Chapter Text
Nine months passed.
Nine months of love, joy, happiness, travel, and sex.
They went to the cinema at least once a week, they never missed a nearby concert, they traveled around Europe as he was constantly traveling. She accompanied him, even attended movie premiers with him, didn’t let go of his hand as they posed for pictures.
They were feeling more alive than ever.
“I love you more than anything, and I’ll love you forever, do you know that?” He kept telling her throughout these nine months. She smiled, for a while she thought it was because they started dating together newly, and that her cancer scared him, so she thought that he was confused, or exaggerating.
But at some point she started to believe him.
And she, too, felt that she was going to love him forever.
The day of his movie premiere for example, she was wasted when they came back to their hotel. She was enjoying herself during their travels but it was exhausting her nevertheless.
He took her coat off when they entered the hotel, he then took her shoes off neatly.
He then carried her to bed, took her dress off, then found her make – up remover and removed her make – up slowly and carefully. They didn’t say a word, she let him take care of her.
After he helped her put her pajamas on and tuck her to bed and leave a kiss to her forehead, she tugged on his shirt and kissed his mouth softly. She never felt this way about anyone before. She didn’t remember letting go of herself, or loving someone like this, trusting someone so thoroughly.
“I love you.”
He smiled, kissed her cheek.
“I love you more, sweet pea. Sleep now, you’re tired.”
“You’re not coming?”
“I have some work.”
“Rome… I want you here, please.”
“Baby, I gotta work.”
“No… Come here. Sleep with me.” She insisted childishly, her eyes barely open.
He chuckled, loved how tipsy she was.
“Okay. I’ll change, then. Be right back.”
“But be right back, okay?”
“I just said I will be.”
“Okay. Go. Be quick.”
He smiled, couldn’t believe she was with him. Couldn’t believe she was his lover, his partner, most importantly, his friend. His best friend.
She was asleep when he got under the sheets.
He looked at her and felt grateful for her all over again. For her existence. For her love that she gave him.
He kissed her forehead and fell asleep holding her hand.
That night at the hotel when he helped her get ready for bed, she was half conscious, but she remembered how safe and sound she felt when she woke up. Because he was next to her. Because he loved her.
Because she loved him.
There were many moments where he shocked her with how tender he was, how lovely he was. There were many moments where she was convinced that he was actually right. That he was going to love her forever. And then, she realized that, she, too, was going to love him forever.
Roman Roy. Roman Roy who she forced herself to hate, to loathe, to degrade.
All along it was love. Love that she couldn’t deny or un-feel anymore.
“Ger…?” He woke her up from her daydream.
“Yeah?”
“Where did you go?”
“Oh – Nothing. Just – Thinking. Are we home yet?”
“Five minutes.”
“Okay.”
…
She was in the bed before him, still thinking.
She remembered the day she officially met with his family as her partner.
She didn’t know what he told them, but they were all in their best behaviors and treated Gerri like a part of family. Shiv, Kendall and Connor all welcomed her warmly.
“How come they’re so nice to me?” She asked on the way to their home.
“Told them if they don’t accept you they might as well not accept me – Also – Opened some old shit. Especially Ken. I told him I’ve never quite gotten over the shit he did to me – the dog pound and all.”
She tugged on his hand.
“Connor was very happy, don’t know why. Shiv was also happy. We kinda get along well and it’s scary as fuck.”
She left a soft kiss to his lips.
“That’s nice to hear, sweetheart. I enjoyed myself, too.”
“Good. That’s good. Better than when I met your daughters?”
She chuckled.
“That was also really lovely, honey.”
“They kept making fun of me. Us.”
“I’m their mother, of course they will make fun of me and my controversially young boyfriend.”
He kissed her cheek.
“They liked you, though. They really did.”
“Yeah. I liked them too. Look at us. Meeting families and shit.”
…
She smiled as she thought about how easy it was with him. How effortless it was with him to do whatever normal couples do.
“You’re out dreaming again, milady.”
He said as he sat on the side of the bed on her side, taking her hand.
“I love you.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
“I really do.” She repeated, cupping his cheek.
He smiled, took a box from her drawer.
She smiled.
Their hearts were beating so fast.
“Gerri…” He could mumble.
“Let’s fucking get married.” She said suddenly. He chuckled.
“What?”
“I’ve been thinking. I don’t know – it feels so real. So true. And – And I want to make it official. Why fucking not?”
He smiled and hugged her tightly, burying his face to her neck.
“Fuck. You proposed to me!” He exclaimed. She giggled.
“Guess I did.”
He backed up, placed the ring on her finger and kissed her hand.
“Beautiful. So beautiful.”
“You couldn’t find any other place than our bed to do this?” She asked.
“That’s my favorite place. And this is where you look the prettiest. No make up, hair curly. Eyes shining.” He kissed her forehead.
“Pretty baby.”
She smiled.
“Come here.”
She moved slightly on the bed and lifted she sheets. He placed himself under them, started kissing her lips softly.
“We’re going to be so happy. So so happy.” He said.
“Yeah. We will.”
…
“Can’t believe you’re getting married. Jesus Christ, mom.”
“I’ll take that as a ‘congrats’.” Gerri said, wandering around the store, trying to find a wedding dress.
“Jesus, can I not just wear a suit?”
“No? You’re gonna have a decent wedding, mom. Not like your first one.” Peti exclaimed.
“I don’t even know if I’m doing the right thing. His mother doesn’t want it, doesn’t even speak to him anymore, and his siblings – I don’t know what the fuck is up with them.”
“Don’t think about that now, mom. I’m sure he has it all figured out. He worships you, for God’s sake. Stop worrying so much.”
“I’ll buy this.”
Gerri had her eyes fixated on a chic, long, white dress.
She picked her size and marched towards the fitting room. The girls were in awe when she walked out of the fitting room.
It was a long white dress with long sleeves, hugging her body perfectly and complimenting every inch of her body. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.
“I like this.”
“My God, you look gorgeous, mom.” Cathy cooed.
“Really?”
“Yes. Absolutely. He’s gonna lose his mind.”
She chuckled softly, touching her dress.
“You’ll need a chic diamond necklace, and some little accessories, and it’s all done. But – You don’t wanna try some others?”
“No, no. This is exactly what I wanted. I hated my first wedding gown. But this is perfect.”
The girls smiled at each other.
“You look perfect.”
“Thanks, honey.”
…
Meanwhile Roman was in London.
“Hey, mom.” He cooed as he welcomed his mother to his apartment that he rented for a few days.
“Hi.” Caroline said coldly as she kissed his cheeks.
“You want… Whiskey, or?”
“Just get to the point.” She said, placing herself on a couch, looking nervous.
“Alright…”
“You’re really marrying her?”
“I am.”
“For Christ’s sake, are you out of your goddamn mind? She’s almost the same age as me.”
“I don’t care.”
“I was… fine, with dating and all. But marriage? Seriously?”
“When two people are in love they get married, I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
“Do you even know what love means?”
She immediately regretted her words.
He sighed, stayed silent for a while.
“I didn’t, for a long time. But I – I worked on it, you know? I took therapy.”
She scoffed.
“You’re the reason why I’m fucked up, I can’t believe how brave you, acting like my issues aren’t because of you.”
“I didn’t do anything to you, Rome. I always loved you very much.”
“You didn’t give a shit about us when we left with dad, you didn’t call, you didn’t care.”
She sighed, not knowing how to answer.
“Anyway, I don’t want to talk about this. It’s not the point. I’m in love with Gerri, and I’m marrying her. I wanted to invite you to the wedding in person, because you’re my mom and I love you. You come or you don’t, I don’t care. But the offer is there.”
“Why are you doing this? What happened to that tall statuesque blonde? The curly one?”
“Jesus, mom. She’s a friend now. Why is it so hard to believe me and Gerri are together?”
“She’s old enough to be your mother, Roman!”
“She’s not my fucking mother! Stop saying that. No one made me feel the way she did. No one – no one cares for me like she does. Why are you being so difficult?”
Caroline shook her head to sides, sighed and got to her feet.
“You’re out of your mind.”
“Mom…”
“She’s not worth it.”
“Don’t say that.” He said firmly.
“I wish you could be normal like your siblings. Getting married to age appropriate people, having kids-“
“Normal? You wanna talk about fucking normal? Kendall got divorced because he was doing coke in front of his kids, Shiv is married to a power – hungry maniac and suffer depression while trying to take care of a child, and you think that’s normal?”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“We’re not normal, mom. Me, Shiv, Ken. Not even you. We’re all fucked up, and it’s so fucking difficult to change that.”
“So… What do we do?”
“We fucking embrace it. That’s what we do.”
“You don’t want kids?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I just want Gerri.” He said, staring into her eyes.
She only nodded, accepted the defeat and left his apartment.
He sighed, poured himself whiskey before pulling his phone out and calling Gerri.
“Hey, honey.” She sounded cheerful, his smile spread over his face.
“Hi, babe. What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. Just laying in bed. How about you? Did you speak to her yet?”
“She just left.”
“Oh…”
They stayed in silence for a moment.
“Didn’t go well?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. How was your day?”
“It was nice, yeah.”
“You found a dress yet?”
“Could you hold on a second?”
“Okay.”
She put her phone on hold.
His door was knocked.
He cussed out, got to his feet and opened the door.
“What – WHAT the fuck?”
Gerri giggled, entered the house and wrapped her arms around him tightly. He buried his face on her neck, lifted her up.
“What the fuck?”
“I couldn’t bare to leave you alone. Not after you talking to your mother.”
“Oh, God. I needed this. I needed you.”
“I know.” She murmured.
“But you didn’t have to fly over to…”
“But I wanted to.” She kissed his neck softly.
He let out a sigh of relief, hugged her for the longest time.
“I desperately need a shower. You wanna join?”
“Yes. Of course.” He grabbed her ass, making her chuckle.
…
She jumped on the bed after the shower.
“Shower sex after a flight wasn’t a good idea.”
“I thought it was a brilliant idea.”
He crawled on top of her and kissed her mouth softly until they were both breathless.
“I picked a dress.”
“Yeah?” His eyes were shining.
She hummed.
“How is it?” He asked.
“I can’t tell you. It has to be a surprise.”
“Oh, come on…” He nuzzled on her neck.
“No… Now be a good boy and move, I need to get dressed.”
“Nuh – uh…”
“I’ll be right back, honey. And you need to get dressed, too.”
He groaned.
…
It was the day of their wedding.
They decided to have a simple wedding with very little guests.
They picked a simple wedding place for themselves.
It was December.
She always wanted a winter wedding.
“Is it too late to run away?” She said as Cathy was putting Gerri’s necklace on.
“Yes.” Peti answered.
“Why am I so fucking nervous?” Gerri cooed.
“You’re getting married, mom. You should be nervous.”
Gerri let out a sigh, staring at herself in the mirror.
“Do I look okay?”
“Do you look okay? You look incredible!” Cathy cooed.
“Yes. Absolutely gorgeous.” Peti backed her up.
Gerri smiled.
“Thanks, girls. You two look gorgeous yourselves.”
“Thanks… You ready?”
“Gosh, no. I hope he didn’t run away.”
“He wouldn’t. I threatened him way too much with my gun.”
Gerri chuckled.
“So, that’s how I keep him around.”
“Exactly. Come on, time to go.”
“Oh, Jesus.”
He was in his room, walking non – stop, trying to calm down. Kendall and Stewy were with him.
“Relax.”
“Shut up. I’m gonna die.”
“You won’t. You’re just getting married.”
“How would you know?” Roman asker Stewy.
“I wouldn’t. I’m just being a bitch.” Stewy said without looking up from his phone.
“Shit. You and Gerri? Still seems crazy to me.”
“Well, to me, too.”
The door was knocked, Cathy entered.
“Did she run away yet?”
“Jesus Christ, what a lovely couple. No. She didn’t. She was wondering if you did run away.”
“Bold of her to assume I would ever leave her side.”
“First of all, that was disgusting.”
“What! It was lovely.”
“Shut up. She’s ready. Boys, out.”
“Yup.”
Kendall and Stewy walked out of the room.
“You wanna say anything to me?” Cathy asked.
“Should I?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t do that shit. What?”
“You didn’t compliment my fucking dress!” Cathy cooed, turning around herself and showing off her dress. Roman chuckled.
“You look amazing, gorgeous dress, hair and make up just on point, a literal goddess.”
“Good. I raised you well. Now you have to compliment her ten times more than that.”
“Of course. She’s prettier than you.”
“Aw, fuck you.”
“Can you fuck off? I wanna see her.”
“You’re gonna lose your mind.”
Cathy finally exited the room, leaving Roman there with his body shaking in front of the door.
The door was knocked.
He opened it before she could.
And dear reader, he thought he was in the presence of the most beautiful creature on planet earth.
Her perfect blonde hair cascading through her shoulders, a simple diamond tiara gracing her head, her gorgeous collarbones and chest on display, and her dress… Her wedding dress that fit her perfectly, made her look like an angel.
He looked at her up and down with his mouth open.
“Can I come in?” She asked shyly, her heart beating so fast.
He tugged on her hand softly and walked her inside, then closed the door.
“What the actual fuck…” He mumbled, looking at her up and down, not being able to take his eyes off of her.
“You like the dress?” She asked, her hands on his arms.
“Yes. So beautiful. So, so beautiful, Gerri. You look amazing.” He said, cupping her cheek. She smiled at him. He smiled at her.
He always knew he was going to love her forever, he never, ever doubted it.
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
Now, dear reader, he did know he was going to love her forever, but marrying her? He wasn’t so sure about that.
She started chuckling.
“Me neither. Good god… Marrying in my sixties feels… weird.”
He kissed her cheek softly.
“We’re gonna be husband and wife. Like two fucking normos.”
She started chuckling.
“As if we don’t cuff each other in bed –“
“Roman!” She exclaimed, still laughing.
“As if we’re not kinky motherfuckers who love each other.”
He kissed her cheek again as she kept laughing.
“I love you, Rome.” She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you more, sweet pea.”
“You may kiss the bride. But very short, very sweetly, without ruining my lipstick.”
He nodded, left the softest of kisses to her lips.
“Ready?”
“I guess.”
…
They walked down the aisle hand in hand, taking the moment in, smiling to their guests. It was very hard for him to look at the guests while he had the most beautiful woman on earth on his arm, but he managed it somehow.
They were slow dancing after the short ceremony.
“Hello, wife.” He said charmingly, his arms around her waist. She smiled, her arms around his neck.
“Hello, husband.”
He kissed her cheek.
“You look so handsome, by the way. Didn’t get a chance to say it.”
“Oh, shut up. I’m an asshole next to you.”
“Don’t say that.”
He put their foreheads together.
“Wife. My wife.”
“Yeah. That’s me.”
“Gerri Roy.”
Gerri laughed so loud, the guests started laughing without knowing what the matter was.
“Oh, fuck off! Don’t say that ever again!”
“Sorry.” He laughed with her.
“This is what I want. Laughing with you until the day that I die.”
He kissed her hand.
“I love you, Ger. And I’ll always love you.”
“I think I’ll always love you, too, sweetheart.”
And that, dear reader, is the end.