The music changed, and the beautiful sounds of stringed instruments playing Pachelbel Canon filled the garden.
“Ready, piccolo angelo?” her dad asked.
Overcome with joy but not wanting to cry, she nodded quickly.
Aldo kissed her hand, and they took their first step out toward the waiting guests.
Aria looked ahead wanting to get a glimpse of Alex. A cool breeze blew the tendrils of her hair as she walked.
As they got closer, Alex turned for a second to say something to Enzo. But when his eyes met hers, thousands of butterflies went into flight inside her.
All her nervousness was gone. This was where she belonged. With him, for the rest of their lives.
Alex’s mouth bit his bottom lip as his eyes widened, and before Aria knew what was happening, he took several long strides toward her, causing Adrian and Enzo to look at each other in confusion.
Smiling up at him as he approached, Aria’s eyes scanned his handsome face. When their eyes met, she fought the urge to fall into his arms. The look in his eyes radiated pure love and devotion.
Aldo put her tiny hand in Alex's large one and said, “Weather the storms together, and may your love always be as strong as it is today, my children.”
Holding back her tears, Aria hugged her dad and told him that she loved him. He walked alone the rest of the way down the aisle to his wife who was close to sobbing.
“He seems ready to be married,” he whispered toMaria.
A wave of quiet chuckles could be heard from their families and friends as Alex finished walking his bride down the aisle to the front, never once breaking eye contact with her.
Stopping in front of the officiant, they turned from each other's gaze as he spoke.
“Alex and Aria, you have asked for a simple wedding ceremony, so as you wished, I will just say a few words. I have never seen a couple more in love than the two of you before me today. It's an honor to be here to witness your union.”
Addressing the crowd, he welcomed them to the joining of the two souls in matrimony. Telling them that Alex and Aria had written their own vows, he asked Alex to please say his vows.
Turning to face each other again, Alex took her hand in his and slipped the wedding band on her ring finger.
“Aria, love of my life, my heart beats only for you. You are the only woman I have ever loved. I promise to walk by your side through this life. I will protect you from storms and guide you through the challenging times to come. I devote my life to you, my one and only, always. Today, I give you my heart because it has always belonged to you,” Alex said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Aria watched him wipe a tear that had slipped down her cheek. She placed his wedding band on his ring finger and then brought his hand up to her lips where she kissed him tenderly.
Alex’s eyes fluttered closed, but he opened them again when she started to speak.
“Alex, my love, my heart, my albatross. You have flown all over the world, but I will always be grateful that you found me right here. Without knowing it, I was waiting for you. Waiting to pour my love out to you, and you only, for the rest of my life. Today, I also give you my heart. I will hold your hand when you are troubled and kiss away your fears. I am yours, Alex. Today and always.”
She in turn, wiped a tear from his eyes, then watched him bring her hands up to kiss them.
The officiant smiled and said, “By the authority given to me by the Province of Salerno, I pronounce you man and wife! You may now kiss your bride.”
Alex cupped her face and brought his down to her, kissing her lips.
Then he whispered, his lips still touching hers, “You are my dream come true, Aria Rossi.”
Feeling her body shiver, she whispered, “And you are my beautiful, unexpected love, Alex Rossi.”
The small crowd erupted in applause. Alex never let go of her hand even as they greeted their loved ones. He would never let her go again.
The DJ began to play a familiar song as Alex led his bride to the makeshift dance floor. Taking his wife into his arms, Alex took her breath away when he started to softly sing along to the Etta James song.
Twirling her around, he crooned slightly off tune the words to ‘At Last’ that meant so much to the two of them.
Aria sighed and held Alex closer as they moved around the dance floor. She allowed the poignant words to wash over them, reminding them of the long journey that brought them to that moment.
