Love's Requiem

“This place is insane!” Jack exclaimed as we were changing our clothes and settling in to our room in the hotel. “So does Bella have any hot cousins?” He added.

“They’re all either married or really young.” I laughed pulling my shirt over my head.

“A guy can try.” I heard him mumble, as there was a knock on the door.

I opened up to see Bella’s brother and his girlfriend outside.

“Sup Alex?” Niko asked as I let the two of them in. “Ready?”

“Are you Bella’s brother?” Jack asked looking at him.

“Unfortunately.” He chuckled. “Niko.” He said shaking Jack’s hand.

“Jack, fuck you two look a like.” He said in awe.

“I’ll remember that.” He chuckled, “This is my girlfriend Angela.” He went on.

A little while later, we were all headed to Bella’s grandma’s after introducing Niko to everyone.

“Are you sure the wedding isn’t tonight?” Jack mumbled as we got to the house and saw all the cars parked in front and in the driveway.

“Yeah, this is the pre party.” I joked as Niko knocked on the door.

My parents looked a little uneasy, especially from all the loud noise coming from inside and behind the house.

“Calm down.” I assured them, with a smile as one of Bella’s uncles opened the door.

Niko hugged him saying something to him in Croatian as he let us all in.

“Supposedly she’s in the living room.” Niko explained. “Bella! Where are you!” He shouted.

Out of nowhere Bella popped out of nowhere appearing next to him.

“Sup bro?” She smiled hugging him and Angela. “Well I see you all got here in one piece.”
She smiled as she took my hand.

She introduced my parents to her Grandma and then they went to talk with Bella’s parents
who were in the kitchen.

“Jesus Bella you never said your family was huge.” Jack said in shock as everyone got something to eat.

“You remember that movie with the Greek lady?” She asked him.

“My big fat Greek wedding?” Rian asked.

“Yup that’s the one, this is sort of like that. This is my big, rude, Croatian wedding.” She joked, as Ivan and Michi showed up.

“You’re late, I hate you.” Bella laughed at Michi as she hugged her. “Guys this is my best friend, yes Jack she gives you a run for you money.” She added introducing everyone.

“Hello everyone I feel like I already know.” Michi laughed, “You’re Jack, You’re Rian, you must be Kara, and you’re Zack.” She said pointing to everyone.

“Jesus Bella talk about us much?” Zack chuckled.

“Of course, all I ever talk about.” She laughed as the bell rang.

“That should be big head.” Michi added as Bella ran to get it.

A few minutes later in walked Niko and Luka with Bella hanging on to Luka’s back, singing along with whatever song was being played on the stereo.

I automatically felt awkward, when I saw Niko. How the heck am I supposed to talk to a guy who was supposed to be marrying the same girl I’m marrying a few months ago?

“Alex.” Niko said shaking my hand with a hard grip.

“Hey man.” I nodded, trying to be casual.

Michi said something to Niko causing Bella and Ivan to both smack her in the head.

The next hour, Bella actually never left my side, Niko and Luka talked to Dennis and Niko for a bit before they joined the conversation we were all having in the living room. My parents seemed to be having fun with Bella’s parents and one of her aunts. Everything was actually going well.

“How are you feeling?” I asked Bella as her and I stepped out for some fresh air in the back yard, later on that night.

“Pretty good so far, hopefully I stay this way.” She chuckled. “I think Niko knows.” She added.

“What do you mean?”

“He asked why I wasn’t drinking tonight, and had this real suspicious tone to his voice.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That I’m on this allergy medication I can’t mix with alcohol.”

“Think he bought it?”

“Who knows, I just feel bad about everything. That whole situation is fucked.” She said shaking her head.

“It’s okay.” I told her kissing her temple. “So one more day huh kid?” I told her with a smirk.

“Yup, are you nervous?” She asked looking up at me.

“Not really, I think I memorized all my cues.” I told her making her laugh.

"Uzimate li Isabella kao zakonitom suprugom, da su i za držanje, od ovog dana unaprijed, za bolje ili za lošije, za bogatiji ili siromašniji, u bolesti iu zdravlju, ljubiti i njegovati do smrti, da li vi dio?" She asked quizzing me.

“Ja činiti.” I answered struggling to pronounce the last part.

“You’re getting there.” She smiled, going on her toes to give me a kiss. “Volim te.” She smiled.

“I love you too.” I told her as we headed back inside.