by Serena Light
"Hmm..." Nicole hummed, her eyes closing on their own accord as they both fell asleep.
"Hey, we're ordering pizza," Rosalie and Arcangelo walked in and crossed the threshold of the extended corridor. "What flavor-?" She began to ask before falling silent, looking at her son with a soft smile.
The curtains were drawn open and sunlight poured in while both Salvatore and Nicole lay sleeping on the bed in their clothes and without the quilt.
"They'll fall sick," Arcangelo shook his head before pulling the duvet over them while Rosalie went and closed the curtains.
"Let's go?" His wife asked him gently as Arcangelo smiled softly back at her, interlacing their fingers together, they walked out, leaving their son and daughter-in-law to sleep in peace.
Epilogue
18-MONTHS-LATER
The sunlight filtered in through the cracks in the curtains, bathing the room in a limited glow. The illumination showing a master bedroom with an off-white carpet and walls that were half white and half sea-green wooden planks. The window was to the beds right and covered by cream-colored drapes. A grey high backed bed against the center of the wall with white sheets and two leather single benches at the foot of the bed, with an antique ottoman rug beneath the structure.
Two people slept in silence, the beeping of the alarm disrupting the peace.
A hand poked out from beneath the covers and fiddled with the device before turning it off, her ring glittering in the sunlight pouring in.
No soon had she turned off the phone and turned to fall back asleep when the bedroom door opening followed by an exasperated sigh before the curtains were drawn open and forced the inhabitants to groan at the sudden brightness.
"Alright, up you two get," The person by the window exclaimed, running a hand through her chin-length brown hair, her blue eyes sparkling with mirth when two more people jumped onto the bed, shaking the inhabitants.
"Wake up!" They exclaimed with laughter. "We have things to get done!"
"Okay! Okay!" The inhabitants on the bed pushed them away, Serafina sitting up with her brown hair a tone lighter and ruffled, the person beside her slowly sitting up and rubbing their eyes as her hazel tresses fell forward. "We're up, we're up,"
"Who wants breakfast?" Rosalie asked by the window, all four girls instantly raising their hands. "Come on, let's go,"
Both Serafina and Nicole took a minute to get freshened up before they made their way downstairs, finding Rosalie nursing a cup of coffee in her hand with a cannoli beside her while Nicole's cousin, Alexis, munching on a muffin, her black hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head as her brown eyes roamed over the people around her, lingering on Nicole's empty ring finger.
"Okay, so once we've had breakfast," Angelica spoke, reading from a piece of paper. "Everyone needs to shower before the lady comes in an hour, she'll have a team with her for all five of us, and so we all should be ready by 3 and at the venue by 4 for final touches,"
"Okay, alright," Serafina nodded. "I am so glad that Alessio took the kids with him to Miriam, otherwise I wouldn't be able to help you guys with two 4-year-olds,"
Nicole simply chuckled, not saying anything, but appreciating their efforts.
"Okay, dibs on the first shower!" Nicole's cousin, Alexis, exclaimed, putting down her empty coffee mug and heading for the washroom downstairs.
"Nicole, you go and shower too, use Serafina's bathroom," Rosalie spoke as the girl in question nodded, finishing her breakfast before heading upstairs to shower.
Once she had disappeared upstairs, the Regnante girls all turned to one another.
"How is she?" Angelica asked in concern.
"Silent," Serafina shook her head. "Hasn't said anything since she came here three days ago, and keeps fidgeting with her ring finger even though her ring isn't there anymore,"
"Has she cried? Or had some form of an emotional outburst?" Rosalie inquired.
"Nothing," Her daughter shook her head. "She's too calm, and it scares me, mom,"
"It scares me too,"
"What about Salvatore?" Angelica asked quietly. "I mean, it's been a month, has anyone talked to him?"
"No, his phone is constantly busy," Rosalie shook her head. "According to Arcangelo, he doesn't get a moment to breathe and has been suffocating with work since the past month,"
The girls pulled a face and moved away when Alexis stepped out in a silken blush pink robe and her hair wrapped in a towel.
"I'm next," Angelica got up from her place before going to the washroom.
"I'll go after Angelica," Serafina stated.
"I'll take the one upstairs," Rosalie shrugged, finishing her coffee before cleaning up with her daughter beside her.
Soon they all were seated on different chairs with a woman either working on their hair or makeup, soft music playing in the background but no one actually talking.
"I just had a thought," Alexis spoke up as they all waited for her to continue. "If a bride has bride's maids and a maid of honor, why don't men have 'groom's butlers' and 'butler of honor'? Why is it best man and groom's men?"
A laugh escaped a few of the people at her words as they began to talk about it, getting engaged in chatter while Nicole sat quietly in front of the woman doing her hair and looked down at her phone screen which was a picture of her and Salvatore who was kissing her cheek as she had a smile on her face but was rolling her eyes in half-hearted exasperation.
"Hey, Nicole," Rosalie got done with her hair chin-length hair blow-dried into loose curls and framing her face that had soft and elegant makeup to accentuate her features and her lips colored in a baby pink tint. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," She nodded with a soft smile.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm alright,"
"Not nervous? Or anxious? How about scared?"
"Nope, none of the above," Nicole assured as Rosalie looked at her skeptically for a minute before relenting.
"Alright, I'm going to get changed, see you girls in a bit," She patted her shoulder before walking upstairs.
Her arrival was accompanied by the girls hooting as she laughed at their antics, coming to stand at the foot of the stairs with a chuckle before twirling to show off her dress. It was a cream-colored slim-fit pencil skirt dress that was covered by a matching floral overcoat and hat.
"Look at you, ma!" Serafina laughed and walked over to her mother, giving her a kiss on the cheek before looking at her once more. "Dad will trip seeing you,"
"He always trips when he sees me," Rosalie crinkled her nose at her daughter as she laughed.
Soon everyone got done with their hair and makeup, all of them finally going to put on their dresses while Nicole sat on the sofa in her silk robe, her hair made into an elegant messy bun at the base of her head with her makeup light and subtle with soft shimmering eye shadow, nude lipstick, and winged eyeliner and highlighter.
One by one the girls came downstairs.
Alexis wore a halter top dress that reached down to her feet, her hair pulled into a donut bun at the top of her head and her gold earrings and bracelet glittering in the sunlight as she spun to show off her dress, both Rosalie and Nicole clapping at the display.
Angelica came down in an illusion neckline maxi dress with her golden hair pulled into a high ponytail and her ring and long earrings glimmered as she twirled the skirt.
Finally, Serafina arrived in a sweetheart neckline dress, her brown tresses done in beautiful waves draped over her shoulders with a chunky necklace fastened around her neck and bracelets to match, her ring shimmering as she posed before giving a bow to the people as they clapped.
All three dresses a beautiful blush pink color.
"Your turn," Serafina pulled Nicole up, as she gave them a soft smile, allowing them to lift her up.
Nicole wore a strapless and backless white bra with matching panties as they helped her to get fitted into her dress. Careful with the material before she pulled her arms through the sleeves, Alexis and An
gelica getting behind her to button it while Serafina helped her settle the front as Rosalie watched with a broad smile, tears welling in her eyes as she laughed at the sight before her.
Her daughter-in-law was dressed in a glamorous white off-shoulder neckline ball gown tulle with lace applique and white buttons running down from the back of the neckline to the floor.
"Let's see Salvatore try and get you out of this dress," Alexi remarked once she helped button-up and straightened.
"You don't have to pee? Right?" Angelica inquired suddenly. "Because we just buttoned up forty buttons,"
"No, I'm good," She shook her head, and placed a hand on top of her stomach, inhaling deeply before moving towards the full-length mirror and looking back at herself, a soft gasp escaping her at how beautiful it looked.
Nicole stared back at the amazing Milla Nova Dominica lush wedding gown with puffs sewn on the sides to add more volume. The corset was covered by a spectacular lacy off-the-shoulder bolero and decorated with handmade brooch embellished with sequins, gems, pearls, and crystal. The skirt was splendid with a long trail sewn of Mikado Tissue and decorated with intricate lace at the bottom.
"It's gorgeous," Serafina gasped from behind her, Nicole turning around with a broad grin as she could only nod in confirmation as silence settled over them.
"Okay, come on," Rosalie sniffled. "Sit down so we can put on your headpiece and veil.
The bride found herself staring back at the simple headband, realizing that it didn't do justice to the ethereal beauty of the gown, but they had to settle on this since she couldn't find any that she liked or went with her dress and the ones that had accentuated her attire were out of stock and not coming any time soon.
"Alright," She sighed with a nod, before settling down on the sofa, lifting up her tulle as the other two girls helped her get across before Serafina – her maid of honor – stood before her with the headband.
"Okay, let's see," She sighed looking at the beautiful hairdo and then back at the headband, thinking of a way to settle it without ruining the effort. Just as she was about to put it on, a knock sounded on the door, all five girls looking up at the sound.
"I'll get it," Angelica moved away from behind the couch and went to see who it was, muffled voices reaching them before she returned with her lips pressed into a thin line with her eyes wide.
The other four girls looking at her in concern as she held a black cubic box in her hands.
"Who was it?" Rosalie asked, breaking the silence. "Angelica?"
"This just came for you," She held out the box to Nicole as she looked up at her sister-in-law before looking at the box in confusion.
Taking it from her hand, she placed it on her lap and pulled away from the ribbon, opening the lid of the box, a gargled sound escaped her and she covered her mouth.
"What? What?!" Serafina exclaimed in panic as Rosalie paled.
"He got it," Nicole murmured quietly.
"What?"
"He got it," She found herself laughing as she took out the blue Swarovski box, followed by another bigger one and another. "He got it!"
"Got what?" Alexis stared at her cousin in confusion, gasping when she opened the biggest box, showing off a stunning tiara nestled into the cushioning.
"He got it!"
Nicole put it in Serafina's hands, telling her to put it on. A little lost and confused, she settled the headpiece in its position before taking a step back and staring in amazement at the beauty.
The tiara was in a unique Lulu Splendor design. It was fully handmade using detailed vintage stampings and settings, soldered into a delicate sweeping shape to accentuate the hairstyle. It was trimmed in Swarovski Crystals that shone in the sunlight and pearls, matching her dress.
And best of all, it had earrings and a necklace to match.
"I can't believe it," Nicole gasped and touched the headpiece with delicate fingers. "Unbelievable,"
"We're a little lost, sweetheart," Rosalie spoke, not understanding what was going on. "Could you explain?"
"Oh! We had been out shopping for my wedding jewelry and I couldn't find anything I liked with my dress, and the things that I did like were unavailable. This tiara is one of the things which I had planned to have since I was little and said would go perfectly with my dress but it was unavailable and no longer in production," Nicole explained. "And I was sad about that but settled on this headband in the end, and now, I don't know how, but Salvatore found it. He found my dream wedding tiara," She laughed, the girls cooing in awe at the effort he had put in to make her dream come true.
"Okay, now, my shoes," Nicole sniffled with a laugh, wiping away the tears before they could fall and ruin her make up.
Rosalie grabbed the black Badgley Mischka box and handed it to Nicole who pulled it open to take out the white satin Kiara heels residing inside. With a little help from Serafina, she put them on before Rosalie sprayed perfume on her pulse points.
"I'm done," She laughed, feeling the joy bubbling inside her chest as she looked at all the girls around her, realizing that she would not have felt so calm if it weren't for her maid of honor, Serafina, and her bride's maids: Angelica and Alexis; and of course, there was the mother of the groom who was nothing short of a mother to the bride as well. "Group hug!" Nicole exclaimed with a laugh and spread open her arms, everyone shuffling in together, careful of her dress before squeezing her in a hug.
Pulling away, they all grabbed their final things before stepping out of Serafina's home, finding two white Rolls Royce standing before them with a lot of the neighbors stepping out to watch what was going on.
"Nicole," A rumbling voice called out as the girls helped her get down the stairs. "You look stunning!"
Looking up, she smiled at Davide and chuckled at Manuel's open-mouthed expression.
"Thank you," She smiled, making her way forward. "You look stunning yourself,"
"I always do," The man scoffed as he brushed away imaginary dust from his shoulder. Smiling when Nicole chuckled. "Ready to go, your highness?" He pulled open the back door, deliberately stepping on Manuel's foot in the process to get him out of his stupor as he winced and straightened.
Smiling, Nicole settled in the back with Rosalie while the other three girls sat in the other Rolls Royce. Once the guards settled in the car, a black Range Rover drove before them, followed by the bride's Rolls Royce and the bride's maid's car with another Range Rover bringing up the rear.
The drive went by in the blink of an eye, excitement causing Nicole to bubble with joy as they neared the venue.
"Castle Mago Estate," Rosalie looked out the window at the designated venue. "Who chose it?"
"I have no idea," Nicole shook her head, the excitement refusing to let her think of anything else other than the events awaiting her.
Pulling up before the hotel, the staff was outside and waiting for her. Pulling open the doors, they helped the girls out one by one with guards trailing them. Entering the exquisite hotel, Tazio met them at the door, dressed in a beautiful grey suit and smiled at the women.
"There is a bridal room here," He gestured the way. "Immediate things are all in there, as well as a change of clothes for all of you, and your necessities,"
"Is he here?" Nicole asked, following after him as Serafina and Angelica took up the rear, holding her tulle, while Alexis and Rosalie handled her veil.
"Oh, he has been here since 9 a.m." Tazio shook his head with a scoff. "Ensured everything was in order,"
"How is he?"
"Jumping,"
"Jumping?"
"I had to take him out for a run around the premise three hours ago to reduce the hyperactivity in him,"
"He's excited?"
"Oh, like anything."
A broad grin formed on Nicole's lips as she followed him into the bridal room. Freshening their makeup and settling their hair, Rosalie was the first to leave, her husband coming to get her, and tripping at the sight of his wife.
"I told you so," Rosalie
whispered to their daughter as Arcangelo stared at her in amazement, unable to tear his eyes from her even when she placed a kiss on his cheek and led them to the venue.
Grabbing their flower bouquets, Renzo Lombardi stepped into the bridal room, tearing up and laughing to see the ecstatic look on his daughter's face.
"Mia figlia!" He laughed when she twirled to show him the dress. "Oh!" He hugged her close, placing a kiss on her cheek before helping them cover her face with the veil.
"Come on, come on, and let's go!" Serafina urged as they all grabbed their bouquets and stepped out, hurriedly making their way across the hotel and towards the back, following the path leading to the venue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lombardi and Nicole made a leisurely ascent to the venue, talking and laughing as he asked if she was happy, his daughter just smiling and nodding in response as her father patted her hand that was interlinked with his.
"I just find it weird not having my ring," She revealed as the girls disappeared around the bend.
"I heard Salvatore suggested you get new rings,"
"I refused," Nicole shook her head. "I love the emerald ring with the diamond band. But I gave them to him to get them polished,"
Her father chuckled in response as they heard the idle chatter of the guests; her niece Marina being the first to notice her.
"Auntie!" The 4-year-old squealed in joy and rushed to her, hugging her as Aurora and Irene followed, dropping their flower baskets, all three of them wearing beautiful white frilly dresses with flower headbands.
"Hey, sweetheart," Nicole hugged the three close before they pulled back, and looked up at her.
"You look like a princess!" Aurora gasped as the two younger girls nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, baby," She caressed her cheek before looking at the three behind her veil. "Where is uncle Salvi and Michele?"
"On the other end," Marina exclaimed.
"Okay, baby. Now, here is a note for uncle Salvi," Nicole folded the piece of paper she had been holding onto since yesterday and leaned down to look at the three girls. "Who will quickly go and give it to him?"