Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1029 : Orfeo and Euridice

*Bianca*

The mirror shone with my reflection and I tilted back and forth to see myself from every angle. The dress Leo had laid out for me was gorgeous.

A deep blue with an open lace collar that led down to the sleeves resting around my elbows. The silver ribbon gleamed brightly as it tied under my bust, accentuating it while hiding my baby bump.

The fabric was comfortable, loose, and flowy, perfect for me in such a late stage of pregnancy while the ribbon on the right was broken to reveal a long slit in the dress. Shiny silver silk fabric cut through the deep eclipse blue of the rest of the dress, matching the ribbon and bow under my bust.

Matched with a beautiful diamond necklace that Leo insisted I wear and my ring on my finger, I truly felt like a magical princess about to make her debut. I was very satisfied with my appearance, especially as the dress was made with enough supportive material that I didn’t feel quite so heavy in it. I didn’t feel like a whale anymore which was a miracle considering how huge my belly was.

I was only three weeks from giving birth and I absolutely looked like I was about to give birth at any moment.

I laid a hand over my belly, smiling as I felt the flutters of the baby moving around. They were an active one, relentless whether it was night or day and I’m sure they were just as anxious to come out as I was.

“A little longer until we meet, little one,” I whispered to the baby, wondering if they could hear me.

“You look beautiful, baby,” Warm arms wrapped around my waist, his hands laying flat over my belly as they covered my own. I beamed in response as his lips playfully pressed against my neck. Leo’s eyes looked at me through the mirror, filled with adoration and love.

I’d never been worried that Leo would think of me differently after gaining so much weight during the pregnancy, though I knew a lot of women had that fear. Leo’s affection for me hadn’t waned at all but even increased. His patience and love had been utterly perfect these past few months.

“I still look like a whale,” I said with a grin.

“A beautiful whale, majestic and gorgeous singing the song of the ocean,” Leo cried out dramatically, swaying me back and forth. I laughed, not taking offense at all. “You are the goddess of the sea in my eyes, the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen and nothing will change that.”

“You flirt,” I rolled my eyes but still felt delighted as he laid kisses on my neck, nibbling on my skin like it was a delicious candy. He was still intimate with me, his rose-colored eyes seeing nothing but how much he loved me. That was much more powerful than any lust or sexual attraction.

“Shall we, my love?” He finally let me go, offering out his arm like the perfect gentleman. His suit matched my dress. The same gorgeous deep blue with a silver silk undershirt and bowtie. We matched harmoniously and I had no doubt he did it on purpose. His hair was slicked back, finally combed for once and I grinned as I immediately dug my fingers into his coiffed locks.

“I spent time on that,” He grinned, amusedly as I ruffled up his hair to my liking.

“Well, I like the ruggish look more,” I told him playfully then leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. He kissed me back, much more lax and gentle than normal as he let me take the lead.

I pulled back, taking his arm with a huge smile as my stomach fluttered with excited butterflies. “So, are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?”

“That is a secret, my lady,” Leo just grinned, looking all smug as he led me out of the house. He escorted me down the staircase extra slowly, one step at a time and when I showed signs of my breath increasing, he swept me up into his arms and carried me the rest of the way.

“I can walk!” I protested half-heartedly but grinned anyway as I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Of course,” He kissed the top of my head, “But I don’t want you to be too tired just yet. I have a whole evening planned for you.”

“Oh, how charming,” I pretended to swoon in his arms, giggling as he kissed me in punishment by nibbling on my lower lip. His bites didn’t do anything but turn me on and ruin my lipstick but I didn’t care at all.

Tonight was about me and him. He finally let me down so we could leave the house together and as we stepped outside into the night air, I took a deep breath. It felt like forever since I’d left the house, gone anywhere other than appointments at the hospital or the rare case of picking my drunken fiance up from a bar.

The night sky was clear, absolutely beautiful as I could actually see some stars through the light pollution. It was rare, the few visible above twinkling brightly and I wondered if any of them were wishing stars.

Leo led me down the driveway and my breath caught in my throat as we turned the corner, and I saw our ride waiting for us.

“I can’t believe you,” I turned to him with an accusing but playful look. “You rented us a limo?”

“Rented?” Leo snorted with a raised eyebrow like I was being ridiculous. “Nope. Only the best for my beloved future wife. I bought you a limo. Furnished completely to the nines for your comfort. Plus room for a baby seat if we want in the future.”

“Of course you did,” I laughed shaking my head at his audacity. “We are not taking our baby in a limo but of course, you use any chance you get to show off your wealth.”

“Why not?” Leo opened the door with a sweeping gesture and delicate bow, gesturing his hand for me to climb inside. “It all means nothing without you.”

“Really laying it on thick,” I teased as I climbed inside. It was gorgeous as I expected as I scooted inward. The seats were leather and I played around with the many buttons and knobs, finding little mysteries. Heated seats, hidden cup holders, charging ports of every kind. Even a whole miniature liquor bar is fully stocked and ready for a night out.

If I could drink that was. I was nosy as I investigated every little spec as Leo slid in next to me, the door closing.

“Having fun?” Leo chuckled as he watched me blissfully. I nodded enthusiastically as he shook his head. My eyes sparkled as he pressed on one of the sides of the door and it opened up to reveal a big fluffy blanket that Leo pulled out and covered my legs with. Warm and happy, I played with the ends, loving the fluffy texture. I didn’t think it could get any better until he pulled out a whole variety of my favorite snacks and drinks as well.

“This is heaven,” I sighed in contentment.

“Good. Cause we have a bit of a drive,” Leo laughed.

He wasn’t kidding. It didn’t feel like long due to Leo keeping me entertained. I was pleasantly surprised to see the mini TVs that came down from the roof but I was just happy to lean on Leo’s shoulder as we talked about anything and everything.

It had to have been an hour or two before we finally arrived and Leo helped me out of the limo so I could finally see where we were. If I thought the limo was fancy, it was nothing compared to the building in front of us.

At least four stories high, lined with columns and windows that sparkled with the lights of downtown LA, it was a magical sight to behold as we stood in front of the looming building.

“Is this...” I trailed off but Leo wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close as he grinned confidently.

“The Los Angeles Opera House,” He confirmed.

My jaw dropped in surprise. I’d never been inside, never even seen an opera before which my Mama always said was a disrespect to my Italian roots. I hadn’t realized until this moment how badly I wanted to see one.

My shock turned to delight as Leo led me inside. I felt like a queen being treated as Leo led me away from the main crowds all the up to the second floor. I was pleasantly surprised to find the opera house filled with people and crowds and even more so as we were taken to our own private balcony.

The seats were red velvet, just like I always imagined, the intricate gold details matching the entire four-floor room. Even the stage was glamorous as the crowds started filling in. I was even more delighted to find we had actual opera glasses delivered to us along with some refreshing beverages.

I verified they were non-alcoholic before taking a sip.

“I’m surprised you didn’t buy out the whole place,” I whispered teasingly to Leo as we settled ourselves up in our glamorous private box. “Though these seats are amazing.”

“I thought about it,” Leo hummed then sent me a grin, “But I thought the experience would be better with an actual crowd. I did get us the best seats in the house of course. Private balcony, mid-center point.”

“Of course,” I giggled, absolutely lost through the thrill of the night. Our seats were close enough together and comfortable that I could lean my head on him, our hands intertwined as the lights darkened and the show began.

If I thought the stage was glamorous, it was nothing compared to the actual opera. My eyes twinkled brightly as I was absorbed into the show. One of my mother’s favorites though I’d never actually seen it.

Orfeo ed Euridice, the Greek romantic tragedy was heart wrenching. Their emotions were beautifully conveyed in the acting, in the songs and dances as Orfeo followed his wife to the underworld to reach her again. Every song tugged against my heartstrings, and I was soon sobbing into Leo’s shoulder as he cuddled me close.

As Orfeo was forced to become cold to his wife to get her out, her song of grief resonated so deeply within me that I couldn’t take my eyes away. Leo whispered comforting words to me as her devastating death and his resolve to follow her wrecked me.

“They belong together,” I lamented through my sobs quietly. “But she wanted him to be happy. He could’ve been happy instead of doing this.”

“I know,” Leo chuckled, kissing my forehead. “But she was his happiness, Bianca. Just as you are mine. I’d do the exact same thing for you.”

“Then you’re an idiot,” I sniffed but my heart was heavy, full of his love as he gazed at me like I was his whole world. The only thing that made me feel better was Euridice returning to life as she and Orfeo were reunited.

But even then, I could not stop crying as the last song, a declaration of the triumph of love played. My eyes were swollen as the opera ended and I chatted endlessly to Leo about the play as he took me down to a nearby restaurant afterward.

“Thank you,” I muttered, leaning on Leo’s shoulder after we retreated back to the limo to go home. “This night was amazing.”

“For your happiness, I would do anything,” Leo whispered lovingly and I couldn’t resist the sparkle in his eyes, his adoration for me on full display. I leaned up to kiss him, all of the emotions of the night bursting out of me.

My amazing, handsome husband-to-be. My Orfeo.

“My Leo,” I whispered through a passionate kiss.