He exhaled. A sound of relief, of release, of something finally breaking free after being held too long.
"Ti amo, Bella."He cupped my face in his hands with infinite tenderness. "I have loved you since that first night in New York, when you stood in the wine bar and told me my Sangiovese was acceptable."
I laughed through sudden tears. "I said it was excellent."
"You said it was acceptable. I remember every word." He smiled—that soft, private smile I loved so much. "I have been waiting for you. I would have waited forever."
"You don't have to wait anymore."
"No," he agreed, his accent thick with emotion. "I don't."
He kissed me.
Soft at first, then deeper. His hands in my hair, my arms around his neck, the taste of wine and joy and finally, finally, finally on our lips.
The party continued around us. Music played. People laughed. Somewhere, Sebastian and Aria were dancing their first dance as husband and wife.
But in this corner, by the wine display, I kissed the man I loved, and nothing else mattered.
Nothing else had ever mattered.
Just this.
Just him.
Just us.
20ISABELLE
"You're so beautiful.Matteo is such a lucky man."
I turned from the mirror to find Aria watching me, her eyes soft with emotion.
"Hello?" Kim's voice rang out from across the bridal suite. "I'm the bride. Divert that attention to me, please."
Aria laughed. "We just spent over thirty minutes gushing over you."
"And why did you stop?" Kim adjusted her veil in the mirror, a smile playing at her lips. "I was enjoying it."
The suite was warm with laughter and the scent of flowers. Sunlight poured through the windows, catching the crystals on Kim's dress—a stunning piece I'd designed specifically for her, all clean lines and subtle sparkle, elegant without being fussy.
She looked radiant. The kind of radiant that came from the inside, from knowing you were exactly where you were meant to be.
"Mommy, you look like a princess!" Zoe burst through the door, Evie close behind her. They'd been getting ready in the adjoining room, their flower girl dresses matching shades of soft pink.
"Zoe’s right. You look so beautiful," Evie agreed solemnly.
Kim knelt down carefully, gathering both girls into her arms despite the dress. "And you two are my absolute favorites. I love you both so much."
"More than Uncle Xavier?" Zoe asked.
"Much more. But don't tell him I said that."
My mother appeared in the doorway, already dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Oh, Kim. You're absolutely stunning." She crossed the room and pulled Kim into a careful hug, mindful of the dress. "Welcome to the family, officially. Though you've been family for a long time already."
"Thank you, Mrs. Dubois. That means everything."
