Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 284

ARIELLA

Our wedding was amazing....

It was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. Magical. Timeless. The kind of night that felt suspended between fantasy and reality. It surpassed every image I’d painted in my mind, every whispered wish I’d ever made about my wedding with Asher.

As soon as the pastor pronounced us husband and wife, everyone erupted in cheers and applause. People came up to congratulate us, laughter and music filling every corner. But Asher—being Asher—made sure they all left after the formalities. Everyone, except family, of course. Except our closest friends Luca, Maria and our son.

In his words, “They’re just here as witnesses.”

He’d wanted to introduce his new wife to the people who mattered in his world, to make a quiet yet powerful statement: I was here, I was his, and this was our family. Later, he would introduce our son officially to the rest of the Romano family. But for tonight, this moment belonged to us.

I couldn’t help but fall even more in love with him.

Later, we sat together, the five of us as a family bound not only by blood and name, but by loyalty and love. We celebrated. We laughed. We danced until our feet ached and our cheeks hurt from smiling. We ate and drank and let the music carry us through the night.

We took dozens of photos, some silly, some tender, some so full of love they almost hurt to look at. Photos we’d never post anywhere. They were for us alone. Proof that we had made it.

And now… now it’s our night.

Our first night as husband and wife. My first night as Mrs. Asher Romano.

It sounds silly, maybe, but even after everything we’ve shared, I still feel nervous. We’ve been together countless times, but this feels different. This feels new.

Because tonight isn’t just another night. It’s the beginning of something sacred, something that carries the vows and promises whispered in front of the world. Tonight, it’s not just love. It’s forever. And somehow, that makes my heart race all over again.

I guess, I wasn’t supposed to be so surprised by what happened in the room. The way it was decorated… the way everything was laid out so perfectly, it felt like something straight out of a dream. White petals scattered across the floor, candles flickering against the soft golden light, and the faint scent of roses that hung in the air.

It was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

They went way overboard with our wedding night. I could almost hear them whispering, imagining what was about to happen.

I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or be embarrassed. The people who did this wonderful decoration must be thinking we’re going to do it tonight.

It is our wedding night, after all.

Asher lets me take in the room before I turn toward him with a huge smile.

“This is the best,” I say, my voice bubbling with happiness. “I love it. I didn’t even think about it.... I wasn’t expecting anything like this.... I’m so, so happy. Thank you.”

Asher smiles as he closes the door behind him and steps closer, his eyes warm and a little amused.

“Do you really like it?” he asks, standing beside me, watching the room the same way I am.

“Like it?” I laugh softly. “I love it. Really.”

“So you can't tell,” he says, his lips curving into a teasing grin, “ it's done by an amateur.”

“Ariella,” he murmurs, his voice low, “you have no idea how much I’ve wanted this. You have no idea how much I’ve dreamed of this....of you, and me, and this moment, and us, our family, together, as one.”

He smiles softly, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “I’ve always wanted to see you in a wedding dress.”

I laugh quietly, my hands cupping his face. “Then stop dreaming,” I whisper. “Because you have me. You have us. And we have each other.”

So I kiss him again, slower this time, deeper, gentler. It’s not about the rush or the hunger anymore. It’s about everything that brought us here. Everything that led us to this moment.

Tonight isn’t just about passion.

It’s about love. It’s about peace.

It’s about the beginning of forever.

It’s about family. It's about dreams coming true.

About wanting something so much.....and finally having it in your arms.

It’s about love.

Real love.

The greatest love of all.