Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1047 : A Love Confirmed

*Bianca*

*Six Months Later*

The lace of my wedding gown shimmered under the soft glow of the church lights, the intricate floral patterns cascading down my arms as I sat in front of the vanity.

My veil was pinned perfectly, my hair swept into an elegant yet simple updo, and my makeup had been done with careful precision.

I had to keep reminding myself not to touch my face or the whole thing might get ruined.

My reflection stared back at me. A perfect, porcelain doll. I looked beautiful.

I should have felt beautiful.

Instead, my heart was hammering in my chest.

The nervous energy rolling through me made it hard to sit still, and I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself.

The moment I had been waiting for was finally here. Six months after everything that had happened, I was about to marry the man who had fought through hell and back for me.

The man who held me through my darkest nights, who whispered promises into my ear when I thought I couldn’t keep going.

The man I gave my heart to, the father of my perfect children.

Leo.

I smiled just thinking about him.

It had been more than twenty-four hours since I’d seen him. He wasn’t too happy about it, but I wanted a bit of tradition on our wedding. No seeing the bride the day before.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and before I could answer, my mother and Amara bustled inside.

The nervous energy buzzing beneath my skin immediately melted at the sight of the two little bundles in their arms.

Valerio and Vittoria.

My babies.

I reached for Vittoria and held her close.

“Careful not to wrinkle your dress,” Amara warned.

“I will take holding my kids over an unwrinkled dress,” I shot back, kissing her soft, smooth forehead.

Valerio struggled in my mom’s arms. He kicked and made all kinds of noises.

His chubby cheeks gave way to big dimples when he smiled at me.

“He’s been a handful all morning,” my mom admitted. She ran her hand through his dark, unruly curls.

So much like Leo’s hair.

“He can feel the excitement.” I went to her and kissed Valerio’s forehead.

Vittoria, in my arms, was quieter. She clung to my dress with a fragile little grip.

She was almost as big as Valerio now, but she didn’t have the same chubby baby fat he did and I worried about her strength. Sometimes, she still seemed so fragile.

I stuck my knuckle in Vittoria’s mouth and she grabbed my hand and happily sucked.

Her wide, curious eyes never left my face. She was an old soul in there, always watching and taking everything in.

“I can calm him down.” I held my arm out and my mom gave me a skeptical look.

“What about your hair and makeup. He’s a lot stronger now, and so squirmy.” She bounced him on her hip.

“Mom, I’ve got this.”

She sighed and handed the baby over.

I rocked both of them in my arms and they reached for each other.

Valerio in his custom little tuxedo that made him look beyond adorable and Vittoria in her little pink flower dress.

“You two look so beautiful,” I whispered, running my fingers gently over Vittoria’s soft cheek while Valerio giggled and buried his face against my chest.

“I still can’t believe you have twins,” Amara said with a dramatic sigh. “You look way too perfect in that dress for someone who gave birth to two babies six months ago. It’s honestly offensive.”

I laughed, pressing a kiss to Valerio’s head. “I don’t feel perfect. I feel... anxious.”

My mother brushed my veil gently, adjusting it slightly as she smiled at me in the mirror. “That’s normal, tesoro. It’s a big day.”

“Yeah...” I cuddled the babies a little more.

It was nice to have time with them before the wedding. Everything would be so busy the rest of the day. I might not get a chance to hold them both like this for a while.

“What’s wrong, Bianca?” Amara asked. “You don’t seem very excited. Isn’t this what you want?” She gave me a concerned look.

“Of course!” I fidgeted slightly, trying to nail down my feelings. “I want to marry Leo more than anything. I want to be a family with him. And I am excited but...” I trailed off.

“But what?” Amara put her hands on her hips.

“I’ve never been one for big crowds,” I admitted, glancing down at the babies. “It’s not that I don’t want to marry Leo—I do. I love him. It’s just... everyone watching. The pressure of it.”

Amara grinned. “Just watch Leo. Pretend no one else is there.”

“I don’t know if I can do that.”

“I’m sure he’ll make it hard for you not to,” she said, laughing.

I arched an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Last night, he was dead set on sneaking off to see you. ‘Screw tradition,’ were his exact words,” she explained. “He nearly jumped out a window to come see you.”

“What!?” I gasped.

“Yeah, Taylor had to restrain him.”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped me. That sounded exactly like Leo.

“Seriously?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Oh yeah. He was ready to break all the wedding rules just to see you,” Amara said, rolling her eyes. “We had to drag him back into his room and remind him that he’d only have to wait a few more hours.”

I bit my lip, warmth filling my chest at the thought of Leo being just as impatient as I was.

“I just... I don’t need a grand ceremony to know we love each other,” I murmured, glancing at my mother. “We’ve already been through so much. Why does it need to be a big show?”

“Leo won’t take his eyes off of you, I promise. And if that doesn’t make you feel like the only person in the room...” Amara shrugged.

My mother knelt beside me, smoothing a hand over my gown. “Because, tesoro, a wedding is not just about you and Leo. It’s about family. It’s about standing before those you love and letting them witness the bond you’ve built. The two of you already belong to each other, but this? This is a way to celebrate it with the people who care about you most.”

I took a slow breath, nodding slightly. Maybe she was right. Maybe this wasn’t just about me and Leo.

Still, I needed a moment.

“I think I’ll take a walk before the ceremony,” I said softly.

My mother and Amara exchanged glances before nodding.

“This isn’t going to turn into The runaway Bride, is it?” Amara asked with a pointed look.

“Amara, my kids are here, my family, and the man I love. I’m not running anywhere,” I insisted.

“Of course you aren’t,” my mother added. “But it is a big day and if you need a moment to collect your thoughts, we respect that. Don’t we?” She pinched Amara.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Amara threw her hands up.

“Thank you. I won’t be long. I just want to see the ocean.”

Take your time,” my mother said, carefully lifting Valerio from my arms. Amara did the same with Vittoria, pressing a kiss to my cheek before they left.

“We’re here for you if you need anything,” she assured.

The room felt different once I was alone. Lighter, but still full of anticipation.

I didn’t know where this anxiety came from. Leo and I planned the wedding of our dreams. It was my idea to invite my whole family.

Why did I suddenly feel like they were intruding on our day and our moment?

I fanned myself with my hand. My dress was suddenly too tight, my hair pinched by the bobby pins, and I hated the way my veil chaffed against my arms.

Yeah, I needed to get some fresh air.

With careful steps, I made my way toward the small courtyard just outside the chapel. The moment I stepped outside, the warm ocean breeze kissed my skin, the scent of salt and flowers filling the air.

It was beautiful here. The garden was tucked within the walls of the chapel, a hidden little paradise overlooking the beach.

The grasses and flowers slowly gave way to sand dunes. I could hear the waves lapping against the shore in the distance.

Pink and white flowers bloomed in the garden, their fragrance complementing the fresh, ocean air. It was an untouched paradise and the perfect place for Leo and me to confirm our love for each other.

The sun had started to dip lower in the sky, casting golden streaks across the water.

I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes for just a moment.

“Bianca.”

My breath caught.

I turned, my heart already knowing who I’d find before my eyes even landed on him.

Leo stood just a few feet away, dressed in his black wedding suit. The crisp fabric hugged his broad frame perfectly, the deep color making his sharp hazel eyes stand out even more. His dark hair was styled back, but a few unruly strands had already fallen loose. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

He looked devastatingly handsome.

His lips parted slightly as he took me in, his gaze sweeping over me with something reverent, something raw.

“You’re not supposed to see me before the ceremony,” I said softly, though I made no move to step away and covered myself with my arms.

Leo smirked, his eyes never leaving mine. “You were the one who stepped outside first.”

I smiled despite myself.

For a moment, we just stood there, the ocean breeze wrapping around us, the sounds of distant waves filling the silence.

Leo finally stepped forward, reaching for my hands. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” he murmured, his fingers lacing with mine. “I needed to see you.”

I swallowed, my nerves from earlier fading into something else entirely. Warmth. Comfort.

“I love you,” I whispered.

Leo lifted my hands to his lips, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my fingers. “Ti amo, Bianca,” he murmured. “More than anything.”

Tears pricked my eyes, but they weren’t from nerves anymore.

They were from knowing that no matter what, I was about to walk down that aisle and marry the man who had been my home through everything.

Leo cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, smiling through my tears. “Yeah. I am. Are you?”

He brushed my tears away with his thumbs. “Bianca, I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

My heart fluttered as his eyes filled me with all the love and devotion I needed to strengthen myself.

I could do this. No matter how big the crowd, no matter how grand the ceremony, it didn’t change the truth.

I was marrying Leo.

And that was all that mattered.