***
After a week of seclusion in the safe haven of 'The Paradise', they knew they had to go back to the real world and deal with the issues at hand.
"We can do this." Maddox said taking Gia's hand.
"What's the worst that can happen?" she asked.
"I think it already happened." he smirked.
"It can't get any worse than that," she looked up at him "can it?"
"No, but if it does, we're ready for It." he said reassuringly, "I'd fight them all to be with you." he kissed her hand.
"You already have," she winked with a smile "now it's my turn."
***
"We're going to get my car keys out of my room, get my car from the garage, and then we are out of here.” Maddox said, helping her out of the taxi, holding her hand. Gia looked up at the huge mansion, remembering the last time she was here and the chaos that followed.
"I don't want to go in." she said taking a step back, but he held her hand tight, refusing to let her go.
"They have nothing to do with our life anymore, it's just us now." he kissed her quick, "Come on." he led her into the house.
Gia froze three steps in when she looked up to see his parents coming down the stairs. She took a step back but Maddox held her tight, stepping before her.
"I'm getting my keys then I'm leaving." Maddox informed his parents.
"No, you don't have to leave," his mother said coming to stand before them, "this is
your
home," she said to Maddox then turned to Gia, "and yours too." she took Gia's hand. "I don't care who your parents are, I don't care what your last name is, my son loves you with all of his heart and I can see clearly just how much you love him in return." she took Gia into her embrace, "our home is your home." she said so passionately Gia believed her.
"This is for you." Xavier said and Maddox looked at him warily, as his father handed him an envelope. "It's an early wedding present, a deed to your new house." he said. Maddox was speechless, "but I want the two of you to stay here until it's completely finished."
Maddox stood speechless, afraid his father's body had been snatched by aliens who had mistakenly installed a heart when they sent him back to earth.
"Thank you." Gia whispered, seeing Maddox's minor stupor.
"No, it's you who deserves the thanks, you’re giving me my first grandbaby, there is no better gift in this entire world," Xavier said then smiled ear to ear, shocking the hell out of Maddox who still stood there dumbfounded.
"Except maybe a new daughter." Beatrix said with a smile then hugged Gia again. Maddox looked at his father, his father winked and Maddox's eyes almost bulged out of his head in surprise.
"Get settled in, then come down for dinner" Xavier said, wrapping his arm around his wife.
"I really am sorry for all the trouble." Gia said. Xavier stopped, hearing the words, then went to stand before Gia.
"I know exactly why my son went to war for you, your brilliant, beautiful, and a little dangerous," he took her hands in his with a side grin on his face that reminded her of Maddox, "but most importantly, you are now a part of my family." he smiled then kissed Gia on the forehead, “So there is nothing to
ever
be sorry for."
Paige Chancellor stood outside of the door waiting for Axton and Dexter to leave Maddox alone. She needed to talk to him, this was her last chance since he was getting married in less than an hour. She had been trying unsuccessfully to see him since he got back, everyday bringing a new level of fury to her. She had to work her magic, she had to stop the wedding! She refused to let that guttersnipe Gia win, Maddox had belonged to her since the day she had first laid claim on him in the ninth grade. She had openly fought all girls who tried to steal him then and she would do the same now.
She hid in a doorway down the hall as she watched them walk out of Maddox's room. She waited until they were out of sight before she slipped inside. Maddox stood in front the full-length mirror, straightening his tuxedo as he noticed her reflection.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I have to talk to you," she said coming to stand before him, "you have to stop this wedding!" she cried,
"What?"
"You can't marry her, I love you Maddox, please," she tried to hug him, he held her at arm’s length.
"Paige, I am in love with Gia-"
"No you’re not!" she screeched hysterically.
"Yes I am." he said with a sincerity that made her cry.
"She doesn't love you like I love you."
"That's enough-"
"No! That baby isn't even yours!"
"Shut up! He roared.
"You have to listen to me, she is sleeping with Chase Cannon, and her brother told me that it’s not your baby!”
"Get out!" Maddox yelled, ready to throttle her.
"You have to believe me-"
"What the fuck?" Axton and Dexter stormed in after hearing Maddox yelling from down the hall and found Paige with her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Get her the fuck out of here!" Maddox raged, shoving her away from him.
"Please, Maddox, I love you! She's a lying slut and she's fucking all of your friends!” she yelled as they removed her from the room, Maddox slammed the door with a curse.
***
"Oh look, they’re dragging that bitch Paige Chancellor out." Alice said looking out of the window.
"What?" Gia gasped both her and Gwen rushing to look out of the window. Gia gasped watching Maddox's brothers carrying her out while she screamed and kicked at them. "What is she doing here?"
"Starting trouble, no doubt." Alice said shaking her head.
"Why else would she come?" Gwen added, wanting to strangle Paige for her obvious attempt to sabotage the wedding.
***
Paige was furious and could not control her rising temper. She stormed back in and went straight to Gia's room.
"You slut!" Paige yelled as she kicked the door open and all three girls turned to look at her. "You dirty fucking-" she charged at Gia but Gwen grabbed her just in time.
"Are you out of your mind bitch?" Gwen yelled taking Paige straight down to the floor.
"Why are you always starting trouble?" Alice looked down at Paige in repulsion.
"Because Maddox is mine!" she yelled at Gia, her face scarlet with anger.
"If he's yours then why is he marrying your enemy?" Alice smirked smugly.
"Because she tricked him in to marrying her," Paige sneered then turned back to Gia, "you had to use a baby to steal him from me. He doesn't want you, and he's only marrying you because you're pregnant!"
"Paige you're making a fool of yourself." Gia said in disgust, almost feeling sorry for the girl.
"You know that's not his baby, you've been fucking all of his friends and I have proof!" she screamed as she tried to get up "You scummy slut!"
"Oh fuck this." Gwen said sending her fist into Paige's jaw and Paige instantly slumped to the floor.
"Finally, I thought you'd never shut that bitch up." Alice grinned.
"Grab her arm, we'll drag her out." Gwen said grabbing Paige’s other arm, “We’ll be right back.”
"Let's drape her over the dumpster." Alice joked as they pulled her out, shutting the door behind them.
Gia turned back to look at herself in the large oval mirror when the door flew back open. She turned to see Maddox, who was obviously worried about her.
"Are you alright?" he asked rushing over to her.
"I’m fine." she tried to cover herself, "you’re not supposed to see me in my wedding dress before the wedding." she said. He looked her over for a second, and then satisfied that she was all right he grinned.
"So take it off." he said then pulled her into his embrace.
***
The wedding was a smash hit and one of the biggest weddings that any of the guests had ever attended. Of course, Beatrix would have it no other way since it was her first son to be married. Beatrix had set out with all intentions of throwing the most elaborate wedding she possibly could, a wedding that would have the guests talking for years to come.
Saying she had succeeded was an understatement. The guests had all remarked on how exquisite it all was, it was like a fairy tale, a few had even said.
The church was an archaic masterpiece that Gia and Beatrix had fallen in love with the second they saw it. For the wedding, its large awkwardly gothic appeal had been decorated in the most lavish of fabrics, crystal, silvers and exotic flowers.