42.2 Alexander

An hour later, the entire Montgomery-De Luca-Storm family was mingling with each other after we practiced walking down the aisle. I held a sleeping Savannah in my arms as I watched Kat and my parents talking across the room and smiled. They have gotten extremely close since they came back into my life all those months ago. It's crazy to think that just a little over six months ago, I was learning about them and what Angelo and Margaret had done. Now, here I was, watching my fiancée with my parents laughing as if they've known each other since we got engaged and not just six months.

"They're great people," I looked over at the sound of Liam's voice and saw him and Addison walking over to me.

"Yeah, they are," I agreed and smiled when my partners and Kat looked our way with smiles before returning to their conversation.

"We're glad that you can finally have the family that you have always wanted, Alex," Addison said. I was confused by her words, and she smiled. "Ever since we've known you, we've always seen you with a lost look in your eyes. Whenever we spoke about your parents, you always changed the subject, and now we know why. If we had known back then, we would have helped you and shown you what the love of a parent feels like. But you get to feel that now with Valentina and Alessandro. So, we're both happy that you have your parents to love you the way you should have been loved when you lived with Angelo and Margaret."

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, not realizing how open I had been with my emotions back when I was still a college student, trying to figure my way in the world.

"And we couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law than you. Don't get us wrong; when we found out about what happened between you and Kat before you got together, we were angry and hurt that you were just using her like you had done with your old flings. But after watching how much you love her and the way you care about her, and the way she smiles every time your name comes up in conversation, we realized that this was serious. When you asked for her hand in marriage, we knew that you didn't want her just for one night but for the rest of your life. We knew that she would always be in good hands," Liam said, making me clear my throat at his words. I knew that he and Addison had been upset about our one-night stand that resulted in Savannah, but I never expected to hear them say something like that. I knew they had gotten over the fact that Kat and I were in a relationship over the months, but hearing him actually say that he was glad I was going to be his son-in-law was a shock.

"Thank you for loving our girl the way that you do and for making her the happiest that she's ever been, Alex," Addison said, giving me a soft smile as she cupped my cheek. "You're a wonderful man, and we can't wait to call you son."

"Uh, I don't know what to say," I replied, making them smile. "But thank you for accepting me into your family when you didn't have to. I know I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, but meeting and falling in love with your daughter was not one of them. Kat and Savannah have been the greatest gifts I could have ever wished for, and they have changed my life in ways I never thought possible," I said, and they nodded.

"Thank you for loving her the way that you do, Alex," Liam stated before patting my shoulder. Addison gave me a kiss on the cheek before they walked away, leaving me to mull over their words.

My life could have never been the way it is now if I had never met David in college, for I wouldn't have met Katerina at their party. I wouldn't have known what true love actually felt like if I had never laid my eyes on her. Katerina Elena Montgomery has changed my life in ways I could have never imagined, and I couldn't wait to call her my wife.

She truly has been a light in my life since I met her when I was 21 and she was 17, and I couldn't thank her or God enough for coming into my life when I needed her the most.

"What's got you thinking so much?" I smiled as I watched her make her way toward Savannah and me before wrapping her arms around my neck.

"You," I replied, making her raise a brow as a soft blush coated her cheeks, making me smile.

"Is that so?" she asked, and I hummed, leaning forward so our foreheads touched.

"Yes, you're always on my mind, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. You're a constant reminder of how incredibly lucky I am," I stated. She smiled, leaning forward, and I could feel her breath on my lips.

"It's the same with me," she murmured before pressing her lips against mine, making me smile.

"I can't wait to call you my wife," I whispered.

"And I can't wait to call you my husband."