My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

"Well, well, but let's get back to this moment-it's your son's day, and your daughter-in-law's," Diana said with a warm smile.

"That sounds kind of strange, don't you think?" Maximus replied calmly.

"What does?" Diana asked curiously.

"That I now officially have both a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law..." "Well, just wait-Laurita's not far behind. Adrian's been so patient with her, taking his tto win her over," Diana said, glancing in their direction.

"You really think those two will end up together?" Maximus asked, clearly concerned.

"I do. Laura just wants to take it slow. She rushed once before and it didn't go well. Now she just wants to be careful, and Adrian understands that. He seems like a good guy," Diana answered gently.

"Diana, love, you talk like you're way older than them—and you're only five years older," Maximus said with a teasing smile.

"Five years full of life experience, don't forget," she replied playfully.

"My love," Maximus murmured sweetly, brushing a hand across her cheek.

"Con, let's keep watching our happy couple enjoy their day," Diana said proudly.

"You'll have your day too, sweetheart..." "I know, Maximus. I know." Lucius and Amanda's wedding had been unexpected. Only a few people knew the real reason behind it. At three months pregnant, Amanda still wasn't showing.

But she was glowing-truly happy. For the first tin a long while, she felt like she belonged. Lucius's sudden proposal had completely surprised her.

After years of traveling alone, hiding from her father and the life he'd tried to force on her, she now had a family of her own. She belonged somewhere-and someone belonged to her.

Laura, Adrian, and Adele watched quietly from their seats, taking in the sweet scenes the newlyweds shared. Adrian watched as Laura's face lit up watching her brother marry the only woman she'd ever seen him truly love. Laura, on her part, felt happy but also nervous. She and Adrian had been dating for six months now, but she still couldn't bring herself to take the next step.

She couldn't explain why. It wasn't that she didn't care about him—she did—but something always held her back. At first, she thought it would be simple, that giving Adrian a chance would be easy... but reality had proven otherwise.

"Laura, I think I'm going to head out. I don't like driving at night, and I'm a little tired. I was up late last night finishing sreports and barely slept. Wantto take Adele to her room?" Adrian asked softly, still carrying his sleeping daughter on his shoulder.

Laura turned to look at him and froze for a second. She'd been so lost in her thoughts, she'd completely forgotten he was still right next to her.

"Why don't you just stay over in one of the guest rooms?" "I don't think that's a good idea... I'm pretty sure your dad wouldn't approve." "You said it yourself you're tired. You should rest. Lettalk to Dad and Grandpa. If they're fine with it, you can put Adele down and get ssleep too." "Okay... if you're sure." Laura made her way to her father and quietly explained the situation. Maximus gave a slight smile-he'd seen this coming a mile away. After pretending to think it over for a moment, he replied, "He can stay... but in the guest room farthest from yours. I don't want anything funny going on, Laura, got it?" "Thanks, Dad!" she said with a quick kiss on the cheek.

Diana, who'd been listening, raised an eyebrow as Laura walked off.

"Are you sure about that? Did I hear right-you're letting Adrian sleep here?" "Yeah, but I told Laura this house is to be respected." "Magnus should tell us the sthing-and he doesn't." "That's different." "Sure, my love, it's totally different..." "I just don't want her to do anything she'll regret later." "Well... in that, I agree with you." Laura returned to Adrian and motioned for him to follow her.

"Laura... It's really not necessary. I just cto lay Adele down in her crib, and then I'll head home. I'd love to stay a bit longer, but I'm honestly exhausted..." Adrian said gently.

"Don't worry. My dad gavepermission for you to stay and rest here, so I'll just show you the room and then head back to the party." "Are you sure this won't cause problems later?" "My dad said it was fine-and that's enough for me. So quit stressing and con. What happened to the daring guy who never followed the rules?" "Well... people grow up, you know?" Adrian replied with a half-smile. "You're right about that," Laura said, nodding.

They slowly disappeared down the hallways of the mansion. As they passed through one of the gardens a few odd noises reached them, but they chose to ignore them-at feast once they caught a glimpse of who it was sneaking around.

Laura spotted Celeste's curly hair and instantly knew what was going on. She didn't say anything, just kept walking, amused.

She'd heard her dad joke sarcastically about her uncle, saying the man acted like a teenager. And since Celeste was younger than him, there were plenty of rumors floating around about their relationship.

For a moment, Laura wondered what it would be like to be in that i.ne kind of spontaneous situation. But Adrian wasn't the type for crazy moves-plus, she hadn't let herself get carried away like that. Not yet, anyway.

Once inside the mansion, they passed several rooms until they reached one that overlooked the garden, offering a distant view of the reception still going on.

"Do you think I can lie down with Adele here for a bit?" Adrian asked, who glancing down at his daughter, who looked like a little porcelain doll in her fancy dress. "I don't see why not." "Great... I'll just rest a little, then I'll move her to her crib." Adrian gently placed Adele on the bed. Laura watched his every move-drawn in like a moth to a flame.

He carefully loosened his tie, took off his blazer, and it wasn't until he was slipping off his shoes that he noticed Laura staring at him.

"Is something wrong?" "Hmm? Oh, no. I was just thinking... maybe I could rest a bit too. Mind if I join you guys?"

Adrian smiled and gestured to the space beside him. Laura kicked off the uncomfortable beel she'd worn att day and lay down next to Adele, gently wrapping an arm around the sleeping girl. Slowly, her eyes began to close. In the end, it was Adrian-who had planned to nap-who got up instead to find a blanket. He tucked it gently over his daughter and the mother of his child.

Then he lay down on the other side of the bed, wrapped an arm around Adele, and for the first time,h@ ve m experienced what it was like to sleep next to his daughter and the woman who had brought her into the world.