Vienna's POV

"It feels like I was talking to a completely different person...she was just so adamant that you are wrong for me" I added once I told him about the conversation I had with my mother which was so upsetting for me that I walked out of her house crying.

Well I didn't exactly want to tell him because as I said earlier too, I don't want to burden him with my drama anymore as he has got other things too that he needs to focus on, but as usual he just wasn't willing to drop the topic so reluctantly I had to tell him.

"It seems like she's never going to accept you" I mumbled almost to myself.

"She will, one day...just not now. I think it was too much for her" He replied caressing the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Yeah right...too much..." I mumbled shaking my head.

"And you wanted me to tell her that her soon to be son-in-law is the one and only leader of the biggest Mafia organisation in Russia..." I paused.

"Yeah Ryan, that was such a great idea. She would have married me off to you right then and there" I continued with sarcasm dripping from my each word.

"Um...I don't think I like the sarcasm but I'll let it pass this time as I know you are just upset" He replied with a little nod to himself.

"But love, I still believe you should have told her because some day you'll have to tell her anyways...or maybe eventually she'll find out on her own because this isn't something that you can hide from your own family for too long" He added.

"Now that we are talking about this..." He paused.

"You know I was so mad at you the moment you lied to your mother about who I really am. Just when I thought you were going to drop the bomb on her, you chickened out" He continued.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that" I apologized with a sigh.

"I even planned out all the ways I was going to punish you" He said ignoring my apology as I just chuckled at his words knowing exactly what his punishment might have been.

"But then you walked over to me with puffy eyes and a long face, and my heart melted...so I just dropped my plans" He added.

"But considering your history of never ever doing anything as I say, I'm pretty sure I could use these plans in the future" He continued.

"Come on, now smile...you are off the hook without even getting punished" He said and I did smile knowing he was just trying to lighten up my mood.

"I love you" I mumbled hugging him.

"Ryan..." I called out a moment later as he just hummed in reply.

"I know you were risking a lot by asking me to reveal your true identity to my mother" I continued as he pulled away.

"What do you mean" He asked.

"You know what I mean" I replied.

"You didn't know if you could trust my mother or my family with such a big secret...yet you asked me to tell them just so that later on this secret doesn't ruins my relation with my family" I added.

"I mean who knows, after knowing who you are, my mother or Sophia or maybe Alex would ran straight to the Canadian police telling them about you and that might have gotten you in trouble but yet you risked it all...just for me..." I paused holding his hand.

"So thank you" I continued, placing a kiss on his knuckles with moist eyes.

I know I'm kinda overwhelmed right now...but him risking everything just for me...him being so thoughtful about keeping my relation with my family intact...means a lot to me.

"Well...yeah there was a slight risk...but do you really think being who I am, I wouldn't have any contacts or connections?" He replied.

"Love. I know how to handle the cops, trust me I have been doing that since a while now and my family has been doing it for years" He added.

"But is that the reason why you didn't tell your mother" He asked.

"Yeah. I mean of course I was worried that my mother would freak out but more importantly I feared that they might out you to the police...that's also the reason why I didn't want to tell her anything" I replied honestly as he just smiled saying nothing.

"How long until we reach home? I'm exhausted" I said changing the topic, hugging him once again.

"It's a long flight, love. Why don't you go in the room and rest for a while" He suggested.

"Aren't you coming" I asked pulling away.

"I've got some work to do...I'll join you soon" He replied stealing a quick kiss.

"Alright" I mumbled before heading towards the room in this private jet and as soon as my head hit the soft pillow, I dozed off into a dreamless slumber.

Soon enough we landed in Russia, the place that has now started to feel like a home to me.

Leaning my head against the window, I stared at nothing in particular but just at the things that we were passing by in a high speed, on our way home.

I sighed deeply.

People say that the bond of family is the strongest...but sometimes, times and situations like these make me wanna give up on the idea of family completely...the strength of it.

Yeah you guessed it right...I still can't stop thinking about the fact that my mother is not ready to accept Ryan at all...the fact that she doesn't supports my discussion of marrying him...the fact that there's a really high possibility that she won't be there at my wedding...that she won't be standing right next to me...blessing me on my big day.

And it's not only my mother who I think won't be at my wedding...but rather my entire family.

Well...I guess it's safe to say that there won't be anyone from my side...at my own wedding...and that thought alone is so depressing.

But anyways, I'll try my best to avoid thinking about all of this...as it has been a very long journey with lots and lots of bumps in the road...our separations, our fights and now that we have finally come to a point in life where we both have each other by our sides and soon enough we are going to tie the knot, so I don't want anything or anyone to ruin that moment.

"Well...this doesn't seems like your place, Ryan" I said confused, looking around at the unfamiliar destination that we just pulled over at.

"Where are we?" I asked as he just smiled opening the door for me as I hopped out holding his hand.

"Oh my god! This is beautiful and..." I trailed off, taking in the beauty of the place.

It's so quiet and that's quite obvious because I don't think I saw another house anywhere in miles of radius while getting here...there were just trees and trees on our way here until we reached this cute house with a lake beside it.

I wonder who lives here.

"And..." Ryan said snapping me out of my thoughts, asking me to continue.

"I don't know...it's just quite comfortable over here" I replied rubbing on my arms, feeling cold.

"Let's get you inside, it's cold out here" He said wrapping an arm around me and leading me inside.

"Ryan, why is it so dark in here and why are we even here in the first place" I asked as we entered the house with darkness greeting us.

"Patience, sweetheart" He replied.

"Surprise!" Screamed...I don't know a bunch of familiar voices together...I guess, as I squealed jumping a little backwards, bumping into Ryan who was right behind me.

"Oh my god! You guys scared me" I said with a hand on my heart while looking at the source of the voices as the lights were finally turned on.

"What are you all doing here" I asked with a wide smile on my face.

"Well...surprising you. Obviously" Scarlett replied.

"Now come on here" She added taking me into a bear hug as Samantha and Charlotte joined us.

"Vienna" We pulled apart hearing Grace's firm voice.

I didn't knew she was here too.

"Grace" I mumbled surprised.

"Well...how are you doing young lady" She asked walking towards me as suddenly the entire room went quiet for some reason.

"Grace. I'm good...I..." I trailed off with a sigh.

"I just don't know what to say...after everything that's happened...after I abandoned you guys just when you all were so happy and busy preparing for mine and Ryan's wedding..." I paused.

"Which never happened" I continued.

"Well then don't say anything" She replied.

"I have no business in knowing what exactly went through between you and Ryan, which made you leave just a day before your wedding..." She paused.

"You are the light in my son's life...you are his happiness...and that's what makes me glad to see you again" She continued.

"And now that you are back...I'm hoping that you are back for good this time" She added.

"Well...to answer that..." I paused before lifting my left hand up and proudly showing off my ring.

"Oh my god! So this means you both are getting married for real this time" Charlotte squealed with happiness as Scarlett grabbed my hand to have a good look at the ring.

"So this also means that we can now prepare for your wedding without having to worry about you guys fighting again and one of you running off...again" David said with his usual humour lacing his voice as everyone laughed and I couldn't help but chuckle before hugging him.

"Don't worry, I don't plan on leaving your friend...not now, not ever" I replied with a smile, pulling away.

"Congratulations, Vienna...Ryan" Landon, Samantha's fiance, congratulated and it was only then that I noticed his presence.

"Thanks, Landon" I replied smiling.

"Okay now let's get inside, I need a drink...in my new home" Ryan said emphasizing on the words new home.

Wait. What?

New home?

"New home" I asked surprised.

"Yeah. In all the congratulations and the happy reunion, you almost forgot how curious you were few minutes ago about who's place this is...so I thought I would just say it myself" He replied with a slight shrug.

"Welcome home, love..." He added with a warm smile as I blinked surprised.

And I didn't even get the chance to react as I was dragged inside by his sisters.

"I would love for you two to have a good romantic moment but unfortunately dinner is ready and it's getting cold by each passing second" Scarlett mumbled to me on our way inside.

And as we all sat having dinner that night...I just couldn't help but cherish this moment, where we all sat together as a family...laughing...smiling...joking around and just...being happy.

I felt so fortunate in that moment...because even after everything that has happened...even after all my lies...even after I abandoned them, they still accepted me back with a warm smile and open arms.

I looked at Ryan, who was sitting on the head chair of the dining table.

"I love you..." I whispered placing my hand on his.

"I love you too" He whispered back.

And times like these make me want to believe in the concept of family once again.

I was correct earlier, Russia is my home now...because this is where Ryan is and my heart belongs to him...

And they say...home is where your heart is.

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Love,

Crystal ❤️