by Blue Saffire
Carlos snapped his fingers at his assistant. She gave him the first jewelry box and he removed a diamond-covered bangle from it, placing it on my arm. Grabbing the second box, he revealed a large diamond pendant on a necklace. Maria reached for it and placed it on my neck.
“Lovely,” Maria chimed. “These are the first of your father’s gifts.”
Carlos handed the final box to Maria, which she gave to me to open. I opened the box to find a pair of huge diamond earrings no rubies in sight. However, these had to be the largest earrings I had yet.
“These are gifts I give to women. You’re no longer my little girl, Victoria.” I heard my father’s voice.
I turned to see him in the doorway with tears in his eyes. I was close to tears, but I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. I walked over to my dad, hugged him and gave him the box to put the earrings on me.
“Thank you, Daddy, they’re beautiful.”
“Nothing compared to you. You look like an angel. Happy Birthday, Princess,” he choked out.
I couldn’t fight the one tear that rolled down my cheek. Maria was quick to grab a tissue from her assistant’s pouch and started dabbing it away. I’d never seen my father show so much emotion.
His hands were shaking as he placed the earrings in my ears. We embraced again, when he was done and he turned to move quickly out of the closet. Maria was at my side once again.
Maria grabbed my elbow to lead me downstairs. Time had seemed to speed up. I was anxious to see Lorenzo.
I was annoyed when we reached the bottom of the stairs and Maria turned to take me to the study I had my first fitting in. I knew Lorenzo had been in one of the downstairs guestrooms. I was with Maria last night, when she was setting it up.
To my surprise, when we reached the study, Maria slid the doors opened and there he was. Lorenzo turned around to face me, and the worried look he had faded from his face when he saw me.
I swear I could see the moment he stopped breathing. I entered the room to go to him. He looked phenomenal in the white lightweight suit with a white collarless shirt that was unbuttoned at the top. His suit jacket was dressed with a teal and white handkerchief that matched my dress.
When I reached him, without saying a word, he reached for my face and kissed me. His kiss took my breath away. It was as if he was trying to tell me something in this one kiss. So much heat passed between us in such a short span of time. I melted into him, giving myself over to him completely.
“Yous two cut that out. You’ll ruin her makeup,” Maria hissed at us.
Lorenzo let his hand drop and pulled away. I reached to wipe the lip gloss from his lips. Maria was at my side in the next instant wiping my hand so it didn’t get on either of our clothes.
A photographer appeared in the room and began to take pictures. Lorenzo was holding me so tight, I couldn’t be happier. His embrace alone made me smile more for the pictures. Maria coached us through the first round of photos.
“Okay, now yous two are going to stay in this room until we have the guests seated. Then you will be announced and Lorenzo will walk you out,” Maria instructed.
Maria turned to leave the room with her assistant and the photographer. Lorenzo grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the antique sofa. He sat and pulled me to sit next to him.
As I sat he studied my face. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for. He just sat playing with my hand and thinking.
I wanted to help. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but something was keeping me from asking. We sat in silence for almost thirty minutes, before Maria reentered the room.
The makeup artist refreshed my lip gloss, and the hair stylist repositioned my hair to have the effect she wanted. We stood and Maria started to tug at our clothes. Brushing my dress out and fixing Lorenzo’s suit.
When Maria was satisfied, she led us out into the hall. Lorenzo locked my hand in his palm. We could hear my father over the PA system, giving a speech in half English, half Italian.
“Welcome, my friends and family, I want to thank yous all for coming today. My wife and I are happy we can share this special day with so many people we love. Today we not only celebrate a birthday, but a special surprise, as well,” he announced.
I looked up at Lorenzo, when my father said special surprise. The concern that was on Lorenzo’s face earlier turned to nervousness, as he squeezed my hand. Maria led us to the back doors, just out of sight. I wanted to ask Lorenzo what was wrong, but Maria was right on top of us.
“So now without further ado, I want to introduce a young woman that’s very dear to my heart. My beautiful daughter, Victoria Antoinella La Marcello, and her escort Lorenzo Giovanni Botticelli.”
Lorenzo held up his elbow and I wrapped my hand around it. We walked out of the house onto the stone walkway. The walkway led to steps that were bordered by two decks. One of which, my father was standing on, in front of where the DJ was set up with a microphone in his hand.
Everyone stood, clapping upon our entrance to the yard. My father walked over to us still holding the microphone in his hand. Lorenzo dug into his pocket, pulling out a small box.
I was in shock, as Lorenzo dropped down to his knee beside me. I looked around at the crowd that was watching, to see their reaction. There were whispers and gasps coming from some.
That’s when I saw her, my mom stood with tears streaming down her face. Toni was at her side, smiling. I only pulled my eyes away, when I heard Lorenzo’s voice come through the speakers, calling my attention. He sounded so confident with his satin-laced strong voice.
“Victoria Antoinella La Marcello, will you complete my life and my heart by promising you will marry me and become Mrs. Lorenzo Giovanni Botticelli?” Lorenzo said while staring up into my eyes.
I was lost for words. It took the sun hitting the enormous ring he was holding up at me to breakthrough my shock. The ring had shined so brightly it cut across my vision, making me squint.
When I refocused, my mouth fell open. The ring was a huge squared cushion cut diamond, held in place by a white gold four prong band that was incrusted with a ton more diamonds. My eyes flickered to Lorenzo, who now looked very anxious. My father came to my side and placed the microphone by my face.
“Yes,” I finally uttered, still stunned.
Lorenzo quickly placed the ring on my finger, as everyone clapped. He rose from his knee, wrapping his arms around my thighs. As he lifted me in the air to kiss me, I cupped his face, allowing my lips to meet his.
Lorenzo deepened the kiss moaning into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and the crowd began to cheer louder. After a few minutes, he placed me back on my feet and Maria was there grabbing my hand to lead us down the steps.
She was heading straight for my mom. I was so excited, but just as we were a few feet away from her Maria cut to the left. We turned toward a table that was raised above the others, with two elegant gold chairs in the center of four others, two of which were already occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Botticelli.
My heart dropped into my stomach, my eyes filled with tears. I turned to look over my shoulder back at my mother. She stood there, looking as if someone had ripped something from her arms.
Lorenzo looked down at me with that pained concerned in his eyes, he had when I entered the study. I just shut my eyes. I let him and Maria lead me to the table.
Lorenzo pulled out my chair, so that I could sit and my father appeared to pull Maria’s chair. Once we sat I leaned past my father to shoot Maria a dirty look. I was getting along great with Maria, but not if she was going to play dirty like that. Lorenzo reached for my hand to get my attention.
“Are you okay?” he whispered in my ear.
“That was my mom, she’s here. I wanted to see her. Maria did that on purpose,” I murmured.
“I know. Don’t worry, we’ll get to her,” he said and winked at me.
“Will you tell me what’s wrong with you? Can I fix it?”
“No, you can’t, but I’ll tell you later.”
>
The Priest from Maria’s church stood and blessed the food. They started to serve lunch and we all began to eat. I couldn’t help but peek in my mother’s direction the whole time.
When I finished my food, my father said we needed to go and greet the guests. He took me to the side of the yard furthest from my mother’s seat. There were so many people and tons of tables.
The table my father was headed for was full. I noticed Uncle Frankie sitting there and a man that looked like he could be my father’s twin expect for the fine wrinkles and the salt and pepper hair, mostly salt. My father leaned over to whisper in my ear.
“Victoria, you’re about to meet your grandfather.” The way he said it, let me know this had some importance I was supposed to understand.
As we approached the table. Lorenzo stepped forward immediately and kissed the ring on the hand of the man that must’ve been my grandfather. I stood in shock. This must’ve meant more than I understood. I looked over to my father, not sure what to do.
“Papa, this is your granddaughter, Victoria,” my father said in Italian.
My grandfather stood from his seat. “Molto bella. La bellezza nera.”
I understood right away my grandfather didn’t speak English. The tongue he used I knew, but only heard Matt’s Grandma, Nona, use it. It was very old and all the rest of my family used a rougher dialect. However, I had talked to Nana Nona enough to use it myself.
“Nice to meet you, Grandpa La Marcello,” I replied in his dialect.
“Very beautiful, Venncesso, even with her dark skin you can see our blood runs through her. She will make this young man strong children, it’s in her eyes. I gave them my blessing when he accepts, but he must accept soon. If not, another will be chosen,” he spoke again in his dialect, this time to my father.
Something he said made Lorenzo tense. I felt his hold on my waist become so tight, it almost hurt. I understood the words, but not there meaning. He said something about another being chosen. What did that mean? My father nodded and answered.
“He will accept, he loves her. That will make his decision.” My father was confident in his own words. I looked at Lorenzo, trying to understand what they were talking about.
My grandfather nodded at my father’s words, then turned to me and beckoned me to come closer. I went to where he stood and he reached out and kissed my forehead. Then handed me a card, the woman next to him handed to him.
I looked at her and saw my eyes looking back at me. They were my exact same color. The one thing I thought was unique to me. Her hair was brushed back into a French braid that was massed with curls, just like my natural curls.
My grandfather caught me staring at her and waved her forward. I stepped close involuntarily. “Your grandmamma,” he informed me.
“Ciao,” I said to my grandmother.
She nodded in response, giving me a huge grin. She watched me, while I greeted the rest of the table. Everyone hugged me, as they pushed envelopes in my hand.
Maria appeared and freed my hands of the gifts. When I got to Aunt Joann and Angie they squealed, grabbing for the hand that wore the massive ring, Lorenzo had placed on it.
“Oh, Kid, you have great taste,” Aunt Joann teased, with a playful tone and mock jealousy on her face.
“I had to find something that would be able to exist next to her beauty,” Lorenzo looked down at me with a grin on his face. “I still don’t think I got it right.”
“Wow, Victoria, handsome and enchanting. Good job, niece,” Aunt Joann winked.
“So, Chris and I get to be the best man and maid of honor, right?” Angie insisted.
“We haven’t talked about that yet, Angie. But I guess so. I mean…I can speak for me.”
“Who else, Ang?” Lorenzo chuckled.
We worked the crowd, going from table to table. Maria reached for the envelopes, as they filled my hands. As soon as someone distracted her, I grabbed Lorenzo’s hand and headed straight for my mother.
I hugged her tight, as soon as I got to her. Lorenzo had his hand on my back, rubbing it as my mother and I embraced. It was the only thing that kept me from falling apart.
“You look so beautiful, Honey. Engaged? I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” my mother whispered.
“Oh, this is Lorenzo, Lorenzo, this is my mom, Lakeisha James.”
“Very nice to meet you, Ms. James. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You’re the young man that comes for Toni on the weekends. Toni, did you know your sister had a boyfriend?” she turned to Toni and asked.
“Yeah, Ma, but you don’t like to hear about me coming here. So, I didn’t say anything. Lorenzo is cool and his sister Lucie is cool too,” Toni told her, with a shrug.
“Are you happy, Victoria?”
“Sometimes, I mean. I miss you, but when I’m with Lorenzo, he makes me feel better,” I admitted.
“As long as you’re happy.”
Maria stepped in the middle of the conversation, giving my mother a smug look, as she threw an arm around my waist. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. My mother looked as if she was going to turn and leave, but I grabbed her arm to make her stay.
This is my mom, and today is the greatest day of my life. I had met my grandparents and Lorenzo proposed to me. Maria wasn’t going to ruin it by torturing my mom.
“Maria, I love you, but you’re not going to ruin my day by hurting my mom. Stop it, before I tell my father why you really have her here,” I demanded.
Maria’s face changed. “Victoria, I love you too. I’m sorry. Lakeisha, I’ll behave myself today, for Victoria. It’s time for her to change, would you like to come?” she said sincerely.
My mother hesitated, so I answered for her. “Sure, you’ll come.”
I held her hand on one side and Lorenzo’s on the other, as we all walked back to the house for our wardrobe change. Maria shoved Lorenzo toward his dressing room, dragging my mom and me upstairs. When we got to my room, her assistant started to unzip me and pull off my dress.
It was already three o’clock and I still had people to greet. The music played loudly and you could hear the people outside enjoying themselves. The party was in full swing.
Maria rushed me into the closet, her assistant following us with a stunning dress draped across her arms. My mother and Maria helped to put it on, and Maria zipped it shut. The dress was peach and chocolate brown, complementing my skin and hair.
It was shorter than the first dress, stopping a few inches above the knee. It was a one shouldered roman style. The dress tightly molded to my body, following my curves to a tee.
The bodice of the dress was a peach silk organza. The waist was wrapped by a heavier large piece of chocolate brown silk that made a puddle of fabric behind me, creating a gorgeous chocolate train. The dress sparkled as there were stones embedded into the organza.
Maria and my mother were crying, as they looked at me in the dress. The assistant kept working as she changed my jeweled sandals for a pair of silk lightly jeweled chocolate pumps.
They took me back out of the closet into the room, where the hair stylist waited with pins in her mouth and her hands. Maria had a salon chair set up in my room for the day. I sat in it as best as I could.
The stylist began to pin my curls up letting only a few strands hang here and there. The makeup artist came in to refresh my makeup. My mom frowned at my animal cracker birthmark that was exposed by my hair being pulled up. I didn’t let the makeup artist cover it. I frowned back at her.
“Lorenzo likes it, so there, it stays,” I told her.
“Oh, fine,” she huffed. “You never had a problem with that thing anyway.” She wrinkled her nose, as she playfully pushed at the birthmark like she could knock it off my neck or something. We both laughed.
When they were done fussing over me, Maria pulled me out of the chair to head downstairs. This time Lorenzo was at the bottom of the stairs pacing. When we appeared, he stopped and watched with wide eyes as I descended the st
airs.
He looked amazing again. This time dressed in a chocolate brown suit and peach shirt with a silk peach tie. The suit was tailored to perfection, detailing Lorenzo height and muscle physique beneath. Carlos really knows his job.
Lorenzo looked as if he was in a trance. He moved toward me, meeting me at the bottom step. It felt like I couldn’t get to him fast enough. When I finally reached the last step, he placed his hands on my waist and stared into my eyes.
Without speaking, I could hear him saying he loved me. That amazing energy between us was at its peak. He looked at Maria, as if to ask permission. Maria let out a laugh and a long sigh.
“Go ahead, Lorenzo, Jamie can just put some more lip gloss on when you’re done,” Maria answered his unspoken question.
Before she was done, his lips were pressed tightly to mine. He released the kind of energy we tried to stay away from, but I was so happy to be engaged to him, I didn’t care. He smelled extra good today.
I had noticed earlier, the first time he kissed me. I reached up and locked my arms around his neck. Lorenzo wrapped his arms around my back, as he tightened his hold on me.
It was like everyone had left the room. I never wanted to stop, but Maria cleared her throat after a minute. He unlocked our lips to look over my shoulder and smile at Maria.
He chuckled at Maria. “I love you,” he whispered in my ear.
“I love you too,” I said as I looked up at him.
Jamie came to refresh my lip gloss and the photographer showed up for more pictures. This time Maria and my mom got into a few. Maria sent for my father, Toni, and my in-laws to be.
We took tons of pictures, as the guests started to come inside to take pictures of me and get in a few. An hour must have gone by when the doorbell rang and a horn was being blown from outside.
My father had a huge grin on his face, as he came to get Lorenzo and me. He ushered us toward the door. I could see through the glass, as we approached. A brand new Maserati, with a bow on it was being lowered from a flatbed.
I almost jumped out of my skin. All the guests started to follow us outside. Lorenzo watched, smiling from ear to ear. My father pulled the key from his pocket and handed it to me.