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17
Rick
My palms were sweaty, and I could swear my knees felt weak. I wasn’t having second thoughts; I wasn’t nervous about getting married. I was waiting to see if Valentina would really walk through the doors. The anticipation was killing me. It was a small room, an intimate gathering of just family, and yet I felt as though I was in the little chapel alone.
“Relax, Rick. She’ll be here,” Mr. Rizzo said to me.
I nodded. “It’s just…what if I pushed too hard? I mean, after all these years, I come back into her life and surprise her with a wedding? What the hell was I thinking?” We had so much to discuss, and yet she was rushed off to get dressed. I hope she’s as on board as I am.
“Rick, I like you. I have, right from the beginning when you and Val were dating. But you get in your own way sometimes. Love is one of those things you can’t overthink. If you do, you’ll talk yourself right out of it. Do you love her?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then trust that all the little things that you haven’t talked about will work out when you do. Because love is the one thing you must have in a marriage. The one thing you can’t compromise on. Trust me, I’ve been married longer than you’ve been alive,” he stated. “And if I didn’t think you two were meant to be together, I wouldn’t have given you my blessing when you asked for her hand in marriage.”
I had done that out of respect for him. I knew I wasn’t just marrying Valentina, but becoming part of her family as well. They were very close. I needed them to know I wasn’t stealing her away. Even though it pained me to do so, I’d live in Rhode Island if that’s where she wanted to stay. Her happiness is what makes me happy. Her smile is what warms my heart.
“She’s arrived,” Roger interrupted.
“That’s my cue to leave you,” Mr. Rizzo said, shaking my hand. “Next time we talk, you’ll be my son-in-law.”
I stood waiting as he left the chapel. Music began piping in through speakers, and the doors opened. Carlie walked in wearing a blue dress, followed by Abby wearing one very similar. They both stood to one side and joined me in regarding the door watchfully. Every second that passed filled the room with anticipation.
As the door opened for the last time, any fears, doubts, vanished. Angelic was the only way I could describe how Valentina looked walking toward me on her father’s arm. Her white lace wedding gown hugged her in all the right places. Her brown hair, usually cascading over her shoulders, was pulled up under a crown of delicate white flowers.
Her father kissed her on the cheek and then she took my hand.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you, too.”
The captain read from a book and his words flowed through me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off hers. We exchanged vows, and the moment came where the captain said, “Rick stated he had something he wanted to say.”
My heart raced. The moment was finally here. “Valentina, years ago, I fell in love with you. I gave you my heart, and I have to thank you for keeping it safe. I know it took me a lot longer to come home than I promised, but thank you for waiting for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone as loving and kind as you, but I thank God you’re in my life. I have been afraid to feel the pain of my past again, but hiding from it meant burying our love as well. I’m not running from my feelings ever again, because there is one thing I can’t live without, and that’s you. I love you Valentina, and I promise to honor and respect you all the days of my life.”
Her eyes teared up, and the captain said, “Rick, you may now kiss your wife.”
As we embraced, our families clapped and cheered. When we turned around, they each came over and hugged us.
“Before we leave, I have something I’d like to say,” Abby stated. When she had everyone’s attention, she grabbed Timothy’s hand and said, “Today has been all about love and family. Since we are all here together, Timothy and I wanted to tell you – we found out the sex of the baby!”
“What? You know if it’s a boy or girl?” Val asked in excitement.
“We do. And the answer is in your bouquet,” she said.
Val looked at her flowers, then at me. “Do you see something I’m missing?”
I shook my head. “Just blue and pink flowers.”
“Abby, we don’t know what you’re trying to tell us. Is it a boy or a girl?” Val asked.
“Yes.”
“Abby, I think your mother wants to know which one,” I pressed.
“It’s a boy. It’s a girl. It’s…twins!” Abby’s smile lit up the room, and I swear Timothy’s pride made him look taller.
I felt Val tense beside me. “Twins,” she sighed.
