by Alexa Kang
She let go of Tessa's hands. Tessa turned toward the mirror and touched the necklace. Around the high collar, it made her look so elegant. "Thank you, Signora Montello. It's beautiful."
Signora Montello gave her a warm hug.
"What about the bridesmaids?" Fabia asked. "Mia, what dresses do you have for the girls to wear?"
Mia crossed her arms and looked at Sophia and Sonia. She then went to the back room and brought out two ocean-blue colored tea dresses. "Blue? You like blue?" she asked Tessa. "Blue like Anthony's eyes."
Delighted by the wonderful thought, Tessa gave her a big hug. "Thank you."
Tessa looked at all the gifts that they had bestowed upon her. The pearl necklace, the dress, the floral hair clip, and the bridesmaids' dresses. They reminded her of that old English rhyme.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
Blue like Anthony's eyes.
Jesse knew he should not have come to the hospital. He knew it would only cause him heartache. Ardley had said he was planning to propose to Tessa. He even invited Jesse to their wedding. Jesse could not see any reason why Tessa would decline, but still, he had to find out for sure. If she had accepted—or declined—the nurses at the 33rd would know.
When he saw Gracie and Ellie talking and their faces looking dour and upset, he held out a glimmer of hope. Could something have gone wrong? Was Ardley's plan derailed?
His hope was dashed in a flash. "She is so unfair," Gracie complained. "How can she do this?"
"Who are you talking about?" Jesse asked.
"Milton," Gracie said. "She wouldn't let us go to Tessa's wedding tomorrow."
Tessa's wedding. Jesse's heart sunk.
"She told us we could go when Lieutenant Ardley invited us earlier today, but she changed her mind when Dr. Haley said he was going too. That woman! She always gets neurotic whenever Dr. Haley might be around other nurses. Especially if Ellie might be one of those nurses."
"Gracie!" Ellie said. "That's not true."
Jesse barely heard what they were saying. Tessa had accepted Ardley's proposal after all. By tomorrow, Tessa would be married to another man.
What else did he expect? This was the inevitable outcome. Tessa loved Ardley. Fate had finally dealt him a losing hand.
"Don't look so sad, Lieutenant Garland," Ellie said. "Don't feel bad for us. Maybe you can help us give our well wishes to Tessa?"
"No," Jesse said. "I'm not going."
"You're not?" Gracie's face changed from annoyance to hope. "You don't have to do that, Jesse. I know you want to go with me, but just because I can't go doesn't mean you shouldn't go." Although she said this, she could not hide her smile. "You'll have to tell Tessa congratulations for me."
"No," Jesse said. The world around him had darkened. His heart was embroiled in agony as he had never felt. "I have to go," he said and left the hospital.
Behind him, Ellie said, "He sure looked upset. I hope he's okay."
"Me too," Gracie said. "Poor Jesse. He must have really wanted me to be with him at the wedding. Say, do you think maybe he was planning to propose to me too?"
"I don't know him well enough to say, but I would be so happy for you if that's the case."
"That must be it," Gracie said. "That's why he looked so crushed. He must have wanted to propose to me at Tessa's wedding!"
7
The next morning, alone in their room in the hotel, Tessa put on the white dress that Mia had given her. She checked herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. Today was her wedding day.
So many people had put in a Herculean effort to prepare for the wedding. Yesterday, Mia had worked all afternoon to tailor the dress in time for her to wear it this morning. Back in Chicago, Uncle William had to make a series of hurried arrangements for their local parish to grant consent to Santa Lucia Church in Rome to officiate the wedding. Weeks ago, Aunt Sophia had had to send the rings and ensure they would arrive in time without delays.
The one who had made all these things possible was Anthony. He had set all the plans in motion without knowing whether she would say yes when he proposed. He had planned his proposal before he arrived in Rome, when he was still fighting a brutal war. He had asked Aunt Sophia to send the rings, without knowing whether he would make it out of Anzio. He did everything in reliance on nothing but hope.
She pulled her rose pendant out from under her collar and kissed it. How happy she was to marry someone like him.
Yet, the day was not perfect.
She took out a small photograph of her parents from the purse that Fabia had lent to her last night. She wished her parents were here. She wished Uncle William, Aunt Sophia, Uncle Leon and Aunt Anna, and Alexander were here. Even Katherine. She wished their entire family were here.
She wished her friends in Chicago could be here too. Ruby, Jack, Henry, and Nadine. Unfortunately, Ellie and Gracie couldn't be here. Captain Milton would not let them come. That woman! She couldn't stand seeing anyone be happy.
Dr. Haley could attend. He would be her only guest.
Tessa put her parents' photo back into the purse. Aside from her family, Jesse's absence was the one that troubled her the most. A hollow sadness crept into her heart when she thought of him. How could Jesse be so cold as to decline Anthony's invitation? It was as good as her own invitation. Why would he not join them on her most special day?
She took the angel amulet that Jesse had given her out of her uniform in the closet. The amulet shimmered under the light. She could not explain it, but she wanted Jesse to be near her today, even if he had refused to come in person. She put the amulet into the concealed pocket of her dress.
A knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. It was Anthony. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Come in."
He opened the door and entered. In his dress uniform, he looked sharp and dignified, but it was his expression that she would never forget. He looked mesmerized, stunned, as he stared at her.
She looked at him and smiled. He came up to her and touched her softly on her arm, as if afraid he might damage her. "I have the most beautiful bride in the world."
"You don't look so bad yourself, soldier."
"I have something you'll want to see." He handed her a telegram. "It came to the hotel this morning."
Dear Tessa and Anthony,
Congratulations! We are disappointed beyond words that we can't be with you on your wedding day, but know that we are with you in spirit. We will be thinking of you. With all our hearts, we wish you a bright and happy future together. When the war is over, we will celebrate again in London. Please write and let us know how your wedding day went, and send us plenty of photos.
— Love, Mother and Father
"From my mother and father?" Tessa asked. "How did they get the news so fast? We only decided to get married yesterday."
With a sheepish grin, he handed her another telegram. "I sent them a telegram to let them know that I would propose. I felt it was the right thing to do."
She took the other telegram. This one was addressed only to Anthony.
Dear Anthony,
If our other telegram has reached Tessa, that means she has said yes, and I am thrilled for you. I cannot be happier than to know that you are both happy and in love.
— All my best and love, Juliet
P.S.: If you do get married today, then the day I have always wished to postpone has finally come. How bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes. Nonetheless, I congratulate you. Be good to her, or you'll have me to answer to. — Dean Graham
Tessa put her hand over her heart. "My father! I'm sorry. He can be difficult like me."
"I'll have to worry about him later," Anthony took the telegram and placed it on the dresser, then offered to take her hand. "Shall we?"
She took his hand and, together, they left the hotel. Outside, Anthony's military jeep was waiting. His driver opened the vehicle door and beamed at them.
> On their way to the church, Tessa watched Anthony. He looked so handsome, so sure of himself and what they were doing. Yes. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
The entire way, he never let go of her hand.
She never wanted to let go of him either.
This was the right thing to do, to get married here, today. This was what they had to do in the midst of war, when everything could be taken away from them in an instant.
If life were normal, they would have held their wedding in London or Chicago. Their families would have arranged their wedding differently. If the wedding were held in London, her mother would have fussed over her all morning, and Tessa would not see Anthony until she arrived church as the bride. If it were in Chicago, Uncle Leon would have commissioned a couture wedding gown and insisted that she be married in it. Either way, their parents would have chosen an elegant and grand venue. They would have wanted to turn their wedding day into an occasion. The event might have even been reported by local newspapers. The wedding of the sole heir of the Ardley family in Chicago, or the daughter of the renowned actor Dean Graham in London, would no doubt have roused the interest of the gossiping crowd.
With the war, that kind of wedding was not to be. After everything she and Anthony had been through, and everything they had seen, all the fanfare was inconsequential. Here, all that mattered was that they had each other and could be with each other. In this mad, unpredictable world they were living, they could not afford to lose any time. With all the burdens they still carried, and all the travails they would still face, going to their wedding together this way, by each other's side, holding each other's hands, felt like the right thing to do.
The only tradition she regretted missing was having her father walk her down the aisle. She had made her choice. She was following Anthony and leaving her life in London behind. She wished she could've given her father the chance to symbolically see her off.
Together, Tessa and Anthony arrived at the Santa Lucia Church. Before getting out of the vehicle, Anthony gave her a solemn look. She understood his thoughts instantly. They had to cherish the moment. They had made it through Anzio, and neither of them had become a casualty. It was a blessing that they were still alive, so that their dreams could come true today.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
At the church, Father Lorenzo was waiting by the entrance to greet them, as were Warren, Sonia, Rocco, and Sophia. While Warren shook Anthony's hand, the Montello children rushed up to Tessa.
"You look beautiful." Sophia kissed Tessa on her cheek and took Tessa's purse. In exchange, she handed Tessa a bouquet of white roses.
Amazed, Tessa accepted the flowers. There were twelve stems tied together with a satin ribbon, all in full bloom. They looked as lovely as the ones that grew in the rose gardens at the Ardley's mansion. Sophia and Sonia, too, each held a small bouquet of miniature roses. Tessa couldn't imagine where the Montellos could have gotten these roses in this war-torn city. "Where did you find these flowers?"
"They're gifts from Countess Mary Gayley Senni," Sophia said. "She's American, from Pennsylvania. Her husband is Count Giulio of Rome. The flowers were delivered to our home this morning with this message." She gave Tessa a note.
— For Miss Tessa Graham and Mr. Anthony Ardley, nephew of my dear friend Leon Caldwell. Congratulations.
The message was signed "M.G.S." and affixed with the Senni family's noble seal.
"Looks like Uncle Leon arranged this," Anthony said. Tessa held the bouquet to her heart.
Father Lorenzo signaled the wedding party to enter the church, and the procession began. Inside, the Montello family had already taken their seats in the pews. Dr. Haley was there too. They stood up as the wedding party entered. Near the altar, a violinist performed the music of Bach's Ave Maria, joined by the church choir.
Tessa looked at the walls and ceiling of the chapel. In this church, where she had never been before, she was struck by how far she had gone from home since she had left London. With each step down the aisle, she was marching further and further away from her past. When she reached the altar, her old life would truly be behind her. In a few minutes, she would be making the biggest commitment of her life, and there would be no going back. This was her chosen path. She felt as if she was on the edge of a precipice, about to take a jump. She thought of her father and mother. She was leaving them behind forever.
Trembling, she reached her hand out to Anthony. He squeezed her hand and gave her the reassurance to proceed. She tightened her sweating hand around his, drawing on his strength to continue her steps.
They came to the altar, where Father Lorenzo took his place at the center. Tessa passed her bouquet to Sophia and knelt down, and Anthony did the same. While Sonia, Sophia, Rocco, and Warren took their seats, Tessa gazed up at the large cross hanging above Father Lorenzo, and the giant stained-glass windows behind him. She felt dwarfed by the grandeur. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Anthony. For a moment, they held each other's gaze. He didn't appear nervous at all. He looked the happiest he had ever been. There was so much love in his eyes. Watching him, her anxiety disappeared. She reached her hand out to him again. As if they were of one mind, he reached out for her hand at the same time and held it for one last second before he let go and they bowed their heads in prayer.
"Miei cari amici, siete venuti insieme in questa chiesa affinché il Signore possa sigillare e rinforzare il visto amore alla presenza di un sacerdote, ministro della Sua Chiesa, e di questa comunità…" Father Lorenzo began the ceremony in Italian. As he spoke, Tessa sneaked a sideways glance at Anthony. His eyes were downcast, his demeanor earnest and serious. She lowered her eyes again while the choir performed another hymn.
When the Father began the homily, he handed Tessa and Anthony each a piece of paper. It was a copy of the sermon, handwritten and translated into English as Anthony had requested the day before. Anthony held on to the paper and tried to follow the homily by matching what the priest was saying in Italian to the words that he was reading in English. This was a sacred moment. He wanted to hear the Father's message. He wanted to remember to heed his words. He didn't want to ever forget their significance.
"Nella prima lettura di oggi, lettera ai Romani, Capitolo 12, Verso 12, sentiamo San Paolo suggerire ai romani di non scoraggiarsi di fronte alle difficoltà, ma di continuare a pregare Il Signore sarà con voi, ma delle difficoltà, inevitabilmente, arriveranno. Questo fa parte della vita umana. Oppure volte accadono cose sulle quali non abbiamo alcun controllo…"
— In our first reading of Roman’s Chapter 12, Verse 12 today, we heard Paul advising the Romans not to give up when difficulties come but to keep praying. The Lord will be with you, but yet difficulties will come. It is part of our human condition, or sometimes things happen to us that we have no control over…
Anthony read the words. Like the Father said, there would be difficulties ahead. He had already seen what war entailed. But he vowed to himself and to God, for as long as he lived, there would be no difficulties that he and Tessa could not overcome. He would see to it. He would do all that he could to help them surpass all adversities in their lives. Whatever difficulties might lie ahead, he would keep on loving her. He promised in his heart that he would honor and protect her, and he meant to commit to his promises. He would memorize Father Lorenzo's every word, no matter what happened.
Whatever happens, I won't give up. He vowed to God and to himself before the altar.
“Amare, così come lo intende Gesù, è amare anche quando questo significa accettare di soffrire per il bene dell'altra persona. Questo è vero amore: amare per il bene dell'altro.. Perché Gesù ha detto: non vi è amore più grande di chi dona la propria vita per un amico…"
— Love, in the sense that Jesus means, is loving even when it means undergoing suffering for the sake of the other. That is real love, loving for the good of the other. For Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's
life for one's friends…"
Out of the corner of his eye, Anthony glanced at Tessa kneeling next to him. He remembered her showing up alone at the army base in Naples, looking for him. She had gone through unbelievable obstacles to find her way to him, leaving behind all the comforts of home and everyone else she cared about. It did not matter to her that she would face dangers, horrendous living conditions, and hard work. Long before today, she had already decided she would give her life for him. It was his turn to do the same. He vowed in his heart, he would bear whatever adversity, whatever hardship, as long as he could love her.
"Ricevete l'un l'altra come un dono, e ricevete il dono della vostra nuova vita come marito e moglie."
— Receive each other as gift, and receive the gift of the new life as husband and wife.
The vision of Tessa in her white dress this morning came to Anthony. The way she looked at him, the way she touched him, the way she moved. He smiled. That vision of loveliness was seared into his memory. He turned his head slightly to look at her. Under the light shining through the stained glass, she looked alluring, like a jewel that captured and reflected a thousand shades of light. He loved everything about her. Her beauty, her audacity and defiant spirit, her unwavering loyalty, her quiet aloofness, and the gentle compassion masked beneath. He had no doubts. Meeting her was the best thing that had ever happened to him. To be able to be with her for as long as they lived was the best gift he would ever receive in his life. He could not wait to start their new life together, with her by his side.