Oddly, over the summer I had discovered that I was forging individual relationships with each of my parents. They had both started treating me like an adult, but in their own way. I kinda liked it. It was like we had become equals. I realized my parents were now trusting me to take care of myself.

That really blew me away.

I couldn’t believe it.

But it was true.

My mom smiled at me from where she sat. She was crying. Maybe she wasn’t so bad, after all. I smiled at her briefly before locking my eyes on Christos.

Jake stood beside him in a real tuxedo for once. Beside Jake were Nikolos and Spiridon, also in black tuxes. They all grinned at me.

But I couldn’t tear my eyes off Christos. He was so unbelievably handsome. Even with his muscles and tattoos covered up by his tux, he was gorgeous. The hottest guy on the planet. His sapphire eyes shone into mine like love beacons. His dimpled grin came out and blazed brighter than the sun.

My god, he was the perfect specimen of manliness.

My dad kissed my cheek before I stepped up to the altar. Christos took my hand and we faced the Justice of the Peace.

After we exchanged vows, which I barely remembered doing, we did the candle lighting ceremony. Christos and I used our two candles to light the one in the center, before blowing our individual candles out.

Two became one.

Forever.

I flashed on a memory of the one remaining candle that had been burning the morning after my and Christos’ pre-Valentine’s celebration in his bedroom. The rose petals, the candles, and the See’s chocolates. Too bad it had been the day before his criminal trial. I had believed that morning I might lose him to prison for years. Maybe forever. I had believed that one remaining candle had been an ill omen meaning I would soon be on my own. How wrong I had been. Now I realized that one candle had symbolized our oneness even then. Silly girl. Why had I been so worried?

When the Justice of the Peace pronounced us husband and wife, Christos leaned over to kiss me.

Yes, despite all the kissing and sex we’d had, it was the most magical kiss of my entire life.

The whole crowd applauded and cheered. But Madison cheered louder than anybody. Well, Romeo was pretty damn loud, but Madison gave him a run for his money.

While everyone cheered, Christos muttered in my ear, “Now will you take your half of the money for the LOVE portrait? And my portrait of you as the fiery angel? It’s only about a million bucks after Brandon’s cut.”

My eyes popped wide open. How could I argue with that? Well, I could. A little. “Do I have to?” I smiled.

“You’re my wife. It’s fifty-fifty from here on out. What’s mine is yours. And you’re rich.”

“In that case…” I grinned as we kissed gently again, “how can I say no?”

The reception was held inside the beautiful dining room inside The Lodge. Kamiko had brought a date. Dillon McKenna, the Adventure Time storyboard artist. They were entirely cartoon cute together.

Romeo, to all of our surprises, had brought Justin Tomlinson, Mr. Boy Band editor of The Wombat. I couldn’t tell how serious they were. I was sure I’d find out.

We had hired an awesome wedding DJ named Graham Gold who got everyone up and dancing after dinner. He was totally worth the extra cash we spent on him. He wasn’t just a DJ, he was an entertainer. The perfect choice.

During the bouquet throwing ceremony, I think Justin Tomlinson was as shocked as everybody else that Romeo caught my bouquet.

Throughout the reception, everything continued to blur by. I did my best to talk to everyone. I hoped I didn’t forget to say hello to anyone important. I said hello to Brandon, who was there, and Russell Merriweather. But I’d never met many of the people in attendance. I hoped they didn’t mind I forgot their names seconds after being introduced.

At one point, Christos and I were standing by the wedding cake, talking to Nikolos.

“I wanted to explain my wedding present, before you two go on your honeymoon,” Nikolos said.

“You don’t have to do that, Bampás,” Christos said. “Whatever it is, it’ll be fine.”

“I agree,” I said. “You being here is more than enough.”

Nikolos nodded. “You are so young and innocent, Samoula,” he smiled. “But sometimes, marriage can be difficult. That’s why I wanted to explain my gift.”

“Did you buy us marriage counseling sessions or something?” Christos joked.

“No, I bought your LOVE portrait. The one of you and Samoula.”

“What?” Christos and I both gasped.

“I made a special arrangement with Brandon. It wasn’t a commission sale for him. We just did that so you wouldn’t ask any questions. All of the money is going to the two of you. All $500,000.”

Gulp. That was one big wedding present.

Nikolos continued, “And I want you both to have the painting. I want it to serve as a reminder of the special love you both feel today. I want you never to forget it.” Nikolos was clearly overcome with emotion. This was an important gesture for him.

“You can’t do that, Bampás.” Christos protested.

I agreed with Christos. This seemed like too much of a wedding gift to give anybody.

“Yes, I can,” Nikolos said. “You’re my son. And now, you, Samoula, are my daughter.” He looked at me. “I see the hesitation in your eyes, Samoula. Let me explain. I don’t want you or my son to ever have to worry about money in your marriage. Money worries drove a wedge into my family that I’ve regretted for a long, long time.” He gave Christos a heavy, sad look.

Christos nodded solemnly.

Nikolos turned back to me, “I made the decision to chase money when I was a young man so my wife and son would always have enough to be safe. But money worries became my obsession. And my beloved wife Vesile left me because of it. Now that I have money, I don’t want the same thing to happen to my son. I don’t want you to ever have a reason to leave him, Samoula.”

The heartbreak Nikolos held behind his eyes was immeasurable. I was ready to cry for him. He blinked his wet eyes and turned to smile at his son.

“But we have plenty of money, Bampás,” Christos pleaded. “I made a ton at the show.”

“Now you have more,” Nikolos smiled at him. “If you’re smart with it, you will always have enough.”

“I know all about pinching pennies,” I said. “I grew up around saving money. I know just what to do,” I grinned.

Nikolos smiled, “Excellent. I know you’ll take care of my son, paidí mou.”

Nikolos raised the water glass he held in his hand, “To the happy couple. The heart that loves is always young.”

Christos and I didn’t have any glasses at the moment, so we smiled at Nikolos.

“Thanks, Bampás,” Christos said.

Nikolos sipped his water before wrapping an arm around his son and slapping him on the back affectionately. “I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here tonight,” he said, holding back sudden tears.

Christos winced and sighed heavily, as he hugged his father and said in a thick voice, “Yeah.”

Christos hadn’t spoken to his mother for a year or more, as far as I knew. I don’t think he’d seen her in far longer. Sadly, I don’t think he’d ever forgiven his mother for leaving when he was ten years old. She had broken the hearts of both father and son that day.

When Nikolos released his son from their hug, I could see that Christos had tears in his eyes. I rubbed him on the back of his tuxedo as he hung his head.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“It’s okay,” I reassured, wrapping both my arms around him.

After a moment, I looked up and saw Nikolos’ eyes suddenly widen in surprise.

I turned to look behind me at whatever had caught his attention.

My chest tightened into a knot.

The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my entire life walked up behind me across the dining room. She had flowing dark hair and brilliant blue eyes. Everyone was staring at her. She commanded attention without even trying. She could easily be a supermodel, even though she was older. Her long blue scoop neck dress draped elegantly to her toes. I had no idea who she was, but I could make a pretty good guess. My heart jumped into my throat.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said in an elegant voice. “My flight was delayed, but I wouldn’t miss this day for the world.”

Christos turned to her. Shock blotted out all the expression on his face as he went white. His face sagged. He looked like he was seeing a ghost. He was absolutely stunned when he said, “Mamá?”

The woman opened her arms to her son, “Paidí mou…”

My jaw dropped.

“Vesile?” Nikolos gasped. “Kardia mou?”

Vesile looked between Christos and Nikolos with silent tears dripping from her eyes. She said, “I’ve missed you both.”


THE END.


For now…

* * *

A NOTE FROM DEVON:


Every ending is always a beginning. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to Samantha, Christos, Romeo, and the gang as I penned (err, typed…it’s not like I used a fountain pen) the final scenes of this book. I literally slowed down in my writing because I didn’t want things to end.

I have so many stories left to tell about the gang, as you may have noticed. What does Spiridon do when he’s out? What happened between him and Professor Walt Childress so many years ago to make Spiridon stop painting? What about Madison and her surf shop with Jake? Will Kamiko end up a doctor or an artist? What about Romeo? You know he’s destined for something flamboyantly spectacular.

And of course, there’s Nikolos and Vesile. Theirs is a love that makes me literally weep when I think about it. How else can you explain how Christos turned out so awesome? He had the best role models imaginable until the stresses of life tore Nikolos and Vesile apart. Who wants to hear their story? I know I do.

And last but not least, Tiffany.

She wasn’t such a bitch after all.

No wonder Christos always treated her so well.

What’s going to happen to Tiffany? Her life is a total mess. I’d love to know!

Wow, there’s so many stories left to tell about my San Diego homies.

But for now, they all need a rest. They’ve been on set, performing their hearts out for you, dear reader, for the last nine months! ;-)

Now it’s Victory Payne’s turn. She wants to be a rockstar. Like, really, really badly.

And who doesn’t love a good rockstar story?