morning flight, so pack everything now. There won't be much time tomorrow as you would be away. On our wedding day we wouldn't be home the whole day to pack up," said Jaxon.
After packing up, they cooked together and had an early dinner. Then they made love, the natural way, and then slept early.
The next day, Jaxon drove her towards her house as her car was being sent away to New York. Everyone was excited and were eagerly waiting for her to start the bridal shower party. River was already there helping her mom. She kept her overnight bag in her old childhood room and saw River's bag there too. So was she staying over with her like old times? Feeling giddy with excitement, she went down and squealed at River.
"Are you staying over with me tonight?" She asked and River grinned at her.
"Yes, it was mom's idea actually. We'll enjoy just like old times, " she squealed back.
"Jaxon would be staying with Tyler for the night while you both are here," her mom said.
"Oh that's great," said Carmella, happy that Jaxon wouldn't be lonely without her all alone at their apartment. Jaxon and Tyler strode into the kitchen.
"We'll have our own party together. I've called the boys, Giles and Ralph over too," said Jaxon, and Carmella's eyes went wide with apprehension.
"Don't drink too much, I won't marry you if you sport a hangover," she said, glaring at him.
"Alright wifey, I'll try to remember that," he said cheekily and everyone laughed.
Everyone left them alone to argue about the drinking. Carmella was soon summoned over to the living room as the bridal shower party was about to start.
They started with the gifts and blessings followed by a game of scavenger hunt. It was very funny to watch Jaxon, Tyler, Lucas, and Liam fighting over the prizes. Then there was a truth or dare game which the elders opted out of. Jaxon had chosen a dare and was asked to serenade her which he did with a soulfully romantic song while playing Tyler's old guitar. Carmella's jaws dropped at his amazing singing skills. She never knew there was this side of him. She kissed his cheek as she melted at his heartwarming gesture.
Carmella chose truth and was asked to confess when she realized that she was in love with him. Lunch was served and afterward, they all curled up for a movie at the entertainment room.
It was evening when Jaxon kissed her and went away with Tyler. After a quick dinner, Carmella and River went up to their room. They groomed and waxed themselves while remembering their childhood antics.
"Don't forget me when you go off to New York," said River.
Carmella hugged her, getting a little emotional. "No way, you have to come over when my baby is born. You will be its godmother, " she said.
River wiped her tears and smiled. "Gee thanks. I would love to," she said, happily. They talked a bit more and her mom came into their room with a glass of warm milk.
"Mom, I didn't need that," Carmella protested.
"Jaxon's orders, sweetie, " she said and Carmella rolled her eyes taking the glass from her mom's hands.
"You're very lucky sweetheart that someone cares so deeply about you. I'm so relieved that both my children have found amazing life partners to keep them happy. I couldn't have asked for more from the Lord Almighty, " she said amidst tears of happiness.
The girls hugged her tightly, wiping her tears away. "I'm not at all worried about you going away to New York anymore because I'm sure that Jaxon will take more care of you than I could, " said her mom.
"I'll miss all of you very much," said Carmella.
"It's just New York sweetheart. You can come home anytime you want," said her mom.
"Yes and we can visit you whenever we want to, " said River. Ethan Parker came into the room too and Carmella hugged him.
"I can't believe that you're wedding day's just tomorrow, " he said. "I remember the day we brought you home from the hospital a few years back. You were born a month premature and we were so worried about you," he said.
"Dad it's not a few years back. It's 22 years back," Carmella corrected him with an indulgent smile on her face.
"Yes but to me, you're still that little girl who won my heart over the moment you were born," he said. "That reminds me, River did you call up home and inform your parents about your wedding?" He asked her.
"Yes dad, I did," she answered.
"You and Tyler should go and spend a few days with them. I'll talk to Tyler," said Ethan Parker and River nodded.
"Yes dad," she said.
"Don't stay up late, you'll get dark circles under your eyes," said Carmella's mom, getting up to leave. Even her dad wished them good night and left.
"Yes mom, " the girls chorused. After they left, both of them chatted a little bit more and dozed off to sleep.
Tomorrow was an exciting day for Carmella and she slept dreaming about her Jaxon.
