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I turned back to the mirror and applied my makeup. I kept it simple and natural, keeping in line with the much simpler theme of the ceremony today. While I put on some mascara, Debi got Mr. F ready in his waistcoat and bow tie. I was glad that we had gotten the outfit for him—he was going to look great, and it had been great fun picking it out with Debi. Who knew there were so many websites dedicated to doggy wedding outfits?
My pooch, however, was in a particularly playful mood and seemed more interested in having a tug of war with the bow tie, than getting dressed in it. “Come on, Mr. F, you want to look smart today for Juliana, don’t you? You can’t let those other boys look smarter than you. You’re going to be the most handsome boy in the church today.”
Debi was giggling away when Marco came in. “Hey, what about me? Aren’t I supposed to be the most handsome boy today?” he teased Debi.
“You know I think you’re great, Marco, but you don’t have the same cuteness factor as Mr. F,” replied Debi seriously, making me laugh at Marco’s pretend look of devastation.
“The boys are waiting downstairs and Camillo will drive you all to the church,” he told Debi.
“Do you think Camillo will let me take Mr. F in his car?”
“Shortcake, you only have to bat your eyelashes at him, and he’ll let you have whatever you want.”
She finished tying the bow tie on Mr. F. “There, you look great now.” She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before taking Mr. F and heading downstairs.
MARCO
“Mrs. Marchiano, you look stunning.”
“Will I do?”
“Always,” I said with a grin. It was true that Juliana made me happier. I had never felt that my life was missing anything until she had come along.
I wrapped my hand around her stomach, resting my hand there. “How’s our baby doing today?”Our baby. I still couldn’t believe it, and whenever I thought about it, it made an ecstatic feeling flutter through my heart.
“Good so far. I didn’t throw up this morning and as long as I don’t throw up while I’m standing at the altar, then I’ll be happy.”
I looked deep into her eyes. “And are you happy?” I had asked her this before, but I had to be sure.
“Definitely. I know it’s pretty soon to be having a baby, but I’m really happy about it. Although maybe I’ve just gone crazy if I’m looking forward to having little Marchianos running around the place.”
“I like the idea of a mini-Marco,” I quipped. “I’m Capo and therefore I need an heir and a spare—so we’ll have a couple of boys first and then a girl.”
“How many babies do you expect me to have?” exclaimed Juliana.
“With all the practice we’re getting, it will be a few at this rate,” I growled into her ear before nuzzling her neck. I couldn’t keep my hands off this woman.
I held out my arm and she placed her smaller arm in mine. I walked her down to my car and together we made our way to the church. Today at the ceremony, it was just going to be the two of us, my siblings, and Anni and Lorenzo with their two kids. And Mr. F, of course.
Lorenzo's daughter, Clara, was a flower girl during our blessing ceremony. I’m sure Lorenzo wouldn’t have allowed her to take part in one of my previous weddings, but today was low-key and I had assured him that Clara would be completely safe.
The four-year-old girl looked adorable in her off-white dress, cautiously tottering down the aisle as her chubby hands carefully sprinkled petals along her route.
Anni looked on with happiness on her face, while Lorenzo looked like he would burst with pride as he watched his little girl. He shot a look at Anni, and I could see in that look how much he loved his wife.
As Clara reached the altar, I scooped her up in his arms. “You did an amazing job, Clara,” I said gently to the little girl.
She smiled shyly up at me as I gave her a kiss on her pink cheek before turning around and handing her to Lorenzo.
Lorenzo held Clara close, his daughter resting her tiny hands against his broad chest. “You’re the most beautiful flower girl I’ve ever seen, mia preziosa,” he crooned at her, earning him a beaming smile from his little girl as she nestled into his hold and sought his closeness. “I love you, Dadda,” she said quietly to him as she laid her head in the crook of his neck.
Just before Juliana started her walk down the aisle toward me, I shot a smile at Debi. And I got a gorgeous smile back from her. Man, Debi was going to be a heartbreaker one day, especially with those big brown eyes of hers.
Finally, Juliana made her way toward me, this time all smiles and with love in her eyes.
Father Ugolino was our family priest and performed the blessing. We had decided to make the traditional Catholic vows today because we didn’t get married in a church last time. I wanted to give Juliana whatever she wanted to make her happy.
“Marco and Juliana, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
