Bridal Carry

His Elle deserved nothing but all the finest things that life had to offer. In a perfect world, Elle would know that Gio married her not just to protect her, but because he loved her more than anything in the world. After the wedding he would have taken her to wherever she wanted to go.

Macau, Egypt, Thailand, India, South Africa, Italy, even outer space…wherever she wanted their honeymoon to be, Gio would have taken her. But to his eternal shame, Gio could not take her anywhere, not with the danger that was currently lurking around them.

But Gio would not have been able to live with himself if he did not at least try to make the night special. It might have been a marriage of convenience ( at least on her part), but it was a first marriage for both of them, Gio'd had to do something to make up for the lack of a honeymoon.

So while they were at the reception he had send some of his most trusted people up ahead, with Benji and Big L leading the charge. He had felt ridiculous, sending men who could kill someone a hundred different ways with a hairpin to go decorate his house like they were part of an interior design team.

But even worse than the order, had been the reaction. Rather than be offended at being given such a task, the two of them had looked delighted.

It was unsettling seeing two grown men all but skip in excitement at the prospect of decorating. Gio had regretted asking them almost instantly, but by then it had been too late, they had already been walking away. Heads close together as they discussed colours with the same seriousness they afforded business deals and breaking bones.

And now as the limo pulled up in front of the house, Gio found himself hoping that the guys had done a good job. They had attended enough galas and fundraisers with him to at least know what worked and what did not.

Trusting in their expertise, Gio took a deep breath and got out of the car after Elle. She was already a few steps ahead of him, her dress pulled up as she took determined steps towards the front door.

"Elle," He called as the limo pulled out and she paused turning back.

"Hmm?" He reached her easily enough, and then without a word, he bent down and picked her up.

She squealed, her laugh high and bright as she clung to his shoulders.

He pretended to stagger a bit and she laughed even harder…Gio really liked tipsy Elle.

"Gio…you…do…not…have…to" She protested between laughs, but Gio ignored her. Their wedding had already bulldozed through a lot of traditions with how rushed it was, he could at least do this one small thing right.

He carried her over the threshold and into their home. Gio only put her down when they were well into the living room, the carpet soft beneath his feet.

Gio had expected Big L and Benji's decorating spree to start and end in the bedroom, which was why he was just as taken off guard as Elle was when the lights suddenly went off. Before he could get anxious enough to consider diving for the nearest weapon, there was light again. Only this time it was not from the chandelier.

There were hundreds of little LED's strung up. Gio was certain the only reason he did not see them when he had first walked in was because he had been so focused on Elle. Each little spark gave the place a warm glow. When soft music started playing in the background, the lights pulsed to match it. Going on and off like little heartbeats.

"Gio, it's beautiful,"

Benji and Big L would definitely be getting bonuses at the end of the year. Gio pulled Elle closer to him, his hands going around his shoulders, her fingers linking up over his neck. 

The two of them slow danced to the music, this time there was no formality, no audience watching them. It was just the two of them moving to the music, no mental step counting and no people to distract them from each other.

Holding her in his arms, Gio knew for a fact that he was the luckiest man on earth. Leaning down, he kissed her gently, long and slow. When they broke apart, she looked up at him with dazed eyes.

"Welcome home, Mrs Romano," He whispered and she blushed, then in the next instant the look in her eyes turned mischievous.

"How about a tour of the house then, Mr Romano…let's start with the bedroom," With that she danced out of his grip, laughing as she began running upstairs, following the path of rose leading to the bedroom.

Stunned, Gio stood where he was for a moment before he gathered himself and gave chase. He caught her at the top of the stairs, pinning her against the wall.

"Well now, Mrs Romano, you seem to already know your way around. How about I show you something else?" She batted her long lashes up at him.

"My, my, Mr Romano, what could you possibly be wanting to show me," She took a deliberate deep breath, her cleavage showing through the low vee of her dress and Gio was lost.