Roman kissed her shoulder as she walked out of the bathroom showered.
"I can't wait till we can make love again.", he whispered, his lips leaving a tingling trail from her shoulder to her ear.
"Aren't satisfied with what we do in the mean time?", she asked with a smile.
"You know I am.", he whispered.
She would start off with giving him a hand job. He would go down on her, but always made sure to stop when she was getting close as to not cause her side to hurt.
He would replace his mouth with his fingers.
"We can always try tonight?", she asked, touching his cheek gently.
He smiled and brushed her wet hair out of her face.
"Not with your dad and sisters in the house", he replied, moving away from her and into the bathroom.
"Tease", she said.
He chuckled and winked before closing the door.
As they got to the wedding dress shop. Melina looked around, something didn't feel right.
"What is it?", Andrade asked.
Garcia had sent Andrade with them while Baron stayed behind with Garcia. He was hanging out with Afa and Sika at their home. Assuring the women he didn't need much protection.
Especially since Afa and Sika had Dwayne and Rikishi.
"I just feel like we're being watched.", she replied.
People were going in and out of stores. Shopping, eating, or just walking around. Melina shook her head.
"Or its just me worrying about Brie. I know Charlotte is no threat, but…", she stopped.
"You can't help but worry. I get it.", he replied.
She smiled at him and gently touched his cheek.
"Now lets get inside and get your baby sister married", he said.
She nodded and took his hand as they walked in. A woman handed her a champagne glass and she took it. She offered one to Andrade, but he declined.
Standing away from the women and watched from afar. His eyes scanning the outside, just in case Melina's feeling was real.
"Now that you are all here, lets start", Naomi said.
Roman had introduced her to Naomi when she met the twins, Jimmy and Jey. He wanted anyone involved in this wedding to be close family or loyal partners.
"Do you have any ideas on what kind of a dress you want?", she asked.
"Um, not really. I've never thought about it, you know.", Veronica replied.
Naomi nodded.
"Well, if I can suggest a few things?", Naomi asked.
"Please", she replied.
Melina had promised their dad that they would let Veronica make up her own mind and not give their opinion. Mostly because Roman had spoken to him and asked him to step in.
"Seeing as you have a beautiful figure, I would suggest a dress that hugs you well to show it off. Maybe thin straps, I have one with rhinestones or strapless. Also backless, that way you can wear your hair up", Naomi said as she wrote it down.
"Sounds beautiful", Veronica said.
She looked at her sisters.
"I like her suggestions", Brie added.
"Me too", Bayley said.
"Mel?", Veronica asked.
Melina smiled.
"I can't wait to see you in them", Melina said.
Naomi took Veronica's hand and pulled her to the back room. Patricia and Nia walked in.
"Sorry we are late. Has she tried anything on yet?", Patricia asked.
"First one is coming right up", Nikki said excited.
Melina looked over her shoulder at the window looking out towards the street. Andrade winked at her before putting his attention back outside.
"She's out there", Patricia said, taking a sip of her champagne.
"Who?", Brie asked, looking between Patricia and Melina.
Patricia set her hand on Brie's hand.
"Nothing is happening to my grand baby. My son will not allow it", she said.
Brie smiled. She loved knowing that Dean had a mother figure in Patricia.
"Its not Charlotte.", Melina replied.
"No, its not", Patricia seconded.
"Then who?", Nikki asked.
Melina and Patricia shared a look.
"Alright, is everyone ready?", Naomi asked.
The sisters put their attention back on Veronica. She came out and bit her lip. They gasped.
"Wow", Bayley smiled.
"You were right about the dress", Melina said to Naomi.
Naomi nodded.
"So?", Melina asked her youngest sister.
"I love it. I honestly don't think I need to try anything else on.", Veronica said.
"Are you sure? You don't look too happy", Nikki pointed out.
"I am", Veronica nodded.
"What's wrong sweetheart?", Patricia asked.
"I just, wanted Roman here for this. I know its not traditional, but…", she stopped.
"Codependency is not good", Melina added.
"Its not codependency, I just don't get why he can't be here. This is our wedding. If I get a say in his tux, he should get a say in my dress", she replied.
Melina raised a brow.
"You know she's here, don't you?", Melina asked.
"I saw her before we got off the car", she replied.
"Who?", Nikki asked.
"Mom", Veronica replied.
"I called Roman, he's on his way", Andrade said.
They didn't wait long before Roman rushed through the door. Dean and Seth with him, guarding the door as if someone was coming right behind them.
"Are you okay? Andrade told me your mom was here? Did you see her? Did she…", he stopped talking when he realized she was in her wedding dress.
She took his breath away. She lifted her hands before letting them fall to her sides.
"So?", she asked.
"I, um, wow", he said.
She smiled.
"I loved it too", she nodded.
He smiled and met her eyes.
"But I saw you in this dress. It's bad luck", he pointed out.
She shrugged.
"I'm not one for tradition", she said.
His smile grew.
"Can you wear that every day, starting now?", he asked.
She giggled.
"Maybe", she replied.
Melina cleared her throat.
"Focus. Raya", she said.
Roman cleared his throat as the door opened again. Dwayne walked in and handed Roman a envelope. Veronica walked closer and saw that it was her name.
"I'll take that", she said, holding her hand out.
Roman hesitated before handing it to her.
"Are you going to open it?", Melina asked.
"I say burn it", Nikki added.
"I think we should let her make her own decision", Brie said.
"Our mother, has nothing to offer. I agree with Nik, burn it", Melina said.
Veronica didn't answer, just looked at her name.
"I'm going to go change.", she said softly.
Melina was going to follow, but Roman cut her off.
"She needs a moment alone. I will check on my wife in a few", he said stern.
Melina chuckled and was going to push past him.
"Mel, let him handle her. She is no longer your responsibility.", Brie said.
Melina was going to argue back.
"Dad would say the same", Brie said.
Melina sighed, but nodded.
"Fine", she said.
Dean wrapped in arm around Brie's waist. He kissed the side of her head.
"Feeling okay?", he whispered to her.
She nodded and kissed his cheek. She could feel his hand gently on her stomach.
"Dinner tonight?", he asked.
"Another dinner?", she asked.
He chuckled and gently touched her chin.
"Of course. So, what do you say?", he asked.
She smiled.
"I would love too", she replied.
He leaned down and kissed her.
"See you at eight", he mumbled against her lips.
Roman found Ronnie still looking at the letter. He stepped over to her and lifted her head. He kissed Veronica.
"Man, I can't wait for our wedding day and to rip this off you", he said.
She placed her hands against his cheeks.
"You aren't ripping this off me. I will stab you", she said.
He laughed and nodded.
"You look absolutely beautiful, my love.", he whispered.
He kissed her forehead.
"Whatever you want to do, I am behind you. Through thick and thin. Sickness and in health. You've got me", he whispered.
"Will you be there when I open it?", she asked.
He nodded.
"I have to go. Will you be okay?", he asked.
"Yeah", she nodded.
"I love you, see you at home", he said.
"Did you leave the letter as I asked?", Raya asked.
Nick nodded.
"Yeah, right where Dwayne would find it", he replied.