The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 279

I catch sight of some of my favorite women on the right-hand side of the aisle. Margo is wiping a tear from her eye and nudging Wilma in her side as both woman wave to me. They’re blowing their noses and crying as Donna throws tissues their way. My crazy trio of motherly hens. Donna’s mascara is pouring down her normally flawless face and I spot Rosalie wave from behind a very handsome man, grinning wildly and looping arms with him, a look of radiant happiness on her pretty face. I beam back at them with a tiny wave before moving on in time to the music, slow steps, with Giovanni leading the way.

I catch sight of the Huntsbergers, my new extended family sitting close by and smile warmly at them. The row of adopted children and Huntsberger father looking so proud of his family. Ben and his baby son are near the end of the row. He’s is cuddling him proudly and looking every bit the doting dad. He is now the soul parent of him, seeing as Marissa lost all interest in a baby that she had no purpose for anymore. She went under the communication radar soon after giving birth, not that I’m complaining, I’m happy that Marissa stopped being our problem and we’ll most likely never have to deal with her again.

The girl Ben has been dating for the last six months, sits beside him in the row and smiles my way, shyly. Grace is everything Marissa isn’t, and she dotes on little Adam as much as Ben does. We’ve all started to become friends recently and she seems to be looking like a permanent fixture in Ben’s life; a new mummy for the most beautiful little mini-Ben you could ever see. It’s obvious Ben has found his Emma, and Jake has regained some sort of friendship with him over the last few months. Hunter is obviously a little jealous that someone is moving in on his bestie in a very manly ‘bromance’ kind of way and it’s endearingly amusing.

Jake’s staff from the Manhattan apartment are sitting nearer the front as part of the family. Nora, Jefferson, the array of security guards, and of course, good old Mathews, another of my heroes that never leaves my side nowadays. He is like a guardian angel and makes my life in our Hamptons home safe and secure. He rarely leaves my presence when I go anywhere, Jake didn’t need to ask that of him, he just naturally became a father figure to me and took it upon himself to always watch over me in a very protective manner since he felt like he failed me when Vanquis came after me.

He hauled ass to a hospital with me and saved my life that night. I was suffering from a bleeding brain injury caused by the blow to my head which would’ve been my end if Vanquis managed to take me from the house, as intended. I only lived because of the fast-medical attention given to me, because of Giovanni and Mathews showing up when they did.

I catch his eye and smile warmly as he and his wife grasp hands and I swear I see a tear. It tugs my heart and makes me smile widely. I would trust my life under his care and protection for an eternity and I never doubt my safety when I am with him.

My eyes scan the room as I walk the long white aisle, rows of white benches edged with wild flowers and lilies and my eyes can’t help but travel the last distance to the most beautiful thing in the entire room getting achingly closer … That gorgeous man smiling my way. I’m drawn to him and know that once I meet his glorious face I’ll never turn away for anything in the world ever again.

He’s watching me walk toward him with his steadfast green gaze and attractive smile, giving me courage, grounding me to him in the way he always does. He’s looking every bit the billionaire playboy in a flawless navy suit and gray cravat and waist sash, perfectly tailored and groomed; every bit the man of my fantasies. He can pull off the groom-to-be look effortlessly. His calm façade not failing once, as he stands gazing at me in his usual casual yet cocky pose. I smile back radiantly, my heart swelling with pride at the picture he makes, and I quell the urge to run the last few steps and jump into his arms.

He’s standing between Arrick and Daniel, holding the most precious little blue-eyed bundle of mischief in his

arms near his face. My chubby legged little heart, my

tiny perfection of blonde curls and happy smiles that can make my whole day better with a mere sigh. They’re beckoning me to come and finally join them in name and make our family unit complete. The most enticing reason to ever walk toward anyone ever in the whole wide world. These two precious faces hold my entire universe. My

little girl, so like me and almost three months old already; adoringly gazing up at the daddy who is as smitten with her as I am.

Jake pulls her up to his face and kisses her tenderly on the forehead, hugging her one last time before handing Mia to Sylvana with a beaming smile. He’s unable to conceal the adoration of a daddy, rarely prized from his daughter, since the day she was born. She’s as much his world as she is mine. Our reason for living.

I reach instinctively for my little one as we close the last gap, my heart swelling with overpowering love and my stomach aches with pride at that flawless piece of perfection being held in her grandmother’s arms. I kiss her tiny little head, inhaling Mia’s unique smell with closed eyes and take a moment to make her laugh for my enjoyment, a sound that brings my heart unbelievable swelling completion.

She always has laughter for her mother, a smile, and a little cheeky face. I coo at her, biting my lip with overwhelming love as her grandmother moves aside, both Jake and I watch her go, for a moment, before turning back to one another. Our eyes lock, filling with tears as we take each other in and realize what this moment is. He looks as stunning as the first time I ever laid eyes on him and I can’t help instantly longing for him, despite having been with him for as long as I have.

Giovanni releases me to Jake and takes Sylvana’s arm to help his wife and grandchild back to the waiting seats close by. They are amazing loving grandparents and spend as much time trying to steal her from us as Leila and Sarah do, everyone loves Mia to death and fight over her affections endlessly.