Only You

Epilogue

Elora

We all raise our glasses and people pour forward to congratulate the newlyweds. I stay back, awaiting my turn patiently. When I finally meet my sister at the front of the line, she hugs me with the brightest smile she's ever worn.

"Congratulations, Iris. I'm so glad you're happy," I tell her, squeezing her tightly. It was weird to see my little sister walk down the aisle but my heart is bursting with joy for her.

"Elated," she tells me, pulling back. I turn to her right to hug Leander as well.

"I'll take the best care of her," he promises me, smiling almost as brightly as his wife.

"I know," I tell him. I truly do. The two of them have been dating and getting to know each other intensely these months leading up to the wedding and from what I've heard and seen, they're hitting it off. I'm happy for them and even happier that things between the man I was supposed to marry and me aren't weird.

A clearing throat has me drawing away from my sister's husband's arms. Alexey takes my place in front of the man, shaking his hand with a smile as he congratulates him. He looks a little stiff and mildly uncomfortable but my sister's quick to rescue him, sweeping him up in a hug.

My boyfriend easily returns the gesture. He's been hugging my family members- apart from my dad- with hugs for months now, seeing as he claims it's in his blood. It's fine, my fam loves it.

"All right, you're blocking traffic," Iris finally says, shooing us away so more guests can give them their wishes. I laugh and pull Alexey off to the side.

"The ceremony was beautiful. Thank you for taking me with you," he tells me, kissing my cheek. "I can't believe I'm in Greece!" he then adds in an excited whisper. My delighted laugh is interrupted by my dad's presence.

"Hello, Elora, you look lovely," a man whom I recognize as one of my dad's business partners greets me. Then he turns to my boyfriend. "And you must be Alexander. I'm Hector Alaro, it is great to meet you." The men shake hands and Alexey does a great job of not showing his confusion.

"I've been told you're interested in business," Hector goes on. I pat my boyfriend's shoulder and dip off to the side to talk to my father instead.

"Pulling strings already, I see. I thought I told you to wait until he got his degree in a few months," I tell my dad in a hushed voice.

You guessed it, my stubborn boyfriend called me one night after he had to break up another fight between his stepfather and his mother and decided he was finally going to let me help him financially so the old man was no longer needed around the house. I took the money from the separate account I used to transfer my monthly sum to, glad I could put it to good use. Then he enrolled himself in night school so he can watch his siblings during the day. It's been an exhausting couple of months for him but he's almost done with all his classes now.

The man just shrugs. "Never hurts to get contacts early. Besides, Hector happened to mention that he's looking for new blood so I just threw Alexey's name in there." He smiles at me and my chest nearly bursts once more. Dang, today can't be good for my health. Too much joy going around.

I hug my father. "You look lovely, Kamari mou" he tells the top of my head. That's when the other two men return to us. From the way Alexey is beaming, I'd say the talk went well.

"Good talk, son. Make sure to give me a call once you got your degree," Hector says. After saying his goodbyes to the two of us, he and my father are lost in the crowd.

"So, I say it's high time we celebrate."

-

My sisters, our friends, and I are laughing our asses off as we watch the two men on stage. "Never say a karaoke machine isn't a great investment at a wedding," Iris hiccups.

I wipe the tears from my eyes, clutching my aching stomach as I try to breathe again. "Yes, it's certainly a winner," I agree, watching my boyfriend and his cousin sing "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs. Did I forget to mention Cai came along? Oh yeah, he started dating Serena after he and Alexey came clubbing with our friend group one night. Funny how these things happen.

"Our boyfriends are the hit of this party," Serena leans into me, bringing my attention to all the people watching the men. Most of my old, Greek relatives are whispering among themselves, clearly outraged by these American men.

I couldn't care less, bursting into another fit of giggles as they finish off strong and then insist on bowing in every direction. To think Alexey had the audacity to say he only barely put up with his cousin's music taste. Unbelievable.

————————
I hope that rounded things up nicely for you guys:) that was the story:)

Leave my one last vote, why don't u and please let me know ur thoughts in the comments<3 have the most splendid day<3