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She weeps for a few seconds more, then finally seems to get it under control. "I am sorry," she warbles, "really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to put a damper all over your wedding day."
I blink. Jesus, it really is my wedding day. It’s like the last two days went by in the blink of an eye.
I had returned to Nonna’s residence with Theresa and Karma. The men were told to stay away, in no uncertain terms. I’ve been receiving periodic updates on Christian’s progress by Nonna. She assures me that he is fine and staying with Massimo. Christian and I will see each other for the first time at the ceremony, which will be held at the family church where Michael and Karma were married. A ceremony which will take place a few hours from now.
Theresa wipes her face and turns to me, "I have something for you." She moves away to pick up a bouquet from the side table, then turns and hands it to me.
I glance down at the spray of sunflowers and blue orchids. They are tied together with a champagne-colored cloth knotted into a bow at the base. "Wow," I breathe, "it’s gorgeous."
"I know it’s tradition for the bridegroom to give you the bouquet, but Nonna assured me that it was okay for me to make it for you." Her features soften, "The colors of the flowers reflect the colors of both of your eyes." She adds softly. "I had the design in mind from the moment I found out that the two of you were getting married. The sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration, and the blue orchids represent power and virility, though lord knows you two don’t need help in that department."
I chuckle, still trying to wrap my head around everything. "Didn’t realize you knew so much about flowers."
"I should," she says with a small laugh, "I own a flower shop."
"Not just any flower shop, you are looking at an award-winning florist here," Karma says.
"Oh wow," I turn to Theresa, "I had no idea."
"Didn't you notice that's why Nonna gifted her with the tulip bulbs during dinner at the chalet?" Karma interjects.
"Of course, guess I must have been too distracted to notice," I murmur.
"It’s no big deal." Theresa flushes. "I love flowers, always have, and when you work with what you love, it doesn’t feel like a job at all, you know?"
"Thank you," I glance at the flowers again, "they are beautiful, and so is the dress."
There's a knock on the door, and a familiar face peeks around the door. "Aurora," her face breaks into a smile, and she bounces into the room, "you look beautiful."
"Elena." I hold out my arms, and she races toward me, then pauses.
"Don’t want to spoil your dress."
"You won't, silly." I smile. "Now, hug me."
When she still hesitates, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and kiss her cheek. "You look lovely," I murmur, "and so grown up." I step back, then notice the others watching us.
"This is my sister, Elena.” I smile at them.
"Hello, Elena." Karma grins. "You look so much like your sister."
"Oh, my sister is far prettier." Elena turns to me, "I can't believe you are getting married."
"I know, right? There's so much we need to catch up on."
"I have something for you." She dips her hand into the silk purse dangling from her wrist and holds out a brooch.
"That," I swallow, "that belonged to—"
"Mother." She nods. " I thought you'd like to have it with you when you got married."
“Ah, now I have something old.” I take it and pin it to my dress.
"We are not done yet," Nonna adds as she walks into the room. She’s wearing a simple blue dress with blue and gold stilettos and looks every bit the regal matriarch that she is. She hugs me, then holds out a small box. I open it to find an ornate charm bracelet. I hold it up and find charms in the shape of a chrysanthemum, a peacock feather, a rope, a weeping Virgin Mary, an anchor, and a scorpion. The same symbols I had spotted among Christian’s tattoos.
"Christian wanted this made for you." Nonna fastens it around my wrist. "He was very specific that he wanted you to be wearing this to the wedding."
"Right..." I run my finger along the pendants. What do they mean? Would Christian tell me if I asked him? Why is he wearing these designs on his body?
