Falling For My Playboy Boss
Chapter 109

Collin's POV

It was our wedding day, the third Saturday of September. The time had flown by with the plans that our mothers had made to make our day memorable. The venue had a courtyard to it with beautiful views and it was still warm, so the flowers were making it a colorful and beautiful space. We were getting married at 5 pm, so when we took our wedding photos it would be dusk, and apparently, a beautiful time to get the pictures done. I know the photographer wants several of us with the sunset behind us. Cora had fallen in love with the venue when we arrived and saw the courtyard when we chose it, so it was a done deal on my part as soon as I saw her face. The way it was set up was like a castle with the stonework on it and the courtyard continued the stonework on the walls with arches every ten feet, so you could see all the beautiful views from almost anywhere in the area. We only had about 100 guests total, because we were keeping it intimate, and just for our family and friends. The bulk of our friends were all standing with us at the altar. Livi was the maid of honor, and Nicolas was my best man, they were a couple, and I knew that they were going to be grinning at each other for the whole ceremony, just like they did last night for the rehearsal. Ella was her matron of honor, with Mateo across from her, also grinning the whole time last night, but they are still newlyweds, and they are very happy together. I had just found out at their wedding in April that Cora had introduced them, and had pushed them together, as they were both kind of shy about approaching each other. Iris was a bridesmaid, with Dalton across from her, and he worships the ground that she walks on. I would not be surprised if he and Iris were engaged very soon, and Nicolas too. He thinks that Livi has hung the moon and lives to please her. I am so happy that they found their special someone too, who would have known that me and my best friends belonged with her and her best friends.

My sister Ava was next in line with Franco across from her, Emily was next to her with Eric across from her, and last but not least, Sadie with Michael across from her. Every single one of our friends was standing up for us.

I again wished that I had been thinking with my head on my shoulders when I had met Cora, but I am very thankful that, despite my mistakes, I am about to marry the woman I love more than anything. I just wished my actions hadn't kept us apart longer than we should have been. I have wanted her since we went to the awards banquet in Paris a year ago, so it was perfect that we got married on it, the third weekend of September. Mateo had made our babies, who were 4 months old now, little outfits for the wedding. They looked precious with our daughter in a little satin dress with lace at the top, and a little bit of tulle at the bottom, and our son in his little tux. They were the cutest children ever. Mateo had made a tux for his son who was 3 months old, and together they are probably the youngest, cutest, and most fashionable children to ever be at a wedding.

My sister passes me on the way back to the room where they are all getting ready and comes up to give me a hug. Ava had gotten engaged at a dinner at my parent's house two weeks ago and was the happiest that I have ever seen her. Her eyes just sparkled all the time, but I still had to give Jacob the "Don't hurt my sister speech" with Michael standing there with me nodding in agreement. Dad had to come by and tap me on my shoulder and tell me, "Make sure you keep your own advice, in case you missed what happened in the last year" before walking away. It was a reality check; I had been a terrible partner to Cora. It really made me feel guilty and bad for all that I had put Cora through this year, for the first 8 months of this year. I stiffened my resolve to be the very best husband that Cora could ever ask for. I actively look for ways that I can be a better father and husband. As far as I was concerned, we were married from the day she said yes to marrying me and wore my ring. There was no party for Cora or me before the wedding, we just all went out with our friends and had a great meal and conversation after the wedding rehearsal last night. I dropped off Cora at her parent's home after dinner, and she was spending the night there with the babies. They were all coming tomorrow in her mom's car, as it had the babies' seats in it.

Last night was horrible. I could not sleep without Cora in bed with me. I need her by my side, even just to hold her hand before we go to sleep. The house was way too quiet, and I missed my babies. I ended up finally falling asleep holding her pillow with her scent on it to my chest. I missed getting to smell my babies' heads as I rock them, and Cora reads a story to them before we take them to be tucked in. These are my most precious memories these days. I love it when I am driving her and the babies around, and I reach over, and she puts her hand in mine. With the love and trust she puts in me, I never want to disappoint her ever again.

The guys and I were all ready to go at the altar and each of our moms had one of the twins. Cora's mom had Abi, and mine had Adam. Jacob was sitting in the front row with my parents as we all considered him to be family, although their wedding was not going to be until the spring, so Ava and mom could plan it out. Mom has been the very happiest that I have ever seen her in the last week, and I know something has happened. I just don't know what it is yet. But I am so focused on getting married and whisking my bride off to Paris to spend a week alone together, that I don't really care why. I am just glad my mother is so happy.

The music starts, and I see Sadie is leading off the lineup and I watch my younger brother's face as he watches her come up the aisle. Their son is standing with his father's hand on his shoulder and holding a little pillow, as he was our ring bearer, with his dad actually holding onto the rings in his jacket pocket. Reed also looked handsome in his custom-made tux, and I am so glad he was our ring bearer. Emily came down the aisle, followed by Ava, who looked over at Jacob when she got to her spot, holding Carlos in his lap and she smiled sweetly at him. Iris was next, with Dalton watching her like a hawk after his prey. Ella came after her and when she got into her spot, she gave Mateo a wink and he gave her a huge grin and winked back at her. Livi came up the aisle next and was smiling and looking at Nicolas the whole time. Nicolas blew her a kiss when she got into her spot and looked over at him, and she winked back at him and grinned. The music changed and everyone stood to watch Cora enter. The doors were opened for her and her father to enter the courtyard and, seeing her framed in the archway, she was a vision. I have never seen a more stunning bride, but I am partial to her because she is the love of my life. I cannot stop the huge grin that spreads across my face and it is like she and I are the only ones present in the courtyard. Cora's hair was up with some curls coming down towards her shoulders but leaving all the delicate lace there to see. Her dress was absolutely beautiful on her, it cradled her form all the way to her knees and then went out. It was perfect for her, showing off her figure, but nothing was exposed. She looks both classic and curvy, and Mateo did an excellent job again. So did Franco and Eric, as I have never seen Cora look more beautiful than she looks right now at this moment. I see her standing in front of me with her father and then Abbot reaching out to take my hand and place her hand in mine, and I now hear some light laughter. Abbot was fighting a smile and I guess I was staring so hard at Cora that I stopped listening to anything. I wish Nicolas had hit me or something, but when I glance at him, he isn't paying attention, as he stares at Livi. He can't help it either, he is a man in love. Cora smiles at me when I look back at her, and I know she knows I was just staring at her and not paying attention to anything that had been said to me. I wonder how much I missed, as she was fighting not to smile, and the pastor was looking at me with a smile as well.

"We have gathered here today" was all I heard as I started staring back at Cora again with a broad smile on my face. I am completely entranced as I stare into her eyes, and I see her happiness and love for me shining back out towards me. We are smiling back at each other until I hear a little louder laughter again and I look at the pastor, who smiles at me and says, "Collin, repeat after me" and I manage to focus enough to get it done. Cora is trying not to laugh, and she goes ahead with her vows without needing any help. I started listening now, though, because we are coming up on my favorite part, where we are officially wed, and I get to kiss her. As soon as the pastor gives me the go-ahead, I pull Cora into my arms and give her a very thorough kiss, where I have her in a nice dip and she is looking at the ceiling when I break the kiss. There is clapping and cheers sounding all around the courtyard, and I look up to see the photographer going to town taking our picture as I still have her in the dip. The videographer has captured the whole thing on film, and I am going to have a picture of this moment framed for the house and one for my desk at work too, as I want to remember how I am feeling at this moment every day of our married lives. I grinned widely at the camera and set Cora carefully back onto her feet. Cora grins up at me and gets on her tiptoes to give me another kiss as we are introduced as "Mr. and Mrs. Collin Lauder" to even louder clapping and cheers, as I escorted my bride back up to the church for everyone to begin the cocktail hour and I got to go take pictures with my beautiful wife.