Page 128 of Chris

Haven’s pep talk came at the right time because beyond the double oak doors lined with waves of white and red tulle, the music changed to a familiar tune. Ginevra shot a wide smile over her shoulder and lifted her bouquet of red roses high.

“That’s me,” she said.

The doors opened a little. Not enough to show the rest, but it allowed Ginevra to walk through first. Haven gave Valeria a wink.

“Me next. You’re not sad, right?”

“For what?”

“Well, I’m not sure. Maybe because your side of the aisle might be a little … empty.”

Valeria shook her head. “Not at all. The people who count are already here, and the only other person I might like to see … well, my parents are dead, and Abril called to congratulate before she asked after Maria. I’m not sad.”

“Good. I love you, huh?”

Valeria nodded. “I love you, too. Thank you … for everything.”

When she had nothing, Haven was there. Against all odds, Haven had been the one who never gave up on Valeria. Now she had everything, and she was so glad she could share this with her best friend. That was the beauty of life.

“We’re just getting started, Val.”

“Absolutely.”

A minute later, Haven slipped through the doors when they opened for her. That left Valeria and Maria waiting in the corridor. Gian, Chris’s father, had offered to walk her down the aisle, and while it meant the world to her … she still asked to do this alone.

So much of her life was forced upon her. She wasn’t given any choice, and she had never been free to do something willingly.

More than anything, she wanted to do this.

Gian understood.

“Almost time, Mamá,” Maria whispered, smiling.

She looked so beautiful in her red and white gown.

“Almost,” she echoed.

Maria would walk first, spreading her rose petals down the aisle. When the song changed to the one she chose for her walk, then she would go, too.

“And then we get to keep Chris forever, right?”

“Yeah, baby, we get to keep him forever.”

Maria turned with her basket ready when the doors opened for her. Instead of walking in, she skipped. Chuckles murmured down the line of chairs before the doors closed again, leaving her to her thoughts.

She wouldn’t be alone for long.

Chris promised.

She didn’t have to do anything alone now. And hadn’t he proven that he always kept his promises?

Soon, the song changed behind the closed doors, and Valeria dragged in a heavy breath. Lifting her head to smile, the doors opened wide open to expose her waiting behind them.

Every guest stood.

Valeria smiled wider behind her veil.

She should have taken the time to admire the way the decorations had come together in the hotel's hall where they chose their venue. All the reds and whites, melding together with the roses as accents, and centerpieces. The silk aisle runner dotted with red and white rose petals, compliments of her daughter. The event planner and the small army she brought in to decorate the place had worked so hard to get it ready for this moment.