Acquiring Hearts

by S. Donahue

  “You’re shady.”

  “Whatever.”

  “I guess we better get to bed. I have a big day tomorrow.”

  “I’m happy for you Gia.”

  “Thanks. Rach?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I hope everything works out for you too. No matter what, we’ll always be sisters and best friends.”

  “You got that right and if I have to fight Sheila tomorrow for you, it’s on.”

  “Please, I don’t even want to think about it. Good night.”

  “Good night,” Rachel said laughing.

  * * * * *

  The next morning, the Coppi house was in utter chaos. Everyone was rushing around. Gia, her mom and all her bridesmaids had to be at the salon for hair and makeup by ten am. She had six bridesmaids. They all met at the house for a continental breakfast that her parents had catered.

  The ceremony was starting at four o’ clock that afternoon followed by cocktail hour at five and the reception from six to eleven. They were having all the traditional wedding services except for the church.

  Gia didn’t think it was right to have the wedding in a church since she was pregnant. Her parents, the holy rollers, were upset because she was being married by a judge.

  “It’s not real.”

  “According to the state it will be.”

  “Not in God’s eyes.”

  “Uh, I give up.

  That was one of the many issues they faced.

  The other was the fact that Sheila had to be invited to the wedding because of her parent’s friendship with Joanna. Brad felt everything would be okay. Gia had her suspicions and thought it was unnecessary. During her mini argument with Brad over it, she stated, “She better sit there with her mouth shut or I’m going to be flashing my marriage license in her face this time.”

  “You’re overreacting,” he said as he laughed at Gia’s joke.

  “Me, overreact? Never. How dare you say that!”

  “It’s your hormones. They’re crazy.”

  Sheila ended up getting invited with the assumption that Joanna was going to tell her that she needed to behave at the wedding.

  As Gia stood in the mirror staring at herself, she couldn’t believe this was all happening- finally. So much had happened in such a short time, but most importantly she found love.

  The Vera Wang strapless gown fit beautifully. She had been worried lately with the little bit of weight she had gained from the pregnancy.

  “There’s my baby girl,” said Donato as he smiled at Gia in her wedding dress.

  “Hey, Daddy”

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Are you ready? Everyone’s downstairs waiting.”

  “Yes”

  “Before we go, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you. Your mother is too.”

  “I actually thought you were mad about all of this.”

  “Never. We love Brad. He’s perfect for you. I know that he’ll always take care of you. Every father wants their daughter to be happy. You have accomplished so much. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “I know. I thought you were upset about the baby.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m going to love my grandchild like my own.”

  “Daddy, I love you.”

  She started crying and embraced her father. She felt relieved to know she had her parents blessing.

  “Please don’t mess up your make-up. Your mother will kill me. Come on, let’s get you married.”

  She walked down her parents steps for the last time as a single woman. When she left the house, her family, friends and half the neighborhood were outside waiting to see her off.

  The trolley was in the middle of the street waiting to escort her family and bridesmaids to the ball room. The chapel where the ceremony would take place was located inside there.

  Once they arrived, Gia was ushered to the bridal suite with her father. She was a nervous wreck. She had not seen Brad since the previous morning. He spent the day with his groomsmen playing golf and hanging out. They did speak a couple times on the phone yesterday but not today. Although she knew Brad would be out there waiting for her, she was still nervous to see his face when he saw her walk down the aisle.

  There was a knock at the door and Donato answered. He turned to her and said, “It’s time.”

  “Ok, I’m ready.”

  She put her arm in her father’s. As she turned the corner to the chapel, the doors were closed. The bridesmaids had already walked down. She waited in anticipation to see her future husband.

  Meanwhile at the front row, Brad stood waiting for his bride. He could not wait to make her his wife in front of all these people. He had been waiting for this moment since the day he got down on one knee and proposed, which seemed like 100 years ago.

  The organ began…

  The doors opened in front of Gia. The chapel looked spectacular. The red roses and white lights twinkling everywhere made the place look so beautiful and romantic. It was like a fairytale.

  She looked straight ahead and caught Brad’s eyes. He was looking at her like there was no one else in the room. Her eyes started to tear up.

  He looks so handsome and distinguished standing up there. I’m one lucky woman.

  When they reached the front, her father placed her hand in Brad’s.

  “Take care of my princess.”

  “Always”

  Donato went to join Carlotta who was bawling her eyes out in the front row.

  The judge began the ceremony. He asked the dreaded question that Gia had fears of for two months.

  “If anyone wishes these two not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  Gia’s mind wandered. Anyone can jump up at any time. She looked around the room. Her eyes landed on Sheila’s. She looked down in defeat. Gia was relieved. It wasn’t that she was threatened by Sheila. She just didn’t want any scenes at their wedding.

  “Great, let’s move on,” the judge stated.

  The ceremony moved along nicely. The judge concluded with thanking everyone for sharing in Brad and Giavonna’s special day.

  “You may now kiss your bride.”

  Brad took Gia in his arms and kissed her in a way that made the whole chapel blush.

  After greeting all the guests that attended the ceremony, Brad and Gia made their way back to the bridal suite. They were finally alone.

  “You look so beautiful, my wife.”

  “You look hot in that tux, I must say.”

  “I wish I could rip your gown off you right here.”

  “And be late for our own cocktail hour. I have been dreaming of the little quiche for months.”

  “No one will notice.”

  “Oh I’m sure our parents will be banging down the door any minute.”

  “We’re married. We are our own family now.”

  “You make me so happy, Brad. We have been through so much these past five months. I can’t believe we actually made it to this point.”

  “I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I love you.”

  “Me either. I love you too.”

  The wedding planner knocked on the door. “It’s your time to shine.”

  Brad grabbed Gia’s hand. “Let’s do this, baby.”

  They walked to the closed doors, holding hands. They could hear the music pumping. When the doors were opened in front of them, they looked around the room at all their close friends and family. They were there to support them through life’s adventures.

  No matter what happened they had each other.

  The DJ spoke, “And now ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you for the first time as a married couple.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Roberts III!”

  Coming Soon!

  Trusting Hearts

  Spring/Summer 2014

  Rachel’s Story

  “Whoever said to follow you heart needs to have their head examined.” – Rachel Rossini

&
nbsp; Rachel Rossini’s heart has been trampled and crushed more times than she’d like to count. She wants to divorce her cheating husband Vinnie, but he has other ideas in mind and doesn’t want to let her go. Staying with him would be the biggest mistake of her life, not only for herself but for their twin boys as well. Every time she tries to break free, he always lures her back into his madness.

  Rachel seeks help from divorce attorney, Carson Licciano, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend and Vinnie’s best friend. He is also engaged to her sister Gia’s best friend, Maria. He promises to help her regardless of the situation. Could there possibly be something left from the past that may resurface?

  Meanwhile, Dr. Colin Hill hasn’t been able to get Rachel out of his head since he last saw her in the emergency room. After contacting her for a date, he learns about what Vinnie has put her through. They develop a friendship via text messaging. When Colin starts to grow feelings for Rachel, he isn’t sure if he should pursue her or forget about her while she deals with her heavy issues.

  Can Rachel find happiness again? Will she finally cross the boundaries of her dangerous love/hate marriage and move forward? Can she look into her heart and trust another man? Will she ever learn to trust her heart again? Whatever Rachel decides, don't expect Vinnie to go down without a fight.

  Acknowledgments

  I have so many wonderful people that I need to thank.

  First, I want to thank my husband and son for putting up with me for the past five months. You have been so wonderful and are my biggest supporters. Thanks for allowing me to follow my dreams. You love me, unconditionally. I love you both with all my heart.

  I want to thank my Mother for always having faith in me and being such a great role model for me to look up to. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!! Love you.

  Thanks to my grandparents for teaching me what being Italian in South Philly is all about. They have always seen the best in me and nothing else, for that I am grateful. I know they are and will always be proud of me.

  I want to thank my brothers, Tony and Shawn, for always standing by me and sticking up for me. We have a special bond that can never be broken.

  Special thanks to my entire family: The Pagano’s, Iannacone’s, Donahue’s, Seravalli’s, and Giordano’s (there are so many of you) for standing by me through thick and thin. You always have faith in me and push me to do my best. I love every single one of you.

  Thanks to all my friends for always being by my side forever more- that’s what friends are for.

  To my work peeps, you are all the best and such great supporters.

  My Beta Readers- Christina Copeland, Tahnee Hall, Amanda Haury, Amanda Hunsberger and Jenni Fields-Hatfield. Thanks for reading my book and giving all your suggestions. Oh, and for putting up with me too!!

  To my editors- Tahnee Hall and Amanda Haury. It was a long road, but we made it. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. You made this possible.

  To my friend, Amanda Haury- I owe you a very big thank you. You have helped me throughout this whole process and have guided me in the right direction. You have done so much to make this book happen. It was a pleasure to work with you and I’m happy to call you my friend.

  To the Facebook Community -Authors, Bloggers and Fans- Thank You for all your support and for spreading the word.

  About the Author

  S. Donahue is a Philadelphia based author who penned her romance novel Acquiring Hearts in 2013 on an independent basis. This book is the first part of her series titled The Heart Series. She is currently working on the second novel Trusting Hearts. Donahue lives with her husband and their son in the city of Brotherly Love.