*Chuckle* "See? Didn't I tell you that I would be fine?" Astrid pulled Lewis in for another kiss once again.
Lewis sighed and pulled himself away before he ruined the big day... "Fine, fine... Don't get too excited, otherwise the bride will end up missing her own wedding day." Lewis growled lowly, he had been restraining himself for too long. Seeing Astrid in her wedding gown was too much stimulating...
Astrid smiled and giggled. "Well, the bride just couldn't contain herself seeing her husband being so handsome today... We still have ten more minutes..." Astrid pouted as she rubbed herself on Lewis's arm.
Lewis closed his eyes and only patted Astrid's head. "Weren't you worrying about what you would do after Jukovic was caught? I think you were just tricking me the whole time." Lewis reacted, but stayed firm.
Astrid froze. "Oh, you noticed?" She chuckled with a wide smile.
Astrid wasn't entirely sure herself what she would be doing after she had removed all oppression from their lives. But after being proposed to by Lewis in the middle of their bedtime activity, she had a grand idea...
To focus on her family instead. And with the two finally having their own mansion constructed nearby to both of their families houses, they finally had a space of their own.
Lewis sighed and then looked down to Astrid's stomach. Even though it was slightly swollen today, and it made her former hourglass figure disappear, he often felt himself staring at her more and more.
Why was her stomach swollen you may ask? Considering their 'bedtime activity' being prioritized over everything in their lives... Is there a need to explain?
"Come on, everyone is waiting. We shouldn't be late to our own wedding. Even the little one is saying so." Lewis gently spoked while smiling warmly.
Astrid instinctively put a hand on her stomach, 'my baby... Mum and dad promise to be the best parents possible. Even with our limited experience.' Astrid was overwhelmed when she found out she was pregnant. Sure, they were extremely active in 'that' department, but she kept testing negative month after month. It came to a point where she started to stress that she couldn't have children.
The stress got to her so bad that Lewis had to spend a week confiding her, it was Astrid's dream to have a family, the one thing she couldn't have before. She might have loving parents, a little sister, and a significant other. But she was a woman. And she wanted to experience the most maternal thing possible, becoming pregnant.
"Mmm, okay. I'll see you in a bit then." Astrid regretfully had to let go off Lewis. Her eyes glistening with happiness.
Lewis felt his breath hitch, seeing a smile of pure happiness on Astrid's face... Was truly beautiful, even if he knew the evils that resided within them both.
.......
"Jeez bro, you're THAT nervous your sweating!? It's not like she is going to divorce you!" Leone couldn't help but take a dig at Lewis, who was constantly checking his watch and had unbuttoned his shirt.
"Tch." Francesca frowned and elbowed Leone's rib.
"Ow! I-I mean that Astrid would never leave you ever! How could she when all you two do all day is..."
"OWWW!" Leone then grimaced as he felt his poor foot being caved in by a heel...
"Oh shut it! We get it! You had to deal with them at your house! So have Astrid's parents!" Francesca blurted, in which the entire hall became silent.
*Cough* "I believe having a good sex life is good for them. Especially since my madam has the assets and also the drive to..." Winoa started to 'defend' Lewis and Astrid, but instead just made everyone sigh.
"Alright, alright. All this talk makes my old ears shrivel. As long as you stay happy and faithful with each other, that is all that matters no?" Elder Guilliano interrupted, in which the hall unanimously agreed with him.
*Sigh* "Don't be stupid Leone. I'm not worried that Astrid will leave me or anything like that." Lewis smiled with a glint in his eye.
Leone froze... 'Hang on, that look in his eyes... Hmm, I'm glad there are guests here today.' Leone was a man, and no fool...
*Cough, Cough* The priest standing in position... Also known as Mr. Bagna, cleared the air. As the pianist started their tune.
"And now walking down the walkway, the bride." Mr. Bagna was given the honor to hold this wedding by Astrid. He knew it was because of their great partnership. And also to establish another part of their partnership and act on it...
Lewis stood... In awe, the doors opened to the woman countless had called a monster. Her red eye had made her famous. After the announcement of her taking over Hanxi hit business channels everywhere. The businesses also under her merged together, as part of her plan. Saverio made the announcement public, as everyone in the banquet was also completely exposed.
Jukovic had called her an evil and manipulative bitch as his last words. Mr. Wu and the hackers under Astrid had blocked his access to anything related to Astrid. Hence, Brad managed to catch him off-guard when a few days later, he caught wind of the drastic change in the Urzhokov family.
The Russian government announced on the same day the protection of the Royal family once again, giving them a position of peace and solitude. Also creating a deal to keep the country prosperous, as they owned the ancestor's princess crown...
The Urzhokov family was heavily ingrained in most countries, and already were royalty. With that, Astrid was offered the position of 'Royal Queen'.
With the acceptance of the position, she would be Queen of Russia, but have zero say in politics of the country. In which she accepted, with all the coverage on her. She eventually became known to the public as the 'Crimson Rus' for her red-eye, and her common crimson clothing.
Of course, none of Astrid and Lewis' illegal businesses would ever become public, in fact, they publicly had excellent images. They were seen to be family people that kept to themselves, but often were behind many charities in the world.
But to Lewis, Astrid was Astrid. No matter what people could think of her. She was beautiful sure, but he loved her flaws the most.
Her snacking had reached immense levels during her pregnancy, her stomach had severe pains that could make her bedridden for a few days. She had an evil side that required bloodthirst. She literally needed to drink blood otherwise she would go crazy, other's would feel pressure in her presence. But he could only feel comfort...
Seeing her walk down the aisle was his dream. Seeing her spectacular wedding dress designed by one of his friends... Her gentle smile, and her pregnant stomach... He was in bliss.
Astrid stepped up the small podium and faced her groom. Neither of them were perfect. Some said that she should marry someone of a royal or political background instead of a businessman. No matter what they said though, Lewis was the one for her.
He could read her emotions like no one else could, he watched over her during her hardest time... When she couldn't smoke away her frustrations with a baby in her stomach, he was there to comfort her. While he wasn't as smart, nor cryptic as her, she felt she could be herself around him... The her she never could have been in her former life...
"Now, the bride and groom had known each other for years. Since Miss Urzhokov-Tuhs was in school. At first, their relationship was nothing but two people being headstrong. Built on rumors and suspicion. After they both grew up however... The bride and groom met once again, this time their relationship became a deal between one another, while the groom made a decision." Mr. Bagna spoke slowly the words he had been told to recite from Winoa.
"... After that, the decision started to be enacted. Before he knew, the groom had fallen in love for the bride. But the bride was not a pushover, and with all due time... The two managed to find an equilibrium." Mr. Bagna spoke as the guests all seemed to look at a man sat beside Mr. Tuhs.
"You know? I never expected Astrid to make what she has today. Old friend, she has connections with those farts in the military." Mr. Dihl... Astrid's class tutor, and Mr. Tuhs, friend were invited to the wedding as a special guests.
Some of the guests who couldn't even qualify to speak to Astrid and Lewis wondered who the man was, but seeing him and Mr. Tuhs speak so familiarity to each other, they didn't say a word.
"Mm, honestly. I wonder if we ever will know the real Astrid. Her mind seems to delve so deep... I feel like I don't even know my own daughter." Mr. Tuhs sighed, he knew about Astrid's connections going deep. In fact, he knew that Astrid also had connections deep into the mafia, based on Lewis's work and the Guilliano's influence...
Mr. Dihl shook his head and lightly chuckled. "I will say this now. Astrid was different in school. She was quiet, a perfectionist, and had a dead look in her eyes at some point. I was worried about her personality, not her smarts. But seeing her now... I believe that IS your daughter Howard. Sure, she has her secrets. But look at her smile, she can't hide how satisfying she finds life." Mr. Dihl spoke with a subtle smile and a distant look.
Mr. Tuhs turned his head and looked at his friend. "... Since when did you get so talkative and emotional? Teaching has changed you." Mr. Tuhs felt a chord strike his heart listening to his friend, but still made a dig.
Mr. Dihl just chuckled. "Maybe, but still. She is my former student after all."
"With the experiences of the past behind us, we move to the future, a time of peace and happiness. The basics being repeated day after day, but still living with a smile on our faces. Such is the life of being a married couple..." Mr. Bagna said, as he then looked at Lewis.
"Lewis Guilliano, Will you take your bride, Astrid Urzhokov-Tuhs with her weaknesses, strengths, and responsibilities with stride?" Mr. Bagna asked the question in which Winoa had planned.
"Of course." Lewis answered succinctly, it was a stupid question in his mind. Astrid was the only person for him...
Mr. Bagna hummed and nodded, moving his gaze to Astrid. "Astrid Urzhokov-Tuhs, will you receive the love from your husband with the acceptance you have shown in the past?"
Astrid didn't answer for a few seconds, causing the hall to become momentarily tense...
*Snifle* "Of-Of course." Astrid wiped her eye, as tears formed.
Lewis smiled and used his napkin to wipe her face. While the hall all showed their appreciation for the gesture. "Well then, I pronounce you both, Husband and Wife." Mr. Bagna said, as he took a step back.
Lewis lightly kissed Astrid's lips, making her rest her head on his shoulder after. "Silly, there is no need to get yourself so worked up." Lewis whispered as the crowd erupted in applause.
"Mmm, I'm just happy... I once read a nursery book on the golden life of marriage... After spending time with them, I never believed happiness could be achieved. But you showed me how to live. There is no words to describe how much I love you."
Astrid whispered back, as she felt her back being rubbed lightly. "Silly, we are both in love with each other. You also showed me how to live a blissful life. Our life will only be full with more happiness henceforth." Lewis said as he kissed Astrid's lips once again...
.......
*A/N*
Okay, this marks the end of this story! People may have noticed that this book kind off suddenly ended... Along with my inconsistant updates, it might seem like I've lost some of my passion.
Now that isn't entirely false, but not entirely true either. I sort of entered a writers block with this story. But I certainly haven't lost my passion, but rather I've been planning my next story over two months now. While none of it is concrete yet, my brain has been working overdrive to make this next story of mine.
I know that this story may have been rough to read at times, and the wait later into the chapters might have been aggravating, but to anyone reading this memo right now. I want to thank you, I have said this before, but writing is just a hobby of mine, but if people read and feel emotion because of my work. That is just a bonus, so thank you all!
Anyway, this chapter has turned out extremely long, so I'm going to finish this here, once again, thanks to all that have at least given this story a chance. I hope you all have/ had a fantastic day, I'll be back once again soon!