Rihanna's eyes filled with tears of joy at his confession. She couldn't believe her ears. Did she hear him correctly? Did he really love her? "You l love m-me?" she asked as tears fell from her eyes.
"Yes, darlin," he whispered, wiping her tears, and smothering her face with little kisses.
"You've made me the happiest woman on earth, Hunter. All my dreams have now come true. I'm so glad that I listened to my heart and stayed back," she told him. Hunter pulled her close and kissed her lingeringly. The love making that followed was the most beautiful and overwhelming as both tried to prove how much they loved one another.
The next day Rihanna and Robbie went to the Wild Creek Ranch to spend a day with her family while Hunter went to work. In the evening, Hunter and her brothers went out to celebrate in a pub. It was a bachelor bash for Hunter while Rihanna was showered with gifts on her bridal shower. Baby Andrea gurgled with happiness at seeing Robbie.
The decorations from the wedding arch and reception party venue had been cleared. Rihanna's wedding dress and Hunter's and Robbie's tuxedos had arrived too. The bridal party too bought their dresses from aunt Charlotte's boutique while the men considered wearing the same tuxedos as they did for Rex's wedding.
"Ryan's not returning to Fordsville. He and Georgia are settling in Vegas, " Renée told Rihanna.
"I think that's the best decision considering how Georgia's family is," said Rihanna. They discussed Anastasia a little and finally when Hunter returned, it was time to go home.
"Did you drink a lot?" asked Rihanna with her hands on her waist. Hunter shook his head.
"Not at all. I had to drive you two home," he said as he drove with a drowsy Robbie.
"Mommy, daddy hurry, my eyes are closing," said Robbie.
"Sleep if you want to. Daddy will carry you to bed," said Rihanna.
"You know, baby, Andrea has learnt to hold my finger. I think she knows I'm her big brother," said Robbie with pride.
"Really? I think you're the best big brother, Robbie," said Rihanna and Robbie looked satisfied.
They reached home, and Hunter unloaded her gifts. They all carried them inside to Hunter and Rihanna's bedroom.
"Mommy, can we open them now?" said Robbie, eyeing the gifts excitedly.
"We can open them tomorrow. Come on, it's time to go to sleep." After tucking him into bed, Rihanna went to her room to take a shower. But before she could close the door of the en-suite, Hunter walked in.
"Hunter, let me shower," protested Rihanna.
"We can shower together. Why waste precious water?" he said with a smirk. Rihanna smiled while Hunter filled the bathtub with water. Then he went in and pulled her onto his lap, his hardness slipping into her warm, tight folds. After some passionate lovemaking, they bathed one another and dried themselves.
Lying on the bed, Hunter pulled her into his arms. "I love your family. I like the way they've accepted me and made me feel wanted. Your brothers gave me such a friendly bachelor bash. It reminded me of Derek, my brother. If he would have been alive, he would have done the same for me," said Hunter. Rihanna just held his hand, trying to comfort him.
"I'm so glad that you liked it, Hunter. I'm sure Derek's watching you from wherever he is. He should feel happy seeing you so happy." Hunter looked at her.
"Really? You think so?"
"Yes. I'm sure. Your loved ones always stay around you, even after death. They can watch over you, but they cannot comfort you. If you're happy, they feel happy. If you're sad, they don't find their peace at all," explained Rihanna. Hunter nodded.
"Robbie and I are happy. I think my family will also be happy seeing us," said Hunter.
The next two days they checked up with their wedding preparations and soon the day passed by and it was their wedding day. They drove with their stuff to Wild Creek Ranch in the morning. While Rihanna used her old room to get ready, Hunter used Ryder's room.
Just as they had planned, the wedding arch was decorated beautifully with blush pink roses and tulips interspersed with fresh, red roses and white flowing tulle wrapped around the arch. The white chairs were tied with red satin ribbons and the aisle was strewn with red roses.
As Rihanna walked towards the aisle as the wedding ceremony was about to start, she gasped at seeing all her favorite flowers. The whole place looked so vibrant and romantic, just like she had always dreamed of. Her wedding was perfect, the type she had always wanted. She stared at Hunter, looking hot and drool worthy in an off-white tuxedo. Even Robbie wore a similar tux and they looked like father and son. As if feeling her presence, Hunter turned to look at her and froze seeing her looking like his queen.
The long flowing tulle skirt and the crystal embellished bodice made her look ethereal when the crystals caught the light of the sun reflected upon them. There was a warm glow on her skin, making her look radiant and happy. He was thankful to God that he had her in his life. He couldn't have asked for more.
"Wow Mommy, you look like a queen," said Robbie.
"She is, isn't she?" asked Hunter, still looking at her as if mesmerized by her. Rihanna blushed at his scrutiny.
Renée nudged her. "Hunter can't take his eyes off you. Shouldn't you tell him who got you ready?" asked Renée with a giggle. She had done Rihanna's hair while Raine had done her makeup.
"I did the main part, okay?" said Raine. Rihanna smiled indulgently at the two.
"Both of you did an outstanding job. That's what sisters are for, right?" said Rihanna. All three of them hugged one another.
"Why am I not getting any hugs?" asked a grinning Ryder.
"After the wedding ceremony, please, Ryder. You'll smudge my makeup and spoil my hair with your bear hug," said Rihanna. Ryder grinned. Everyone knew he was the naughtiest in the family.
Granny and her mom had tears of happiness in their eyes as they watched Rihanna.
"All my children will be settled now just like yours are," her mom said to aunt Katherine.
"Yes. It's a very satisfying feeling. Now just wait for your grandchildren to arrive," said aunt Katherine with a smile.
"I know," said Rihanna's mom. Keith Wilson approached his daughter with a calm and indulgent smile on his face.
"Shall we?" he asked, holding his arm for her to take. A few minutes ago they already had a father and daughter moment inside.
Rihanna placed her hand in the crook of his arm as everyone geared up for the bridal procession. Finally, it was time to get married.
After a heart touching wedding ceremony, they were finally declared man and wife. The whole family clicked pictures as Hunter dipped his head and claimed her lips for a possessive kiss, branding her for life. They were man and wife at last and the happiest of them all was their little son, Robbie. He clapped and jumped up and down with excitement. God knew what his best friend Toby might have explained to him about a wedding, but whatever it was, he looked happy.
After the wedding ceremony was over, an excited Robbie walked up to them. "Finally, God has made you ready for a baby," he said, clapping his hands. The wedding photographer laughed while Rihanna's face flushed with embarrassment. In fact, even Hunter looked a little uncomfortable. Thankfully, Adelaide saved them from further embarrassment as she led him to baby Andrea to click a picture of the two.
"Mrs. Bradshaw, how do you feel?" asked Hunter, with a glint in his eye.
"Complete," she said with a wide smile, feeling and looking the same. "How do you feel Mr. Bradshaw?"
"Taken for life," he admitted. "We'll leave immediately after the cake cutting."
"I'll talk to Robbie again. Children forget," said Rihanna.
"Is everything packed up and ready?" asked Hunter.
"Yeah, don't worry," said Rihanna. She had explained to Adelaide about Robbie's likes and dislikes earlier and had packed a bag full of his clothes, toys, and other necessities for him. Adelaide had already arranged it in the nursery.
Hunter and Rihanna walked towards the reception party venue, eagerly waiting for it all to get over so that they could spend some time alone with one another.