There was a knock at the door, and Megan popped her head in. She didn’t meet Angelina’s gaze but sought out Karla. “Can you call Adam and make sure everything’s okay?”
No!
“They aren’t here yet?” Angelina glanced at the clock on the wall, panic rising in her chest. “We’re fifteen minutes away from starting.”
Karla patted her hand then searched through the clutter on the vanity for her bag before pulling out her phone.
Angelina fought her old insecurities and refused to think the worst, but her first thought was that there’d been an accident or something. She watched Karla intently as she waited for Adam to accept the call, but when Karla left a voicemail message asking him to call her ASAP, Angelina’s fears got the best of her.
She reached out for the phone. “Let me call Marc. I’m sure if Adam’s driving he won’t answer the phone.”
“True!” Karla handed her the phone.
Angelina found Marc’s name in Karla’s favorites list and placed the call. When he answered, she let out the breath she’d been holding.
“Karla, everything’s all right. We just…ran into a little speed trap on the way here.”
“Marc, it’s Angelina. Where are you now?”
“Don’t worry, cara. We’ll be there in five minutes tops, but we’re keeping it under the speed limit the rest of the way to avoid another delay. We’re both in our uniforms and ready to go.”
“I was afraid there’d been an accident or something.”
“I’m sorry if I worried you. I promise we’ll get there safely. See you soon, il mio amore.”
She said goodbye and ended the call then sank into the seat taking a deep breath.
“I’m giving Adam an earful for speeding,” Karla said. “I wonder if they gave him a ticket. You’d think after seeing them in their uniforms and learning they were on their way to Marc’s wedding, they’d thank them for their service and let them go on their way.”
“You’d think.” Angelina shook her head. “At worst, Adam was probably going forty in a twenty-five zone or something.”
Angelina smiled at her, and Karla finally shook her head and grinned. “Whatever I decide to say to him, it won’t happen until we get home from the wedding. Nothing’s going to spoil your day.”
Oh no! Was it bad luck for the bride to talk to her groom before the wedding, or was it only that he wasn’t supposed to see her in the dress? She had considered doing the new “first look” ritual where the bride presents herself to the groom privately prior to the wedding ceremony, but Marc had insisted that the first time he saw her in her dress would be when she walked down the aisle. Angelina had to agree that sticking to tradition fit them better. Her wedding day would be very traditional in every way. While she didn’t consider herself superstitious, she didn’t want to tempt fate, either.
Please don’t let anything go wrong today. This is going to be my dream wedding.
* * *
Karla had been summoned by Gina, the wedding coordinator, a moment ago, so Adam and Marc must be here.
Angelina said a little prayer for her marriage to be a long, happy union then left the room to find Rafe waiting in the vestibule dressed in his slate-gray tux. As the oldest brother, he would walk her down the aisle. He looked the most like Papa, which brought fresh tears to her eyes.
I’m sorry you missed this moment, Papa.
Rafe extended a hand to her and bent to kiss her on the cheek.
“Bellissima.”
Her heart squeezed as she imagined Papa saying the same words. She would carry him with her all day long.
“Thank you. You’re quite handsome in that tux, you know.” He shrugged. No doubt he wasn’t comfortable in the formal attire, but he didn’t complain.
“Here’s your bouquet, Angie.” Karla placed the holder in her hand, and she caught a whiff of the roses and orchids. “Man, are they heavy!”
Angelina smiled and nodded in agreement. She had so many favorite blossoms she didn’t want to leave any out. Conversely, the girls held calla lilies wrapped in silver ribbons. Much lighter.
Karla then handed Angelina Nonna’s pearl rosary—her something old—and she wrapped the beads around the hand holding the bouquet.
Through closed doors, Angelina heard the string trio of violin, viola, and cello playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D as their mothers were ushered to their seats. Here at the church, they would have classical music with popular, secular songs being played by the band at the reception. All their favorite songs, music that held meaning to them both.
Gina closed the doors to the interior of the church and began lining everyone else up. After positioning Angelina midway between the church’s exterior and interior doors, she guided Marisol, the flower girl, to stand in front of José, the ring bearer. They would enter just ahead of her. Karla and Carmella walked around behind Angelina and each took the hem of the dress’s train to lift and fluff it out, letting it fall naturally while Megan took more photos. Next, they fluffed out her veil so that it stretched all the way to the exit doors.
When the trio began playing Vivaldi’s Spring, the music Angelina had chosen for her bridal party’s processional, she blinked away more tears.
Soon, I’ll be in the arms of my one true love.
Everything was so perfect, just the way she’d imagined it would be. Maybe she was dreaming. No, she was very present in the moment and didn’t intend to miss a thing.
Gina sent the bridesmaids—Carmella, Cassie, Savannah, and Pippa—down the aisle at regular intervals, followed by Karla. Marisol came next, dressed in a multitiered, white dress. So adorable, as was José in his suspenders and slate-gray dress pants with his white dress shirt. Gina handed him the sign that read “Here comes the Bride!”
Angelina smiled, knowing that Marc would read it using the other meaning of coming. She didn’t want to rush the day but looked forward to their wedding night, too.
Angelina didn’t catch a glimpse of Marc up front before Gina closed the doors behind José. Alone with Gina and Rafe, Angelina smiled up at him and noticed for the first time a bruise on his left cheek.
“What happened to you?” she asked, reaching up with her free hand before he grabbed her arm and stopped her from touching it.
“Ran into a door. Door won.”
“Just how much drinking did you and the guys do after we left last night?”
He shrugged, making her wonder if Marc was going to be hungover when they took their vows. Surely he didn’t overdo it last night, though.
Her brother took his place at her side and tucked her hand under his arm. He patted the top of her hand, surprising her with the warmth of his. She hadn’t realized hers was so cold until then.
“My Tahoe’s parked right out front, if you’ve changed your mind.”
She looked up at him, incredulous he’d suggest such a thing at a time like this. Was there a twinkle in his eye, or did he mean it? A smile broke out on her face. “I love him, Rafe.”
He nodded. “I can tell, baby. Just trying to lighten the mood. You seemed a little on edge a few minutes ago.”
Was it that, or was he merely diverting attention from her question about his drinking binge last night? She sighed with contentment. Today was not the time to find things to worry about. “I can’t believe this day has finally come.”
“Won’t be long now before you become Mrs. Marc D’Alessio.”
Those words brought joy to her heart, and her cheeks started cramping from smiling so much. “I hope someday you’ll find someone you can love the way I love Marc. Then you’ll truly understand what I’m feeling.”
“I have no intention of getting hitched anytime soon. I’m happy in my bachelorhood.”
Was he really? She sometimes thought he was married to being a fire lieutenant in their hometown fire department. He rarely took time to date, as far as she knew. If he wasn’t on duty, he was training or studying to take his vocation to the next level.
“We
ll, that’s what they all say until the right girl comes along. I’m sure she’ll have an equally overprotective father, brother, uncle, or male cousin ready to run you through a gauntlet like you did Marc. But I’ll also want to make sure she’s worthy of you.” Tugging him down to where she could place a kiss on his cheek, she quickly wiped away the lipstick smudge. “Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize.” He smiled warmly. “Ready to tie the knot?”
“More than you will ever know. Now, help me get this blusher in place, but don’t forget to lift it out of the way before I join Marc. I’m going into this with my eyes open wide and want to see everything clearly.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He reached around her and pulled the built-in blusher over her face. She couldn’t resist the air of mystery it would give her before the big reveal in front of Marc.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“Perfect.”
The string trio began playing Bach’s “Air on the G String,” and Angelina tried not to laugh at Marc’s comment about the song title’s double-entendre meaning when they’d first chosen it. Gina said, “And that’s your cue.”
“Let’s go join your soon-to-be husband?” he asked.
“I’ve been ready to marry him for a very long time.”
Gina opened the interior doors, removing the final barrier between her and Marc. When she stepped into the nave, her gaze immediately zeroed in on Marc, standing tall and handsome at the front of the church in his formal Navy uniform with a bowtie and matching trousers. While it was officially called the blue dinner jacket, it looked black to her eyes. So handsome!
The music swelled, and it was as if the world stood still, leaving only the two of them.
Mine!
With her right hand firmly tucked into the crook of his arm, Rafe started her down the aisle. She smiled continually at Marc through her blusher veil, anxious to reach his side. Marc visibly gave her the once-over—twice—his grin growing wider as well when he met her gaze again.
The spell was broken when someone’s ringtone began playing “I Wish You Love,” and Angelina missed a step then another. Rafe kept her upright as Dean Martin’s melodic voice echoed through the church crooning a tune Papa used to sing to her at bedtime when she was young. Wishes of bluebirds in the spring and of love. She glanced up at Rafe, who seemed more annoyed at the intrusion than anything else. But in Angelina’s mind, this was a sign to her that Papa was with her as she walked down the aisle. The ringtone stopped abruptly as the phone’s owner silenced it, but Angelina smiled again through watery eyes.
Rafe squeezed her hand reassuringly, and she returned her gaze to Marc as she continued toward the man she’d spend the rest of her life loving. As she came closer to him, Marc beamed back at her. More tears sprang to her eyes.
At the second pew where Mama stood, they stopped. The priest recited a few words before asking who gave Angelina’s hand in marriage. Rafe and Mama responded in unison, “We do.”
Rafe lifted the blusher veil and laid it behind her head before placing a kiss on her cheek. Angelina walked over to kiss Mama, too.
She then faced Marc, seeing him clearly and without the tulle barrier for the first time today.
He’s so beautiful. And he’s all mine.
But what happened to his lower lip? It looked like it had been cut.
Marc came forward and Rafe placed her hand in Marc’s, wiping all thoughts about that away—for now. When Rafe would have stepped back, Marc gave him a man hug and said in a low voice only the three of them could probably hear, “I’ll always love and protect her. You can depend on that.”
The two stared at each other a moment before Rafe nodded and joined Mama in the pew. They seemed to have come to some understanding. Thank God! She’d begun to lose hope for Rafe ever accepting her intended.
Marc walked her the rest of the way to where the priest awaited them in front of the altar.
At last. There’d been days when she never thought they’d make it this far, but here they were.
Chapter Eleven
A lump formed in Marc’s throat the moment his gorgeous bride appeared in the doorway at the back of the church. Her beautiful dress, veil, and flowers added to the picture burned into his mind forever, but when the veil had been lifted, he couldn’t take his eyes off her face. Swallowing hard against the lump in his throat, he hoped he’d be able to speak when the time came to say those long-overdue, all-important words that would bind him to Angelina’s side for the rest of their lives.
He accepted her hand from Rafe, whom Marc bro-hugged before leading her to stand beside him in front of the priest. Angelina handed her bouquet and rosary to Karla.
Cara, I won’t let you down, he vowed silently.
When she trembled, he placed his hand over hers to warm it. After making the sign of the cross, the priest offered up a prayer and the Gloria before he indicated that Marc and Angelina should take their seats.
As quietly and unobtrusively as possible, he whispered, “You look stunning today, il mio amore.” When she’d walked into the church, she’d worn the biggest smile he’d ever seen on her face. Even the unexpected Dean Martin ringtone hadn’t dampened her spirits. If anything, her smile became radiant at that point, no doubt thinking about her father making his presence known.
“I love you, Marc,” she whispered between the readings.
His chest swelled with pride hearing her words. That this gorgeous woman had consented to become his wife still floored him when he allowed the thought to sink in. Nothing and no one would ever come between them. Today was the beginning of a new phase in their relationship, one that would continue beyond this lifetime for all eternity.
After the priest gave the homily, he invited everyone to stand and for the bride, groom, and wedding party to come before him again. Marc helped Angelina to her feet, and Karla and Carmela arranged her train before taking their places beside her.
Angelina beamed a radiant smile up at him, even bigger than the one she’d given him when she entered the church. Both of them were going into this marriage wholeheartedly without any reservations.
“Marco, I love you! Don’t make this terrible mistake!”
Merda. What the fuck was that bitch doing here?
Angelina gasped, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. He glanced over her shoulder to where Rafe sat. Rafe gave a nod toward someone in the back of the church.
“Take your hands off me. Who do you think you are?” Rafe gave Marc a sign that all would be okay. “Mar—” Melissa’s voice became muffled, and then he heard the sound of the doors at the back being shut.
Well done, Rafe.
“How dare she?” Angelina whispered.
“Forget about her. She’s gone.” It had better be for good this time. That bitch had been warned not to come anywhere near Angelina today. If Rafe’s uncles didn’t take care of her, Marc would, but he’d rather not upset Angelina by causing a scene. Melissa had some nerve to think she’d be welcomed here—or delusional if she thought he’d choose her over his treasure, Angelina. More likely, she simply wanted to stir up trouble—yet again. But he wouldn’t allow anything to mar this beautiful day. Melissa’s days of disrupting their lives were over. She’d caused enough harm to his family already. He reined in his own thoughts and brought himself back to this moment, banishing Melissa to a bottomless pit far away from either of them.
Marc gave the stunned priest a nod after the murmurings in the church died down. “Father, we’re ready to continue if you are.”
The priest cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, you have come together before God and these witnesses so that…” Marc forced himself to focus on the ceremony, forgetting about the momentary distraction. “I ask you both to state your intentions,” Father Bancroft said.
The priest questioned them again about their freedom of choice, fidelity to one another, and the acceptance and upbringing of children. He then asked, “Angelina and Marco, have you come here to enter
into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
Simultaneously, they answered, “I have.”
When it came time for them to say their vows, Father said, “Please join your right hands and repeat after me.”
The lump in his throat trapped his words, and he had to start again. “I, Marco Zirilli D’Alessio, take you, Angelina Cristina Giardano, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
Dio, let that be an incredibly long time because I have a lot of mistakes to make up for.
While he’d heard those words spoken before by others at numerous weddings, they took on an importance he’d never forget or take for granted. Hearing Angelina speak her vows after him in a quavering voice made him see all the more than he was the absolute luckiest man in the world.
“What God joins together, no one may put asunder.”
Adam and Karla were asked to present the rings to the priest. He prayed over and blessed them with holy water then gave Marc and Angelina each other’s ring. Marc placed Angelina’s on her finger first. Seeing the band of platinum on her slim finger gave him pause. This would be a daily reminder of his commitment to her and to their marriage. He would proudly wear the ring she was about to place on his finger that announced to the world that he was Angelina’s husband.
“Marc, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” She slipped the matching ring onto his finger and smiled up at him.
As the Mass continued, they knelt before the altar, exchanging glances and furtive smiles throughout. After Communion and the conclusion of the Mass, they were asked to stand once more, and Father Bancroft prayed a blessing over them, their marriage, and all those present.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Marco, you may kiss your bride.”
About damned time.
He faced his lovely bride and lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips in their first searing kiss as a married couple. Someone on the bride’s side—Rafe no doubt—cleared his throat, indicating he should cut the kiss shorter than Marc wanted to. Marc ignored him.
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