Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

The Church of Immaculate Conception had never looked more beautiful than it did that sunny Sunday morning. Golden rays of light streamed through the stained-glass windows, scattering color across the dark wooden pews where our family and closest friends had gathered.

Matt looked absolutely perfect in my arms, dressed in the traditional Kensington christening outfit—a white linen set embroidered by hand, the same one Christian had worn as a baby. His blue eyes, so much like his father’s, watched the flickering candles and the white flowers adorning the altar with innocent fascination.

“He looks like a little angel,” my mother whispered beside me, her voice brimming with pride. She couldn’t stop smoothing imaginary creases on Matt’s outfit, making sure everything was flawless for this sacred moment.

On my other side, my father sat with that familiar, emotional expression he always tried to hide. His large, work- worn hands contrasted with the tenderness of the gesture as he dabbed discreetly at his teary eyes with a handkerchief.

“Who would’ve thought my little girl would come this far,” he murmured, his voice thick. “Married to a prince, living in a castle, and now baptizing my grandson in a chapel straight out of a movie.”

“Dad,” I whispered fondly, taking his free hand. “You always knew I’d be happy.”

“I did,” he admitted, squeezing my fingers gently. “I just never imagined it would be this grand.”

In the front pew, Joseph sat tall and proud, dressed in his finest suit and holding an intricately carved wooden cane that had belonged to his father. He didn’t need it, but it was a symbol-a bridge between generations. His eyes sparkled with the kind of happiness that seemed to warm the entire chapel.

“Grandma Sophie would be so proud,” he said softly, but loud enough for me to hear.

Isabelle sat beside him, elegant in a navy dress that emphasized her quiet grace. Over the past weeks, she had become the grandmother she’d never been able to be as a mother-devoted, gentle, and endlessly caring toward Matt and me. It still surprised me sometimes, how much she had changed.

“Thank you,” I whispered to her, and when our eyes met, I saw tears of gratitude shining in hers.

“Thank you,” she replied just as quietly. “For giving me a chance to truly be part of this family.”

A few pews back, I spotted Annie sitting beside Matt. My sister looked radiant in a coral dress that made her sun- kissed skin glow and matched the spark of excitement in her eyes-the look of someone on the verge of a grand adventure. Next to her, Matthew seemed more grounded, more mature, as if the last few months had forced him to grow up in a hurry.

Marcus sat farther back, maintaining a respectful but visible presence. His and Annie’s not-quite-relationship had quietly ended in recent weeks. They still greeted each other politely at family events, but the playful closeness they once shared was gone. It was better this way. Annie was focused on her new life in Euradia, while Marcus would soon join Matthew in overseeing Kensington’s operations in Ascia.

Gwen had flown in from Valentia just for the baptism, bringing with her a pile of lavish gifts and endless stories about how the Euradian side of the family couldn’t wait to meet the little prince. She was sitting with Carmen, who’d been shy about attending, claiming she wasn’t “technically” family.

“You raised Christian,” Joseph had said firmly. “You’re more family than most people who share our name.”

Father Michael, the kind-hearted priest who had baptized Christian decades ago, began the ceremony with words about renewal, divine protection, and the blessing of family. His voice echoed gently through the chapel, wrapping us all in a sense of peace and sacred stillness that felt like a warm, celestial embrace.

When it was time to bring Matt to the baptismal font, Christian stepped up beside me, his hand instinctively finding mine. He looked impossibly handsome in his charcoal-gray suit, but it wasn’t the suit that made my heart ache-it was the expression on his face. Pride, gratitude, and an infinite, tender love that made my chest tighten with emotion.

“Ready for this?” he murmured near my ear.

“More than ready,” I whispered back, feeling a deep, perfect peace settle over me.

Annie and Matthew stepped forward as the chosen godparents, their faces solemn but glowing. It was a perfect choice-my sister, who had stood by me through every moment of this journey, and my brother, who had protected and defended me even when things seemed impossible.

“Who presents this child for baptism?” asked Father Michael.

“We do, his parents, Christian and Zoey Kensington,” Christian replied, his voice steady and resonant through the quiet chapel.

When the holy water touched Matt’s forehead, he gave a tiny start but didn’t cry. Instead, his wide blue eyes focused curiously on the priest, as if he somehow sensed the sacredness of what was happening.

“Matt Joseph Kensington,” Father Michael said, pronouncing each name with reverence. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph stood for that moment, leaning on his cane but strong and proud. When Matt received his middle name in honor of his great-grandfather, tears rolled freely down the patriarch’s face.

“Welcome to God’s family, little one,” Father Michael murmured, tracing a cross on Matt’s forehead with holy oil.

During the final prayer, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude I could barely breathe. I looked around the chapel and saw everyone who made up our world-my parents, who had loved and supported me without question; Joseph, who had embraced me as his granddaughter from the very first day; Isabelle, who had learned to love me despite her early reservations; Annie and Matthew, my lifelong partners in chaos and laughter; Gwen, who had become like a sister; Carmen, who had cared for all of us with a mother’s devotion.

And Christian. My Christian, who had turned my life into the kind of love story I’d never dared to dream was real.

After the ceremony, we gathered in the chapel gardens for photos and congratulations. Lunch would be served at the mansion later, but for now, we simply enjoyed the rare gift of being together.

“So,” Annie said, approaching me as I adjusted Matt in my arms, “this is officially my last family event before the big Euradian adventure.”

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