by Sam Mariano
“Well, don’t you look lovely,” Yvonne says, a bit tentatively.
“I’m so happy you decided to come,” I tell her.
“I know, I know,” she says, nodding like I’m embarrassing her.
Maddie flashes me a grin from behind her, giving me a double thumbs up that makes my smile widen.
Yvonne clears her throat, reaching into her purse and drawing out a small white box. “I know you have to get ready so I won’t keep you, but I thought since you don’t have a maternal figure in your life, you might not have your something borrowed.” Lifting the lid from the jewelry box, she reveals a lovely pair of diamond and pearl earrings. “The women in my family—we sort of have a tradition of wearing these at our weddings. I wore them when I married Antonio, my mother wore them at her wedding, and her mother wore them before her. I never really thought to bring them out before Madeline’s wedding, but if you want to, you could borrow them for today.”
Her offer fills me up, and I can’t help hugging her again. “I would love that. Thank you so much.”
The photographer has been lurking, and she suggests we get a shot of Yvonne putting the earrings on me. Yvonne seems to like the idea of being included, so I let the photographer move me around into different lighting and snap a few shots.
Once Yvonne is gone, Mia comes over to help me get my wedding dress on.
“Was that Sal’s mom?”
I can’t help grinning. “It was.”
Clasping her hands together, she smiles with relief. “Oh, good. I knew she would show up.”
Laughing a little, I tell her, “That makes one of us.”
Mia and Cherie end up having to double team dress-duty so I don’t rip the damn thing, but once they get it fastened and arranged, I can already tell it’s worth it. Then Mia brings over my veil and puts it on me with the help of the hair stylist.
Mia stands in front of me, hands on each shoulder, grinning at me. “Are you ready to see yourself? I have to remind you, your make-up is perfect, so don’t tear up.”
Laughing a little, I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to tear up, goofball.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says, stepping back and gesturing to the mirror like it’s a prize and she’s hosting a game show.
As soon as I see the image of myself as a bride peering back at me, I get it. Mia decides to make it even worse by grabbing my hydrangea bouquet and giving it to me so I get the full effect.
I do feel a little burn behind my eyes, but I manage to keep it under control.
“Oh my God, I’m a bride. I’m getting married.”
Mia laughs at me, but she doesn’t understand. I know it’s silly, I know I’ve been planning this moment for months now, dreaming about it for longer, but now, seeing my reflection… now it’s real.
This is no fantasy. This is no dream. This is my reality. This is my future.
This is the day I marry Salvatore Castellanos.
This is the best day of my life.
Chapter Forty Nine
Francesca
“Why am I so nervous?”
Mateo turns to look at me, faintly amused. “I couldn’t say. I’ve never done this before. Maybe you’re marrying the wrong person.”
I roll my eyes at the utter ridiculousness of such a statement. “Yeah, right.”
“No doubts?”
“Not even a ghost of a doubt. A dream of a doubt. Doubt may as well not even exist as a word, that’s how few doubts I have.”
He nods his approval. “Good. I don’t think this would be a very easy divorce.”
I can’t hold back a smile as I roll my eyes at him for the second time in under a minute. “God, you’re a real romantic, you know that?”
“That’s what they tell me.”
Even though he looks impeccable all the time, I try to distract myself from my own nerves by focusing on him. The crisp black fabric of his tux stretches across his broad shoulders, a snowy white dress shirt that wouldn’t dare wrinkle underneath. The main difference from his everyday wear is the black cummerbund and the black bow tie around his neck. Mateo never wears bow ties, but he should, because he rocks it. Whichever woman he ends up marrying is going to love him in a tux.
“Phew, this is taking forever,” I remark, rocking forward on the toes of my pretty blue heels.
“I guess Isabella isn’t walking fast this time,” he says lightly.
My stomach is still a mess of nerves as we wait for our cue to step into place. Even though I already know what I look like, I feel hot from nerves and the prospect of so many eyes on me. Turning to Mateo, I ask, “Do I still look okay?”
His gaze moves over me briefly and he nods. “You look stunning. If you don’t take his breath away on sight, I’ll stop the wedding.”
That makes me grin. I clutch my bouquet and lean over to nudge him in the arm. He gives me a real smile, pearly whites and all, and I feel special.
Finally we get our cue. Mateo offers his arm and a fresh wave of nerves roll over me as I take it and he leads me to our position. Once we’re in place, I can hear the shuffling sounds of everyone rising just beyond the door.
“This is it,” I murmur.
The doors are pulled open. A sea of strangers stand turned to face us, but I don’t look at any of them. The music begins, alerting everyone to the start of my march, but I can only see Sal, standing there at the end. He does look a little stunned at the sight of me. I grin so hard it hurts and my insides feel like they’re overflowing with delight. I haven’t moved though, and the music has started, so Mateo starts. I squeeze his arm a little tighter, my stomach turning and tumbling with nerves and emotions I wasn’t prepared for. It’s the longest walk of my life, and I’m so overwhelmed, but I’m glad Mateo is escorting me, because he’s calm and confident, and I can’t remember how to even walk in front of people. He gets me to the end of the aisle like he’s supposed to, but all I can do is moon at Sal like a lovestruck fool. He looks so handsome in his tux and I feel so pretty in my dress. I just want this whole ceremony to be over so he can hold me in his arms while we dance.
A man in white robes holds an open Bible in his hands, his voice carrying across the room. “Marriage is the blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward. To honor this blessed union, the groom asks permission of the bride’s family.” He looks to Mateo. “Do you give your blessing for this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do,” Mateo answers, nodding his head once.
The officiant nods and I turn to Mateo so he can lift my veil, placing a kiss on each of my cheeks. I lean forward and give him an impulsive hug, too, then I lift my dress and step up on the altar. Sal offers his hand. I take it and turn back to hand my bouquet to Mia. She’s flushed and teary as she takes it. I always thought crying at weddings was a bit silly, but now I get it. This shit is intense.
Now I turn back to Sal and take both of his hands.
“Hi,” he whispers.
I can’t stop grinning. “Hi.”
My ability to focus is somehow shot and the moment passes by in the blink of an eye. Before I can even process everything I’m feeling and calm down, it’s time to say our vows. My nerves take another hit and I feel awkwardly happy as Sal repeats his. My voice shakes a little as I repeat mine. There’s a new ring on my finger, a new ending to my name, a new family I’m now a part of. The officiant tells Sal he may kiss his bride and Sal wastes no time complying, pulling me into his arms and dipping me as he leans down to kiss me.
I’m so happy my stomach hurts. I can’t remember what I’m supposed to do, but Sal subtly nods at Mia and I remember to take my bouquet back. He raises our entwined hands and grins over at me like he’s the victor.
I’m the victor here, but I’ll let him imagine it’s him.
Everyone is standing and applauding. It’s the first time my gaze has even made it to the guests, but I’ve already missed my chance. Now it’s time to walk down the aisle w
ith my new husband.
I’m drowning in joy as Sal and I head down the petal-covered aisle together. We began this hopeless journey a Morelli and a Castellanos, two people whose families would never allow us to be together. Now I stand here holding his hand, wearing his mother’s passed-down earrings, given the blessing of my brother. I know this hasn’t come cheap for Salvatore, I know he’s made unimaginable sacrifices to get us here, but I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life expressing my infinite gratitude.
After years living life like somebody’s afterthought, today I got to marry an amazing man who would do absolutely anything for me. If that’s not a happy ending, I don’t know what is.
---
“You look absolutely incredible.”
Sal and I are dancing to the song that played in New York, when we were at the bar after he took me to the ballet. The ballroom is darkened, glowing with blue uplighting throughout the room. We’re the only two on the dance floor right now. Next we’ll dance with our bridal party, then the floor will open up to everyone else. I suppose we’ll have to start making our rounds to visit guests. I just want to stay here in his arms forever.
“You look pretty dashing yourself,” I inform him.
“I’ve decided we should get married at least once a year,” he states.
I grin at him, raising my eyebrows playfully. “It’s like you like me or something.”
“Maybe a little bit,” he verifies.
“We’re already going on a honeymoon every year, now a wedding on top of it. We’re never going to have time to procreate.”
“We’ll pencil it in a few anniversaries from now and practice a lot until then.”
I nod my approval. “That works for me.”
“Next year we should have a beach wedding,” he announces. “I wanna marry you in a bikini.”
“You’re gonna wear a bikini? Well, okay, I guess I did say for better or worse.”
Sal gives me a retaliatory squeeze on the side and I laugh, leaning my head against his shoulder. “Just for that, we’re going to have an Entourage themed wedding the year after that.”
“Oh, yeah? How does that work? Do you just glue boxes of douche to your tux and have your groomsmen dress like thugs?”
“You’re ruthless,” he informs me.
“No way, I’m as sweet as a cupcake. We should have a dessert themed wedding year four. You can wear a tux sewn from cupcake print fabric.”
“I don’t think even I can pull that off.”
“If you can pull of the bikini in our beach wedding, you can definitely pull off a cupcake tux.”
Before we can plan any additional weddings, our song ends. We remain on the dance floor, but the DJ invites the rest of the bridal party to come dance, too. Since we decided to forego a ring bearer, Isabella doesn’t have anyone to dance with, but Mateo brings her out and apparently he’s going to dance with her himself. I wave down the photographer, pointing to make sure she gets me a picture of that.
Unfortunately, we can’t dance forever. Eventually we wander off to grab glasses of champagne and circulate. We visit Sal’s mom first. I can tell how happy he is she came, so I’m thrilled. She’s still not quite asking me to call her mom, but she’s not mean to me, and after the olive branch she extended today, I’m fairly certain given a little more time she’ll come around.
I catch sight of Ethan with his arm around a woman I still haven’t met. I invited Willow to my bridal shower, but apparently she had to work that day. I need to meet her. Mateo wants to buy me a housewarming present—some piece from the art gallery Willow works at. I told him we didn’t really need any paintings, but he assured me he needs them even less. Still, he told me to pick something out and make it expensive. I think he’s plotting. Sal figures it has something to do with Adrian wanting Ethan to work for Mateo, but Ethan completely hating Mateo. He’ll probably hate him a smidge less if Mateo’s money starts rolling into Willow’s gallery and she can impress her boss with her connections.
That sounds like my brother, so I think that’s probably right.
Sal takes me on rounds to meet men I don’t know, guys who work for him, apparently. I guess since I’m the boss’ wife now, I should make an effort to know his guys. At least none of them seem to openly dislike me for my Morelli connection, but then that was more Sal’s dad’s issue than theirs.
Maddie is dragging Mark onto the dance floor as he balks. I decide to take a dance break and I haul Sal out there to dance next to them.
“What’s wrong, Mark? Do you have a one-dance limit?”
Maddie rolls her eyes as she positions his hand on her waist and makes him dance with her. “No, he’s probably just afraid I’ll dull the memory of him dancing with his beloved.”
Mark rolls his eyes. “Jealousy isn’t attractive, Madeline.”
Maddie guffaws. “Someone tell that to Psycho Barbie.”
“She’s not psycho,” Mark mutters. “She just makes bad decisions.”
“Yeah, well, apparently jealousy looks goddamn adorable on her,” Maddie says lightly.
I feel the need to defend Mia, even though Mia likes Maddie equally as much. “Mia’s actually really, really nice. Just not to attractive women who put hands on Mateo.”
“Like his fiancée?” Maddie asks, amused. “Since she’s firmly in side-bitch territory, she needs to calm her tits.”
“You know what else isn’t attractive?” Mark asks, raising an eyebrow. “Meanness.”
“I’m not mean.”
“You’re the meanest person who has ever been mean.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “You’re brainwashed.”
“Some of the best people are,” I put in.
Sal grins, tugging me closer. “That’s true.”
While Maddie and Mark bicker, I see Ethan and Willow have gravitated over to Adrian and Elise. Since we can kill two birds with one stone, I take Sal’s hand and lead him off the floor.
Ethan smiles as we approach, draping an arm around Willow’s waist and leaning in to murmur in her ear. She turns to face us, glancing from me to Sal. There’s no sisterly fondness when she looks at him, but she seems a little guarded in general.
Ethan gives Sal a handshake and Sal glances at Willow. He doesn’t seem any more excited to see her than she is to see him. I’m definitely repairing this relationship when we get back from our honeymoon.
With that end in mind, I offer her my friendliest smile and reach forward to shake her hand. “You must be Willow. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Looking faintly surprised, she says, “Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Sal’s told me all about you,” I add, turning to place a hand on his chest. “I met your fiancé here once, but it’s nice to finally meet Sal’s other sister. Thank you so much for coming to our wedding.”
“Of course. Thanks for inviting us. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the shower.”
“No problem. Thanks for selling us your house,” I return lightly.
Cocking her head in Ethan’s direction, she says, “His house. I don’t have a house yet. Though now that I have a trust fund, maybe we’ll change that soon.”
“Oh, shit. I forg—I’m so sorry for your loss.”
She shrugs, like it literally doesn’t matter. “Don’t worry about it. One less criminal terrorizing Chicago.” Her gaze flits to Sal. “Well, I guess not.”
Faintly grimacing, Ethan puts a hand around her waist and tugs her into his side. “Clearly we’re not mob family people.”
“We’ll see,” Adrian says, tipping his glass at him with a smirk and taking a drink.
“We won’t,” Ethan tosses back.
“You’re gonna come to family dinner one of these days.”
“Don’t do it,” Sal says, shaking his head. “I think they put something in the food. Just showing up once makes you start to like them.”
“Because we’re awesome,” I state, like it’s obvious.
“I’m afraid it’s a firm no,” Eth
an says.
Adrian waves him off. “You’ll see. Mateo excels at turning a hard no into an enthusiastic yes.”
Sal snorts. “That’s a goddamn fact.”
Adrian nods. “By the time we’re all dancing at your wedding, you’ll be on our side.”
My gaze automatically drifts to Willow’s hand. She sees it, so she offers her hand up for my inspection. “It’s so pretty,” I tell her. “Have you guys set a date?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet. We’re not in a hurry. I think theirs will be first.”
“Whose?”
Now Adrian ducks his head, rubbing the back of his neck. Willow covers her mouth, gray eyes widening. “Oh no, did I out you?”
I turn wide eyes on Adrian. He’s still bashful, but Elise isn’t—she thrusts her hand right out for me to see.
“Oh, my God, why didn’t you tell me? Does Mateo know?”
“Maria and Cherie know, but we haven’t told the family yet,” Elise says, shaking her head. “What with the funeral stuff and you guys getting married…” She shrugs, then looks at her hand and grins. “He did really good, didn’t he?”
I know Adrian isn’t a hugger, but I can’t resist. I give him a big, stuff hug anyway. “I’m so happy for you. You should tell Mateo.”
“I will now that you guys did your thing.”
Rubbing his arm, I shake my head. “You’re too considerate. You’re family; we’re as excited for your engagement as any of ours.”
“Not according to the DNA test,” he says lightly.
“Thank God,” Elise adds. “I didn’t want to have to kick Mateo’s ass.”
I snort, but Adrian raises an eyebrow and nods. “Don’t underestimate her. She’s quick and she’s got the element of surprise; she might be able to kick his ass.”
They’re clearly joking, so I roll my eyes. “Yeah, okay.”
“You better not let Mateo know you told Ethan first,” Sal says, grinning at Adrian. “You’ll make him jealous.”
I nod my agreement. “Then Ethan’ll be the one getting his ass kicked.”
Ethan looks at Adrian like we’re making his point for him. “And this is the guy you want me to work for. No thanks.”
