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“So, we’ll be able to marry day after tomorrow?” Giada smiles.
“Yes.”
“Great. What about witnesses?”
“Witnesses?”
“Yeah, you need witnesses when you get married.”
“Oh, well Mark and Benedetto can do that, right?”
“I suppose. They’re your men.”
“Yes, they are. C’mon, what else?”
She sighs. “My aunt.”
“I sent Father Lorenzo to talk to her.”
Her eyes light up. “You did?”
“Anything for you.”
She puts her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. “I love you. I’m so happy.”
My arms tighten around her and I bury my head in her neck. “I love you too.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
When I pictured my wedding, it was a vastly different thing from this tiny living room in a priest’s house. For one thing, I imagined a lot more people present and for another, I figured I’d be miserable.
Instead, the butterflies in my stomach are one hundred percent excitement and yes, I threw up this morning while getting ready in my sparse warehouse accommodations. But that’s because – present actions notwithstanding – I’m a realist. I know the kind of shit we’re getting ourselves into.
I’m terrified but also overjoyed.
I turn to Romano, looking up at him, a smile on my face, as the priest begins the homily. He insists on doing the whole ‘brothers and sisters we are gathered here today’ even though there are only six people present – Romano and myself, Benedetto and Mark, the priest and my aunt Ludovica.
While she was skeptical that our whole present-them-with-a-fait-accompli-plan would work, she was willing to help in any way she could, including providing me with a wedding dress.
“It belonged to my mother. She and my father had a happy – if short – marriage. You know she got sick after my birth… never really recovered.”
I squeezed her hands. “Yeah, I know the story.”
“Anyway, I thought it’d be a better choice thanmywedding dress.” She smirked at me, “And once you’re out in the open, maybe you can choose your own.”
I smile. “Maybe. I’m not really worried about what I’m wearing today…” I shake my head as my aunt watches me fondly.
“Yes well, if anyone can pull this off, it’s you.”
I hug her tightly and she holds on to me as well. If push came to shove, I don’t think my father would kill me. He might consider me a traitor though. It was best to be prepared.
“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
I look at the priest like he’s speaking gibberish. It’s hard to believe we’re really here.
“Giada?” he says, “are you having second thoughts?”
I shake my head frantically. “No. I’m sorry. It’s all just so… crazy. But yes! Yes I do!”
