by Bethany-Kris
Melina Morgan Maccari, mob princess.
She laughed at the thought. For better or worse, she was about to tie her life to a man who moved in shadows. To a man whose first loyalty would always be to a family that hadn’t initially been welcoming to her. To a family that would always come first, even above their own. Was she ready for everything their lifestyle would entail?
“Melina?”
She turned at the sound of the soft voice and found Cynthia Maccari standing hesitantly in the doorway.
“Come in,” Melina told her.
“You look beautiful, dear. Absolutely breathtaking. James isn’t going to be able to take his eyes off of you.”
Melina smiled beneath her future mother-in-law’s praise.
“I can say the same. You look wonderful. There’s a glow about you.”
“I was expecting to see the same glow about you. What’s wrong?”
Melina shook her head. “Nothing. Just a bit emotional is all. Never thought I’d be getting married.”
Cynthia’s eyes were soft. “That may partly be true, but there’s more that you’re not saying. It’s your parents, isn’t it?”
Melina turned away in an effort to get her warring emotions under control. She felt Cynthia’s hand touch her shoulder and the tears she’d been fighting slipped down her cheeks.
“Yes,” the word tore from her suddenly raw throat.
“They’re here. In spirit. In your heart. In your memories.”
Melina faced Cynthia. “It’s not the same.”
“I know. Loss is never an easy pill to swallow but it’s on days like today that we appreciate what we still have left. I know that somewhere, your parents are smiling down, so happy that you are finally about to have all the things they ever dreamed of for you.”
“I would give anything to hold my dad’s hand. To have him walk me down the aisle.”
“He’ll be right beside you every step of the way.”
Cynthia took a tissue from the holder and carefully wiped Melina’s tears away.
“I don’t know how to be a wife. Mac needs …”
“Mac needs you and only you. Everything else will fall into place. Besides, you’ve already got a head start.”
“And what’s that?” Melina asked.
“You’ve learned to cook decent food. That’s half the battle.”
Melina laughed and Cynthia joined her as she fidgeted with Melina’s veil, making sure it was perfectly in place.
“Well, when you put it like that,” Melina admitted.
“See. Now no more tears.”
“I’ll say. You’d better not be messing up my makeup job, Melina.”
Victoria entered the room, clutching a bouquet of white tulips. Her gaze went suspiciously back and forth between Melina and her mother.
“Leave her alone. This is an emotional day for all of us,” Cynthia said.
“I realize that, Ma, but someone has to keep it together. Everyone can’t be a blubbering mess.”
“I’m fine, Victoria. Really.”
Mac’s sister came closer and gave her face a quick glance. “No, you’re not. Ma, what did you do?”
Victoria quickly put down her bouquet before she ushered Melina back to the bench seat in front of the vanity.
“I didn’t do anything. I was just giving her some words of encouragement,” Cynthia said.
“Well, her mascara is running and now she has tear trails down her foundation. It’s good I came to check on things.”
Opening up the three stacked make up case, Victoria went to work re-touching Melina’s makeup.
“I appreciate this Victoria,” Melina said.
“You can appreciate me more by not ruining your makeup again,” Victoria scolded.
Melina pinched her lightly. Mac’s sister had a rough exterior, but deep down when she cared for you it meant everything. Today Melina just wasn’t marrying Mac, she was gaining a sister, and for that she couldn’t be more grateful.
A knock at the door drew the three women’s attention.
“Who could that be?” Cynthia asked.
She went to the door and opened it, sticking her head out. “Yes.”
“Delivery for Melina,” a man’s voice said.
“From who?” Cynthia asked.
“Your son, ma’am.”
Melina waited as Cynthia closed the door and came over to where she and Victoria were. She was holding a large rectangle-shaped, black velvet box.
“Here,” Cynthia said. She handed the box to Melina.
“Hurry. We only have five minutes,” Victoria urged her on.
“All right, Miss Bossy.”
With trembling hands, Melina lifted the lid of the box and gasped. He didn’t. Yes, he had. Nestled inside the lining of velvet was a four-strand diamond choker.
“It’s beautiful,” Cynthia said.
“No one can ever say my brother doesn’t have style,” Victoria said.
“I can’t believe he’d buy something like this. It’s so … so …”
“It’s you, Melina,” Victoria finished for her.
“What makes you say that?”
Victoria pointed. “This is a piece of jewelry that a queen would wear and you carry yourself as a queen in every sense of the word. This is just Mac’s way of giving you a little extra bling to cement your status as his new queen.”
“My daughter finally says something that makes some sense. Today is truly a day of miracles.”
“Very funny, Ma.”
Melina lifted the choker from the box and held it out to Victoria. “Will you do the honors?”
“Absolutely.”
Melina held her veil out of the way so that Victoria could fasten the jewelry around her neck. It fit perfectly.
“Every inch a queen,” Cynthia said softly.
“Yes, now let’s get this queen to her king,” Victoria said.
Melina rose and allowed Victoria to flip her veil down to cover her face.
“This is it,” she said.
“No turning back now. You’re stuck with us,” Victoria said.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
And Melina meant every word of it.
The sounds of organ music filled the air, loud and strong. Even standing behind the massive wooden doors that would lead inside the sanctuary, Melina could hear the music clear and strong. She clutched the bouquet of white tulips tight in her hands as she waited for the doors that separated her from the interior to open. She was really about to do this. When those doors opened, there would be no turning back and it was exactly what she wanted.
Slowly, the massive doors opened and Melina walked through them. Everything was decorated so beautifully. From the white and silver ribbons that twirled elegantly from the Cathedral ceiling, to the large arrangements of white tulips. Not to mention the covered white altar at the very front of the church.
For a moment, she was momentarily stunned. St. Matthews was filled with people and she didn’t know even a third of them. As she gathered her composure and walked down the long aisle that lead to the man she loved, she dared to risk a glance at the people who stood and watched her pass. These had to be members of la famiglia out and in numbers to show support and respect to one of their own.
Once, Melina might have wondered what they thought about her. About the woman that Mac was daring to introduce into their world. But today, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the man standing at the altar next to the priest with his gaze fixed squarely on her. In her belly, butterflies fluttered and she tried to quell the sudden rapid beating of her heart. And then she suddenly felt cold.
Her gaze turned to the right and then she saw him. Smirking, with arms folded, James Maccari Sr. stared at her the way a man looked at something he wanted to consume. What was the man even doing here? She knew Mac hadn’t invited his father. He couldn’t stand the man, but yet here he was in the flesh, acting as if he belonged. Melina narrowed her eyes before she
returned her attention to the only man in the room that truly mattered.
Mac.
Wearing a fitted black tux, his hands were clasped together in front of him and she saw something in his eyes she thought she’d never see.
Anxiety.
He was just as nervous about today as she was.
Though he couldn’t see her well behind the veil, she offered him an encouraging smile.
A few more steps brought her up to the raised altar where Mac, the priest and the others in their party stood. Melina handed her bouquet to Victoria as Mac stepped forward and reached for her hand. The second they touched, that familiar warmth spread through her body. With only the priest separating them, Melina watched as Mac’s mouth tugged into a sly grin as he looked at her from head to toe. When he reached forward to touch her veil, the priest swatted his hand away like an errant child.
Melina stifled a laugh as Mac’s gaze narrowed on the one man separating him from what he wanted most.
Her.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Today James and Melina are taking the next step in this journey called life and they are taking it together. Love is the ultimate commitment because it challenges us to give the very best of ourselves and be all that God intended for us to be. Let us have a moment of prayer for this couple.”
Melina and Mac got to their knees at the altar and allowed the priest to pray over them. Melina barely heard a word of what the man said. Her eyes were on Mac.
Then he winked at her and she melted inside.
A few minutes later, the prayer was over and the priest motioned for Mac’s best man, Bobby Dinazio, to step forward. He handed Mac the ring and then re-took his place.
“Take your bride’s hand,” the priest instructed.
Mac took Melina’s hand in his, every fiber of his being focused on her.
“Repeat after me.”
The priest’s instructions were lost to her as Mac said his vows.
“I, Mac, take you, Melina, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love, cherish and honor you all the days of my life.”
And then he slipped the diamond-studded infinity band onto her ring finger. It was a perfect match to the engagement ring he’d given her months ago. The man really had thought of everything.
“Melina,” the priest said making a motion.
Victoria stepped forward and offered Melina the band she’d picked out for Mac. She held his hand tight as she prepared to say her own vows.
“I, Melina, take you, Mac, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I promise to love, cherish and honor you all the days of my life.”
Melina slid the thick silver band on Mac’s finger. Tears blurred behind her eyes, so she closed them, lest they fall and ruin Victoria’s makeup job.
“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. If there be any that have reason that James and Melina should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Melina didn’t look at the crowd, but Mac did briefly. A glare daring anyone to risk their life by ruining his wedding. A minute or two passed by but only silence remained.
“Then if that be all, by the powers invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. James, you may kiss your bride.”
Mac wasted no time lifting the veil away. He smirked when he saw her and Melina couldn’t help the tears that fell. Cradling her face gently in his hands, Mac kissed her. The crowd erupted inside the sanctuary, but all Melina could feel was the sweetness of Mac’s kiss.
It was a promise of forever.
When he finally pulled away, her tears came even harder.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. James Maccari Jr.,” the priest said.
Mac frowned and opened his mouth to say something, but Melina pressed a finger to his lips.
“I don’t care if your name is James, Mac or the man on the moon, I love you.”
“And I love you.”
And then Melina wrapped her arms around Mac and kissed him with every last ounce of love she had in her heart.
“Why do you keep glancing at me when you think I’m not looking?”
Melina took a sip of her champagne before she spoke, suddenly shy and having a hard time meeting Mac’s eyes.
“Doll,” Mac said softly.
“Part of me still can’t believe that you’re really my husband. It seems surreal.”
Mac grinned, an easy relaxed smile. “Get used to it, Mrs. Maccari. You’re stuck with me now.”
“That’s the same thing your sister said to me this morning.”
“It’s a Maccari motto.”
Melina laughed. “Yeah, right.” She smiled and then her expression turned somber.
“What is it? That beautiful smile should never leave your face today.”
She hadn’t wanted to say anything, but the more she considered it, the more she knew that it was important not to start their marriage with secrets between them.
“Did you know your father was at the church?”
Mac’s gaze hardened. “Yeah, I did.”
“Oh.”
“It wasn’t my choice, Melina. By the time I realized he was there, it was too late to do anything about it.”
“And besides that, it wouldn’t have looked good to make a scene,” Melina surmised.
“That, too.”
Melina reached for Mac’s hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Am I happy that he had the nerve to show up on a day that had absolutely nothing to do with him? Hardly. But James is nothing. He matters to no one.”
“He looked at me when I was walking down the aisle and there was something in the way he looked at me. It was like …”
“Like what, doll?”
“The way a predator watches their prey.”
A muscle in Mac’s jaw moved and his eyes grew cold. Melina started to move her hand away from his, but he didn’t allow her to.
“I don’t know what game he’s playing at, but I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to take care of it.”
“Mac, I’m not trying to cause any more issues between you and your father. I just want us to start our marriage off right. I don’t want to keep things from you, even if it might not be important.”
Mac held her face in one hand and kissed her softly. Melina responded with eagerness, never tiring of the way he showed his adoration for her.
“Mac,” she whispered against his lips, “people are watching us.”
“Let them.”
Mac kissed her again, one hand slipping around her waist to bring her closer to him. Melina’s body heated beneath her wedding gown. What she wouldn’t give to bid everyone adieu and head off to be alone with her handsome husband.
“Have you two forgotten the rest of us might like to enjoy your company?”
Melina and Mac broke apart to find their hostess, Neeya Pivetti, standing next to them.
“Sorry, Mrs. Pivetti. We meant no disrespect,” Mac said.
Neeya laughed. “Of course you didn’t. No one here can blame you two for being all over each other. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen such an attractive couple.”
“Thank you, Neeya. That means a lot.”
“You can thank me, my dear, by coming with me. I have something for you.”
“Haven’t you already given us enough? You’ve let us use your gorgeous home for our reception,” Melina said.
Neeya waved a hand. “Nonsense. I won’t hear of it. Now come.”
Melina smiled and turned to her husband. “I’ll be right back.” She kissed him quickly.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Mac helped her to her feet and Neeya took Melina’s arm leading her from the massive ballroom where the reception was still in full swing.
“I promise he’ll be there whe
n you get back. No business today,” Neeya said.
“Are you sure?”
“I made Luca give his word. Nothing is going to ruin your day.”
“I appreciate that more than you know. My nerves are already at an all-time high.”
Neeya led them deeper into the house, before stopping in front of two paneled doors and opening them. She motioned for Melina to follow her inside.
“And why is that?”
“I never expected this. Any of this. And now I’m someone’s wife and not just any someone, a very important someone. Any mistake I make will reflect not only on me, but him as well. I just don’t want to mess up.”
Walking over to a large painting, Neeya carefully removed it, revealing a small black vault. Melina turned away to give the woman her privacy.
“You’re worrying for nothing. You went to jail for that man. You kept your mouth shut and that has proven the depth of your loyalty to any who might have doubted it.”
“But what now? How do I balance that fine line between supporting him and not butting into things that aren’t my business?”
Neeya came over to her, a red velvet box in her hand.
“Very carefully.” Neeya placed the box in her hand. “Open it.”
Melina did as she was instructed and found inside a small silver band. In the center was a purple princess-cut diamond.
“This is beautiful.”
“Glad you like it. I wanted to give you something special. Everyone has white diamonds but a purple diamond, now those are rare.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Melina hugged Neeya, a wave of emotion coming over her. For so long she’d been alone and now her life was suddenly filled with people that cared about her.
That cared about her happiness.
It was almost too much.
“You’re very welcome, dear. Now let’s get back. We have so much more celebrating to do.”
Melina moaned as Mac fed her a piece of their wedding cake.
“That good, huh?”
“Buttercream frosting is my absolute favorite.”
“Well eat up, doll. We’ve got eight layers to eat through.”
