“It’s time for your vows,” the priest says. “Enzo, repeat after me.”
“We wrote our own,” Enzo says, voice full of confidence.
“Go ahead,” the priest responds.
Enzo takes a breath before starting. “Aria… I had a whole speech planned, but now that I’m standing in front of you, your beauty has made me speechless and forgetful. I can’t remember a thing I was supposed to say,” he says, and everyone, myself included, laughs.
“Such a charmer.” I giggle.
“What we share has been forbidden from the start because your father declared us as rivals, but that didn’t stop us one bit. We were never supposed to fall in love,” he says, and I gasp at his use of the L-word. I mean, I hoped, but I wasn’t sure if he’d ever say the words. “But when I found you sneaking around our property at that party, I had every intention of killing the intruder, but when I got rid of the disguise and saw you standing there in front of me, you instantly took my breath away. It was only supposed to be one night, but I couldn’t not see you again since I became instantly obsessed with you. There I was, the man who never wanted to get married or thought about love, thinking of you in my every waking moment. You were like a drug, an addiction I couldn’t get rid of. Those few months without you were hell, and it made me realize that you were it for me, thatthere was no way you were ever going to marry anyone else besides me,” he says, and I let out a chuckle.
I feel my chest tighten, eyes stinging with the tears that want to fall at his words.
“I promise to stand beside you every day of our lives. Even when life gets difficult, from here on out, it will always be us against the world.Ti amo, mia regina.”
The tears I try to keep at bay are streaming down my face by the time he’s done saying his vows.
“Your turn,” he whispers, using both hands to brush away my tears with his thumbs.
I let out a shaky exhale while grabbing his hands again. “I just knew you were going to make me cry today,” I admonish, before a watery smile crosses my face.
“Who knew sneaking into a party with the intention of losing my virginity would end up with me finding the love of my life, which I never expected at all,” I joke, and hear more chuckles around us. Well, except for the priest.
“I was scared when you discovered it was me. I thought you were going to kill me. But just like you, my breath was stolen when I laid eyes on you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby sooner. You’ll never know how much I regret it. I’ve been through hell and back, but it was all worth it if, at the end, I get to stand right here in front of you and marry you. I’d face it all a thousand times. I don’t know what our future holds, but I know with you by my side, it’ll be worthwhile,” I say, getting choked up again.
“The easiest thing I’ve ever done is love you. Before you, the only person who has ever shown me love was my brother, but he’s gone. Now that I have you, it doesn’t feel lonely or hopeless anymore. I promise to stand beside you every single day of our lives. I promise to choose you. Even when life gets difficult, from here on out, it will always be us against the world, our childrenbefore everyone else.Ti amo, mio re,” I finish, taking in a deep breath.
I didn’t think our vows would be so emotional. Even Enzo thought so, as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.
For a moment, no words are spoken as we just stare into each other’s eyes. The weight of the promises just made, between us. To what I hope will turn into a solid foundation for our future.
“Che le fedi vi benedicano entrambi,” the priest says as we exchange the rings.May the faiths bless you both.
“With this ring, I take you as my wife,” he says, voice filled with possession.
“With this ring, I take you as my husband,” I murmur, mine sounding about the same.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest says. The words echo in the space between us. There is no turning back. We’re now tied to each other for the rest of our lives. “You may kiss the bride.”
Enzo doesn’t hesitate. He pulls me in and gives me a deep and sensual kiss.It’s an I love you, you’re mine, I’m never letting you go kind of kiss.“Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband. We’re married!” I squeal when he finally pulls away.
“Finally!” he growls. “Finally, my wife and all fuckingmine.”
Gosh, the way he says my wife and mine with so much heat and possession, it’s a goddamn turn on. I’m about to say let’s just head upstairs but just then I feel rice being thrown on us. I let out a laugh when I see Giana rolling her eyes at us while throwing more with Bruno in on it.
“How does it feel being married, Mrs. Andretti?” she asks when she walks over to us.
“Amazing!” I squeal.
“Congratulations. I’m so fucking happy for you!” she tells me, hugging me and then Enzo.
Just then, the man I don’t know walks over to us. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Andretti,” he says to both of us.
“Thank you,” I tell the man.
“Thanks, Judge. I’m so glad you could make it,” Enzo tells him before turning to me. “This is Judge Roberts. He brought our marriage certificate over.”
